Fortuatha
Encyclopedia
Definition
In Irish Kings and High Kings, Francis John ByrneFrancis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne is an Irish historian.Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II...
defines Fortuatha as "kingdoms not ruled directly by members of the dominant dynasty of a province" (p.45). T. F. O'Rahilly
T. F. O'Rahilly
Thomas Francis O'Rahilly was an Irish scholar of the Celtic languages, particularly in the fields of Historical linguistics and Irish dialects. He was a member of the Royal Irish Academy.-Biography:He was born in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland...
in Early Irish History and Mythology states Fortuatha "means in effect people belonging to a different stock from that of the rulers of the territory" (p.27), yet sometimes enjoying a position of favour with the ruling people.
Fortuatha groups
Population-groups termed fortuatha included the CalraigeCalraige
The Calraige were a population-group found mostly in northern Connacht as well as County Westmeath and County Longford. They were purported descendants of Lugaid Cal mac Daire Sirchrechtaig, who was himself a supposed descendant of Lugaid mac Itha, a first cousion of Mil Espainne.Daire is stated as...
, Ciarraige
Ciarraige
-Origins:The word Ciarraige means the people of Ciar, and denoted descent from Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich.-Branches of the Ciarraige:Branches of the Ciarraighe were located all over Ireland:...
, Corca Fhir Trí
Corca Fhir Trí
The Corca Fhir Trí were a people located in the kingdom of Gailenga , Luighne Connacht and Corann The Corca Fhir Trí were a people located in the kingdom of Gailenga (later the Barony of Gallen, County Mayo), Luighne Connacht and Corann The Corca Fhir Trí were a people located in the kingdom of...
, Delbhna
Delbhna
The Delbna or Delbhna were an ethnic group in Ireland. They had a number of branches in central and western Ireland.*The Delbhna Tir Dha Locha were the most westerly branch, based in Iar Connacht....
, Déisi
Déisi
The Déisi were a class of peoples in ancient and medieval Ireland. The term is Old Irish, and derives from the word déis, meaning "vassal" or "subject"; in its original sense, it designated groups who were vassals or rent-payers to a landowner. Later, it became a proper name for certain septs and...
, Gailenga
Gailenga
Gailenga was the name of two related peoples and kingdoms found in medieval Ireland in Brega and Connacht.-Origins:Along with the Luighne, Delbhna, Saitne and Ciannachta, the Gailenga claimed descent from Tadc mac Cein mac Ailill Aulom. Francis John Byrne, in agreement with Eoin MacNeill, believes...
, Grecraige, Luighne, Masraige
Masraige
The Masraige were a Fir Bolg tribe inhabiting Magh Slécht in County Cavan, Ireland. They were also called Masragii, Masraide, Masraidhe, Masruidhe, Mascraide, Masree or Mascraidhe...
and Setantii
Setantii
The Setantii were a pre-Roman British tribe who apparently lived in the western and southern littoral of Lancashire in England...
.
The status of each population-group could differ from one part of the island to another, with some fortuatha being class as Aithechthúatha in other regions.
In Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, some reckoned among the Fortuatha had previously held the provincial kingship. This was the Dál Messin Corb and it's principal sept
Sept
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
s, the Uí Garrchon
Uí Garrchon
The Uí Garrchon were the principal sub-sept of the Dál Messin Corb, who were the ruling dynasty of Leinster, Ireland for much of the fifth century. Their main opponents outside of Leinster were the nascent Uí Néill...
and the Uí Enechglaiss
Uí Enechglaiss
The Ui Enechglaiss were a were a dynasty attested in fifth-century Ireland, who provided some of the early kings of Laigin.-Background:The dynasty were initially based on the plains of Kildare around Naas, but were forced east over the Wicklow Mountains by the invasions and conquests by the Ui...
.
