Year by Year
Explore Year by Year articles from the most modern historical year back to the oldest.
3,295 Articles Archived
Royal Submissions
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1395 Richard II sought to stabilise Ireland through military pressure, submissions and negotiated service from Gaelic and Anglo-Irish rulers. Art Mac Murchadha accepted loyalty, payment and recognition of inheritance, while Niall Ó Néill and others sought royal protection against rival claims. More than eighty nobles submitted, receiving pardons, offices and knighthoods, but important western and northern lords remained outside the settlement. Raids in Uí Fhailghe and Éile, conflict within the Ó Néills, and succession violence in Fermanagh demonstrated instability. Richard departed in May, leaving Mortimer as representative. Deaths, church burnings and lordships underscored that ceremony had not pacified Ireland.
Richard's Expedition
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1394 Richard II landed at Waterford with an expedition, the first reigning English king to visit Ireland since 1210. Seeking to strengthen the weakened lordship, he targeted Leinster, where Art MacMurrough challenged crown authority. MacMurrough burned New Ross, seizing wealth and hostages, while Ormond retaliated by ravaging Leinster. Richard travelled through Kilkenny to Dublin, obtaining meetings, pledges and uncertain submissions rather than decisive control. Parliament and counsel in Dublin underscored reliance on magnates, clergy and towns. Elsewhere, inter-lordship violence, clerical deaths, church destruction and rebuilding, and learned men’s killings revealed a fragmented society. Royal prestige rose, but conflict endured.
Moylurg Succession
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1393, Moylurg experienced a succession crisis after Aedh Mac Diarmata died and his son Cathal drowned. Maelruanaid Mac Diarmata gained the kingship with Tomaltach Mac Donnchada’s support, defeated Aedh’s sons near Loch Gara, and imprisoned rivals who later escaped. By summer, territorial division and captive exchanges produced a negotiated peace. Elsewhere, deaths among regional lords, clerics, scholars and craftsmen reflected interconnected political and cultural networks. Ferghal Mag Samradain’s death highlighted patronage of learned people. Ó Conchobair Fhailghe founded a Franciscan house at Cill Achaidh, while Richard Northalis became chancellor, pursuing concealed royal debts, revealing diverse local authority across Ireland.
Dundalk Expedition
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1392, Ireland experienced local warfare, succession disputes and notable deaths rather than an island-wide turning point. Niall Ó Néill of Tír Eógain led a major expedition against the English around Dundalk, achieving temporary mastery. Northern tensions intensified after Henry Aimhreidh Ó Néill’s death and the capture of his son by Toirdelbach Ó Domhnaill. In Connacht, Ó Conchobair Donn’s army burned Uí Maine, revealing fractured regional alliances. Deaths of Archbishop Grigair Ó Mocháin, the countess of Desmond and other nobles highlighted ecclesiastical and aristocratic networks. English administration remained uncertain as Thomas of Woodstock’s lieutenancy failed and Roger Mortimer was appointed.
Tigernán's Ambush
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1391, Irish annals recorded fragmented but revealing struggles for power. Tigernán Mór Ó Ruairc escaped an ambush at a Breifne pass while travelling to meet John Ó Raighillaigh, defeating attackers despite conflicting accounts of their numbers. Diarmaid Mac Eochagáin, lord of Cenél Fiachach, died in January. Domhnall Óg Mac Carthaigh Mór, king of Desmond, died and was succeeded by his son Tadhg. In Ulster, Mac Gilla-Muire of Uí nDerca-Céin and Ó hAnluain of Oirthir were killed by kinsmen. Poet-scholar Tadhg Ó hUiginn and Bébhinn Ó Maelconaire died. English statutes applied in the Dublin lordship, but Gaelic authority remained decisive.
Breifne War
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1390, rivalry between Tighearnán Mór Ó Ruairc of West Breifne and Tomás Mór Ó Raghallaigh of East Breifne drew allied kindreds into a great war. Maghnus Ó Ruairc escaped captivity at Lough Oughter but was killed near Lough Scur. Peace followed, secured by concessions, hostages and expulsions, though raids, forced movements and cattle losses continued. Tomás’s death brought Seán Ó Raghallaigh to power. Elsewhere, Kilbarron Castle was demolished, while legal, historical and ecclesiastical figures died. The Book of Ballymote’s late fourteenth-century compilation reflected enduring scholarly patronage. Despite English justiciar Sir John Stanley, regional lords managed conflict and settlement independently.
Galway Keys
Archived: 21 October 2026
On 10 May 1389, Galway’s bell summoned burgesses and townspeople to surrender the keys of its gates to William Burke, lord of Upper Connacht, excluding royal ministers. Following a 1388 oath of fealty and grants of revenues, the action reflected local insecurity and accommodation, while retention of customs suggested caution. Galway’s choice occurred amid Connacht’s shifting wars, raids, captures, killings and pragmatic settlements, where control of resources shaped power. Annals record contested successions and deaths across Ireland. With government weakened after Robert de Vere’s fall and only later reorganised under John Stanley, authority remained fragmented among towns, lords and communities.
Galway Fealty
Archived: 21 October 2026
On 5 November 1388, Galway’s burgesses publicly swore fealty to William Burke of Clanricarde, transferring royal local revenues, except customs, and demonstrating preference for regional protection over Richard II’s distant authority. Their bloodless revolt formed part of wider competing jurisdictions. Connacht suffered extensive warfare among O’Conor branches and allied lordships, involving raids, burning of homes and corn, prisoners, hostages and mercenary forces. Conflict also touched Assaroe and north-western territories, while violence killed learned men and a local lord. Fosterage linked Desmond’s heir with an O’Brien household. Despite de Vere’s fall, royal administration issued writs, but lacked effective command in Ireland.
Emain Macha
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1387 Niall Ó Néill junior built a house at Emain Macha to support Ireland’s learned companies, linking Ulster lordship with cultural patronage. The year also saw deaths of chief poet Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh and historian-scribe Ruaidhri Ó Cianáin, illustrating networks sustained by aristocratic hospitality. Annals record feuding, killings and Nualaith Ó Fearghail’s capture in the Midlands, while Richard Óg de Burgh died in Connacht. In Munster, royal officials mediated discord between Desmond and Ormond. Deaths and marriages reflected ecclesiastical, kinship and Irish Sea connections. Sparse sources nevertheless show authority negotiated through force, patronage, reputation and learning across Ireland.
Tirawley Orchards
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1386, Irish annals recorded local conflicts, raids and settlements rather than a single national event. Domnall Ó Conchobair’s coalition devastated Mac Wattin Barrett territory in Tirawley, killing leaders, taking a castle and destroying orchards. Connacht warfare shifted rapidly between raiding, pursuit, victory and negotiated peace among competing dynasties. Art Mór Mac Murchadha defeated the English of Ossory, while Midland feuds involved killings, castle seizures and hostage-taking. Richard II created Robert de Vere duke of Ireland, though he never visited; administration continued through deputies and chancery. Elite deaths and burials also marked status, kinship and lordship across a fragmented island.
Some records do not yet have a verified historical year and are awaiting chronological placement.