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.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1279, Ireland’s fragmented political and religious worlds were marked by leadership changes, local violence and expanding lordly authority. Archbishop Tomaltach Ó Conchobair of Tuam died after two decades in office, while killings among Connacht kindreds exposed persistent dynastic rivalry. Robert of Ufford’s administration strengthened castles at Roscommon, Rindown and Athlone, increasing demands upon surrounding communities and anticipating monetary reform. In Thomond, Thomas de Clare pursued settlement and castle-building at Quin amid Ó Briain resistance and continued campaigning. Elsewhere, aristocratic penitential burial, monastic patronage, learned tradition and a Tipperary land lease demonstrate ecclesiastical, cultural and agricultural life alongside conflict daily.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1278, Thomas de Clare’s ambitious lordship of Thomond provoked sustained conflict. On 11 May, he executed the displaced king Brian Ruad Ó Briain at Bunratty, allegedly with assistance from Brian’s captains. Brian’s son Donnchad later defeated de Clare’s forces at Quin, where a church was burned and many died. Connacht suffered violent succession struggles: King Tadc Ó Conchobair was killed, followed by further dynastic murders and Áed Muimnech’s contested accession. Violent deaths also affected regional rulers. Bishop Thomas Ó Cuinn died, while Cashel’s archbishop visited England. These events revealed authority’s dependence on alliances, hostages, resources and force across Ireland.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1277, authority in Ireland was contested through dynastic rivalry, warfare, castles and law. In Thomond, Brian Ruad Ó Briain allied with Thomas de Clare, holder of Edward I’s grant to Thomond, against his nephew Toirrdelbach. Defeated, Brian sought refuge at Bunratty but was seized and executed on de Clare’s orders. In Connacht, Irish forces led by an Ó Conchobair and Domnall Ó Domnaill demolished Roscommon Castle, challenging royal control. Irish people reportedly offered 7,000 marks for English common law, seeking legal protections. The year also recorded ecclesiastical continuity and local raiding, illustrating Ireland’s plural, unstable political order throughout society.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1276, Ireland remained politically fragmented, with English lordship dependent on local power, finance and force. In Connacht, rivalry between Tadc Ó Conchobair and Áed Muimnech produced alliances, burnings, cattle raids, recoveries and deaths, affecting wider lordly communities. In Wicklow, Geoffrey de Geneville’s expedition was defeated at Glenmalure by Art Mac Murchada, Gearóid Ó Broin and allies, demonstrating mountain resistance to Dublin’s authority. Edward I replaced Geneville with Robert de Ufford, whose government sought firmer control through administration, military spending and fortifications at Rindoon and Athlone. Possible Irish interest in English common law also exposed law as a negotiable privilege.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1275, Ireland experienced regional conflict rather than a single national crisis. In Connacht, Tadc Ó Conchobair captured his brother Ruaidrí, raided Mac Diarmata territory, and lost his prisoner after Ruaidrí escaped with Conchobar Ó hAinlide, who was killed in pursuit. In Breifne, Art Ó Ruairc died at Granard during conflict involving Anglo-Norman forces. Annals also note killings among Gaelic kindreds, an Ulster victory over the Galls, and the deaths of bishops of Raphoe and Killala. Meanwhile, Edward I supported Justiciar Geoffrey de Geneville, ordering defence measures, an inquiry, and appointments. Sources caution against misdating events assigned differently in annals.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1274 Connacht suffered a rapid succession crisis after the death of Áed mac Fedlimid Ua Conchobair, a powerful king who had resisted Gaelic and Anglo-Norman opponents. Eogan mac Ruaidrí succeeded him but was killed by kin in Roscommon’s friars’ church after three months. Áed mac Cathail Dall then ruled for a fortnight before being killed at Grainsech Sruthra, leaving Tadc mac Toirrdelbaig king. Elsewhere, deaths and killings altered lordship in Brefne, Annaly and Dartry. Dublin’s forces were defeated at Glenmalure, while Edward I’s coronation and Thomas de Clare’s arrival linked Ireland to Plantagenet politics. The year revealed fragmented power.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1270, Áed Ó Conchobair defeated Walter de Burgh’s Connacht expedition at Áth an Chip after manoeuvres around the Shannon, failed negotiations and hostage-taking. Local forces harassed the invaders, broke their vanguard and rear guard, and inflicted notable losses. Áed subsequently attacked castles, towns and settlements, including Roscommon, although conflict and reprisals continued across Connacht, Sligo, Corann and Thomond. The campaign demonstrated the strength of Gaelic kingship against Anglo-Irish magnates without ending de Burgh’s influence. Ireland also suffered widespread hunger and destitution. The year saw Archbishop Máel Pátraic Ó Scanaill’s death and Tanaide Mór Ó Maelchonaire’s succession as Connacht’s ollamh.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1268, Áed Ó Conchobair of Connacht defeated an army termed the Galls of Ireland at the Faes after answering a challenge at Athlone, strengthening Gaelic resistance to lordship expansion. The year also brought severe famine across Ireland, compounding warfare and pressures. In Thomond, King Conchobar Ó Briain, his family and followers were killed amid dynastic conflict, followed by reprisals and mutilation. Other rulers died or were killed in struggles. Ecclesiastical succession continued at Armagh, Clogher and Annadown, while the death of poet-host Aengus Ó Dálaigh reflected cultural life. Sea travel, northern captivity and escape show a fragmented, connected society.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1267, Connacht and neighbouring districts experienced raids, destruction and political uncertainty rather than a single campaign. Drumcliff, an important ecclesiastical centre and settlement in present-day County Sligo, was completely burned with its churches, although attackers and casualties remain unknown. West Connacht Foreigners raided Carbury and Ballysadare, while Mac William Burke plundered Áed Ó Conchobair’s lands. Murchad Mac Suibne was captured in Umhall, delivered to Walter de Burgh, and died in prison. Áed recovered from grave illness amid several dynastic deaths. Bishop Romanus of Clonfert sought the pope, while annals also noted Munster murder and England’s continuing baronial civil war.
Read Article
Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1263 Walter de Burgh received the earldom of Ulster from Lord Edward, strengthening his claims while facing persistent resistance in Connacht. His Roscommon expedition against Fedlimid Ó Conchobair failed to secure plunder and suffered losses in an ambush. De Burgh built a castle at Ath in Gail, Corann, seeking durable control of a contested district. Donn Ó Breisléin was murdered in Raphoe’s episcopal court. Deaths among bishops and monastic leaders, papal revenue demands, a notably hot summer, and northern sea connections were recorded. Conflicting annal dates caution against certainty over a Desmond expedition, whose chronology remains uncertain in sources.
Read Article