The Fortuatha
- Fothairt in Chairn - located in the barony of Forth, County WexfordCounty WexfordCounty Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
. - Fothairt Mag Fea - located in the barony of Forth, County CarlowCounty CarlowCounty Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
. - Fotharta Fer Cúl -
- Fotharta Airthir Liphe - located along the banks of the east Liffey.
- Fotharta Airbrech fri Brí Ele aniar - bordering the Kingdom of Uí FailgheKingdom of Uí FailgheUí Failghe was a Gaelic-Irish kingdom, which is preserved in the name of County Offaly, Ireland.-Background:Uí Failghe may have existed as a kingdom since the early historic era, and successfully fought off encroachments by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta, and the Normans.From the mid eleventh century...
. - Fotharta Bile, alias Fotharta File -
- Fotharta Fea -
- Fotharta Tuile -
- Fotharta Imchlair (or in cláir) - Clan Corpri in ArmaghArmaghArmagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
- Fothar Breg, alias Fothar Mac nDeichill of BregaBregaBrega may refer to:*Brega , an inhabited location in Libya**Marsa Brega Airport, the airport for Brega-People:...
- Fotharta Maige Itha - around Lough SwillyLough SwillyLough Swilly in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three known glacial fjords in Ireland....
in County DonegalCounty DonegalCounty Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, who were divided into the following seven Aicme or tribes: Ui Deaga, Ui Setna, Ui Dimai, Ui Eircc, Ui Chormaic, Ui Niath and Ui Duirrtheacht.
The Fothairt are referenced in Leabhar Ua Maine
Leabhar Ua Maine
Leabhar Ua Maine is an Irish genealogical compilation, created c...
. Their genealogies are preserved in Leabhar na nGenealach
Leabhar na nGenealach
Leabhar na nGenealach is a massive genealogical collection written mainly in the years 1649 to 1650, at the college-house of St. Nicholas's church, Galway, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. He continued to add material until at least 1666, five years before he was murdered in 1671...
, the Great Book of Lecan
Great Book of Lecan
The Book of Lecan is a medieval Irish manuscript written between 1397 and 1418. It is in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy....
, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 502, and/or Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512.
History
Dáibhí Ó CróinínDáibhí Ó Cróinín
Dáibhí Ó Cróinín is an academic Irish historian, the current Professor of History at the National University of Ireland, Galway . M.Phil., Ph.D. , and Member of the Royal Irish Academy. He is a grandson of Elizabeth Cronin , an Irish traditional singer...
writes that "The Fothairt were the original population group around the site of Bridgit's monastry at Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
" (p.197), further stating that the Uí Ercáin, a branch of the Uí Meic Cruaich (a sub
Sub
Sub may refer to:* Submarine* Submarine sandwich* Subscription* Substitute * Substitute teacher* Subtitle * Bottom , also called "sub" * Subwoofer loudspeaker* Sub...
-sept
Sept
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
of the Fothairt) "are remembered in the 'Vita Tripartia' as having been specially favoured by Patrick, who blessed them (Dobert Pátraic bendachtain ... for Uu hErcá huili) and their king, Fergnae mac Cobthaig, who is also mentioned in the life of Fintan/Munnu of Tagmon, where he encounters the saint in campo Lyffi ('in the Liffy plain')." (p.197).
The kingship of Leinster was held from the mid-8th century to 1042 by the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
, who bolstered their early gains "by means of political marriage with Sárnat, daughter of Eochu mac Baíth of the Fothairt" (p.197). A branch of the Forthairt, the Uí Brigti, explicitly claimed a connection with Bridgit (p. 198). In additon, two kings of Forthairt, Fergus mac Móenaig and Dub dá Chrich mac aui Cellaig mec Triein, "as well as 'many others, ommitted for the sake of brevity'", were killed at the battle of Ath Senaig (Ballyshannon, near Kilcullen, County Kildare) in 738 as supporters of King Áed of Leinster (p.200).
