Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Annals of Loch Cé (Author: [unknown])

Annal LC1558

LC1558.0

The kalends of January on Tuesday; the age of the


p.375

Lord one thousand, five hundred, and fifty-eight years.

LC1558.1

Mac Diarmada and his son, i.e. Brian, went to make an attack upon Brian O'Cellaigh. Mac Diarmada, and the rear of the army, remained in Baile-an-mhuilinn. Brian and the rest of the army went in past Bruighél, and he brought with him a prey, and Cobhthach O'Fallamhain's stud of horses. He retreated upwards, and burned the country entirely from Bruighél up; and he returned safely, loaded with spoils.

LC1558.2

O'Conchenainn's town, i.e. the Fedan, was plundered, and burned, by Brian Mac Diarmada in like manner.

Annal LC1559

LC1559.0

The kalends of January on Wednesday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and fifty-nine years.

LC1559.1

O'Conchobhair Ruadh, i.e. Toirdhelbhach Ruadh, son of Tadhg Buidhe, son of Cathal Ruadh, mortuus est; (and he was of the celebrities of Erinn in his time); and his son, i.e. Felim Ruadh, was made king in his stead over the Cluainte of the descendants of Felim's son.

LC1559.2

Mac Diarmada and his son, i.e. Brian, went against Mac Donnchadha of the Corann; and the country was burned by them, and Tech-a-templa was plundered.

LC1559.3

Clann-Fhuadach was plundered and burned by O'Conchobhair Donn, and by Brian son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada.

LC1559.4

The defeat of Ath-na-beithighe, to the east of Lis-ballghaile, was given by Tomaltach, son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, and by Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada; and John, son of Maelmuire, son of Colla Mac Suibhne, and Colla Mac Suibhne, and many other persons, were slain there; and they came home safely themselves, with numerous spoils, and having the plunder of Baile-na-gcloch: (and on O'Conchobhair Sligigh, i.e. Ruaidhri, the son of Fedhlim, grandson of Maghnus, and on Mac Donnchadha of the


p.377

Corann, this defeat was inflicted).

LC1559.5

Murchadh Gránna, son of Ruaidhri Mac Suibhne, died in hoc anno.

Annal LC1560

LC1560.0

The kalends of January on Thursday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty years.

LC1560.1

Tadhg, the son of Brian, son of Eoghan, son of Tighernan O'Ruairc, was drowned on Loch-an-chlochair: i.e. the man of his age of greatest prowess, dignity, bounty and nobility, of the race of Tighernan for a long time previously, and the intended king of Ui-Briuin without dispute, if his life was long.

LC1560.2

Felim Ruadh O'Conchobhair was hanged by Tomaltach, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, and by the descendants of Conchobhar, son of Ruaidhri Buidhe.

LC1560.3

Ruaidhri-na-dtulán, son of Diarmaid-an-oinigh, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, died this year; (and he was a great loss, i.e. the son of O'Briain's daughter, and the greatest in mien and size, in action and strength, that had come of the race of Maelruanaidh the Great for a long time before); and he was buried in the tomb of his ancestors, i.e. in the monastery of the Buill.

LC1560.4

A great depredation was committed by the descendants of Felim Finn O'Conchobhair upon Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada.

LC1560.5

Another prey was taken by Brian himself from Jordan Buidhe, the son of John, son of Walter Mac Goisdelbh; and the sons of Henry O'Gradaigh were killed by him.

LC1560.6

Another prey was taken by Brian from Cnoc-na-síthe; and a prey, and seven horses, from Muinter-Flannagáin.

LC1560.7

Ath-gallda was demolished by O'Conchobhair Donn, and by Brian Mac Diarmada.

LC1560.8

A prodigious victory in Tuadh-Mumha, over the Earl of Tuadh-Mumha, and over the Earl of Clann-Rickard, by the Earl of Des-Mumha, and by Tadhg, son of Murchadh O'Briain; and Edmond, the son of Ruaidhri Mór Mac Suibhne, and his son Edmond Og, and Colla, son of Murchadh, son of Ruaidhri Mór, and the sons of Murchadh Mac Suibhne and all the constables of Tuadh-Mumha, were slain there. Nine standards of the descendants of


p.379

Domhnall-na-madhmann were lost there, et alii multi.

LC1560.9

Henry, the son of William, son of Thomas, son of David, son of Edmond, died; and this son of Mac David was a great loss as regards nobility and hospitality.

Annal LC1561

LC1561.0

The kalends of January on Friday recte Wednesday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-one years.

