Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1397, Irish politics centred on rival lordships, notably Connacht’s struggle between Ó Conchobhair Donn and Ó Conchobhair Ruadh. Mac Donnchadha’s cattle-bearing camp at Cenn-eitigh was surprised and destroyed in mid-August, prompting retaliatory raids, new alliances and further gallowglass warfare. Conflict devastated crops, houses and herds amid summer food scarcity and a wet, destructive autumn. In Ulster, Niall Mór Ó Néill died and was succeeded by Niall Óg, who inherited continuing struggles. Roger Mortimer sought authority in Leinster and the midlands, building Finnea castle. Ecclesiastical deaths and journeys to Rome reflected enduring religious connections despite widespread instability across the island.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1398, the political settlement imposed after Richard II’s first Irish expedition was visibly coming apart. The year’s most consequential firmly dated event was the death on 20 July of Roger Mortimer, earl of March and Ulster, the king’s lieutenant in Ireland. Mortimer was a major lord in his own right, an heir presumptive to the childless Richard II, and the Crown’s foremost military representative in Ireland. His death in a Leinster campaign exposed how limited English authority remained beyond the better-defended lordship towns and lordly estates. That did not make 1398 a simple national contest between ‘English’ and ‘Irish’.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1399 Richard II landed at Waterford to subdue Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánach, whose Leinster forces avoided pitched battle, strained royal supplies and prevented a settlement. The expedition exposed the limited reach of English lordship beyond defended centres. While Richard campaigned, conflicts continued in Connacht and Ulster, and John fitz Gerald, earl of Desmond, drowned amid a Munster feud, leaving a minor heir. Annals note deaths of churchmen, rulers and Mac Egan legal scholars. Henry Bolingbroke's English invasion forced Richard’s July departure. Art remained unconquered, and Henry IV’s accession by September ended Richard’s reign, leaving Irish divisions and weakness unresolved.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1400, Irish annals recorded the capture of Dunamon Castle in Connacht by Mac an Abaidh Ó Conchobair, the death of a Burke, and the release of an Ó Cellaigh captive. Nearby, Grigoir Ó Maelchonaire, a learned heir, was accidentally killed; 126 cows were paid in compensation. Warfare devastated grain and seized horses in Tír Chonaill, while feuds, expulsions and deaths unsettled Ulaid and Breifne. Annals also note uncertain English intervention. Around Longford, the Ó Fearghail foundation of a Dominican priory reflected regional patronage. Collectively, these records reveal competing lordships, cattle-based restitution, agricultural warfare, learned status and uneven English authority.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
Ireland in 1401 was shaped by competing Gaelic, Anglo-Irish, ecclesiastical and Dublin-based authorities. In Connacht, Thomas Burke’s death produced rival Mac Williams, while Conchobar Anabaidh succeeded in Uí Maine and fighting engulfed Lough Key and Muintir Eolais. Leinster suffered reciprocal devastation between Art Mac Murchadha and Dublin’s forces, alongside a local western plague. Northern politics centred on a peace at Caol Uisce between Niall Óg Ó Néill and Toirdelbach Ó Domhnaill, though annals differ over its date and later violence exposed continuing dynastic tensions. Church and chancery institutions remained influential but geographically limited. The year revealed fragile, locally negotiated power.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1402, Irish politics was characterised by negotiated, contested local authority rather than national unity. At Caol Uisce, Niall Óg Ó Néill of Tyrone made peace with Toirdelbach Ó Domhnaill of Tír Chonaill, whose submission acknowledged northern precedence without ending rivalry. In Connacht, Uilleag and Walter Burke became competing Mac Williams, illustrating divided Burke lordship and its links to Munster conflict. The killing of Louth sheriff John Dowdall and the bloody capture of Carraig Locha Cé exposed insecurity. Quin’s traditional Franciscan foundation reflected Gaelic patronage. Conflicting annal dates require caution, especially concerning Niall Óg’s death, which scholarship places in 1403.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1403, Irish annals record shifting alliances, warfare and successions across Connacht, Breifne, Ulster and Munster. Muirchertach Baccach Ó Conchobair of Sligo joined Ó Conchobair Donn in a hosting through central Connacht, subduing Uí Maine and aiding Ulick de Burgh in Clanricarde, before dying that autumn. Uí Maine saw aristocratic deaths alongside killings. Breifne conflict brought deaths, captures and a Ó Raigillig ruler. Northern dynasties changed: Niall Ó Néill and his son died, while Oirgialla and Tyrone gained successors. Disputed annal dates complicate Ulster and Munster events. Records emphasise lordship, patronage, hospitality and religious prestige, while preserving fragmentary, partisan perspectives.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1404, Ireland remained politically fragmented between the English lordship, Anglo-Irish magnates and Gaelic rulers. At Blackford in Laigis, Gilla Pátraic Ó Mórdha defeated forces identified as English, capturing horses, weapons and armour. Connacht saw Mac Diarmata succession struggles, regional deaths and warfare, while Domnall Ó Néill claimed Ulster’s kingship amid continuing rivalry. Bishop Tomás Barrett died, Nicholas Fleming was appointed to Armagh, and widespread lectual sickness was reported. Maritime conflict occurred in Munster. The deaths of several ollamhs, or learned masters, highlighted the vulnerability of hereditary cultural institutions. Annals also record household figures, local violence and uncertain chronology throughout.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1405, Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach devastated County Wexford and burned Carlow and Tristledermot, demonstrating the vulnerability of English lordship towns and routes in Leinster. His campaign reflected conflicts over land, tribute, jurisdiction and authority, despite earlier interventions by Richard II. Government continued through appointments and James Butler, earl of Ormond’s deputyship, although his death added uncertainty. Elsewhere, warfare over dues in Moylurg killed Tadc Mac Diarmata and prompted succession. Annals also record local feuds, gallowglasses, learned men’s deaths, monastic burials and an early reference to uisce beatha. Ireland remained politically fragmented, culturally sophisticated and shaped by local power.
Read Article
Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1406, Ireland’s fragmented political order was shaped by disease, warfare, ritual and succession. Plague killed several Leinster men eligible for lordship, potentially affecting dynastic calculations. In Offaly, Murchadh Ó Conchobhair Fáilghe defeated a mixed Meath, Connacht and mercenary force at Cluain Immorrais, inflicting heavy losses and capturing the prestigious Buacach Phádraig relic. In Connacht, Toirdhealbhach Óg Ó Conchobhair Donn, joint king for twenty-two years, was killed by rivals and Burke allies, prompting Cathal Ó Conchobhair Donn’s inauguration at Carnfree around year’s end. Dublin retained limited military and civic capacity, while elite deaths and monastic burials underscored lordship’s religious networks.
Read Article
