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 : Another Illustration Picture Of Brian Boru

Above : Mac Murrough Family Logo