Iar Connacht
Encyclopedia
(meaning west of the Connachta, or western 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...
), was a region covering all of County Galway
County Galway
County 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...
west of the river Corrib and Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib
Lough 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...
; Maigh Seola
Maigh Seola
Maigh Seola was a term used to describe the land along the east shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. It was bounded by the Uí Maine vassal kingdom of Soghain. Its rulers up to the 1220s were the Muintir Murchada, who took the surname O'Flaherty...
; and part of the barony of Ross in County Mayo
County Mayo
County 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...
.
Description
The area of Co. Galway, lying between Kilkieran Bay to the west and Lough Corrib to the east, is sometimes described as Iar Connaught on some maps and books, however this is incorrect, as this area was the territory of Dealbhna Thíre Dhá Locha which only ever formed a part of Iar Chonnachta.Maigh Seola
Maigh Seola
Maigh Seola was a term used to describe the land along the east shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. It was bounded by the Uí Maine vassal kingdom of Soghain. Its rulers up to the 1220s were the Muintir Murchada, who took the surname O'Flaherty...
the part of County Galway
County Galway
County 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...
east of Lough Corrib, stretching from 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:...
to Athenry
Athenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
to Maree was included in Iar Chonnachta before the 13th century. After its leading family, the O'Flaherty
O'Flaherty
Ó Flaithbertaigh, Gaelic-Irish surname, anglicized as O'Flaherty-Overview:This Gaelic-Irish surname is written as "Ua Flaithbertach" or "Ua Flaithbertaig" in Old Irish and Middle Irish texts....
s, were expelled west of Loch Corrib and the Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
(now Corrib) River during the English invasion 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...
, Maigh Seola was no longer considered to be in Iar Chonnachta.
Since the middle of the 19th century most of Iar Chonnachta has been generally called Connemara
Connemara
Connemara 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:...
largely due to the emerging tourist industry of that time.
The territory of Dealbhna Thíre Dhá Locha / Delbhna Tir Dha Locha
Delbhna Tir Dha Locha
Dealbhne Thíre Dhá Loch was a tuath of Gaelic Ireland, located in the west of what is now Co. Galway, Ireland. It is now called Connemara-Overview:It was ruled by the Mac Conraoi clann...
covered the eastern half of Iar Chonnachta.
Connemara / Conmhaicne Mara (Conmaicne Mara
Conmaicne Mara
The 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...
) covered the western portion of the territory. Joyce Country (the Barony of Ross) covered the north-eastern portion of Iar Chonnachta.
The native rulers of Joyce Country were the Partraighe an tSléibhe whose territory also covered the south of the barony of Carra in County Mayo.
Maigh Seola
Maigh Seola
Maigh Seola was a term used to describe the land along the east shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. It was bounded by the Uí Maine vassal kingdom of Soghain. Its rulers up to the 1220s were the Muintir Murchada, who took the surname O'Flaherty...
the plain lying on eastern side of Lough Corrib was also considered to be part of Iar Chonnachta up until the 13th century when the native rulers of Maigh Seola - the O Flahertys / Uí Fhlaithbheartaigh - were ousted from Maigh Seola during the Norman invasion
Norman Ireland
The History of Ireland 1169–1536 covers the period from the arrival of the Cambro-Normans to the reign of Henry VIII of England, who made himself King of Ireland. After the Norman invasion of 1171, Ireland was under an alternating level of control from Norman lords and the King of England...
of Connacht in that century.
As they were the most powerful clan in this part of Connacht it seems that the O Flahertys and the earlier kings of Maigh Seola held some sway over all of Iar Chonnacht even before been were forced west of Loch Coirib. The O Flahertys are believed to have had control over Dealbhne Thíre Dhá Locha before leaving Maigh Seola. When the O Flahertys fled west of Lough Corrib, they established complete rule over the native clans there. The O Flahertys remained as lords of Iar Chonnachta until they lost their lands in the upheavals of the mid 17th century.
