Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
Annals for 1411 portray Ireland as a patchwork of competing lordships, where succession disputes, captivity and violence shaped political life. In Munster, heirs and rivals among the Ó Briains, FitzGeralds, Mac Cárthaighs and Ó Súilleabháins were killed, expelled, blinded or displaced. Ó Conchobhair Fáilghe captured Meath’s sheriff for ransom, illustrating frontier insecurity, while Ó Domhnaill imprisoned Mulmhaire Mac Suibhne amid internal complaints. Annaghdown monastery burned, and church land officers, an historian and Thomond’s master poet died. The annals also report that Raphoe’s crucifix bled and healed illnesses, a medieval miracle claim reflecting devotion, pilgrimage and hopes for relief amid instability.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
The surviving evidence for 1412 presents Ireland not as a single political unit but as a country of intensely local powers, connected by warfare, kinship, devotion and movement. Annalists recorded raids and counter-raids from the Moy to Fermanagh, the escape of a high-status captive from Dublin, a campaign across Connacht involving Gaelic and Anglo-Irish forces, and reports of miracles at a Marian shrine in Trim. These were not episodes on a national stage directed from one centre. They reveal overlapping lordships, towns and ecclesiastical institutions, each vulnerable to events beyond its own boundaries. A Violent Night in Tullyhunco The sharpest
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1413, Ireland remained politically fragmented, with Gaelic lords, Anglo-Irish interests, towns and churches exercising local power. Limerick suffered a destructive fire attributed by annals to an unnamed woman. Roscommon Castle became the focus of rival military operations, while raids and victories in Meath and Leinster demonstrated continuing frontier warfare. Tuathal Ó Máille’s returning fleet was wrecked near Scotland, causing extensive loss of life. At Lough Conn, violation of church sanctuary led to restitution of land. Annals also recorded lordly deaths, legal learning and Henry V’s accession, portraying a connected yet dangerous society shaped by warfare, religion, trade and reputation.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1414 Ireland experienced overlapping warfare, political manoeuvre, disaster and disease. Murchad Ó Conchobair and Fergal Ruad Mac Eochagáin defeated English forces from Meath at Cill Echi, killing prominent clergy and nobles and securing ransoms. In Tír Eógain, hostage exchanges restored Domhnall Ó Néill, while Mac Diarmata lordship changed hands. Fighting between Mac Murchadha rulers and Wexford forces brought capture, burning, plunder and further hostages. Sir John Stanley died, John Talbot became lieutenant and arrived late in the year. A candle fire destroyed Sligo’s Dominican monastery; a dean died; plague was reported in Meath and Leinster. Annalistic discrepancies require caution.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1415 Irish annals recorded fragmented connected conflicts across lordship Ireland. John Talbot, Lord Furnival, the king’s lieutenant, campaigned through Leix, Oriel and other districts, seizing a castle, killing or taking livestock, and executing Gerald of Geraldine descent. Chroniclers condemned his plundering of poets and alleged disregard for churches and sanctuaries. In Umhall, rivalry within the O’Malley kindred culminated in Aed O’Malley’s defeat and death, enabling Diarmait to assume the lordship. A January night attack at Cloonshee killed Tomaltach O’Birn and devastated a household. Annals noted clerical deaths, burial, capture, ransom, and cultural commemoration, depicting authority as mobile and coercive.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1416, Ireland remained divided among Gaelic rulers, Anglo-Irish magnates and the Dublin-centred English lordship. Art Mór MacMurrough defeated Wexford’s English settlers, securing booty and hostages in a peace settlement, while alliances involving Talbots and Butlers complicated ethnic divisions. Annals record his death in 1416, though conflicting evidence places it in 1417, creating uncertainty over succession. Raids, feuds and battles affected Connacht, Breifne and Fermanagh. Friar Brian Mac Donnchadha rebuilt Sligo’s Dominican monastery after fire. Another blaze on Church Island destroyed books, precious objects and instruments, illustrating losses to Gaelic learning. Church offices and legal expertise nevertheless endured amid violence.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1417, the death of Art Mac Murchadha, king of Leinster, ended the career of a Gaelic ruler who had challenged English authority through warfare, negotiation and cross-community alliances. Annals disagree over the date and alleged poisoning, but emphasise his piety, hospitality and power; his son Donnchadh succeeded amid uncertainty after Diarmait Red-hand also died. Elsewhere, John Talbot’s cattle raid demonstrated uneven royal reach. Connacht saw Ruaidhrí Ó Dubhda’s succession, drownings, kin conflicts and hostage settlements. Burnings, killings and ecclesiastical involvement reveal pervasive local violence. Annalistic records also stress penitent deaths, kinship, burial and generosity, showing a fragmented Irish authority.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
During 1418, Ireland’s fragmented landscape was shaped by dynastic deaths, raids, fortification and scholarship. In Breifne, the deaths of Tigernán Mór Ó Ruairc, his heir Eógan, and East Breifne’s Risderd Ó Raigillig triggered contested successions; Risderd and his household drowned in Lough Sheelin. At Roscommon, Uilliam Ó Cellaig built a castle opposite the stronghold, resisting an Ó Conchobair-led siege. A royal council met at Naas, while Furnival’s raids in Iveagh met resistance and northern conflict involved Ó Domnaill and Ó Néill. Connacht saw cattle raids and violence. Meanwhile, the Great Book of Lecan neared completion, demonstrating scholarly patronage amid warfare.
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Archived: 21 October 2026
Abstract
In 1419 Ireland experienced overlapping conflicts rather than a single national crisis. Eóghan Ó Néill, backed by northern allies, expelled Domnall Ó Néill from Tyrone, while Connacht forces burned Murbach and devastated Tírhugh. A major Connacht invasion of Clanricard ended in defeat at Bél Átha Lige, with heavy losses, captures and plunder. English lieutenant John Talbot’s administration seized Leinster’s Donnchadh Mac Murchadha, while Calbach Ó Conchobair escaped captivity. Succession disputes disturbed Breifne. Plague killed the scholar Dauid Ó Maolconaire; an unusually hot summer brought drought but abundant harvests. Deaths of poets, rulers and clerics highlighted patronage, learning and religious life.
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Archived: 20 October 2026
Abstract
In 1420, Irish political life combined warfare, negotiation, trade and royal administration. Brian Ó Conchobair built Bundrowes Castle beside the Drowes, provoking Ulster opposition and fighting around Assaroe, where Domnall Ó Domhnaill was killed and Niall Garbh escaped aboard a trading ship. Kinship disputes in Connacht brought murders, raids, captivity and settlements secured through lordly protections. Granard Castle was briefly seized, then demolished by Ó Fearghail. Dublin officials collected customs and administered justice and finance. Death notices linked leading families to churches, while violence reached sacred spaces. Annals also recorded wolves killing many people, revealing environmental danger amid political instability.
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