LC1561.1

Tadhg, son of Cairbre O'Birn, i.e. the O'Birn, died in Echanagh; and it is questionable if there was in Erinn a person more celebrated than he for stature and beauty, form and stateliness, for wisdom and learning, for hospitality and dignity, and in every other quality incident to a good man: a blessing be with his soul.

LC1561.2

Maelsechlainn, son of Tuathal O'Domhnallain, died: i.e. the ollamh of the greater part of Connacht in poetry, and a man who always kept a guest-house.

LC1561.3

Felim Buidhe, the son of Cairbre, son of Aedh, son of Felim Finn, was killed in Tuillsce by Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, and by the sons of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada.

LC1561.4

Enormous depredations were committed by Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, upon Mac Donnchadha of the Corann.

LC1561.5

Brian, the son of Mac Diarmada, and the sons of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada, and their army, went to Baile-an-mhúta; and after they had attacked the town the son of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada, i.e. Cathal Mac Diarmada, was killed by a gun shot; and Eoghan, son of the Ferdorcha Mac Diarmada Ruadh, was killed with one cast of a spear on the same day.

LC1561.6

Jordan Buidhe, the son of John, son of Walter Mac Goisdelbh, was killed by the sons of David B[acute ]n Burk in Baile-Locha-Deala, in Tir-Amhalghaidh; and this man was noble, destructive.

LC1561.7

Aedh, the son of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, was killed by the descendants of Mag Raghnaill's daughter, viz., the sons of Cathal Mac Diarmada, in Cluain-na-mónadh.

LC1561.8

Maelsechlainn, the son of Aedh, son of Tadhg, son of Tomaltach-an-oinigh Mac Diarmada, was killed by the


p.381

sons of Fer-gan-ainm, son of Conchobhar Og Mac Diarmada, in Port-Inis-Doighre.

LC1561.9

Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, had an encampment about Sgeithín-na-gcenn, and about Fuaran-Maighe-Ai, pillaging the Cluainte, and the Mainechs, from May day to Michaelmas, for he left not a house without burning, nor a corn field without cutting down, from Tochar-choill-an-chairn to Oilfinn, of all that belonged to the posterity of Donnchadh O'Cellaigh, or to the posterity of Cathal Ruadh O'Conchobhair; and it is not possible to reckon or over-explain all the plunder and spoils that he took from them; and there was not in Erinn a camp in which horses and armour, meat and wine, musicians, minstrels, and men of science, gallowglasses, mercenaries, and Albanachs, were more numerous than that camp of Mac Diarmada.

LC1561.10

Mac David of Clann-Connmhaigh, i.e. William, the son of Thomas, son of David, son of Edmond, died in hoc anno: 4 (he was wounded in Ros-Comain).

LC1561.11

Maelsechlainn Balbh, the son of William O'Cellaigh, i.e. the son of O'Briain's daughter, was killed in the Pobal-caech; and it was a great calamity.

LC1561.12

Naisse, the son of Cithruadh, the most eminent musician that was in Erinn, was drowned on Loch-Gile, and his wife, the daughter of Mac Donnchadha, and Athairne, the son of Matthew Glas; and the son of O'Duibhgennain was a great loss.

LC1561.13

The defeat of Sligech was given to Cathal Og O'Conchobhair by O'Domhnaill, i.e. by Aedh, son of Maghnus; and the Dubhaltach, son of Tadhg-in-triubhais Mac Donnchadha, and Eoghan, son of Maelsechlainn Mac Suibhne, and


p.383

Toirdhelbhach Caech, son of Toirdhelbhach Og, and Dubhgall, son of Edmond Mac Suibhne, et alii multi, were slain in that defeat.

Annal LC1562

LC1562.0

The kalends of January on Saturday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-two years.

LC1562.1

The sons of Eoghan, son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, retained a large band against Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri, without his own knowledge; for they brought the sons of Alexander Gallda Mac Domhnaill, and Brian Og, son of Brian-an-chobhlaigh Mac Suibhne; and there were three hundred Albanachs and gallowglasses. They brought this band against Mac Diarmada, and burned and pillaged all that belonged to Mac Diarmada's confidants of the country; and they burned the fortress entirely, and Baile-na-huamha, and on every side of it. And Murchadh, the son of Brian Caech, i.e. a good horseman of Mac Diarmada's people, was killed by them in the Clochar; and it is not possible to reckon or tell all the steeds, cows, horses, and property of every other kind they destroyed. This band was a week and a day going through the country, destroying it, and Mac Diarmada residing on the Rock during that time. As soon as Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri, perceived that they were wasting the country, he invited Domhnall, the son of Murchadh Mac Suibhne, and the descendants of Edmond Mac Suibhne and he took with him across Corr-sliabh, northwards, three or four hundred coats of mail, with their complement of mercenaries. This was the hour and time when the sons of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, with their band, were returning from the upper end of the country, after destroying much in it; and they made a short stay in Baile-mic-Murchadha; but news reached them, and they went into array. A part of the


p.385

van of Mac Diarmada's army came up with them as they were going across Cara-an-fedha. Tomaltach, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, and Brian, the son of Mac Diarmada, hemmed them in on the other side of the weir; and they were subsequently routed; and this rout continued as far as Brad-sliabh. Brian Og, the son of Brian-an-chobhlaigh Mac Suibhne, was lost there, together with two hundred men.

