The north had been the headquarters of the invaders, and, consequently, the settlers of ” Ulster ” had suffered heavily. Some of them, indeed, not taking kindly to the De Burgh supremacy, had sided with the Bruces. Their neighbours on the west of the Bann—the O’Neills—were steadily advancing in power under Domhnall, and his son, Aodh ” Reamhar ” (Hugh, ” the fat “) . The weakness of the settlers now enabled these to cross the Bann, and to aid the old clans of Ulaidh to resume most of their ancient territories, until English influence in the north-east was confined to the peninsulas of the Lecale and Ards, and a few fortresses along the coast, such as Carrickfergus.
Domhnall and Aodh had not been free from domestic troubles, for their leadership was bitterly contested by their kinsmen, the sons of Aodh Buidhe O’Neill. The latter, being defeated in the struggle, moved eastwards to the derelict territories of the ” earldom ” soon after the murder of the ” Brown Earl ” (page 160). Here they occupied a large district along the southern shores of Belfast Lough, and here, in future history, the ” Clann Aodha Buidhe ” figure as the ” O’Neills of Clannaboy ” or Clandeboye. The rulers of Tir Eoghain insisted upon their supremacy over their kinsmen in this conquered district, but the claim was frequently opposed by the rival Clann Aodha Buidhe.

Above : O’Neills Family Logo

Effects of the Invasion.—The failure of the Bruce invasion did not check the recovery of the Irish, which had already begun. On the contrary, the recovery became more pronounced and the clans stronger. The devastation of war, famine, and pestilence had brought the whole island to ruin, and in this were involved the two races and all classes. But the settlers, being less deeply rooted in the soil, were more affected, and they gave way. The Crown of England had proved itself powerless, and unable to give that external aid which alone could have supported them in the country. Their leaders were at deadly feud. So, indeed, were the Irish families, also, but the native clans retained their natural strength, and the foreign element yielded before them. Many of the settlers returned to England ; many others became absorbed in, or were subdued by, the Irish clans. The century after the invasion witnessed the steady advance of the Irish in all parts of the country.

Above : Classic Painting Of William De Burgh