Early Ireland
Once upon a time...
From the material I have read, I have outlined what I believe are some of the major events in our ancestral heritage leading up to our Clan, and to the family of Brian of Boruma, which begins around the year 100 AD. As I research and learn more I'll fill in the blanks and make the following outline document read more like a book that also explains the significance of the events, and has a little more historical information about the actual event.
This period of Irish history with it's kings and high kings and overkings was very confusing. These Clans were warring with each other all the time. Consider this... this was a time of fairly primitive and brutal living. If there was an argument between ruling Clans or Dynasties over land boundaries, or head of cattle or sheep, they would attack each other with axes the size of a man, swords and spiked clubs five feet long, and they would beat and chop each other to death. Every day must have seemed like it was your last day I imagine. If you were a poor farmer, you were at the mercy of the ruling Clan or Dynasty for your survival. If you were lucky enough to have a farm that is.
Early Ireland was ruled by dozens of Clans and a few major Groups of Clans called 'Dynasties' because they were rather large and powerful. Often these Clans and Dynasties were at war with each other. Although, occasionally there were peaceful takeovers which were probably more due to overwhelming force and presence than anything else.
I have put together some of the names and dates of the major ruling Clans and Dynasties, and their areas of rule in order to get a perspective on this part of our Irish heritage. I am fascinated with this Irish history and as I learn more I will improve on the documents at this website. We have an amazing Irish history which goes back to these early Irish Clans and ever further back to the early Celtic races and beyond...
I realize that without maps or some other references this all might seem incomplete, or worse yet, make no sense at all to you. You're probably right. I apologize. I'll be putting some maps up as I find historically appropriate ones. Sorry, right now I don't have any but I'm working on it - there are only so many hours in the day. I know, would I like some cheese and crackers with my whine. So with that, here goes...
In the years between 100 - 300 AD, or thereabouts, in the northeastern part of Ireland the "Dal Reti" or "Dal Riata" Clan ruled the kingdoms of the eastern coast from what is now known as Antrim to Wexford. They later migrated and colonized Scotland. Another Clan named "Redoii" is also known as the "Dal Reti" or "Dal Riata". Another Clan in the area was the "Darini" who claimed to be descendent from an ancestor or ancestor-god named "Daire". The "Dal Riata" also make this claim, as well as the Clan named "Dal Fiatach" of area now known as County Down.
The "Ulaid" Clan ruled kingdoms in the more northern part of Ireland. Their central location was at what is now known as Emain, near Armagh.
In the eastern midlands and southeastern parts of Ireland the "Ebdani" and "Kauki" ruled kingdoms in the east midlands and the south-east but had disappeared by the Early Christian period.
The "Monaig" Clan also ruled in the area now known as County Down and near Lough Erne (who eventually gave name to Fermanagh, Fir Manach). Early Irish genealogists claim they migrated from south Leinster.
The "Coraind" Clan ruled kingdoms in the area that is now County Sligo.
The "Koriondi" Clan may be related to the "Corionototae" of Britain, known from an inscription at Hexham, they left no trace in south Leinster and may be identical to the "Coraind". The Clans "Cuirenrige" and "Dal Cuirind" descended from "Coraind".
The "Brigantes" Clan ruled kingdoms in what is now County Wexford and may also be the "Brigantes" who ruled the north of Britain in the Roman period. Another Clan known as the "Ui Bairrche" may be the descendents of the "Brigantes".
The "Erainn" was a large group of dynasties who ruled in Munster.(Ptolemy the Greek geographer calls them the "Iverni".) It is here in Munster and its Clans that the real history of Brian Boruma and our clan starts to take some shape.
The "Corcu Loigde" Clan ruled in Munster in the early part of the first millennium until the rise of the Eoganacht dynasty. Then the "Eoganacht" ruled in Munster well into the Early Christian period. The rule was shared with the "Auteini" Clan who also ruled in Munster in that period. The "Uaithne" Clan ruled kingdoms in Limerick and Tipperary. They also dominated waterways of the River Shannon and the lands to the north.
The "Laigin" was a ruling dynasty in Leinster in the Early Christian period.
The "Ui Liathain" ruled in the eastern part of what is now County Cork and was part of the domain of the "Erainn" Clan.
In 367 AD, there was an invasion of Britain by the Irish, Picts, and Saxons. Cormac, a scholar and bishop recorded the events and lists Crimthann as the ruling King of Ireland and Britain as far as the English Channel.
In 550 AD, Diarmait mac Cerbaill was the reigning King of Tara (High King).