Despite their political eclipse, the Fothairt "continued to supply leading clergy to Kildare. To Ui Chúlduib ... belonged the two abbesses, Muirenn (d. 918) and Eithne (d. 1016); to the obscure Forthair Airbrech belonged the earlier abess, Sebdann (d. 732) and another Kildare ecclesiastic (d. 750); while two further abbesses, Coblaith (d. 916) and Muirenn (d. 964), belonged to an ecclesiastical branch of Forthairt Fea. And it is highly probable that many other Kildare clerics, whose origins cannot be established with certainty, belonged to Fotharta." (p. 586, NHI) Indeed, the Uí Ercáin were noted in the 'Tripartite Life' as been blessed by Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
, who promised them that not only would they never be subjects of an "outside" king, but that "they [would] have their own brithemnas, capacity of judging and being judged, in their own territory. *(p. 873, NHI)
People
Among the early medieval Irish were many notable people who's population-group were classed as Fortuatha. They included:- Brigid of KildareBrigid of KildareSaint Brigit of Kildare, or Brigit of Ireland , nicknamed Mary of the Gael is one of Ireland's patron saints along with Saints Patrick and Columba...
(c.451–525) - of the Fortuatha LaiginLaiginThe Laigin, modern spelling Laighin , were a population group of early Ireland who gave their name to the province of Leinster... - BrendanBrendanSaint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert called "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" is one of the early Irish monastic saints. He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called St. Brendan's Island. The Voyage of St...
(c.484–c.577) - of the Altraige of CiarraigeCiarraige-Origins:The word Ciarraige means the people of Ciar, and denoted descent from Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich.-Branches of the Ciarraige:Branches of the Ciarraighe were located all over Ireland:...
Luachra - Iarlaithe mac Loga of TuamTuamTuam 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:...
(fl. 6th century) - a member of the ConmaicneConmaicneThe 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.... - Suibne moccu Fir Thrí (died 11 January 657) - possibly of the Corca Fhir TríCorca Fhir TríThe Corca Fhir Trí were a people located in the kingdom of Gailenga , Luighne Connacht and Corann The Corca Fhir Trí were a people located in the kingdom of Gailenga (later the Barony of Gallen, County Mayo), Luighne Connacht and Corann The Corca Fhir Trí were a people located in the kingdom of...
- Neide mac OnchuNeide mac Onchu-Biography:Neidhe mac Onchu mac Finnlugh was described as the Cú Chulainn of the Conmaicne in an account of the battle of Ardrahan, which took place sometime about 800....
(fl. c. 800) - a member of the ConmaicneConmaicneThe 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.... - Martan of ClonmacnoiseMartan of ClonmacnoiseMartan of Clonmacnoise, Abbot of Clonmacnoise, died 868.Martan was a member of the Dartraighe Daimhinsi in what is now County Monaghan, was Abbot of Clonmacnoise and Dairnhinis...
(died 868) - a member of the DartraigheDartraigheDartraighe , anglicized as Dartree, Dartry or Dartrey, was a kingdom in ancient Ireland which stretched north to Clones and south to beyond the Dromore river, once belonging to the O'Boylans and McMahons.... - Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, (c. 941–23 April 1014) - Dál gCaisDál gCaisThe Dál gCais were a dynastic group of related septs located in north Munster who rose to political prominence in the 10th century AD in Ireland. They claimed descent from Cormac Cas, or Cas mac Conall Echlúath, hence the term "Dál", meaning "portion" or "share" of Cas...
- Vilbaldr DufÞakrssonVilbaldr DufÞakrssonVilbaldr DufÞakrsson, Norse-Irish settler in Iceland, fl. c.980.Vilbaldr was the great-grandson of Cerball mac Dúnlainge, king of Osraige from 842 to 888, via an otherwise unknown son of Cerball, called Dufnial . His brother was one Askell hnokkan, and his sons were Bjouok and Bjolan...
