Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1119, Muirchertach Ua Briain died at Killaloe, ending a weakened southern bid for island-wide overlordship as Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair expanded Connacht influence across Munster. Ireland remained divided: Domnall Ua Lochlainn retained northern power, while Ua Briain successors faced rivalry, partition and Connacht intervention. Tairdelbach’s Shannon fleet, supported by Leinster, Osraige and Dublin allies, depleted Munster’s resources, though Thomond forces suffered defeat in Kerry. The year also saw massacre of poet Cú Collchaille Ua Baigelláin’s household and Niall Ua Lochlainn’s killing, threatening northern succession. Church reform, monasteries, farming, towns and waterways underpinned political, economic and cultural life in significant ways.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1118, Diarmait Ua Briain’s death intensified Munster’s succession crisis and enabled Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht to reshape southern politics. After fighting near Glanmire, where Brian Ua Briain was killed, Toirdelbach allied with Tadc and Cormac Mac Carthaig. He allocated Desmond to Mac Carthaig and Thomond to Diarmait’s sons, securing obedience through hostages and weakening Uí Briain supremacy. He also attacked Kincora and extended influence over Dublin, Leinster and Osraige. Regional warfare continued elsewhere. Royal deaths, church affairs, learning and burdens of military hostings reflected a society unsettled by conflict. The unstable partition nevertheless established Munster’s enduring political division.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
Ireland in 1117 remained fragmented as Muirchertach Ua Briain’s illness and family rebellion weakened Munster, while Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht expanded his influence. Connacht forces defeated Munstermen at Lettracha Odráin after destructive reciprocal raids, and Tairdelbach took hostages from Mide’s king. Leinster and Dublin lost their shared ruler, Diarmait son of Énna, while northern kindreds continued violent rivalries. Church life was marked by numerous clerical deaths, notably reformer Máel Muire Ua Dúnáin, and the killing of Kells’ coarb and community. Following the 1116 famine, warfare intensified hardship for communities, more clearly exposing shifting overlordship, ecclesiastical vulnerability and regional interdependence.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1116, Ireland faced intertwined dynastic, military and environmental crises. Munster’s Uí Briain kingship fractured as Diarmait displaced the ailing Muirchertach, enabling Connacht’s Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair to raid Thomond, burn Kincora and challenge Munster forces. Severe winter weather produced famine and pestilence, especially in Leinster and southern Ireland, causing mortality, displacement and abandoned settlements; warfare worsened shortages through plunder and captivity. Fires damaged major ecclesiastical centres, including Armagh, Killaloe, Cork, Emly, Lismore, Aghaboe and Clonard, while attacks struck church communities. Despite disruption, Cellach of Armagh completed a Connacht visitation, demonstrating enduring ecclesiastical authority and institutional resilience amid severe widespread hardship.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1115, severe frost and snow caused widespread hunger, livestock deaths and disruption across Ireland, particularly Leinster. Muirchertach Ua Briain recovered from illness, regained Munster after his brother Diarmait’s capture, and reasserted influence through campaigns in Brega and Dublin, where his son’s forces defeated Leinster leaders. Yet attacks on churches at Ardbraccan and Clonmacnoise exposed warfare’s damage to sacred centres. Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair raided Thomond, removed a Ua Briain claimant, survived internal opposition, deployed a Shannon fleet and allied with Mide. His gifts at Clonmacnoise combined piety and political display. Despite Muirchertach’s recovery, Connacht’s growing power signalled a shifting balance.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1114, Muirchertach Ua Briain’s illness shattered his dominance of Ireland, enabling his brother Diarmait to seize Munster and confine him at Killaloe. Domnall Ua Lochlainn led a northern coalition into Munster, but its campaign ended in a year’s truce, influenced by the independent Connacht king, Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair. Tairdelbach suppressed rivals, raided Meath and consolidated Connacht. Elsewhere, warfare, killings, depositions and blinding exposed unstable successions. Church reform coexisted with monastic institutions, whose leaders’ deaths and fires were recorded. Raids, forced provisioning and livestock disease damaged communities. No settlement emerged: Uí Briain power waned as Connacht became a decisive rival.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1146, Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair’s contested high-kingship faced warfare across Ireland. After raiding Tethba, his returning army suffered losses when Athlone’s wicker bridge collapsed during an attack, though he retained captured cattle. Connacht defeated a coalition, while Tigernán Ua Ruairc burned Ua Conchobair vessels and Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair campaigned actively. In Brega, Dublin leader Ragnall mac Torcaill was killed, followed by the killing of Cellach Ua Cellaig with Dublin support. Rulers also died in Osraige. Churchman Cormac Ua Cathasaig died amid ecclesiastical reform. Raiding, captives and damaged infrastructure exposed rural communities’ insecurity; a reported December storm remains uncertain in sources.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1145, Ireland’s contested high-kingship produced widespread warfare, recalled by annalists as a trembling sod. Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht faced rebellion from Tigernán Ua Ruairc of Bréifne, Munster offensives and instability in Mide. In the north, Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn regained Cenél nÉogain with support from Cenél Conaill and Airgialla, establishing a powerful rival centre. Campaigns involved battles, cattle raids, burnings, captives and naval conflict on the Shannon, where Connacht defeated Munster and Limerick forces. Amid turmoil, Armagh’s church built a large limekiln, demonstrating ecclesiastical resources, reform and continuing organised construction. The year reshaped, but did not settle, Irish supremacy.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1144, Conchobar Ua Conchobair, Tairdelbach of Connacht’s son and king of Meath, was assassinated by Meath conspirators after six months’ rule. Tairdelbach invaded, inflicted heavy losses, accepted 400 cows in compensation, and reorganised Meath between Ua Mael Sechlainn rulers and neighbouring powers. Epidemic claimed his son Tadc and others, while clergy secured the conditional release of imprisoned Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair and mediated peace with Munster. Annals also record aristocratic deaths, kindred violence, Kells burning three times, and losses at Clonard. Events exposed high-kingship’s dependence on local dynasties, hostages, wealth, negotiation and ecclesiastical authority during a year of widespread disruption.
Read Article
Archived: 26 September 2026
Abstract
In 1143 Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair, Connacht’s dominant king, deposed Murchad Ua Máelshechlainn of Mide despite sacred guarantees, installed his son Conchobar, and provoked clerical condemnation. His authority was equally strained by the imprisonment of another son, Ruaidrí, despite ecclesiastical sureties, and by Munster’s contested incursion into south Connacht. In the north, Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn was temporarily expelled. Annals also record raids, destructive fires at major settlements, and church land transactions. The year revealed intertwined kingship, ecclesiastical power and local economies, while highlighting unreliable chronologies and conflicting annalistic accounts. Religious reform advanced through Mellifont and St Malachy alongside older sacred customs.
Read Article
