Conmaicne
Encyclopedia
The Conmhaicne or Conmaicne were an ancient tribal grouping that were divided into a number of distinct branches that were found scattered around Ireland
in the early medieval period. They settled in Connacht
, where they gave their name to several territories.
They take their name from a mythical ancestor known as Conmac. Conmac was in turn said to be descended from Fergus mac Roich
and Queen Maeve
of Connacht
.
The word Conmacne means "progeny of Conmac" (ne, a progeny). Conmac itself means "hound-son" (con, hound; mac, son).
Known branches were:
The bishopric of Ardagh
was established in 1111 as the see for east Connacht
. At the Synod of Kells-Mellifont
its area was reduced to the territory of the Conmaicne with the kingdom of Breifne forming a new Diocese of Kells.
Notables descended from the Conmhaicne include Cruimthear Mac Carthaigh
, Iarlaith of Tuam
and some abbots of Clonmacnoise
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the early medieval period. They settled in 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...
, where they gave their name to several territories.
They take their name from a mythical ancestor known as Conmac. Conmac was in turn said to be descended from Fergus mac Roich
Fergus mac Róich
Fergus mac Róich is a character of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology...
and Queen Maeve
Maeve
Maeve is a first name of Irish origin. In Irish Gaelic, the name "Medbh" means "she who intoxicates." It is rooted in the Irish legend of Queen Maeve or Medb, one of the main protagonists of the early Irish legend Táin Bó Cúailnge...
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...
.
The word Conmacne means "progeny of Conmac" (ne, a progeny). Conmac itself means "hound-son" (con, hound; mac, son).
Known branches were:
- Conmaicne MaraConmaicne MaraThe Conmhaícne were an ancient tribal grouping that were divided into a number of distinct branches that were found scattered around Ireland in the early medieval period...
(the Conmaicne of the sea) were located in what is now the extreme west of County GalwayCounty GalwayCounty Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
and gave their name to the territory they occupied i.e. ConnemaraConnemaraConnemara is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway.-Overview:...
, which is the anglicised form of Conmhaicne Mara.
- Conmaicne Cenéoil Dubáin (also known as Conmaicne Dúna Móir) at Dunmore, County Galway.
- Conmaicne Cúl Toland, of KilmaineKilmaineKilmaine or Kilmain is a barony and village in County Mayo, Ireland.-History:The great cairns and other monuments in the country between Ballinchalla and Cross show it to have been of significance in prehistoric times. Around the time of St. Patrick in the 4th century AD, the tribe known as...
, County MayoCounty MayoCounty Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
- Conmaicne Maenmaigh, located around the former parish of Kilconickny, LoughreaLoughreaLoughrea is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The town lies north of a range of wooded hills, the Slieve Aughty Mountains.The town expanded in recent years as it increasingly becomes a commuter town for the city of Galway.- Name :...
. Kilconickny means "church of the Conmaicne".
- Conmaicne Maige Rein, also known as Conmaicne Rein na bFomorach, in south County LeitrimCounty LeitrimCounty Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
and into County LongfordCounty LongfordCounty Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
- Conmaicne Críche Meic Erca, location apparently unknown.
- Conmaicne Meic Oirbsen Máir, around Lough CorribLough CorribLough Corrib is a lake in the west of Ireland. The River Corrib or Galway river connects the lake to the sea at Galway. It is the second largest lough in Ireland . It covers 178 km² and lies mostly in County Galway with a small area of its northeast corner in County Mayo.The first canal in...
- Conmaicne Sléibe Formaile, near Ballinlough, in west County RoscommonCounty RoscommonCounty Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
The bishopric of Ardagh
Bishop of Ardagh
The Bishop of Ardagh was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the village of Ardagh in County Longford, Ireland. It was used by the Roman Catholic Church until 1756, and intermittently by the Church of Ireland until 1839....
was established in 1111 as the see for east 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...
. At the Synod of Kells-Mellifont
Synod of Kells-Mellifont
The Synod of Kells took place in AD 1152, under the presidency of Cardinal Paparoni, and continued the process begun at the Synod of Rathbreasail of reforming the Irish church...
its area was reduced to the territory of the Conmaicne with the kingdom of Breifne forming a new Diocese of Kells.
Notables descended from the Conmhaicne include Cruimthear Mac Carthaigh
Cruimthear Mac Carthaigh
Cruimthear Mac Carthaigh , fl. c. 550.In the genealogies, Mac Carthaigh - his forename, not his surname - is stated as been a native of Conmaícne Cúl Toland in what is now along the County Galway - County Mayo. Thus he was from the same tribal group of Jarlath of Tuam...
, Iarlaith of Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
and some abbots of Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise
The monastery of Clonmacnoise is situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone....
.