LC1562.2

The monastery of the Buill was taken by Mac Diarmada on the same day, on that occasion.

LC1562.3

Cluain-Muiredhaigh was demolished by Mac Diarmada; and Domhnall, son of Tadhg Og, and six of his people were killed in it.

LC1562.4

Mac Eochaidh and O'Fallamhain were plundered by Tomaltach, son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, and by Brian Mac Diarmada.

LC1562.5

Mac David, i.e. William, the son of Thomas, died; and Tibbot, son of Ulick, was inaugurated in his place; and he died in that same year.

LC1562.6

Thomas Og, the son of Thomas, son of David, son of Edmond, was inaugurated in his place; and those were prodigious calamities.

Annal LC1563

LC1563.0

The kalends of January on Sunday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-three years.

LC1563.1

The descendants of Felim Clerech, and the descendants of Donnchadh Dubh, son of Conchobhar, went upon the Publina; and whilst waiting there the descendants of Cathal Ruadh O'Conchobhair, and Muinter-Flannagáin, went against them, and they were routed down as far as, Cill-Mic-Coimsi. The two sons of Cairbre, son of Brian Ruadh, were slain there, viz., Felim and Aedh; and Diarmaid, son of Cairbre Cittach, and Brian, the son of Donnchadh Dubh, son of Conchobhar, were lost there along with them.

LC1563.2

A great prey, in which there were ten hundred cows, was taken by the sons of Oliver Burk in Airtech; and they plundered Brian Mac Diarmada's people excessively in the foray.

LC1563.3

The son of O'Conchobhair Donn, i.e. Conn, the son of Diarmaid, son of Cairbre, was killed by Brian O'Cellaigh, in Cluain-etir-dá-ath.


p.387

Annal LC1564

LC1564.0

The kalends of January on Monday, recte Saturday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-four years.

LC1564.1

A war arose between O'Conchobhair Ruadh and Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri.

LC1564.2

Ros-Comain was taken by the sons of Tadhg Og, son of Tadhg, son of Toirdhelbhach O'Conchobhair, from O'Conchobhair Donn; and they gave the town, after taking it, to O'Conchobhair Ruadh, i.e. Tadhg Og, son of Tadhg Buidhe; and much was destroyed throughout all Connacht on account of this capture. Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, and the sons of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada, with many men, went into ambush around Ros-Comain. Conchobhar, the son of O'Conchobhair Ruadh, went out from the court that day, and the ambuscaders attacked himself and his people on all sides; and they were driven to the monastery and their horses were taken from them before the door; and they themselves went into the belfry. But this place was no defence to them. All followed them, and God decreed the termination of their lives; for, though strong the place in which they were; their heads were taken off them all. Conchobhar, son of Toirdhelbhach Ruadh O'Conchobhair, was killed there, and ten and eleven of his people along with him; and horses were taken from them. On the Saturday of Patrick's Sunday these deeds were committed.

LC1564.3

Brian, the son of Mac Diarmada, went on the Monday after against Mac Donnchadha of the Corann, to Bun-an-fedhain; and the place was burned to the door by him; and he brought two hundred cows out of it, and committed homicides there.

LC1564.4

O'Neill, i.e. John, son of Conn, came with a countless host to Fine Gall; and the Foreigners mustered against him; and O'Neill gave an onset to the Foreigners on the northern side of Ard-Macha-Brege; and Andrew Buidhe Tuit, and Brown of Cill-Patraic, and sixteen of the principal lords of the Foreigners along with them, fell there.

LC1564.5

Hubert, son of Fergus, son


p.389

of Edmond, lord of Clann-Conchobhair, died; (and in these kalends under the death of Hubert, son of Fergus, should be).

Annal LC1565

LC1565.0

The kalends of January on Tuesday recte Monday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-five years.

LC1565.1

The victory of Glenn-sheisg by O'Neill, i.e. John, son of Conn O'Neill, over the sons of Mac Domhnaill of Alba, in which fell Mac Domhnaill's two sons, viz., James and Alexander Uaibhrech, et alii multi.

