Nephin
Encyclopedia
Nephin or Nefin at 806 metres (2646 ft), is the second highest peak in County Mayo
(after Mweelrea
) and the second highest in Connacht
, in Ireland
. It is part of the Nephin Beg
Mountains range in the North West of the county.
to the east, the Windy Gap/Barnageehy to the south, and Birreenacorragh mountion to the west. Its northern limit was in 1838 noted as the townland of Ballybrinoge in the parish of Crossmolina
. However, a prose tract of the 14th/15th century makes clear that its northern and western borders were contracted during the later medieval era.
, ancestor of the Fir Bolg
and Tuatha de Danann
. That the area once held pre-Christian
significance - the term nemed referred to the sacred class in Gaelic
society - may be inferred by the decision at the Synod of Raith Bressail in 1111 to make Nephin the northern boundary of the diocese
of Cong
.
In early medieval times, the area was inhabited by the Gamarad
, who were Kings of Connacht
in prehistory. One of their kings, Ailill Finn
, is stated to have held residence at Dun Atha Fene, now Caorthannan/Castlehill townland, in the parish
of Addergoole and Crossmolina
. The legend of the Táin Bó Flidhais
tells the story of a cattle raid on Ailill Finn and his wife Flidais
otherwise known as The Mayo Táin
.
Gleann Neimhthinne is stated by John O'Donovan
as been one of the seven constituent parts of Tirawley
, the others being An Lagan, Breadach, Calraighe Maighe nEleag, Caoille Conaill, Ui Eathach Muaidhe and An Da Bhac.
In Leabhar Fiachrach, a topographical and genealogical tract
written by Giolla Iosa Mor Mac Fhirbhisigh about 1400, the areas early peoples and families are listed thus:
King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht
(1088-1156) intruded his vassals and kinsmen, the Mac Diarmada of Moylurg
, as a colony in the area, and into Ui Maill, in the first half of the 12th century. After the Anglo-Norman
conquest of Connacht (c.1237-1270), the Clann Ricinh Baireid expelled the O Lachtnain chiefs, and became its new owners. They in turn were gradually squeezed out the Barrett
family in the second half of the 14th century by the Bourke
descendants of Sir Edmond Albanach de Burgh(died 1375). Do Bhreathnuib in Ibh Amhalghaidh mec Fiachrach tract commonly referred to as The Welshmen of Tirawley, preserves tradition concerning the settlement of Glen Nephin by William Mor na Maighne Barrett (fl. 1267), and a gruesome account of a long conflict between the Bourkes, the Barretts, and tenents of the latter clan, the Lynnots.
In the first half of the 17th century the proipretors were still members of the Barrett and Bourke clans. In 1632 Myler, son of Pierce Barrett of Ballysakeery, sold most of his lands to Tibbot and Walter Bourke of Turlough, Castlebar
. After the end of the Irish Confederate Wars
in 1653, Cromwellian forces confiscated the land from Barrett and Bourke alike. In 1666, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
stated that "now there is neither Barrett nor Burke, not to mention Clann fiachrach, in possession of any lands there." Its new owners were named Jackson, Gore, Hadsor, and others.
Glen Nephin remained Gaeltacht
into the second half of the 19th century.
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...
(after Mweelrea
Mweelrea
Mweelrea is a mountain in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland. With a height of 814 metres , it is the highest point in County Mayo, the highest point in the province of Connacht and the 34th highest in Ireland...
) and the second highest 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...
, in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is part of the Nephin Beg
Nephin Beg
Nephin Beg or Nefin Beg is a mountain in the Nephin Beg Range in north County Mayo, Ireland. The mountain takes its name from Nephin, although that mountain is some distance away and with intervening mountains between them The highest point is 365 meters....
Mountains range in the North West of the county.
Situation
It lies in the centre of Gleann Néifinne, a district bounded by Lough ConnLough Conn
Lough Conn is a lake in County Mayo in the province of Connacht in Ireland and covers about 14,000 acres . With its immediate neighbour to the south, Lough Cullin, it is connected to the Atlantic by the River Moy...
to the east, the Windy Gap/Barnageehy to the south, and Birreenacorragh mountion to the west. Its northern limit was in 1838 noted as the townland of Ballybrinoge in the parish of Crossmolina
Crossmolina
Crossmolina or Crosmolina is a town in the Barony of Tyrawley in County Mayo, Ireland, as well as the name of the parish in which Crossmolina is situated. The town sits on the River Deel near the northern shore of Lough Conn...
. However, a prose tract of the 14th/15th century makes clear that its northern and western borders were contracted during the later medieval era.
Historical background
The mountain, which gives its name to the district, may take its name from NemedNemed
Nemed , meaning "holy" or "privileged" is a figure of Irish mythology who features in The Book of Invasions...
, ancestor of the Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg
In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann.-Mythology:...
and Tuatha de Danann
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of people in Irish mythology. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg....
. That the area once held pre-Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
significance - the term nemed referred to the sacred class in Gaelic
Gaels
The Gaels or Goidels are speakers of one of the Goidelic Celtic languages: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Goidelic speech originated in Ireland and subsequently spread to western and northern Scotland and the Isle of Man....
society - may be inferred by the decision at the Synod of Raith Bressail in 1111 to make Nephin the northern boundary of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Cong
Cong
Cong may refer to:*Cong , a form of jade artifact from ancient China*Cong , a Chinese surname.*Cống people, an indigenous people of about 1,700 in Vietnam*Cong, County Mayo, a village in the Republic of Ireland...
