Oak-Mast After Drought
Archived: 30 October 2026
In 773, securely dated by a December lunar eclipse, Ireland experienced exceptional drought and heat, causing widespread failure of staple bread-grain. Abundant oak-mast, or acorns, offered limited relief, particularly through pig fodder, but did not erase subsistence pressures. Donn Cothaid, king of Connacht, died, prompting a dynastic transition later associated with Flaithrí of the Uí Briúin. Annals also recorded deaths of Maenach of Sláine, scribe Dainél of Letuba, several abbots and bishop Aedán, Lerthan, abbess of Kildare, and Áed of Rechru. These notices reveal interconnected environmental, political and ecclesiastical vulnerabilities, while preserving only limited detail about local consequences for communities.