LC1565.2

O'Conchobhair Donn, and Brian, the son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, went to Magh-Finn in Tir-Maine, and brought two thousand cows from Ard-na-clog and from Tochur-choille-an-chairn; and they burned the country entirely; and Brian Mac Diarmada's standard bearer was taken from them, i.e. Conn, the son of Brian Caech.

LC1565.3

A great prey was taken by the sons of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada from O'Conchobhair Ruadh, from Sliabh-Badhna.

LC1565.4

The sway of the sons of Tadhg Mac Diarmada was over the greater part of Connacht, viz., from the town of Ath-an-righ as far as Drobhais, owing to the quantity of their horses and armour, of their men and flocks, and the power of their friends in every place.

LC1565.5

Dun-gar was commenced by Brian, the son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, with the consent of Mac Diarmada Gall, and of all his kindred.

LC1565.6

The Tuit, i.e. Richard Tuit, died; and that was a great calamity.

LC1565.6

O'Raghallaigh, i.e. Maelmordha, son of John, son of Cathal, the best man that ever came of his own sept, and than whom there seldom came of the race of Gaeidhel Glas a better person, according to the information and knowledege of all regarding him—i.e. a man to whom God granted all the virtues at first, viz., the palm of figure and shape, the palm of speech and eloquence, the palm of knowledge and learning, the palm of sense and counsel, the palm of bounty and prowess; (and it would not be


p.391

wonderful that luck should attend the man of these virtues; and for these reasons he was elected chief king over the Ui-Raighilligh)—was put to death whilst detained in captivity by Foreigners.

Annal LC1566

LC1566.0

The kalends of January on Wednesday, recte Tuesday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-six years.

LC1566.1

Tomaltach, the son of Tadhg, son of Ruaidhri Og, son of Ruaidhri Caech Mac Diarmada, went to Clann-Connmhaigh, accompanied by his son, i.e. Maelruanaidh; and on going into the country they separated from one another, viz., Tomaltach remained in Dun-lomdhain, and Maelruanaidh, i.e. his son, went to Cill-Begnad, on the inner side of Geimhis, accompanied by a few of his chief people. When Maelruanaidh and his people applied themselves to the wine which they found in the place, so that they were confused, intoxicated, they observed nothing until their enemies, viz., Brian, son of Maelsechlainn O'Cellaigh, with his band of valour and conflict, appeared at the doors close by them. Maelruanaidh arose, with his few good men and defeated his enemies; and he escaped from them forcibly, by the strength of his hand, until his people separated from him, being oppressed by superior force, and through the confusion of intoxication, so that Maelruanaidh was killed there; i.e. the most distinguished man of his age nobility, bounty, and excellence, and who conferred most on professors and men of science in his time. And there were slain along with him Diarmaid Riabhach, the


p.393

son of Cathal, son of Aedh, and Edmond-an-Mhachaire, son of Maelsechlainn Donn, son of Donnchadh Dubh, (i.e. the man of his age who gave the most to guests and exiles in his own time, the son of a faithful pair), and Eoghan Mac-an-bhaird, i.e. Mac Diarmada's steward; and numerous horses and spoils were taken from them there.

LC1566.2

Tomaltach, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, died himself soon after, the sixteenth day after his son's death; and some say that it was grief for his son, and for his people, he died. On Sunday, which was the day of Saint John's festival, these heavy losses occurred.

LC1566.3

Fer-gan-ainm, the son of Brian Mac Diarmada Ruadh, died this year; i.e. an eminent man in every kind of good.

LC1566.4

A great prey was taken by Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri, and by his son, i.e. Brian, from Brian son of Maelsechlainn O'Cellaigh; and they lost a good horseman of their people in the Cuirrech-buidhe, from a gunshot, i.e. Felim, the son of Brian Caech; and he was buried on Trinity Sunday in the monastery of the Trinity.

LC1566.5

Brian, the son of Maelsechlainn O'Cellaigh, i.e. a choice gentleman in captainship and depredation, and the humbler of his enemies, died in hoc anno.

LC1566.6

A great prey was taken by Brian, the son of Mac Diarmada, from Ath-liag, this year.

LC1566.7

The sons of Dubhgall, son of Donnchadh Cam, and the sons of Gilla-esbuig, son of Dubhgall Mac Ailin, were slain by the Earl of Clann-Rickard; i.e. by Rickard Saxanagh this defeat was given; and eight hundred Albanachs fell there; and on Richard-an-irainn this defeat was inflicted, in Cluain-I, at Traigh-bhan-na-neanighedh; and the destruction of Albanachs there was prodigious.

