Although, as has been seen, the chiefs of Munster had not supported Bruce, yet they had availed themselves of the opportunity his invasion gave them. A few months before the battle of Faughart the O’Briens, aided by Mac Carthy, had defeated another attempt of De Clare to secure a footing in Thomond. Led by Muirkertach—who in the previous year had opposed Bruce— they won a decisive victory at Dysert O’Dea (1318), and the English were completely cleared out of all Thomond west of the Shannon. Next they won back most of their former possessions to the east of that river. Muirkertach had a rival in Brian Ban O’Brien, who had even fought against him at Dysert O’Dea. The contest went on for some years, but eventually peace was made. Then the O’Briens crossed the Shannon, and drove the English out of Thomond, south of Lough Derg, and here Brian Ban settled, and established a new family known as the ” O’Briens of Ara.” He succeeded Muirkertach as King of Thomond, made a treaty with the De Burghs (who also had possessions here), and until his death, in 1350, kept Thomond free.
In the south-west, Desmond clans maintained their independence, but their ancient territories on the Suir and the Shannon were dominated by the Geraldines.
The disastrous battle of Athenry had left William De Burgh and Mulroney Mac Dermott the most important chiefs in Connacht. Bitter experience had not taught the O’Connors, and their feuds were again renewed, both De Burgh and Mac Dermott acting as rival King-makers. Eventually the latter succeeded in making Turlough O’Connor, the brother of Felim, King of Connacht (1324). Turlough was able and vigorous, and the quarrels of the De Burghs equalled any that had ever distracted the O’Connors. We find, therefore, that Turlough drives the last of the Norman settlers out of Luighne, and in Sligo establishes his former rival, who becomes ” O’Connor Sligo.”* The fall of the ” causeway ” to the Shannon was followed up by the capture of Athlone and the neighbouring castles, and Connacht was completely cut off from what was left of the English possessions (1342). The Normans who remained threw off, as will be seen, all connection with England, whose power beyond the Shannon was thus wiped out.

While the clans were thus fighting ver the claims of opposing chiefs, or over the jealousies of rival families, the Norman lords were just as busily occupied in warfare with each other. On all sides there was turmoil. But the fighting was different from what had gone before or was to come later, for these feuds were not tvars of extermination nor did they aim at the acquisition of territory.

Neithei did they, apparently, affect the general community, but were carried on by the bands of professional fighting men. But, apart from the bloodshed, they must have been a baneful influence making for disorder and demoralisation.

One fact which shows that these constant faction fights were carried on, to a great extent, apart from the ordinary life of the country, is the evidence of the active trade and commerce that prevailed through the island. In all the Irish territories great fairs were periodically held, and were attended by Irish and foreign traders.

During this period, then, English influence was at its lowest ebb.The country was independent, and the nation was unified in culture ; but the one had no centre, and the other no head— there was no national focus.

The conditions were remarkably like those after Clontarf or like those of the Italian States down to recent times. Certain definite groupings there were. O’Neill and O’Donnell, O’Brien and Mac Carthy were still the accepted leaders of many subordinate clans.

 Indeed, the continued recognition of the chief family, and of the ruling clan, is striking—in families and clans there were dissensions, but there was very little disloyalty. Those leaders, however, were surrounded by other clans, Gaelic and Norman, over whom they had no traditional claims.