Great Wind
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1191, Ireland experienced political fragmentation, local violence and severe environmental disruption. Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, the displaced former king of Connacht, travelled north and apparently sought wider support to recover power after dynastic conflict, but gained land rather than a decisive coalition. In Munster, Muirchertach son of Cathal Odar was treacherously killed by incoming Anglo-Norman forces, illustrating unstable frontier relations. Annals also record construction of Rath-cuanartaigh castle and deaths of prominent churchmen. Most notably, a great wind destroyed churches, homes and woodland, killing people and livestock, exposing communities’ dependence on vulnerable material resources amid competing Gaelic and foreign rival lordships.