Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Annals of the Four Masters (Author: [unknown])

Annal M1212

M1212.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1212. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred twelve.

M1212.1

Drumquin, with its churches, was burned by the Kinel-Owen, without the consent of O'Neill.

M1212.2

Farrell O'Kane, Lord of Kienaghta and Firnacreeva, was slain by the English.

M1212.3

Gilbert Mac Costello was slain in the castle of Cael-uisge; and the castle itself was burned by O'Hegny.

M1212.4

The castle of Clones was burned by Hugh O'Neill and the men of the north of Ireland.

M1212.5

Donough O'Heyne was deprived of sight by the son of Cathal Crovderg, without the consent of the O'Conor.

M1212.6

The victory of Caill-na-gerann was gained by Cormac, the son of Art


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O'Melaghlin, and Hugh, the son of Conor Moinmoy, over the English, in which the latter, together with Pierce Mason and the sons of Sleviny, were slaughtered.

M1212.7

Donough Mac Cann, Chief of Kinel-Aengusa, died.

M1212.8

Donnell O'Devine was slain by the sons of Mac Loughlin in the doorway of the abbey-church of Derry.

M1212.9

A prey was taken by Gillafiaclagh O'Boyle, accompanied by a party of the Kinel-Connell, from some of the Kinel-Owen, who were under the protection of O'Taircheirt (Gillareagh), Chief of Clann-Sneidhghile and Clann-Fineen. O'Taircheirt overtook them (the plunderers), and gave them battle, but was killed while defending his guarantee.

M1212.10

Dermot, the son of Roderic O'Conor, forcibly took the house of Hugh, the son of Manus O'Conor, at Kilcolman-Finn, in Corran. Thirty-five men were burned in the house on this occasion.

M1212.11

Donnell, the son of Donnell Braghagh the Bregian O'Melaghlin, defeated Cormac O'Melaghlin in a battle, in which Gilchreest Mac Colgan and many others were slain.

M1212.12

Donnell, the son of Donnell O'Melaghlin, was slain, while on a predatory excursion, by the people of Meyler.

M1212.13

An army was led by the English of Munster to Roscrea, where they erected


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a castle. From thence they proceeded to Killeigh, where they were overtaken by Murtough, the son of Brian O'Conor, and his army, who gave them battle; in which Melaghlin, the son of Cathal Carragh O'Conor received wounds of which he died.

Annal M1213

M1213.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1213. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred thirteen.

M1213.1

Gilla-na-naev O'Rowan, Bishop of Leyny, and Muirigen O'Muirigen, Bishop of Clonmacnoise, died.

M1213.2

Ainmire O'Coffey, Abbot of the Church of Derry-Columbkille, a noble ecclesiastic, distinguished for his piety, meekness, charity, wisdom, and every other good quality died.

M1213.3

Thomas Mac Uchtry and Rory Mac Randal plundered Derry-Columbkille, and carried off, from the middle of the church of Derry, all the precious articles of the people of Derry, and of the north of Ireland, which they brought to Coleraine.


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M1213.4

O'Kane and the sept of Firnacreeva, came to Derry to take the house of the son of Mac Loughlin. The great prior, of the abbey church of Derry, who interposed to make peace between them, was killed. God and St. Columbkille wrought a miracle on this occasion; for Mahon Magaithne, the person who had gathered and mustered the army, was killed in the doorway of the church of Duvregles, in revenge of Columbkille.

M1213.5

The castle of Coleraine was erected by Thomas Mac Uchtry, and the English of Ulidia; and all the cemeteries and buildings of the town were thrown down excepting only the church to supply materials for erecting this castle.

M1213.6

Hugh O'Neill defeated and dreadfully slaughtered the English, and, on the same day, burned Carlongphort (Carlingford) both people and cattle.

M1213.7

Donn O'Breslen, Chief of Fanad, was treacherously killed by his own people.