It is uncertain if the Aran Islands
Aran Islands
The Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland...
formed part of the territory.
Kings of Maigh Seóla (later Uí Briúin Seóla)
- Donn mac CumasgachDonn mac Cumasgach-Biography:Donn mac Cumasgach may be the earliest recorded ruler of Maigh Seóla, referred to as the southern Ui Briuin in his annalistic obituary....
, died 752752Year 752 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 752 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Cuthred of Wessex leads a successful... - Maelan mac CathmoghaMaelan mac Cathmogha-Origins:Maelan appears to be one of the earliest recorded kings of the territory of Maigh Seola, later known as Uí Briúin Seóla. He is not recorded in the genealogies, of which Francis John Byrne has this to say:...
, died 848848Year 848 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Saracens destroy Leontini.* Charles the Bald, Louis the German and Lothar meet in Koblenz.... - Murchadh mac MaenachMurchadh mac Maenach-Biography:Murchadh is one of the earliest attested kings of his region. He is noteworthy as the person who gave his name to the Muintir Murchada, a dynasty who's leading family later took the surname Ó Flaithbertaigh . At this point in time, his people lived east of Lough Corrib, their territory...
, died 891891Year 891 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Arnulf of Carinthia defeats the Normans at the Battle of Leuven.... - Urchadh mac MurchadhUrchadh mac Murchadh-Biography:Urchadh is one of the earliest attested king of Uí Briúin Seóla, who's rulers also seems to have exercised some authority over Iar Connacht. His dynasty, the Muintir Murchada, took their name from his father, Murchadh mac Maenach. The Ó Flaithbertaigh family would later claim him as an...
, died 943943Year 943 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Rebellion of the Zenete Berber tribe of the Banû Ifrân under Abu Yazid against the Fatimid dynasty .... - Donnchadh mac UrchadhDonnchadh mac Urchadh-Biography:Nothing certain seems to be known of Donnchadh, though he would have been an uncle of Brian Boru. He is not listed in the genealogies.-References:* West or H-Iar Connaught Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh, 1684 -Biography:Nothing certain seems to be known of Donnchadh, though he would have...
, died 959959Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,... - Brian mac MaelruanaidhBrian mac Maelruanaidh-Biography:All that is known for certain of Brian is contained in his obit, dated 1003:Brian, son of Maelruanaidh, lord of West Connaught, was slain by his own people...
, died 959959Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,... - Muireadhach ua FlaithbheartachMuireadhach ua Flaithbheartach-Biography:The Annals of Inisfallen state 1027 - Muiredach Ua Flaithbertaig besieged Cathal, son of Ruaidrí, on Inis Crema in Loch Oirbsen, and divided his land despite him....
, died 1034 - Murchadh an Chapail Ua FlaithbheartaighMurchadh an Chapail Ua FlaithbheartaighMurchadh an Chapail Ua Flaithbheartaigh was King of Maigh Seóla/Iar Connacht.-Biography:Murchadh appears to have been the first to bear the surname Ua/Ó Flaithbheartaigh/O'Flaherty but his tenure as chief was short. The annals state Murchadh Ua an Chapail, i.e...
, died 1036 - Cathal mac RuaidhriCathal mac Ruaidhri-Biography:Cathal is very obscure. He does not appear in the genealogies nor is his relationship to other members of the Muintir Murchada known. The year after he became king, the annals record that "Cathal, son of Ruaidhri, lord of West Connaught, went on his pilgrimage to Ard-Macha ." He appears...
, died 1043 - Amhalgaidh mac CathalAmhalgaidh mac Cathal-Biography:Amhalgaidh was the son of the previous king, Cathal mac Ruaidhri, who appears to have died at Armagh in 1043. He was lord in 1051 when the annals state that:...
