Year by Year
Explore Year by Year articles from the most modern historical year back to the oldest.
3,295 Articles Archived
Murchad's Ascendancy
Archived: 1 November 2026
In 715, annalistic notices, dated by modern synchronisation despite displacement in the Annals of Ulster, record political and ecclesiastical change across Ireland. Cellach Cualann’s death ended Uí Máil dominance in Leinster and enabled the rising Uí Dúnlainge, represented by Murchad son of Bran. Murchad’s hosting to Cashel demonstrated Leinster’s ability to project force into Munster, although no outcome is recorded. Murchad son of Diarmait, a Uí Néill king, was killed amid midland rivalry. Deaths of Armagh’s abbot Flann Febla, Ferns’s Bishop Cilléne, King Áed Dub, and the learned Flaithnia marked leadership losses, while rural agricultural society sustained these power networks.
Bile Tened
Archived: 13 October 2026
In 714, Irish annals recorded concentrated warfare, political upheaval and environmental strain. Murchad Midi of Clann Cholmáin defeated Brega rivals in two encounters at Bile Tened, while Fogartach of southern Brega was expelled to Britain and Forbassach of Uí Fhailgi was killed in Mide. Other conflicts occurred among Uí Echach and Bairche, and Munstermen killed Clárainech’s travelling religious community. Selbach rebuilt Dún Ollaig in Dál Riata, highlighting Irish Sea links. Ailén Daingen, probably a fortified lake settlement, was destroyed. A great drought and bright autumn night were also noted, revealing a fragmented society vulnerable to conflict and natural pressures alike.
Dorbéne Primacy
Archived: 13 October 2026
In 713, annalistic evidence records political and ecclesiastical transitions across Ireland and the Gaelic sea-world. Cormac, king of Munster, died in battle at Cam or Carn Feradaig, opening a succession from which Cathal son of Finguine emerged. Cú Cherca of Osraige and Sechnasach of Uí Maine also died, while other killings illustrate regional violence. Church leaders Fáilbe Bec of Clonmacnoise and Bishop Baetán died. At Iona, Dorbéne held the primacy for five months before dying on 28 October. These notices reveal overlapping local kingships, influential monastic networks, and links between Ireland, Iona, Pictland and Northumbria during a year of change.
Carn Feradaig
Archived: 1 November 2026
In 712, Irish annals record regional conflicts, dynastic deaths and ecclesiastical losses rather than a unified national crisis. Maíne, a descendant of Áed Sláine, was killed by Flann in Brega, while violence also affected the Ulaid, Cenél Laegaire and southern Leinster. Cú Cerca of Osraige died, and Cormac son of Máenach, king of Munster, fell to the Northern Déisi at Carn Feradaig. Ceode of Iona and Dub Guaile of Glendalough died. An annal noted Bede’s scholarly work. Rural society, farming, maritime connections and monastic networks continued, although sources provide little detail on causes, places or outcomes in the surviving record.
Sliab Fúait
Archived: 1 November 2026
In 711, Fergal son of Máel Dúin of Cenél nÉogain defeated Uí Méith at Sliab Fúait in south Armagh, killing their king Tnúthach and Cú Raí of the Brega-based descendants of Áed Sláine. The victory strengthened Fergal’s authority in a contested borderland, though it did not establish national rule. Annals also record Cenn Fáelad, abbot of Fore, illustrating churches’ economic and political importance. Across the Irish Sea, Dál Riata defeated Britons at Lorg Ecclet, reflecting maritime connections. Annalistic date differences require caution, but together these notices portray competing kingdoms, religious communities and interconnected Irish Sea politics in early medieval Ireland.
Kildare Conflagration
Archived: 1 November 2026
In 710, Irish annals recorded the burning of Kildare, a major Leinster ecclesiastical centre, alongside the death of Congal Cennmagair, king of Tara. Congal’s sudden death enabled Fergal son of Máel Dúin of Cenél nÉogain to assume the kingship, shifting northern Uí Néill power from Cenél Conaill. The sources provide no evidence linking the fire to political events or identifying its cause and damage. Conamail, abbot of Iona, also died amid complex Columban leadership arrangements. Violence around the Irish Sea and Pictish religious change formed a wider context. These events reveal interconnected religious, political and economic institutions adapting to disruption.
Fergal's Accession
Archived: 1 November 2026
In 709, although annalistic year-numbering varies, Congal Cennmagair of Cenél Conaill died suddenly, reportedly in a fit, ending his kingship of Tara. Fergal son of Máel Dúin of Cenél nÉogain succeeded, reflecting competitive Uí Néill dynastic politics rather than automatic inheritance or unified national rule. The annals also record the burning of Cell Dara, later Kildare, a wealthy and influential Leinster ecclesiastical centre, but provide neither cause nor extent of damage. Deaths of the abbots of Iona and Lorrha underline interconnected Irish Sea religious networks. Together these notices reveal entwined royal, ecclesiastical, economic and patronage systems amid persistent historical uncertainty.
Cill Dara
Archived: 1 November 2026
In 708, Cill Dara, modern Kildare, suffered a destructive fire, although annals provide no cause, casualties or details of damage. The disaster followed the death of its bishop, Mael Dóbarchon, and required resources and patronage for recovery. Congal Cennmagair of Cenél Conaill, a leading Uí Néill overking, also died suddenly, prompting Fergal of Cenél nEógain’s accession around 708–709. Obituaries for the abbots of Iona and Lorrha demonstrate ecclesiastical networks extending across Ireland and the Irish Sea. These events reveal a rural, politically fragmented society dependent on churches, agriculture, kinship, tribute and personal leadership, vulnerable to fire, death and shifting alliances.
Indrechtach's Death
Archived: 13 October 2026
Annals for 707 record political, ecclesiastical and environmental developments in a divided, rural Ireland. Indrechtach mac Dúnchado, overking of Connacht, was killed by northern Uí Néill leaders and allies, demonstrating continuing rivalry without proving conquest. Congal Cennmagair, king of Tara, led a host against Leinster, though no outcome is known. Dúnchad became superior of Iona, reinforcing the monastery’s Irish Sea importance, while Bishop Coibdenach of Ardstraw died and Béc of Bairche undertook religious pilgrimage. Two northern tremors occurred in December. These sparse notices illuminate interconnected kingship, church networks, mobility and agrarian society, while leaving everyday conditions largely unrecorded to historians.
Clonmacnoise Abbots
Archived: 13 October 2026
In 706, Irish annals recorded deaths rather than events, revealing ecclesiastical and political transitions amid uncertain chronology. Osséne son of Gallust, abbot of Clonmacnoise, died, affecting a Shannon monastery sustained by rural production, river movement and communities. Flann Febla, abbot of Armagh, also died, marking change at Ireland’s Patrician church. Conchobor, king of Cenél Cairpri, died or was killed, though sources conflict. Notices of Bruide son of Derile suggest Irish Sea connections, while Cellan son of Sechnusach, the learned, reflects valued scholarship despite disputed dating. The sparse record depicts rural, plural, Christian Ireland structured by kinship, churches and regional power.
Some records do not yet have a verified historical year and are awaiting chronological placement.