M1213.8

Finn O'Brollaghan, steward of O'Donnell (Donnell More) went to Connaught to collect O'Donnell's tribute. He first went to Carbury of Drumcliff; where, with his attendants, he visited the house of the poet Murray O'Daly of Lissadill; and, being a plebeian representative of a hero, he began to wrangle with the poet very much (although his lord had given him no instructions to do so). The poet, being enraged at his conduct, seized a very sharp axe, and dealt him a blow which killed him on the spot, and then, to avoid O'Donnell, he fled into Clanrickard. When O'Donnell received intelligence of this, he collected a large body of his forces, and pursued him to Derrydonnell in


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Clanrickard,—a place which was named from him, because he encamped there for a night;—and he proceeded to plunder and burn the country, until at last MacWilliam submitted to him, having previously sent Murray to seek for refuge in Thomond. O'Donnell pursued him, and proceeded to plunder and ravage that country also, until Donough Cairbreach O'Brien sent Murray away to the people of Limerick. O'Donnell followed him to the gate of Limerick, and, pitching his camp at Monydonnell (which is named from him), laid siege to that town; upon which the people of Limerick, at O'Donnell's command, expelled Murray, who found no asylum anywhere, but was sent from hand to hand, until he arrived in Dublin.

M1213.9

O'Donnell returned home on this occasion, having first traversed and completed the visitation of all Connaught. He mustered another army without much delay in the same year, and, marching to Dublin, compelled the people of Dublin to banish Murray into Scotland; and here he remained until he composed three poems in praise of O'Donnell, imploring peace and forgiveness from him. The third of these poems is the one beginning, ‘Oh! Donnell, kind hand for granting peace,’ &c. He obtained peace for his panegyrics, and O'Donnell afterwards received him into his friendship, and gave him lands and possessions, as was pleasing to him.

M1213.10

Cormac O'Melaghlin plundered the castle of Kinclare, burned the bawn,


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and defeated the English, and carried away from them many horses and accoutrements.

M1213.11

The English of Ireland led a great army against Cormac, the son of Art O'Melaghlin. They met him at the bridge of Tine, where a battle was fought between them, in which the son of Art was defeated, and Rory O'Keary was killed. The son of Art was then banished from Delvin, and his people were plundered. The English then went to Athlone, where they erected a castle. They also erected the castle of Kinnity, the castle of Birr, and the castle of Durrow.

M1213.12

Cormac, the son of Art, went on a predatory excursion into Delvin, and plundered Melaghlin Beg, whom he banished from that country: he also slew William of the Mill, and assumed the lordship of Delvin himself.


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Annal M1214

M1214.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1214. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred fourteen.

M1214.1

O'Kelly, Bishop of Hy-Fiachrach, died.

M1214.2

Ardgar O'Conor, Bishop of Sil-Murray Elphin, died.

M1214.3

Benmee, daughter of O' Hegny, and wife of Hugh O'Neill, Queen of Aileach, died, after having spent a virtuous life.

M1214.4

A depredation was committed by Hugh, the son of Melaghlin O'Loughlin, on the coarb of Columbkille; but Hugh himself was killed before the expiration of a year afterwards, through the miracles of God and Columbkille.

M1214.5

Cathal Mac Dermot, the son of Teige, Lord of Moylurg, and tower of the glory of Connaught, died.

M1214.6

Brian, the son of Rory O'Flaherty, the son of the Lord of West Connaught, died.

M1214.7

The territory of Carbury Co. Sligo, the possession of Philip Mac Costello, was preyed by Ualgarg O'Rourke, who carried off a number of cows.

Annal M1215

M1215.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1215. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred fifteen.

M1215.1

Dionysius O'Lonargan, Archbishop of Cashel, died at Rome.

M1215.2

Conar (Cornelius) O'Heney, Bishop of Killaloe, died on his return from the fourth General Council of Lateran.


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M1215.3

Annudh O'Murray, Bishop of Conmaicne Ardagh, and Maelpoil O'Murray, Prior of Dungiven, died.

