Year by Year
Explore Year by Year articles from the most modern historical year back to the oldest.
3,295 Articles Archived
Fragmented Kingship
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1135, Ireland remained politically fragmented despite Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair’s strong, contested overlordship. Murchad Ua Máelshechlainn asserted Mide’s strategic river power by receiving hostages on the Shannon. Connacht endured dynastic killings, battles, raids and the destruction of Roscommon, while northern Uí Néill rivals, Munster factions and smaller kingdoms pursued warfare and shifting alliances. Malachy strengthened his disputed authority at Armagh by acquiring the Bachall Ísu, advancing church reform. Deaths of leading bishops and clerics, notably at Lismore, marked generational change. Fires damaged ecclesiastical centres, lightning struck towers, and plentiful mast harvest supported food supplies amid rural, maritime and market-based society.
Cashel Chapel
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1134, Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair’s dominance faced a broad southern challenge led by Cormac Mac Carthaig of Desmond, though church mediation prevented renewed invasion of Connacht. Cormac’s alliance with Uí Briain collapsed into Munster conflict, while Diarmait Mac Murchada pursued campaigns in Osraige with Dublin’s support against rivals including Waterford. Cormac also consecrated the Romanesque chapel at Cashel, asserting royal and ecclesiastical prestige. At Armagh, Saint Malachy’s accession advanced reform against hereditary control. Deaths of clerics reflected monastic institutions and wider Christian connections. Cattle disease, destructive weather, killings and warfare impoverished rural communities, revealing Ireland’s political ambition and social fragility.
Cattle Murrain
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1133, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair’s disputed high-kingship faced a Munster invasion of Connacht, which killed an heir but secured no submission. He later agreed a year’s truce with Conchobar Ua Briain, while Mide and Bréifne destroyed his Athlone bridge and fort. Feuds in Mide, Leinster and Fine Gall brought assassinations, reprisals, raids and the burning of Lusk church. Regional conflicts, deaths and accidents continued. Armagh’s succession remained divided between reformer Malachy and Muirchertach mac Domnaill. Clerical visits, learned figures and burnings featured in the annals. A devastating cattle and pig murrain damaged Ireland’s economy; an August solar eclipse was recorded.
Shannon Warfare
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1132, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair’s high-kingship faced coordinated resistance from Munster, Meath, Bréifne, Conmaicne and northern rivals. Using fleets and fortified crossings, he raided Munster, installed Muirchertach Ua Maelsechlainn in Meath and repelled attacks on Athlone. However, Munster forces destroyed Bun Gaillimhe, defeated Iar Connacht and killed leading western nobles, exposing Connacht’s vulnerability. Raiding devastated communities and cattle wealth. In Leinster, Uí Chennselaig attacked Kildare, burning its church, killing many and abducting its female leader. Malachy Ua Morgair was consecrated for Armagh amid reform conflict. The year demonstrated interconnected warfare, dynastic competition, ecclesiastical rivalry and the limits of Toirdelbach’s authority.
Connacht Besieged
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1131, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair’s contested high-kingship faced coordinated pressure from Munster, northern rulers and midland rivals. Connacht forces raided Uí Conaill Gabra and Desmond, possibly using a fleet to reach Rosscarbery, while Conchobar Ua Briain campaigned through Leinster and Mide, defeated Connacht cavalry, and took hostages. A northern coalition invaded Connacht but was repelled; subsequent raids exposed its fragility. Conflict continued within Munster, and Clonard was plundered twice. Church leadership and reform remained unsettled, while genealogical scholarship may have advanced. Warfare disrupted communities through demands for cattle, transport, provisions and service, without producing permanent territorial change across the island.
Naval Raiding
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1130, Ireland remained politically fragmented, as provincial kings used alliances, hostages, tribute and warfare to extend authority. Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht mounted naval raids to Tory Island, Ros Guill and Desmond, demonstrating reach without securing conquest. Conchobar Ua Lochlainn defeated Ulaid, plundered its lands and obtained hostages through a peace at Armagh. Tigernán Ua Ruairc defeated Mide forces, advancing Bréifne's interests. Swords was burned, while Clonmacnoise treasures were recovered in Limerick. Church reform remained contested at Armagh. Warfare damaged communities through captivity and livestock seizure, though annals record an abundant fruit harvest and poet Gilla Pátraic Ua hAireachtaigh.
Athlone Fortifications
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1129, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair strengthened his contested high-kingship by building a timber-and-earth castle, and probably a bridge, at Athlone, commanding the Shannon crossing into Meath. Northern politics remained unstable as Magnus Mac Lochlainn briefly displaced Conchobar before being killed, while raids and killings marked wider local conflicts. A severe summer drought caused animal deaths and threatened livestock wealth. Cellach of Armagh died, prompting a prolonged succession dispute between Muirchertach mac Domnaill and reformers backing Malachy. Robbery of Clonmacnoise's rich altar treasures highlighted monastic wealth and vulnerability. These events intertwined royal ambition, warfare, environmental strain, ecclesiastical reform, and regional authority.
Armagh Peacemaking
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1128 Ireland was marked by warfare, shifting alliances and ecclesiastical intervention. Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair raided Leinster, Wexford and Dublin, reaffirming Connacht’s reach after resistance to his rule. Tigernán Ua Ruairc suffered defeats amid northern and midland conflicts, while attacks on Cellach of Armagh’s entourage brought moral condemnation. Conchobar Mac Lochlainn expanded power through hostages and victories but was censured for burning Trim’s churches. Local rulers also faced violent succession struggles. Cellach negotiated a temporary Connacht–Munster peace, demonstrating Armagh’s diplomatic influence. Church offices remained politically contested, while ports, cattle wealth, monasteries and the Cross of Cong reflected Ireland’s connected culture.
Cormac's Restoration
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1127, Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair, king of Connacht, invaded Munster by land and sea, plundered Cork, displaced Cormac Mac Carthaig and partitioned the province. Cormac’s restoration from Lismore, backed by Ua Briain allies, quickly overturned this settlement, while hostage threats and naval conflict exposed its brutality. Tairdelbach’s son was expelled from Dublin and Leinster, and disputes in Kildare and Ulaid demonstrated persistent regional autonomy. Churchmen mediated politics, religious centres remained influential, and sacred objects expressed power. Warfare burdened ordinary communities, despite continuing trade, scholarship and artistic patronage, confirming limits to Tairdelbach’s high-kingship across Ireland during the unstable and contested year.
Dublin Submission
Archived: 26 September 2026
In 1126, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair exploited the death of Leinster’s king to secure hostages, obtain Dublin’s submission and install his young son Conchobar as ruler of Dublin and, according to some annals, Leinster. From a long encampment in Ormond, he campaigned against Desmond, Osraige and other regions, taking cattle, captives and tribute. Raiding and counter-raiding also affected Connacht, Tír Conaill and the north-east, revealing unstable alliances and local conflict. Cellach of Armagh sought to restrain warfare while advancing church reform and consecrating a stone church. Cork burned, learned clerics died, and Toirdelbach’s extensive but coercive ascendancy remained fragile throughout Ireland.
Some records do not yet have a verified historical year and are awaiting chronological placement.