Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Encyclopedia
Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair (or Cathal O'Connor) (1153–1224), the youngest son of the Irish High King
Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair
, was a King
of Connacht
.
He was King of Connacht from 1189 to 1199, and was re-inaugurated on the stone at Clonalis
c.1201, reigning until 1224. He first succeeded his elder half brother Ruaidri's son Conchobar Máenmaige
as ruler of Connacht. Conchobar Máenmaige's son Cathal Carrach
then ruled from 1199 to 1202, with Cathal Crobhdearg back in power from then. From his base west of the river Shannon
he was forced to deal with the Norman invaders. He was a competent leader despite problems, avoiding major conflicts and winning minor skirmishes. Ua Conchobair attempted to make the best of the new situation with Ireland divided between Norman and Gaelic rulers. His long reign was perhaps a sign of relative success. He had succeeded his elder brother Rory O'Connor the previous King of Connacht. He is the subject, as Cathal Mór of the Wine Red Hand, of the poem A Vision of Connaught in the Thirteenth Century by the 19th-century Irish nationalist James Clarence Mangan
.
He founded Ballintubber Abbey
in 1215, and was succeeded by his son, Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
. His wife, Mor Ní Briain
, was a daughter of King Domnall Mór Ua Briain
of Thomond
, died in 1218.
In 1224 Cathal wrote to Henry III
as Lord of Ireland, asking that his son and heir Od (Aedh) be granted all of Connacht, in particular those parts owned by William de Lacy.
, the son of O'Connor's very inaugurator Tanaide Ó Maolconaire. Among those present was his door-keeper, O'Feenaghty, his historian O'Maelconaire who also recorded all tributes due to O'Connor. Also present was his physician Mac Tully
and Mac Egan his brehon.
:
Tairrdelbach, King of Connacht & Ard Rí na hÉireann
, 1088–1156
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Ruaidrí
, last Ard Rí na hÉireann, c.1115-1198. Cathal Crobhdearg, 1153–1224
=Mor Muman Ní Briain, d. 1218
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Áed, Kg. Conn. 1224-28. Fedlimid, Kg. Conn 1230-31; 1233-65. died 1265.
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Cathal Dall Ruaidrí Toirrdelbach, Kg. 1249-50. Áed, kg. 1265-74. Áed Muimnech, Kg. 1274-80.
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Áed, Éoghan, Kg. 1274 Tadg Ruad, Kg. 1274-8.
Kg. 1274. |
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Donnchad Áed, Kg. 1293-1309.
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Ruaidrí na Fed | | |
Kg. 1316;d. 1321. | | |
Fedlimid, Kg.1310-15;16. Cathal na bhFeadh Toirredlbach, Kg 1317-18;24-42;43-45.
| died 1361. |
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Ó Conchubhair Ruadh Ó Conchubhair Donn
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair
Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair
Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair , anglicized Turlough Mór O'Connor, was King of Connacht and High King of Ireland .-Family background:...
, was a King
Kings of Connacht
The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the cóiced of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named after The Connachta.The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht . Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD...
of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
.
He was King of Connacht from 1189 to 1199, and was re-inaugurated on the stone at Clonalis
Clonalis House
Clonalis House, Castlerea, County Roscommon is the ancestral home of the O'Conor Don, who is a direct descendant of the last High King of Ireland, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair....
c.1201, reigning until 1224. He first succeeded his elder half brother Ruaidri's son Conchobar Máenmaige
Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobhair
Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair, son of High King of Ireland Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, was King of Connacht from 1183 to 1189. He was a military commander and opponent of the Norman invasion of Ireland.-Early life:...
as ruler of Connacht. Conchobar Máenmaige's son Cathal Carrach
Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair
Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht from 1189 to 1202.One of the seven sons of King Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair, his nickname carragh indicates that he suffered from some form of skin complaint. The identities of his mother and wife are unknown...
then ruled from 1199 to 1202, with Cathal Crobhdearg back in power from then. From his base west of the river Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
he was forced to deal with the Norman invaders. He was a competent leader despite problems, avoiding major conflicts and winning minor skirmishes. Ua Conchobair attempted to make the best of the new situation with Ireland divided between Norman and Gaelic rulers. His long reign was perhaps a sign of relative success. He had succeeded his elder brother Rory O'Connor the previous King of Connacht. He is the subject, as Cathal Mór of the Wine Red Hand, of the poem A Vision of Connaught in the Thirteenth Century by the 19th-century Irish nationalist James Clarence Mangan
James Clarence Mangan
James Clarence Mangan, born James Mangan was an Irish poet.-Early life:Mangan was the son of a former hedge school teacher who took over a grocery business and eventually became bankrupt....
