Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Annals of the Four Masters (Author: Unknown)

Annal M923

M923.0

The Age of Christ, 923.

M923.1

The sixth year of Donnchadh.

M923.2

Failbhe, anchorite, died.

M923.3

Cathal, son of Conchobhar, king of the three divisions of Connaught, died.

M923.4

Dubhghall, son of Aedh, King of Ulidia, was slain by the Ulidians, i.e. by the Cinel-Maelche.

M923.5

Lorcan, son of Dunchadh, lord of Breagh, died. Of their deaths was said:

    1. Nine years, it is known, exact the computation, from Flann of Teamhair, it is not a charming circumstance,
      Till Cathal of Connaught, king of the nobles, and Dubhghall of Tuagha, strong King of Breagh.

M923.6

Domhnall, son of Cathal, heir apparent of Connaught, was killed by his brother, Tadhg, son of Cathal; and Tadhg assumed the place of his father.

M923.7

Faelan, son of Muireadhach, King of Leinster, with his son, i.e. Lorcan, was taken prisoner by the foreigners of Ath-cliath.

M923.8

Tomrar, son of Tomralt, was slain by the Conmaicni-mara.

M923.9

Flaithchius, son of Scorachan, lord of Ui-Crimhthannain, died.

Annal M924

M924.0

The Age of Christ, 924.

M924.1

The seventh year of Donnchadh.

M924.2

Colman, son of Ailill, Abbot of Cluain-Iraird and Cluain-mic-Nois, a bishop and wise doctor, died. It was by him the Daimhliag of Cluain-mic-Nois was built; he was of the tribe of the Conailli-Muirtheimhne.

    1. The tenth year, a just deeree, joy and sorrow reigned,
      Colman of Cluain, the joy of every tower, died; Albdann went beyond sea.


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M924.3

Maelsechlainn, son of Maelruanaidh, heir apparent to the sovereignty of Teamhair;

M924.4

and Duineachaidh, son of Laeghaire, chief of Feara-Ceall, died.

M924.5

Dun-Sobhairce was plundered by the foreigners, and many persons were slain by them.

    1. Twenty-four years exactly, and nine hundred without curtailment,
      From the birth of the son of the living God to the plundering of Dun-Sobhairci.

M924.6

A victory was gained by Muircheartach, son of Niall, and the Ulidians, at the bridge of Cluain-na-gCruimhther, on the 28th of December, being Thursday, where were slain eight hundred men with their chieftains, Albdann, son of Godfrey, Aufer, and Roilt. The other half of them were besieged for a week at Ath-Cruithne, until Godfrey, lord of the foreigners, came to their assistance from Ath-cliath.

M924.7

Cill-dara was plundered by the foreigners of Port-Lairge. It was plundered again by the foreigners of Ath-cliath in the same year.

M924.8

Fearghus, son of Duiligen, lord of Lurg, was slain by the men of Breifne.

M924.9

Mochta, Bishop of Ui-Neill, and priest of Ard-Macha; and Muireadhach, son of Domhnall, Tanist-abbot of Ard-Macha, died.

Annal M925

M925.0

The Age of Christ, 925.

M925.1

The eighth year of Donnhhadh.

M925.2

Cormac, son of Fithbran, Abbot of Gleann-da-locha;

M925.3

Maelpeadair, Abbot of Cluain-fearta-Molua, died.

M925.4

Soichleachan of Teach-Munna was wounded, and died of the


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wound.

M925.5

Brian, son of Ceinnedigh, was born in this year, i.e. twenty-four years before Maelseachlainn, son of Domhnall.

M925.6

Donnghal of Ros-Commain, died.

M925.7

Caindealbhan, son of Maelcron, lord of Ui-Laeghaire; and Fogartach, son of Lachtnan, lord of Teathbha, died.

M925.8

Goach, son of Dubhroa, lord of Cianachta-Glinne-Geimhin, was slain by Muircheartach, son of Niall.

M925.9

Sitric, son of Imhar, lord of the Dubhghoill and Finnghoill, died.

M925.10

Godfrey, with his foreigners, left Ath-cliath, but came back after six months.

M925.11

The foreigners of Linn-Duachaill deserted (i.e. left) Ireland.

M925.12

The fair of Tailltin was prevented by Muircheartach, son of Niall, against Donnchadh Ua Maeleachlainn, in consequence of a challenge of battle which was between them; but God separated them, without slaughter or bloodshed on either side.