M1215.4

Trad O'Mulfavill, Chief of Kinel-Fergusa, with his brothers, and a great number of people who were with them, were slain by Murray, the son of the Great Steward of Lennox.

M1215.5

Donough O'Duvdirma, Chief of Bredagh, died in the Duvregles of Derry.

M1215.6

Aengus O'Carellan, Chief of the Clann-Dermot, was slain by his own kinsmen.

M1215.7

Murrough Mac Cawell, Chief of Kinel-Farry, died.

M1215.8

Mac Cann, Chief of Kinel-Aengusa, was slain by his kinsmen.

M1215.9

Rory O'Flynn O'Lynn, Lord of Derlas, died. Gillacutry Mac Carroon, Chief of Muintir Maoil-t-sionna, died.

M1215.10

Gillakevin O'Kelly of Bregia, was taken prisoner in the monastery of St. Peter at Athlone, by the English, and afterwards hanged by them at Trim.

M1215.11

Teige Mac Etigen, Chief of Clann-Dermot, died.


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Annal M1216

M1216.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1216. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred sixteen.

M1216.1

Mahon O'Laverty, Chief of the Clann-Donnell, died.

M1216.2

Giolla Arnain O'Martan, Chief Ollave (professor) of law in Ireland, died.

M1216.3

Tomaltagh, the son of Hugh, who was the son of Oireaghtagh O'Rodiv, was slain by Donnell, the son of Hugh Mac Dermot.

M1216.4

Eachdonn Mac Gilluire, Coarb of St. Patrick and Primate of Ireland, died at Rome, after a well-spent life.

M1216.5

Melaghlin, the son of Dermot, was slain by the men of Fircall and the people of Meyler.

M1216.6

Murrough, the son of Roderic O'Conor, died.


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M1216.7

The castle of Killaloe was erected by Geoffrey Mares. The English Bishop also built a house there by force.

M1216.8

Henry III. was crowned in England on the 19th of October.

Annal M1217

M1217.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1217. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred seventeen.

M1217.1

Gillatierny Mac Gillaronan, Bishop of Oriel (Clogher), and head of the canons of Ireland, died, after penance and repentance.

M1217.2

Dermot, the son of Conor Mac Dermot, Lord of Moylurg, died.

M1217.3

More, daughter of O'Brien (Donnell), and wife of Cathal Crovderg O'Conor, died.

M1217.4

Donnell O'Gara died.

M1217.5

Niall, the grandson of Loughlin O'Conor, died.

M1217.6

Donough O'Mulrenin, Chief of the Clann-Conor, died.

M1217.7

Teige O'Farrell was slain by Murrough Carragh O'Farrell.

M1217.8

Gillapatrick Mac Acadhain, Chief of Clann-Fearmaighe, died.


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M1217.9

Donnell, the son of Murrough Mac Coghlan, Lord of the greater part of Delvin, was treacherously slain by the sons of Melaghlin Mac Coghlan, at Liathdruim.

M1217.10

Cathal Finn O'Laghtna, Chief of the Two Bacs, was treacherously slain in his own house by O'Flynn of Moy-h-Eleog.

M1217.11

Cormac, the son of Tomaltagh Mac Dermot, was inaugurated.

Annal M1218

M1218.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1218. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred eighteen.

M1218.1

Clemens, Bishop of Leyny Achonry, died.

M1218.2

Gilla-na-naev O'Gormally, priest of Rathloury, died on his pilgrimage.


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M1218.3

Maelisa O'Deery, Erenagh of Derry, died on the 18th of December; having been Erenagh of Derry for forty years, and having done all the good in his power, both in Church and State.

M1218.4

The church of the monastery of Boyle was consecrated.

M1218.5

Murtough O'Flynn, Lord of Hy-Tuirtre, was slain by the English; and Congalagh O'Quin, Chief of Magh Lugad, and of all Sil-Cathasaigh, and tower of the valour, hospitality, and renown of the north of Ireland, was also slain by the English on the same day.