.
In early medieval times, the area was inhabited by the Gamarad
Gamanraige
The Gamanraige were the main branch of the Fir Ol nEchmacht, a people who ruled much of Ireland west of the Shannon in the pre-historic era.The Gamanraige ruled the territory between the Gallimhe or Galway river, to the Drowes and Duff rivers in the north-east. Their capital was Rath Eochaidh,...
, who were Kings of Connacht
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...
in prehistory. One of their kings, Ailill Finn
Ailill Finn
Ailill Finn, son of Art mac Lugdach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, he succeeds to the throne when his father is killed by Fíachu Tolgrach and his son Dui Ladrach. He rules for nine years. Two years into his...
, is stated to have held residence at Dun Atha Fene, now Caorthannan/Castlehill townland, in the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Addergoole and Crossmolina
Crossmolina
Crossmolina or Crosmolina is a town in the Barony of Tyrawley in County Mayo, Ireland, as well as the name of the parish in which Crossmolina is situated. The town sits on the River Deel near the northern shore of Lough Conn...
. The legend of the Táin Bó Flidhais
Táin Bó Flidhais
Táin Bó Flidhais, also known as the Mayo Táin, is a tale from the Ulster Cycle of early Irish literature. It is one of a group of works known as Táin Bó, or "cattle raid" stories, the best known of which is Táin Bó Cúailnge...
tells the story of a cattle raid on Ailill Finn and his wife Flidais
Flidais
Flidais is a female mythological figure in early Irish literature, including the Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Metrical Dindsenchas and the Ulster Cycle...
otherwise known as The Mayo Táin
Táin Bó Flidhais
Táin Bó Flidhais, also known as the Mayo Táin, is a tale from the Ulster Cycle of early Irish literature. It is one of a group of works known as Táin Bó, or "cattle raid" stories, the best known of which is Táin Bó Cúailnge...
.
Gleann Neimhthinne is stated by John O'Donovan
John O'Donovan
John O'Donovan may refer to:*John O'Donovan , Irish language scholar and place-name expert*John O'Donovan , Irish TD and Senator*John O'Donovan, guitarist with The Adolescents punk band...
as been one of the seven constituent parts of Tirawley
Tirawley
The Barony of Tyrawley is situated in the north east portion of County Mayo. It is the area which is coloured bright green on the map to the top right...
, the others being An Lagan, Breadach, Calraighe Maighe nEleag, Caoille Conaill, Ui Eathach Muaidhe and An Da Bhac.
In Leabhar Fiachrach, a topographical and genealogical tract
Tract
Tract may refer to:* Land lot, a section of land* Census tract, a geographic region defined for the purpose of taking a census* Tract , a short written work, usually of a political or religious nature...
written by Giolla Iosa Mor Mac Fhirbhisigh about 1400, the areas early peoples and families are listed thus:
- Clann Mhuireadhaigh mec Fearghusa mec Amhalghaidh - descended from Muireadhach, a king of Ui Amhalghaidh, a branch of the ConnachtaConnachtaThe Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
. - O Lachtna - 12th century lords of An Da Bhac and Glen Nephin, rendered O Lachtnain, Loughnane, Loughney, Loftus.
King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair 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...
(1088-1156) intruded his vassals and kinsmen, the Mac Diarmada of Moylurg
Moylurg
Magh Luirg or Magh Luirg an Dagda, Anglicised as Moylurg, was the name of a kingdom located in the north-east of Connacht, the western province of Ireland, from c.956-1585...
, as a colony in the area, and into Ui Maill, in the first half of the 12th century. After the Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
conquest of Connacht (c.1237-1270), the Clann Ricinh Baireid expelled the O Lachtnain chiefs, and became its new owners. They in turn were gradually squeezed out the Barrett
Barrett
- Court cases :* Barrett v. Rosenthal, a 2006 California Supreme Court case concerning online defamation* Barrett v. United States, a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that South Carolina had never effectively been subdivided into separate judicial districts-Fictional...
family in the second half of the 14th century by the Bourke
Bourke
Bourke may refer to:* Bourke, New South Wales* Bourke engine* Bourke Street, Melbourne, a street in Melbourne, Australia-People with the surname:* Jamie Bourke, Australian ice hockey player...
descendants of Sir Edmond Albanach de Burgh(died 1375). Do Bhreathnuib in Ibh Amhalghaidh mec Fiachrach tract commonly referred to as The Welshmen of Tirawley, preserves tradition concerning the settlement of Glen Nephin by William Mor na Maighne Barrett (fl. 1267), and a gruesome account of a long conflict between the Bourkes, the Barretts, and tenents of the latter clan, the Lynnots.
In the first half of the 17th century the proipretors were still members of the Barrett and Bourke clans. In 1632 Myler, son of Pierce Barrett of Ballysakeery, sold most of his lands to Tibbot and Walter Bourke of Turlough, Castlebar
Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
. After the end of the Irish Confederate Wars
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
in 1653, Cromwellian forces confiscated the land from Barrett and Bourke alike. In 1666, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius was an Irish scribe, translator, historian and genealogist...
stated that "now there is neither Barrett nor Burke, not to mention Clann fiachrach, in possession of any lands there." Its new owners were named Jackson, Gore, Hadsor, and others.
Glen Nephin remained Gaeltacht
Gaeltacht
is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...
into the second half of the 19th century.