M925.13

St. Maelbrighde, son of Tornan, successor of Patrick, Colum Cille and Adamnan, head of the piety of all Ireland, and of the greater part of Europe, died at a good old age, on the 22nd of February; in commemoration of whose death was said:

    1. Twelve years not trifling
      On the eighth of the Calends of July, Flann was buried,
      On the eighth of the Calends of noble March,
      Maelbrighde most gifted of the brave Gaeidhil died.
      Since the divine Son of God was born
      Upon the earthly world in carnal shape,
      Five years and twenty, nine hundred,
      To the death of Maelbrighde in evil hour.
      It was not a year without events;
      Premature the death of the Abbot of Ard-Macha,
      Maelbrighde, head of Europe,
      Cormac of Gleann-da-locha.


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M925.14

Anrothan, son of Maelgorm, assumed the lordship of Corca-Modhruadh.

Annal M926

M926.0

The Age of Christ, 926.

M926.1

The ninth year of Donnchadh.

M926.2

Baeithine, Abbot of Birra;

M926.3

Finnachta, Abbot of Corcach, head of the rule of the most of Ireland;

M926.4

Ciaran, Abbot of Achadh-bo-Cainnigh;

M926.5

Celedabhaill, son of Scannal, went to Rome on his pilgrimage from the abbacy of Beannchair; and he composed these quatrains at his departure:

    1. Time for me to prepare to pass from the shelter of a habitation,
      To journey as a pilgrim over the surface of the noble, lively sea.
      Time to depart from the snares of the flesh, with all its guilt,
      Time now to ruminate how I may find the great son of Mary.
      Time to seek virtue, to trample upon the will with sorrow,
      Time to reject vices, and to renounce the Demon.
      Time to reproach the body, for of its crime it is putrid,
      Time to rest after we have reached the place wherein we may shed our tears.
      Time to talk of the last day, to separate from familiar faces,
      Time to dread the terrors of the tumults of the day of judgment.
      Time to defy the clayey body, to reduce it to religious rule,
      Time to barter the transitory things for the country of the King of heaven.
      Time to defy the ease of the little earthly world of a hundred pleasures,
      Time to work at prayer, in adoration of the high King of angels.
      But only a part of one year is wanting of my three score,
      To remain under holy rule in one place it is time.
      Those of my own age are not living, who were given to ardent devotion,
      To desist from the course of great folly, in one place it is time.

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      It was grievous that Cormac the hospitable was wounded with long lances,
      Indreachtach the noble, Muireadhach, Maenach, the great Maelmithigh.

M926.6

Muirgheal, daughter of Flann, son of Maelseachlainn, died at Cluain-mic-Nois.

M926.7

Donnchadh, son of Domhnall, heir apparent of the North, was slain by the Norsemen.

M926.8

Lorcan, son of Maelcein, lord of the Ui-Failghe, died.

M926.9

Finnachta, son of Tadhg, heir apparent of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh, died.

M926.10

Cinaedh, son of Oghran, lord of Laeighis, was killed.

M926.11

Eaghra, son of Poprigh, lord of Luighne, in Connaught; and Ceat, son of Flaithbheartach, lord of Corca-Modh-ruadh, died.

M926.12

The plundering of Cill-dara by the son of Godfrey Port-Lairge, who carried away captives and great spoils from thence.

M926.13

Maelruanaidh, son of Conchobhar, was slain by king Donnchadh.

Annal M927

M927.0

The Age of Christ, 927.

M927.1

The tenth year of Donnchadh.

M927.2

Tuathal, son of Oenacan, Bishop of Daimhliag and Lusca, and steward of the family of Patrick;

M927.3

Celedabhaill, son of Scannall, successor of Comhgall of Beannchair, throughout Ireland, bishop, scribe, preacher, and learned doctor, died on his pilgrimage at Rome, on the 14th of September, and in the fifty-ninth year of his age. Of the year of his death was said:

    1. Three times nine, nine hundred years, are reckoned by plain rules
      From the birth of Christ, deed of purity, to the holy death of Cele the Cleric.

M927.4

Caencomhrac, son of Maeluidhir, Abbot and Bishop of Doire-Chalgaigh, and steward of Adamnan's law;

M927.5

Tuathal, son of Maelciarain, Abbot of Cluain-eidhneach, died.

M927.6

Ferghil, Abbot of Tir-da-ghlas, died at Rome on his pilgrimage.

