Archived: 18 October 2026
Abstract
In 1516, Ireland was governed through overlapping royal, Gaelic and urban powers. As Henry VIII’s deputy, Kildare led a coalition that captured Leap Castle, secured hostages and imposed authority in the midlands. In the north-west, Manus O’Donnell obtained French-linked artillery after a pilgrim’s visit to Lough Derg, used it to take Sligo Castle, and later negotiated peace with O’Neill under Dublin’s mediation. Kildare’s Dublin parliament addressed markets, ports, taxation and defence. Religious life, travel and scholarship remained vital: friars drowned on Lough Erne, the Book of Fenagh was completed, and Desmond’s Gaelic lord died amid continuing regional warfare and connections.
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Archived: 19 October 2026
Abstract
In 1470, Ireland remained politically fragmented, with the English lordship largely confined to the Pale while Gaelic and Gaelicised dynasties contested power through warfare, alliances, tribute and inauguration. Enrí Ó Néill campaigned in Clandeboye and faced internal rivalry; plague struck Fermanagh amid Maguire succession disputes. Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill captured Sligo Castle, gained Lower Connacht’s submission and recovered Leabhar na hUidre and other dynastic treasures, though his Breifne intervention failed. Thomas FitzGerald became chief governor as parliament addressed local Pale concerns. John Ó Conchobair Kerry founded the Franciscan house at Lislaughtin there, illustrating lordly patronage alongside conflict and cultural prestige.
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Archived: 22 October 2026
Abstract
In 1371, Ireland remained politically fragmented, with royal, urban, Anglo-Irish, Gaelic and ecclesiastical authorities competing through law, warfare, patronage and local alliances. Dublin successfully petitioned Edward III against exactions imposed by lieutenant William de Windsor. In Ormond, Murchadh Ó Madden was killed by an exceptional arrow-shot, while Brian Ó Cennétig died amid regional conflict. Tadhg Óg Ó Conchobair was murdered after captivity in Sligo Castle. Annals associate Domhnall Ó Dubhda with capturing north Connacht castles and redistributing land. Archbishop John Ó Gráda died, plague claimed musician Amlaim Mac Senaig, and obituaries stressed hospitality, learning, patronage and genealogical memory across Ireland.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1310, Ireland remained politically fragmented despite Edward II’s lordship. At Kilkenny Parliament, John Wogan, Richard de Burgh and church leaders addressed disorder, revealing reliance on powerful magnates. In Connacht, Aed Brefnech Ó Conchobair’s destructive campaign against Mac Diarmata included killings, capture and burning; his allies then sacked Buninna Castle. Aed was subsequently murdered by mercenaries, allegedly bribed by William de Burgh, whose soldiers imposed oppressive quartering. Feidlim Ó Conchobair emerged as king of Connacht. Richard rebuilt Sligo Castle, asserting contested authority. The year also saw scholar Tanaide Ó Maelchonaire’s death, wine landing in Magh Cétné, and violence across Ireland.
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Archived: 24 October 2026
Abstract
In 1294 Richard de Burgh, the Red Earl of Ulster and lord of Connacht, was captured by John fitz Thomas FitzGerald and imprisoned at Lea Castle, intensifying a wider struggle for power in Connacht. Sligo Castle was destroyed amid rival campaigns, while killings, raids and disputed successions destabilised Gaelic lordships. FitzGerald and de Bermingham forces devastated Connacht but failed to secure lasting control. Deaths and successions affected regional dynasties, ecclesiastical offices and political marriages. Bad weather and harvest failure began a three-year dearth, compounded by warfare. Property transactions continued, revealing authority divided among crown, magnates, kings, chiefs and local institutions.
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Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1269 Robert de Ufford, the English crown’s justiciar, began Roscommon Castle while Áed Ó Conchobair, king of Connacht, was ill, exploiting a temporary weakness to establish a durable royal foothold. The project disrupted local people and intensified Anglo-Irish pressure within Ó Conchobair territory, although it did not signify Connacht’s conquest. Sligo Castle’s rebuilding by Mac Muiris Mac Gerailt similarly demonstrated contested frontier control. Religious life featured Imar Ó Birn’s entry into Roscommon’s Dominican priory and aristocratic patronage. Annals also noted killings, the death of musician Áed Ó Finn, and uncertain reports of an earthquake and weather, requiring cautious chronology.
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Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1265, Connacht underwent rapid political and military change. King Fedlimid Ó Conchobair died and was buried at the Dominican priory in Roscommon, while his son Áed na nGall succeeded him, asserted authority through a destructive hosting into Uí Fhailge, and eliminated a dynastic rival by blinding. Áed also led the demolition of castles at Sligo, Bannada and Ráth Ard Craibe, challenging Anglo-Irish lordship, though Sligo was soon rebuilt. Ballintober Abbey burned, under unknown circumstances. Deaths and elections altered church leadership, and negotiations at Kilmaine ended in killings. Wider Anglo-Irish conflicts influenced Connacht’s unstable balance of power during this year.
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Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1246, newly built Sligo Castle became a focus of conflict between Maurice FitzGerald's expanding Anglo-Irish power and Máel Sechlainn Ó Domhnaill of Tír Chonaill. After attackers burned Sligo's enclosure but failed to seize the castle on 1 November, its garrison hanged two hostages, Ó Domhnaill's foster-father and foster-brother. FitzGerald also sought to reshape northern politics through Cormac Ó Conchobair and hostage-taking. Elsewhere during that turbulent year, John Fitz Geoffrey became justiciar; Connacht dynastic prisoners escaped, were recaptured, or were killed; bishops changed at Elphin and Armagh; Drumlane burned; Oriel suffered violence; and a stranded whale enriched coastal Sligo communities.
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Archived: 25 October 2026
Abstract
In 1245, Maurice fitz Gerald, justiciar of Ireland, built Sligo Castle with Síl Muiredaig, compelling King Fedlimid Ó Conchobair of Connacht to meet much of the cost and appropriating ecclesiastical materials. The fortress strengthened lordship over strategic north-western routes. Other castles at Áth an Chip and Caisleán Suicín reflected intensified frontier militarisation. Fedlimid joined Henry III’s Welsh campaign, gaining royal recognition despite continuing Anglo-Irish pressure. Maurice was replaced by John fitz Geoffrey. Church disputes, killings, raids and successions revealed regional instability, while Elphin’s episcopal dispute reached Pope Innocent IV at Lyons. Severe snow before Christmas disrupted travel, livelihoods and supplies.
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