(fl. c.980) - of the Osraighe - Cúán úa LothcháinCúán úa LothcháinCúán úa Lothcháin was an Irish poet from Tethba, County Meath. He was the Chief Ollam of Ireland and died in 1024.Born in the region of Tethba - part of the kingdom of Mide - Cúán acted as bard and propangadist for High King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill .The Annals of Ulster give his obit as-...
(died 1024) - of the GailengaGailengaGailenga was the name of two related peoples and kingdoms found in medieval Ireland in Brega and Connacht.-Origins:Along with the Luighne, Delbhna, Saitne and Ciannachta, the Gailenga claimed descent from Tadc mac Cein mac Ailill Aulom. Francis John Byrne, in agreement with Eoin MacNeill, believes...
of Tethba - Flann MainistrechFlann MainistrechFlann Mainistrech was an Irish poet and historian.Flann was the son Echthigern mac Óengusso, who had been lector at the monastery of Monasterboice , in Irish Mainistir Buite, whence Flann's byname, meaning "of Monasterboice"...
(died 25 November 1056) - of the CiannachtaCiannachtaThe Ciannachta were a population group of early historic Ireland. They claimed descent from the legendary figure Tadc mac Cein. They first appear in historical sources in the 6th century, and were found in several parts of the island, including in Brega and Tír Eoghain...
of BregaKings of Brega-Overview:Brega took its name from Mag Breg, the plain of Brega, in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the Uí Néill kindred, belonging to the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. The kingdom of Brega included the Hill of Tara, the site... - Ruaidrí Ó GadhraRuaidrí Ó GadhraRuaidrí Ó Gadhra, King of Sliabh Lugha and Chief of the Name, died 1256.During Ruaidrí's lifetime the territory of Sliabh Lugha was conquored by the Sheriff of Connacht, Jordan de Exeter , ancestor of the Clan Mac Siúrtáin...
(died 1256) - of the GailengaGailengaGailenga was the name of two related peoples and kingdoms found in medieval Ireland in Brega and Connacht.-Origins:Along with the Luighne, Delbhna, Saitne and Ciannachta, the Gailenga claimed descent from Tadc mac Cein mac Ailill Aulom. Francis John Byrne, in agreement with Eoin MacNeill, believes...
of ConnachtConnachtConnacht , 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...
]
Annalistic references
All quotes 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...
, unless otherwise stated.
- 284: After Cairbre Liffeachair had been seventeen years in the sovereignty of Ireland, he fell in the battle of Gabhra Aichle, by the hand of Semeon, son of Cearb, one of the Fotharta.
- 423: Máel Calland mac Fergal, king of the Fortuatha. (Fragmentary Annals of IrelandFragmentary Annals of IrelandThe Fragmentary Annals of Ireland are a Middle Irish combination of chronicle from various Irish annals and narrative history. They were compiled in the kingdom of Osraige, probably in the lifetime of Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic , king of Osraige and of king of Leinster.The Fragmentary Annals were...
) - 663: Cearnach Sotal, son of Diarmaid, son of Aedh Slaine, died, together with the aforesaid persons, of a mortality which arose in Ireland, on the Calends of the August of this year, in Magh Itha, in Fotharta.
- 733: Fearghus, son of Maenach, and Dubhdacrich [mac h-úi Cellaigh, maic Trena], two lords of Fotharta, fell at the battle of Ath Seanaith.
- 749/54: The devastation of Fotharta Fea (Fothairt Fedha) by the men of Osraighe (Ossory).
- 774: The battle of Cill Coice, in which Fearghal, son of Dunghal, son of Faelchu, lord of Fortuatha Laighean, was slain by the king Donnchadh.
- 776: The battle of Righ (the Ryewater river) was gained by the men of Breagh over the Leinstermen, on the day of Allhallows (Nov. 1) precisely, wherein were slain Cucongalt (king of Ui Garchon at Arklow), lord of Rath Inbhir, and Fearghal, son of Ailell, lord of Cinel Ucha.