In 600-700 AD, Ui Neill claimed High Kingship of Tara and ruled the midlands and the north-west. The "Ui Neill" then divided into two groups, the northern and the southern "Ui Neill". The southern "Ui Neill" then split into two major rival groups, the "Sil nAeda Slaine" and the "Clann Cholmain". The "Sil nAeda Slaine" and "Clann Cholmain" ruled what is now known as County Meath and Westmeath.
Meanwhile the northern "Ui Neill" ruled in what is now County Donegal and Derry, and split into two major branches, the "Cenel Conaill" and "Cenel nEogain". The "Ui Fiachrach" and the "Ui Briuin", cousins to the "Ui Neill" were the two dominant dynasties in Connacht. The "Ui Fiachrach" had two main branches, one north in the valley of Moy and one south near Gort.
Meanwhile around the rest of Ireland:
In 663 AD, Guaire Aidni, King of the "Ui Fiachrach" in Connacht dies.
In 725 AD, The "Ui Briuin" is the dominant dynasty ruling in Connacht. The "Ui Briuin Breifne" rules in the northeast of Connacht.
In 721-742 AD, Cathal mac Finguine was King of the eastern branch of the "Eoganacht" and ruled in Munster near Cashel and Glanworth.
In 734 AD, Flaithbertach mac Loinsig of the "Cenel Conaill" Clan was abdicated as the overking of the "Ui Neill" Clan.
In 743 AD, the "Clann Cholmain" Clan claims the overkingship of the "Ui Neill" Clan and in the 10th Century their High Kings also claimed The Kingship of Ireland. (As did Brian Boruma)
In 783-836 AD, the "Ui Briuin" Clans are the ruling Kings of Connacht.
In 793 AD, Artri mac Cathail of the "Eoganacht" was ordained King of Munster.
In 804 AD, Aed Oirnide is ordained by the Abbot of Armagh as King of the "Cenel nEogain" Clan and overking of the "Ui Neill".
In 809 AD, Aed Oirnide, King of the northern "Ui Neill" invades the "Ulaid" because they attacked a church in Armagh and killed the superior.
In 847 AD, Feidlimid mac Crimthainn was a bishop, scribe and King of Munster. However he was defeated by the "Ui Neill".
In 850 AD, Mael Sechnaill of the "Ui Neill" Clan declares himself King of Ireland. 8th Century-Leinster was ruled by the "Ui Dunlainge" group of dynasties. They ruled an area covering the Vale of Liffey and the Plains of Kildare.
In 854-859 AD, Mael Sechnaill gets the submission of Munster and rules.
In 862 AD, Mael Sechnaill dies.
In 866 AD, Aed Finnlaith is King of the northern
"Ui Neill" and drives out the Vikings from the north coast of Ireland.
The 10th Century - Our
ancestral Irish Clan, the "Dal Cais" Clan rises to power in the north of
Munster. Brian of Boruma's rise to power changed the history of Ireland and he
became one of the more remarkable legends in all of history. Much of this is true and
documented. There are writings in the National Archives in Ireland, Europe, even the
Vatican, that attest to the life of Brian Boruma.
In 919 AD, Niall Glundub overking of the "Ui Neill" is killed by the Vikings in the battle of Dublin.
In 951 AD, Cennetig, or Cennedi, King of the "Dal Cais" Clan and of north Munster dies. Cennetig was the father of Brian Boruma. Cennetig is also spelled as Cennedi in some accounts. It is pronounced like Kennedy.
In 951-976 AD, Mahon, the brother of Brian Boruma becomes King of the "Dal Cais" Clan for a time but is assassinated by Malloy of Desmond.
In 956-980 AD, Domnall ua Neill is overking of the "Ui Neill" Clan and King of the northern Ui Neill is in conflict with "Dal Cais" Clan.
In 976 AD, Brian Boruma succeeds as King of the "Dal Cais" Clan and King of Munster. He also made the claim to be the Emperor of the Irish.
In 980 AD, Mael Sechnaill II of the southern "Ui Neill" Clan succeeds as overking of the "Ui Neill" Clan. He was the last of the "Ui Neill" Kings of Tara in the old style.
In 1011 AD, Brian Boruma rules all of Ireland and lays claim to be the Emperor of the Irish with the Catholic Church's' blessing.
In 1013 AD, Murrough mac Brian, the son of Brian Boruma, was sent to attack Leinster in a major battle and was victorious.