, blinded 1051 (died 1075)
Kings of Iar Connacht
- Cathal mac TigernánCathal mac Tigernán-Biography:Áed in Gai Bernaig, King of Connacht from 1046 to 1067, had invaded and conquored Maigh Seóla in 1051, blinding its king. Cathal mac Tigernán is the next ruler of the kingdom recorded, but only upon his death in 1059. No details are given beyond that he was killed...
, died 1059 - Rúaidhri Ua FlaithbheartaighRúaidhri Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:Áed in Gai Bernaig, King of Connacht from 1046 to 1067, had invaded and conquored Maigh Seóla in 1051, blinding its king. Ruaidhri, king since 1059, and the family rebelled, leading to the battle of Glen Patrick....
, died 1061 - Aedh Ua FlaithbheartaighAedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:Aedh was the third bearer of the surname Ua Flaithbheartaigh to rule over the Muintir Murchada, and apparently the second since their forcible expulsion from Maigh Seola by the Ua Conchobhair in 1051. He was killed in 1079 by Ruaidrí na Saide Buide...
, died 1079 - Mac meic Aedh Ua FlaithbheartaighMac meic Aedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:The chief who died in 1091 is given as mac meic Aed Ua Flaithbheartaigh/son of the son of Aedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh, hence his forename is unknown. No further details are known.-References:...
, died 1091 - Flaithbertaigh Ua FlaithbertaighFlaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh-Biography:Flaithbertaigh was third or fourth chief of the Muintir Murchada since their expulsion from Uí Briúin Seóla by the Ua Conchobair kings of Connacht...
, died 1098 - Brian Ua FlaithbertaighBrian Ua Flaithbertaigh-Biography:The succession of the chiefs of Muintir Murchada after 1098 is uncertain. It seems that as of 1117, Brian was Chief of the Name. In that year, the annals state that...
, died 1117 - Muireadhach Ua FlaithbheartaighMuireadhach Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:According to the Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno 1121: A hosting by Toirdhealbhach son of Ruaidhrí into Munster, and he burned Ciarraighe Luachra and went from there eastwards through Munster, and burned Ua Caoimh's house on the bank of the Abha Mhór, and his scouts came to Magh...
, died 1121 - Conchobhar Ua FlaithbheartaighConchobhar Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:The succession of the chiefs of Muintir Murchada after 1098 is uncertain, but Conchobhar seems to have succeeded Muireadhach, who died in 1121...
, died 1132 - Ruaidhri Ua FlaithbheartaighRuaidhri Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:The succession of the chiefs of Muintir Murchada after 1098 is uncertain, unless it is that Ruaidhri reigned from then till his death in 1145. However, as of 1117, Brian Ua Flaithbertaigh was Chief of the Name....
, died 1145 - Áedh Ua FlaithbheartaighÁedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:The annals record that Áedh died at Annaghdown, demonstrating that the Muintir Murchada still held some influence east of Lough Corrib into the late 12th century....
, died 1178 - Conchubhar Ua FlaithbheartaighConchubhar Ua Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:The Annals of Ulster, sub anno 1186, record that "Conchubhar Ua Flaithbertaigh was killed by Ruaidhri Ua Flaithbertaigh, by his own brother, in Ara."-References:...
, died 1186 - Ruadhri Ua FlaithbertaighRuadhri Ua Flaithbertaigh-Biography:Ruaidhri may have succeeded by killing his brother, Conchubhar; the Annals of Ulster, sub anno 1186, record that "Conchubhar Ua Flaithbertaigh was killed by Ruaidhri Ua Flaithbertaigh, by his own brother, in Ara."...
, alive 1197 - Murtough Ua FlaithbertaighMurtough Ua FlaithbertaighMurtough Ua Flaithbertaigh was King of Iar Connacht.-References:* West or H-Iar Connaught Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh, 1684 Murtough Ua Flaithbertaigh (died 1204) was King of Iar Connacht.-References:* West or H-Iar Connaught Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh, 1684 Murtough Ua Flaithbertaigh (died 1204)...