M1218.6

Rory and Melaghlin, two sons of Mac Coghlan, died in the monastery of Kilbeggan.

M1218.7

Loughlin O'Conor died in the monastery of Knockmoy.


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M1218.8

A depredation was committed by the English of Meath, and by Murtough Carragh O'Farrell on the Hy-Briuin of the Shannon. Dermot, the son of Turlough, who was the son of Melaghlin, and some of the Connacians, overtook them, and defeated the English, of whom upwards of one hundred persons were either slain or drowned. The son of O'Conor and some of his people fell fighting, in the heat of the conflict.

Annal M1219

M1219.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1219. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred nineteen.

M1219.1

Hugh O'Malone, Bishop of Clonmacnoise, was drowned.

M1219.2

Fonaghtan O'Bronan, Coarb of St. Columbkille, died; and Flann O'Brollaghan was appointed in his place.

M1219.3

Melaghlin, the son of Conor Moinmoy, was slain by Manus, the son of Turlough O'Conor, who had taken his house (by force) at Cloontuskert.

M1219.4

An army was led by O'Donnell (Donnell More) into the Rough Third of


p.199

Connaught, and obtained hostages and submission from O'Rourke and O'Reilly, and from all the race of Aedh Finn. He afterwards passed through Fermanagh, and destroyed every place through which he passed, both lay and ecclesiastical property, wherein there was any opposition to him.

M1219.5

Walter de Lacy and the son of William Burke returned from England.

M1219.6

Duvdara, the son of Murray O'Malley, was put to death for his crimes by Cathal Crovderg O'Conor, while in fetters in O'Conor's fortress.

M1219.7

Enda, the son of Danar O'Mulkieran, died.

Annal M1220

M1220.0

THE AGE OF CHRIST, 1220. The age of Christ, one thousand two hundred twenty.

M1220.1

Jacobus came to Ireland as the Pope's Legate, to regulate and constitute the ecclesiastical discipline of Ireland, and then returned home.

M1220.2

Dermot, the son of Roderic (who was son of Turlough More O'Conor), was slain by Thomas Mac Uchtry, as he was coming from the Insi Gall (Hebrides), after having there collected a fleet, for the purpose of acquiring the kingdom of Connaught. Mulrony O'Dowda was drowned on the same expedition.

M1220.3

Melaghlin, the son of Melaghlin Beg O'Melaghlin, was drowned in Lough Ree.

M1220.4

Dermot, the son of Brian Dall, was treacherously slain by the son of Mahon O'Brien.

M1220.5

An army was led by Walter de Lacy and the English of Meath to


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Athliag, where they erected the greater part of a castle. Another army was led by Cathal Crovderg, eastwards across the Shannon, into the territory of Caladh, and the English, being stricken with fear, made peace with him; and the Connacians destroyed the castle.

M1220.6

The Cairneach Riabhach Mac Clancy, and Farrell Magauran, were killed by Hugh, the son of Donnell, who was son of Farrell O'Rourke, and by the Clann-Fermaigh.

Annal M1221

M1221.0

THE AGE OF CHRlST, 1221. The Age of Christ, one thousand two hundred twenty-one.

M1221.1

St. Dominic died.

M1221.2

Cormac, Abbot of Comar, was killed.

M1221.3

The son of Hugo de Lacy came to Ireland, without the consent of the King of England, and joined Hugh O'Neill. Both set out to oppose the English of


p.203

Ireland, and first went to Coleraine, where they demolished the castle. They afterwards went into Meath and Leinster, and destroyed a great number of persons on that occasion. The English of Ireland mustered twenty-four battalions at Dundalk, whither Hugh O'Neill, and the son of Hugo de Lacy, came to oppose them with four great battalions. The English upon this occasion gave his own demands to O'Neill.