- 783: Domnall son of Ceithernach, king of Uí Garrchon. (Annals of UlsterAnnals of UlsterThe Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
) - 813: Ainbhcheallach, son of Daelghus, lord of Ui Fothaidh Tire, died.
- 825: The destruction of Dun Laighen, at Druim, by the Pagans (Vikings), where Conaing, son of Cuchongelt, lord of the Fortuatha, was slain, with many others.
- 827: An encampment of the Laigin was overwhelmed by the heathens, and Conall son of Cú Chongalt, king of the Fortuatha, and countless others fell there. (Annals of UlsterAnnals of UlsterThe Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
) - 845/47: Cathal, son of Cosgrach, lord of Fotharta, was slain by the Ui Neill.
- 849: Flannchadh, son of Aenghus, lord of Ui Fothadh Tire, died.
- 854: Dunlang, son of Dubhduin, lord of Fotharta Tire, died.
- 863: Colman, son of Dunlang, lord of Fotharta Tire, was slain by his own children.
- 897: Fogartach, son of Flann, Abbot of Laithreach Briuin, and lord of Fotharta Airthir Life, died.
- 937: Oillill mic Aengusa, tighearna Ua Fothaidh.
- 966: Ruaidhri, mac Maol Martain, tigherna Fothart, was slain.
- 972: Finnsnechta, son of Cinaedh, lord of Fortuatha-Laighean, died.
- 983: Fiachra, son of Finnshneacta, chief of Fortuatha-Laighean.
- 1014: Domhnall, son of Ferghal, king of the Fortuatha. (Chronicon ScotorumChronicon ScotorumChronicon Scotorum is a medieval Irish chronicle.According to Nollaig Ó Muraíle, it is "a collection of annals belonging to the 'Clonmacnoise group', covering the period from prehistoric times to 1150 but with some gaps, closely related to the 'Annals of Tigernach'...
) - 1017: Muiredhach, mac Muirchertaigh, tigherna Fothart, was slain.
- 1018: Ruaidhri, mac Faoláin, tigherna Fothart, was slain.
- 1022: Domhnall, mac Ceallaigh, flaith Fothart, was slain.
- 1133: Eochaidh Ua Nualláin, tigherna Fothart.
- 1039: Domhnall, son of Donnchadh, lord of Ui-Faelain, was slain by Domhnall Ua Fearghaile, lord of the Fortuatha.
- 1043: Domnall ua Fergaile, king of the Fortuatha of Laigin, was killed by the son of Tuathal (his own people). (Chronicon ScotorumChronicon ScotorumChronicon Scotorum is a medieval Irish chronicle.According to Nollaig Ó Muraíle, it is "a collection of annals belonging to the 'Clonmacnoise group', covering the period from prehistoric times to 1150 but with some gaps, closely related to the 'Annals of Tigernach'...
) - 1072: Gillaphadraig O'Fearghaile, lord of the Fortuatha, was killed.
- 1095: Domnall Dubh Ua Fearghaile, lord of Fortuatha-Laighean, died.
- 1141: Creach-shluaighedh lá Toirrdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair i f-Fothartaibh Airbhreach, & ro oircc dream d'Feraibh Midhe, & d'Fhothartaibh, & regles h-Uí Dhúnáin.
- 1170: Murchadh Ua Fearghail, lord of the Fortuatha, was slain by Ua Fiachrach, lord of Ui-Fineachlais.
External links
- http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/province.htm
- http://ria.metapress.com/content/w046n30601436h07/
- http://books.google.ie/books?id=dElJqqyJEJ4C&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=Fothairt&source=bl&ots=OQZW8DmjfS&sig=3bOtD0YvJ27oMv4Sl9vHnj4srUg&hl=en&ei=ilX5TcyYC4KahQfn2YSYAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAzge#v=onepage&q=Fothairt&f=false