, died 1204 - Rudhraighe Ó FlaithbheartaighRudhraighe Ó Flaithbheartaigh-Annalistic references:* M1207.6. Cathal Crovderg O'Conor, King of Connaught, expelled Hugh O'Flaherty, and gave his territory to his own son, Hugh O'Conor.* M1214. Brian, the son of Rory O'Flaherty, the son of the Lord of West Connaught, died....
, fl. 1214 (Brian, the son of Rory O'Flaherty, the son of the Lord of West Connaught, died.) - Áedh Mór Ó FlaithbheartaighÁedh Mór Ó Flaithbheartaigh-The War of 1225:* M1226.7. Donnell, the son of Rory O'Flaherty, was slain by the sons of Murtough O'Flaherty, after they and Felim, the son of Cathal Crovderg, had attacked and taken the house in which he was.-Death and descendants:-References:...
, died 1236 - Morogh Ó FlaithbheartaighMorogh Ó Flaithbheartaigh-Biography:Morogh was the first chief of the clan after their final expulsion from Uí Briúin Seóla. King Áed in Gai Bernaig of Connacht had begun their subjugation in 1051, but it was only with the encastallation of Muintir Murchada under Richard Mor de Burgh that the family were finally driven to...
, fl. 1244 - Ruaidhri Ó FlaithbheartaighRuaidhri Ó FlaithbheartaighRuaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh, King of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, fl. 1244-1273.-Biography:Ruaidhri was a brother of the preceding chief, Morogh...
, fl. 1256-1273
Taoiseach of Iar Connacht
- Brian Ó FlaithbheartaighBrian Ó FlaithbheartaighBrian Ó Flaithbheartaigh, possible Taoiseach of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, died 1377.-Annalistic reference:* 1377. Walter, son of Sir David Burke; Donnell, son of Farrell, son of the Manach O'Gallagher; Geoffrey O'Flanagan, Chief of Clann-Chathail; Donough, son of William Alainn;...
, died 1377. - Áedh Ó FlaithbheartaighÁedh Ó FlaithbheartaighÁedh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, Taoiseach of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, fl. c. 1377?-1407.-Reign:Few details appear to be known of him, he being the first of the family to appear in the annals since the time of Ruaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh....
, c. 1377-1407; built the church at AnnaghdownAnnaghdownAnnaghdown is a parish in County Galway, Ireland. It takes its name from Eanach Dhúin, Irish for "the marsh of the fort". The village lies around Annaghdown Bay, an inlet of Lough Corrib... - Domnell mac Áedh Ó FlaithbheartaighDomnell mac Áedh Ó FlaithbheartaighDomnell mac Áedh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, Taoiseach of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, died 1410.-Reign:Domnell was a son of Áedh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, who built the church at Annaghdown in 1410, but of whom few other particulars appear to be known....
- 1410. Donnell, the son of Hugh O'Flaherty, Lord of West Connaught, was slain by the sons of Brian O'Flaherty, at a meeting of his own people. - 1417. Rory, the son of Murrough O'Flaherty; Rory, the son of Dermot Duv O'Flaherty, and sixteen others of the O'Flahertys, were drowned in the bay of Umallia.
- Murchad mac Brian Ó FlaithbheartaighMurchad mac Brian Ó FlaithbheartaighMurchad mac Brian Ó Flaithbheartaigh, Taoiseach of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, died 1419.-Overview:In 1846, James Hardiman stated:...
- 1419. Murchad son of Brian O Flaithbertaig, king of West Connacht, died this year. - 1422. Donnell Finn O'Flaherty was slain by the sons of Donnell O'Flaherty.
- 1439. Owen O'Flaherty was treacherously slain in his own bed at night, by a farmer of his own people.