M927.7

Dunchadh, son of Braenan, priest of Cill-dara;

M927.8

Maelgiric, Abbot of the house


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of the Seniors at Cluain-mic-Nois;

M927.9

Maelpadraig, son of Celen, priest and Vice-abbot of Beannchair;

M927.10

Maelmoicheirghe, [OElig ]conomus of Cluain-mic-Nois;

M927.11

Diarmaid, son of Cearbhall, lord of Osraighe;

M927.12

Innreachtach, son of Cathal, lord of Leath-Chathail died.

M927.13

The foreigners of Luimneach went upon Loch Oirbsen, and the islands of the lake were plundered by them.

M927.14

A new fleet was launched upon Loch Ribh, between Conmaicne and Tuath-nElla, where Cathal Ua Maele, and Flaithbheartach, son of Tuathghal, and some others along with them, were slain.

M927.15

An army was led by Donnchadh to Liathdruim, against Muircheartach; but they separated without battle, or shedding blood on either side. When Donnchadh was setting out on this expedition, these lines were composed:

    1. Let one say to Donnchadh the brown, to the bulwark of plundering septs,
      That though Liathdruim be before him, there is an angry fellow there.

M927.16

Caineach, daughter of Canannan, and wife of the King of Ireland, died.

M927.17

Domhnall, son of Tadhg, heir apparent of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh, died.

927.18

The plundering of Cill-dara by Godfrey, on the festival day of St.Brighit.

Annal M928

M928.0

The Age of Christ, 928.

M928.1

The eleventh year of Donnchadh.

M928.2

Nuadha, Bishop of Gleann-da-locha;

M928.3

Flann of Fobhar, Abbot of Lughmhadh;

M928.4

Mael-caeimhghin, son of Scannlan, Abbot of Teach-Mochua;

M928.5

and Donnghal, Abbot of Ros-Comain, died.

M928.6

Maol Da Bhonna, son of Dobhailen, lord of Luighne

M928.7

Muircheartach, son of Eagra, lord of Luighne,

M928.8

and Idhnaidhe Ua Mannachain, were slain.

M928.9

Godfrey, grandson of Imhar, with the foreigners of Ath-cliath, demolished and plundered Dearc Fearna, where one thousand persons were killed in this year, as is stated in this quatrain:


p.625

    1. Nine hundred years without sorrow, twenty-eight, it has been proved,
      Since Christ came to our relief, to the plundering of Dearc-Fearna.

M928.10

A slaughter was made of the foreigners who were on Loch Oirbsen by the Connaughtmen.

M928.11

The foreigners of Luimneach encamped in Magh-Roighne.

M928.12

The foreigners, i.e. those under the command of Torolbh, took up their station at Loch-Eathach, and had their camp at Rubha-Mena.

M928.13

Accolbh Earl, with a slaughter of the foreigners about him, was slain by the Ui-Ceinnsealaigh.

M928.14

Finn, son of Maelmordha, heir apparent of Ui-Failghe, and Flann, his brother, were slain.

Annal M929

M929.0

The Age of Christ, 929.

M929.1

The twelfth year of Donnchadh.

M929.2

Crunnmhael, Bishop of Cill-dara,

M928.3

Tibraide, son of Ainnsene, Abbot of Cluain-mic-Nois, of the sept of the Ui-Briuin, died.

M929.4

Maeleoin, bishop and anchorite of Ath-Truim, died, after a good life.

M929.5

Ceannfaeladh, son of Lorcan, comharba of Cluain-Eois and Clochar-mac-Daimheini, died.

M929.6

Bran, son of Colman, Abbot of Ros-Cre, was slain by the foreigners.

M929.7

Maelbrighde, son of Feadacan, Abbot of Lann-mic-Luachain;

M929.8

and Onchu, priest of Cill-dara, died.

M929.9

Cearnachan, son of Tighearnan, lord of Breifne, died.

M929.10

The foreigners of Luimneach took up their station upon Loch Ribh.

M929.11

Godfrey went into Osraighe, to expel the grandson of Imhar from Magh-Roighne.

M929.12

Donncuan, son of Faelan, heir apparent of Leinster, died.

M929.13

Dearbhail, daughter of Maelfinnia, Queen of Teamhair, died.

Annal M930

M930.0

The Age of Christ, 930.

M930.1

The thirteenth year of Donnchadh.

