Kildare’s Harvest Plea
Archived: 19 October 2026
In 1491 Conn Ó Néill of Tír Eógain and Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill of Tír Chonaill sought Gerald FitzGerald, earl of Kildare, to arbitrate their Ulster conflict, but no peace resulted, demonstrating limits to Kildare’s authority. Warfare continued through raids, killings, captivity and contested castles across Ulster, Breifne and borderlands. In east Breifne, John Ua Raghallaigh died, prompting a disputed succession and Kildare’s destructive intervention. Persistent summer and autumn rain ruined Ireland’s grain, particularly in Fermanagh, worsening pressures created by campaigning. Ecclesiastical offices and monasteries remained significant. A post-Christmas wind concluded a year marked by insecurity, authority and environmental hardship.