- Gilla Dubh Ó FlaithbheartaighGilla Dubh Ó FlaithbheartaighGilla Dubh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, Lord of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, died 1442.-Overview:Gilla Dubh was one of the first of the family to feature in the annals in over a hundred years...
- 1442. O'Flaherty, i.e. Gilladuv, the son of Brian, Lord of West Connaught died. - 1503. Teige Boirneach, Murrough and Mahon, two sons of Mahon O'Brien; Conor, the son of Brian, son of Murtough, son of Brian Roe; the son of O'Loughlin, i.e. Conor. the son of Rory, son of Ana; and Murtough, the son of Turlough, son of Murrough, son of Teige; went with Owen, the son of O'Flaherty, into West Connaught, with numerous forces, the same Owen having drawn them thither against his kinsmen (Rory Oge and Donnell of the Boat, two sons of O'Flaherty), who were encamped at Cael-shaile-ruadh, awaiting them. The O'Briens and Owen attacked the camp, and carried away preys and spoils. The sons of O'Flaherty and the people of the country followed in pursuit of them, so that a battle was fought between them, in which the sons of Mahon O'Brien and Owen O'Flaherty were slain by the O'Flahertys.
- Áodh Ó FlaithbheartaighÁodh Ó FlaithbheartaighÁodh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, Lord of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, died 1538.-References:* West or H-Iar Connaught Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh, 1684 ....
, fl. 1538 - M1542.15. The crew of a long ship came from West Connaught to Tirconnell, to plunder and prey. The place which they put in at was Reachrainn-Muintire-Birn, in Tir-Boghaine. When Turlough, the son of Mac Sweeny of Tir-Boghaine, received intelligence of this, he made an attack upon them, so that none of them escaped to tell the tale of what had happened, except their chief and captain, namely, the son of O'Flaherty, to whom Mac Sweeny granted pardon and protection; and he sent him home safe, outside his protection, to Conmaicne-mara.
See also
- Clann FhergailClann FhergailClann Fhergail was a cantred located in County Galway, compriseing the baronies of Moycullen and Galway, the parishes of Oranmore and Ballynacourty and Rahoon....
- Uí Fiachrach AidhneUí Fiachrach AidhneUí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
- Clann TaidgClann TaidgClann Taidg was the name of a medieval cantred located in what is now County Galway, Ireland.It consisted of the parishes of Athenry, Monivea, Tiaquin, Kilkerrin, Moylough, Killererin, Ballynakill-Aghiart, Kilmoylan, and possibly Abbeyknockmoy....
- Conmhaícne Mara
- Delbhna Tir Dha LochaDelbhna Tir Dha LochaDealbhne Thíre Dhá Loch was a tuath of Gaelic Ireland, located in the west of what is now Co. Galway, Ireland. It is now called Connemara-Overview:It was ruled by the Mac Conraoi clann...
- Muintir MurchadaMuintir MurchadaMuintir Murchada was the name of an Irish territory which derived its name from the ruling dynasty, who were in turn a branchh of the Uí Briúin. The name was derived from Murchadh mac Maenach, King of Uí Briúin Seóla, who died 891.-Overview:...
- Uí Maine
- SoghainSoghainThe Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
- MáenmaigeMáenmaigeMáenmaige was a originally a kingdom, later termed a trícha cét, and in Anglo-Norman times a cantred, which formed the barony of Loughrea.-Early historic rulers:It was first under the control of Ui Fhiachrach Fionn, and later by the Uí Maine...
- Síol AnmchadhaSíol AnmchadhaSíol Anmchadha was a sub-kingdom or lordship of Hy-Many, and ruled by an off-shoot of the Ui Maine called the Síol Anmchadha , from whom the territory took its name....
- Maigh SeolaMaigh SeolaMaigh Seola was a term used to describe the land along the east shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. It was bounded by the Uí Maine vassal kingdom of Soghain. Its rulers up to the 1220s were the Muintir Murchada, who took the surname O'Flaherty...