From 1002-1014 AD, Brian Boru was acknowledged as High King and reigned, bringing peace and prosperity to all of Ireland throughout his reign.
In 1014 AD, Brian Boruma is killed in the Battle of Clontarf on Good Friday. Brian's son Morrough was also killed in the battle. The battle was between Brian's forces and the provincial rulers of Leinster, the Leinstermen, and the Ostmen.
In 1014-1022 AD, Mael Sechnaill II reigned as High-King of Ireland after Brian Boruma's death.
In 1040 AD, Donnchad mac Brian, Brian's son, is reigning King of Munster and his royal residence was in what is now known as the town of Killaloe in County Clare in the year 1050.
In 1075 AD, Patrick (St. Patrick) was chosen as Bishop of Dublin and Turloch O'Brien, son of Teigue, one of Brian's two other sons, grandson of Brian, is now the reigning High King.
In 1086-1114 AD, Muirchertach O'Brien became one of the most powerful Kings in Ireland and ruled most of the country. At the same time Domnall Mac Lochlainn, was King of the "Ui Neill" Clan until 1106 AD.
1106-1156 AD, Toirrdelbach O'Conochobair (Turlough O'Connor) was King of Connacht. He was one of the great warrior Kings of the 12th century. He also took over Munster.
In 1119-1156 AD, Turloch More O'Connor was the reigning King of Connaught and reigning High King.
In 1152 AD, Turloch More O'Connor holds a synod at Kells.
In 1154 AD, Nicholas Brakespear, an English monk from St. Albans, becomes Pope Adrian IV and Henry II becomes King of England.
In 1156-1166 AD, Muirchertach Mac Lochainn is King of Munster. Diarmait Mac Murchadha (Dermot MacMurrough) is King of Leinster and an ally of Muirchertach Mac Lochainn. Ruaidhri O Conchobhair (Rory O'Connor) is King of Connacht.
In 1166-1171 AD, Dermot MacMorrough is the reigning King of Leinster.
In 1167 AD, the first Normans land in Ireland during the summer.
In 1169 AD, in the month of May, Robert Fitzstephen and Maurice Prendergast landed at Bannon Bay in Wexford with 30 knights, 60 men-at-arms and 300 archers' from a Flemish community and settled at Pembrokeshire.
In 1170 AD, Richard ("Strongbow") Fitzgilbert, Earl of Clare, arrived with 1,000 men and took Waterford by force. Richard ("Strongbow") Fitzgilbert married Eva MacMorrough the daughter of Dermot MacMorrough at the Cathedral in Waterford.
In 1171 AD, Dermot MacMorrough died. Henry II landed October 11 with 500 knights, mounted and foot archers to control "Strongbow". However, there was no fighting. Henry II called a council of Kings and Bishops at Cashel.
In 1172 AD, Alexander III is current Pope.
In 1175 AD, Rory O'Connor the reigning High King and Henry II sign the Treaty of Windsor. Hugh de Lacy is appointed as Constable of Dublin by Henry II.
In 1185 AD, John, youngest son of Henry II is appointed as Lord of Ireland by Henry II.
In 1199 AD, John becomes King of England.
In 1260 AD, Brian O'Neill, King of Ulster, assumed the title of High King. The O'Briens and the O'Connors ruled west of the River Bann under a royal grant. Henry III is current King of England. Brian O'Neill dies in the Battle of Downpatrick.
In 1261 AD, the Battle at Callan - the Irish are victorious over the English with the help of the Scots.
In 1270 AD, the Battle at Athankipp - the Irish are again victorious over the British with the help of the Scots.
In 1277 AD, Edward I is current King of England.
In 1314 AD, Edward II is current King of England. Donal O'Neill assumes High Kingship of Ireland.
In 1316 AD, John XXII is current Pope.
In 1340-1360 AD, Epidemics and the Black Death bring strife to England. Edward III is current King of England.
SOURCES
Source: The Oxford Illustrated
History of Ireland. Edited by Robert Fitzroy Foster. Oxford University Press. Oxford, New
York.1989.
Subject: Ancient Ruling Dynasties
Source: Ireland-A Concise History From
The 12th Century To The Present Day. Paul Johnson - Author. @1980. Published by Academy
Chicago Publishers, 425 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL. 60611, 1984.
Subject: Chronological listing of important dates, events, persons and other relevant
data.
For further reading I would suggest Morgan Llywelyn's book, "The Lion Of Ireland". This historical accurate novel portrays the life of Brian Boru and his family. You can also link to her website by clicking on her name above.
Page updated 1/21/99
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