M930.2

Suibhne, Abbot of Lann-Leire;

M930.3

Duibhlitir, son of Sealbhach, Abbot of Teach-Moling,


p.627

and Lector of Gleann-da-locha;

M930.4

Feardomhnach, son of Flannagan, Abbot of Cluain-Iraird;

M930.5

Fuacarta, Abbot of Inis-Caindeagha;

M930.6

Maenghal, son of Becan, Abbot of Druim-chliabh;

M930.7

and Maelgiric, Abbot of Fobhar, died.

M930.8

Airmheadh, Abbot of Cuil-rathain, was killed by the foreigners.

M930.9

Aenghus, son of Anghus, chief poet of Ireland, died.

M930.10

Flann, son of Maelfinnia, lord of Breagh, was slain by one of the Ui-Eathach, i.e. by Cummascach, son of Egceartach; of whose death was said:

    1. It would be lawful for the Gaeidhil, if they should shed tears of blood,
      As Taillte of Taeidhen is not walked by the grandson of Flann, Flann of Brugh.

M930.11

Cinaedh, son of Caindealbhan, lord of Cinel-Laeghaire, died.

M930.12

The crozier of Ciaran, i.e. the Oraineach was lost in Loch Techet, now Loch-Ui-Ghadhra, and twelve men along with it; but it was found immediately.

M930.13

Loingseach Ua Leathlobhair, King of Ulidia, died.

M930.14

Torolbh the Earl was killed by Muircheartach, son of Niall, and the Dal-Araidhe.

M930.15

Flann, son of Muireadhach, heir apparent of Leinster; and Lorcan, son of Cathal, royal heir of Leinster, died.

Annal M931

M931.0

The Age of Christ, 931.

M931.1

The fourteenth year of Donnchadh.

M931.2

Cosgrach, son of Maelmochoirghi, Bishop of Teach-Mochua, and of the Commans;

M931.3

Seachnasach, priest of Dearmhach;

M931.4

and Fedhelm, i.e. daughter of Domhnall, Abbess of Cluain-Bronaigh, died.

M931.5

Cathal, son of Odhran, lord of Laeighis;

M931.6

and Cuilen, son of Ceallach, lord of Osraighe, died.

M931.7

Celecen, i.e. the son of Gairbhith, lord of the Airtheara, died.

M931.8

Lorcan, son of Eochaidh, the second lord that was at that time over Airther-Life, died.

M931.9

A battle was gained in Magh-Uatha by Fearghal, son of Domhnall; and Sichfraidh, son of Uathmharan, i.e. the son of the daughter of Domhnall, over Muircheartach, son of Niall, where were slain


p.629

Maelgarbh, son of Gairbhith, lord of Dearlas; and Conmhal, son of Bruadhran; and many others along with them.

M931.10

A battle was gained by Conaing, son of Niall, and the foreigners of Loch Eathach, over the province of Ulidia, wherein twelve hundred were slain.

M931.11

The foreigners took up their station upon the lakes of Erne; and they spoiled and plundered many districts and churches, as far as Loch Gamhna.

M931.12

Ard-Macha was plundered about the festival of St. Martin, by the son of Godfrey, i.e. Amlaeibh, with the foreigners of Loch-Cuan about him. Matadhan, son of Aedh, with the inhabitants of the pro-vince of Ulidia, and Amhlaeibh, son of Godfrey, with the foreigners, spoiled and plundered the province of Ulster as far as Sliabh-Beatha to the west, and and as far as Mucnamha to the east; but they were overtaken by Muircheartach, son of Niall, and a battle was fought between them, in which he defeated them; and they left with him two hundred heads cut off, besides prisoners and spoils.

M931.13

Bard Boinne, chief poet of Ireland, was slain by the Ui-Cormaic-Cobha.

M931.14

Domhnall, son of Gadhra, lord of Luighne, was slain.

M931.15

The victory of Duibhthir was gained by Amhlaeibh Ceanncairech of Luimneach, where some of the nobles of Ui-Maine were slain.

Annal M932

M932.0

The Age of Christ, 932.

M932.1

The fifteenth year of Donnchadh.

M932.2

The foreigners of Luimneach plundered Connaught as far as Magh-Luirg to the north, and as far as Badhbhghna to the east.

M932.3

Duibhghilla, son of Robachan, lord of Ui-Cormaic,


p.631

was treacherously slain by Conghalach, son of Lorcan.

M932.4

Uallach, daughter of Muimhneachan, chief poetess of Ireland, died.

M932.5

Godfrey, lord of the foreigners, died.

M932.6

Fire from heaven burned the mountains of Connaught this year, and the lakes and streams dried up; and many persons were also burned by it.