Archived: 20 October 2026
Abstract
In 1447, Ireland’s divided political worlds were linked by conflict, administration, religion and epidemic disease. Domnall Ballach Maguire was killed amid Fermanagh succession rivalry, while Hugh Maguire and Breifne constable Cormac Mac Cába also died. At Trim, Lord Lieutenant John Talbot imprisoned Feidhlimidh Ua Raghallaigh, who later died of plague and was buried in the Franciscan friary. Talbot’s parliament regulated trade, officials, coinage and English dress. Plague caused heavy mortality across several provinces, affecting clergy, lords, lawyers and scholars. Meanwhile, Thomas Óg Maguire rebuilt Aghalurcher church, and an Ó Mórdha lord founded a Franciscan burial house in Laoighis for descendants.
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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
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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