.
He founded Ballintubber Abbey
Ballintubber Abbey
Ballintubber Abbey is a royal abbey in Co. Mayo, Ireland, founded by King Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair in 1216. It is said to be the only church in Ireland founded by an Irish king that is still in regular use....
in 1215, and was succeeded by his son, Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht.-Prince of Connacht:* M1210.7The sons of Roderic O'Conor and Teige, the son of Conor Moinmoy, accompanied by some of the people of Annaly, came across the Shannon, from the east side, into the Tuathas, and carried a prey with them into...
. His wife, Mor Ní Briain
Mor Ní Briain
-Background and family:Mor was a daughter of King Domnall Mór Ua Briain of Thomond . Domnall's wife was Orlachan Ní Murchadha, Princess of Leinster, daughter of Queen Mor Ui Thuathail and King Diarmaid Mac Murchadha of Leinster.Mor's siblings included:...
, was a daughter of King Domnall Mór Ua Briain
Domnall Mór Ua Briain
Domnall Mór Ua Briain, or Domnall Mór mac Toirrdelbach Ua Briain, was King of Thomond in Ireland from 1168 to 1194, and a claimant to the title King of Munster...
of Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
, died in 1218.
In 1224 Cathal wrote to Henry III
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
as Lord of Ireland, asking that his son and heir Od (Aedh) be granted all of Connacht, in particular those parts owned by William de Lacy.
Inauguration
An account of Cathal Crobhdearg's inauguration has been preserved, written down by Donogh Bacach Ó MaolconaireÓ Maolconaire
Ó Maolconaire was the surname of a family of professional poets and historians in Medieval Ireland. It is now rendered Mulconry, Conroy, Conaire.-Overview:...
, the son of O'Connor's very inaugurator Tanaide Ó Maolconaire. Among those present was his door-keeper, O'Feenaghty, his historian O'Maelconaire who also recorded all tributes due to O'Connor. Also present was his physician Mac Tully
Tully (surname)
Tully is a surname of Irish origin, and spelling variations include; Tally, Tilly, MacTully, MacTilly, MacAtilla, O'Multilly, O'Multully, MacCantully, and Flood. These names are anglicisations of the following Irish names; Ó Taithligh, Ó Maoltuile, Mac Maoltuile, Mac Taichligh, and Mac an Tuile...
and Mac Egan his brehon.
Annalistic references
From the Annals of the Four MastersAnnals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
:
- M1205.10. Teige, the son of Cathal Crovderg, died of one night's sickness at Clonmacnoise.
Family Tree
- Kg. = King of Connacht
Tairrdelbach, King of Connacht & Ard Rí na hÉireann
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
, 1088–1156
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Ruaidrí
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
, last Ard Rí na hÉireann, c.1115-1198. Cathal Crobhdearg, 1153–1224
=Mor Muman Ní Briain, d. 1218
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Áed, Kg. Conn. 1224-28. Fedlimid, Kg. Conn 1230-31; 1233-65. died 1265.
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|________________________________ __________|___________
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Cathal Dall Ruaidrí Toirrdelbach, Kg. 1249-50. Áed, kg. 1265-74. Áed Muimnech, Kg. 1274-80.
| | |
| | |
Áed, Éoghan, Kg. 1274 Tadg Ruad, Kg. 1274-8.
Kg. 1274. |
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Donnchad Áed, Kg. 1293-1309.
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Ruaidrí na Fed | | |
Kg. 1316;d. 1321. | | |
Fedlimid, Kg.1310-15;16. Cathal na bhFeadh Toirredlbach, Kg 1317-18;24-42;43-45.
| died 1361. |
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Ó Conchubhair Ruadh Ó Conchubhair Donn