Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1281, Domhnall Óg Ó Domhnaill of Tír Conaill was defeated and killed at Disert-da-chrioch by Áed Buide Ó Néill’s forces, supported by the English of Ulster, devastating his wider political coalition. His son Áed succeeded him. Connacht saw fighting between the Barretts and Cusacks, while Tadhg Mac Diarmada of Moylurg died. In Thomond, rival Ó Briain factions accepted division and Thomas de Clare’s overlordship, enabling relative peace and Quin Castle’s completion. Richard de Burgh assumed Ulster and Connacht. Dublin strengthened administration under Stephen de Fulbourn, reopened its mint, and established one at Waterford, expanding royal revenue and fiscal capacity.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1282, Muirchertach Mac Murchada, king of Leinster, and his brother Art were murdered at Arklow on 21 July while travelling under safe conduct to meet Roger Bigod in England. Evidence links the killing to justiciar Stephen de Fulbourn’s frontier policy, exposing the insecurity of agreements between Gaelic rulers and royal government. Their deaths temporarily weakened Leinster unrest but did not end contested lordship. Annals also record Taichlech Ó Dubhda’s killing, Lasarfina Ó Conchobair’s death, chieftaincies changing hands, and prolonged winter snow. These events reveal Gaelic, Anglo-Irish and royal worlds, while annalistic dating cautions against assigning uncertain conflicts to 1282.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1283, Áed Buidhe Ó Néill, king of Tír Eógain, was killed by rivals from Airgíalla and Breifne, destabilising northern politics and encouraging a contested succession. In Connacht, the wounding and death of Tadc Ó Conchobair illustrated dynastic rivalry and the political value of custody. Domnall Ruad Mac Carthaig of Desmond countered a plot with support from prominent Anglo-Irish lords, securing a negotiated settlement involving livestock. Dublin and Christ Church suffered a serious fire, exposing urban vulnerability. Together, these events reveal Ireland as a network of competing lordships, temporary alliances, ecclesiastical institutions, commerce, violence and negotiation across the whole island.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1284, Irish politics was shaped by local conflict, succession and contested lordship rather than an island-wide crisis. In Thomond, Toirdelbach Ó Briain killed his rival Donnchad, strengthening his position and troubling Thomas de Clare’s Bunratty lordship. In Connacht, Simon d’Exeter’s death provoked raids, while losses suffered by Holy Trinity Island and Boyle Abbey were repaid; Fiachra Ó Flainn burned Dunmore. King Cathal mac Conchobair Ruaid demolished Kilcolman Castle, challenging fortified authority. Elphin saw rapid episcopal changes after two deaths. Killings of northern chiefs further demonstrate fragile regional power, where kinship, churches, compensation and strongholds shaped political control across Ireland.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1285, records from Connacht and Bréifne depict contested local power rather than a national crisis. Magnus Ó Conchobair defeated Adam Cusack’s settler force at Ballysadare, killing many and capturing Colin Cusack, but Pilib Mac Gosdelb soon routed Magnus’s followers at Sliabh Gamh, with heavy losses among lesser levies. Ruaidrí Ó Gádra, king of Sliabh Lugha, was killed by Mac Feorais near Lough O’Gara. Simon Ó Ruairc, bishop of Bréifne, died, as did Alis, daughter of Cormac, and Enri Mac Gilla Finnein. Annals emphasise fluid alliances, strategic routes, hostage-taking, and precarious lordship, while warning against chronologically misplaced later annalistic entries.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
A year recorded through a single campaign The surviving Irish annals make 1286 look, at first sight, like a year dominated by one extraordinary movement of armed power. Their central notice is a mórshluaiged, or great hosting, led by the Earl of Ulster into Connacht. The earl was Richard de Burgh, later famous as the Red Earl: lord of Connacht through his inheritance and one of the greatest magnates in the English lordship of Ireland. Yet the evidence must be handled closely. No source supplies a day, a route, a battle-site, a list of troops or a full explanation for
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
1287 in Ireland was marked by succession, local violence and deaths without island-wide upheaval. Thomas de Clare, lord of Thomond, died on 29 August, leaving his six-year-old heir Gilbert and placing lands under wardship. His death altered but did not end contested power around the Shannon; Toirrdelbach Ó Briain later raided Ormond and Limerick. In Connacht, Diarmait Midech Mac Diarmata and Gilla na nÉc Ó Mannacháin died alongside lesser rulers and clerics. Archdeacon Florint Ó Gibealláin was praised for learning. Máel Sechlainn Mag Oirechtaig was killed in revenge for broken loyalty. Misdated de Burgh campaigns belong to 1291, not 1287.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1288 Magnus Ó Conchobair seized Connacht after defeating and capturing his brother Cathal at Bellaslishen, a strategic ford near Roscommon. His victory brought plundering, but winter attacks at Ros Mór wounded him and exposed continuing resistance. Recovering, he took hostages in Síl Muiredaig to enforce obedience. Richard de Burgh, Red Earl of Ulster and lord of Connacht, advanced to Roscommon but withdrew amid opposition, although sources dispute subsequent terms. Stephen de Fulbourn, archbishop of Tuam and justiciar, died, prompting William de Bermingham's election. Changes in church and chancery office reflected contested authority among Gaelic rulers, magnates and royal administration.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1289, Ireland’s overlapping lordships were tested by warfare, alliance and royal intervention. Richard Tuite led Meath settlers and Connacht’s king Maghnus against Uí Máel Sechlainn, but was killed when their coalition lost at Crois-Shliabh. Fiachra Ó Flainn was murdered while seeking a marriage alliance with settlers, while Mac Muiris and Mac Feorais suffered defeat against Leinster princes, losing Meyler de Exeter, horses and spoils. John fitz Thomas FitzGerald secured Peter Bermingham’s lifetime military service. Archbishop John of Sandford, keeper of Ireland, campaigned in Laois, enforcing the king’s peace. Annalistic deaths also reveal active ecclesiastical and learned institutions amid instability.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1290, Irish politics saw several local struggles for authority. Cairbre Ó Máelsechlainn, king of Meath, was treacherously killed by Mac Cochlain and the Delbhna amid overlapping Gaelic and colonial lordships. Domnall Ó Néill expelled Niall Ó Néill and seized Tír Eógain, while Toirdelbach Ó Domhnaill, supported by maternal kin and galloglasses, deposed his brother Áed in Tír Chonaill. William Mac Fheorais assumed effective possession of Tuam’s archbishopric, and Kilmacduagh’s bishop died. Edward I appointed William de Vesci justiciar; he arrived in Ireland, combining royal office with Kildare lordship. A Carmelite friary at Kildare was plausibly founded about this time.
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