Annal LC1567

LC1567.0

The kalends of January on Friday recte Thursday; after a bissextile; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-seven years.

LC1567.1

The victory of Fersad-mór above


p.395

Loch-na-Suilidhe, over O'Neill, i.e. over John son of Conn O'Neill, by O'Domhnaill, i.e. Aedh, son of Maghnus, son of Aedh O'Domhnaill; and it is not possible to reckon, or tell, all that were lost and drowned there.

LC1567.2

O'Neill, i.e. the same John, son of Conn, i.e. lord of the Ultonian province, and royal heir of Erinn without dispute, and the man who gave and presented most in Erinn, was killed in treachery by Albanachs, after he had gone to them to their camp, under their own protection, accompanied by a few men.

LC1567.3

Mac Diarmada, i.e. Ruaidhri, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, was taken prisoner by Muinter-Flannagain; (and some say that it was during peace this act was done). Muinter-Flannagain transferred him to O'Conchobhair Ruadh, and O'Conchobhair sent him to Murchadh, son of Tadhg, son of Domhnall O'Ferghail, to be detained. These acts were not endured by Mac Diarmada, i.e. by Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada: i.e. he began to disturb and confound his enemies, and boldly to plunder his adversaries, on account of his father, so that he preyed and burned Muinter-Flannagain entirely, and the Cluainte altogether; for he left neither a corn-field without cutting, nor a house without burning, on Sliabh-Bádhna, or on either side of it.

LC1567.4

After the destruction and pillage of these districts and septs, by the son of Mac Diarmada, he brought the son of O'Ruairc, i.e. Brian, the son of Brian, son of Eoghan O'Ruairc, with him against Clann-Amhlaibh. The entire country was burned and plundered by them; and Cathal, the son of Tadhg, son of Domhnall O'Ferghail, was killed by him, and the grandson of O'Ferghail Buidhe, and many more along with them. They returned with triumph.

LC1567.5

In the course of a short time after that O'Raighilligh, i.e. Aedh, the son of Maelmordha O'Raighilligh, came on an expedition against O'Birn, to Ui-Briuin-na-Sinna. He


p.397

plundered and burned the country; and they killed a number of his people.

LC1567.6

Brian, the son of O'Ruairc and Brian son of Mac Diarmada, overtook him in pursuit, and followed him as far as Móin-lesc. His preys were there taken from O'Raighilligh; and one hundred horses were taken along with them, and a large number of his men.

LC1567.7

Mac Diarmada was ransomed by his own son, i.e. Brian, after all that had been destroyed on his account in the same year; for he gave three hundred cows as his ransom and a firm peace; (and the half of this ransom was of the cattle of the Cluainte alone).

LC1567.8

Treachery was committed by Master Framsa, and by Macomas, and the Saxons, on Muirchertach O'Mordha, and on his people; (and the place where this treachery was committed was in the great rath of Mullagh-Maisten); and Muirchertach and seventy-four men were slain there; and no uglier deed than that was ever committed in Erinn.

LC1567.9

Maghnus, the son of Cormac, son of Domhnaill Mael O'Laimhin, i.e. Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada's servant, was killed by the descendants of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, and the descendants of Cormac Mac Diarmada, in treachery, on the Molog.

LC1567.10

Cormac, the son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, (i.e. the son of Tadhg, son of Ruaidhri), was killed by Cathal, son of Maelruanaidh Mac Diarmada.

LC1567.11

The bridge of Ath-Luain, over the Sinainn, was constructed in this year by the Saxon queen; (and Sir Henry Sidney was Justiciary in Erinn, and Elizabeth was the name of this queen).

LC1567.12

O'Conchobhair Sligigh went to Saxon-land i.e. Domhnall.

Annal LC1568

LC1568.0

The kalends of January on Thursday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-eight years.

LC1568.1

A cold, stormy, year of scarcity was this year; and this is little wonder, for it was in it Mac Diarmada died, i.e. Ruaidhri, the son of Tadhg, son of Ruaidhri Og, i.e. king


p.399

of Magh-Luirg, and Airtech, and Tir-Tuathail, and chief lord over the whole territory of Clann-Maelruanaidh, and some more of the districts and fair territories of Connacht, both ecclesiastical and lay; a kin who spent and defended Cruachan with its fair borders, and the rest of the province of Connacht; a king compared to whom no king that came of his sept before him, up to Maelruanaidh Mór, obtained as much wealth and high sovereignty in territory and in church. And hence it was to praise him after his death the poet uttered these words, to illustrate his bounty, his intelligence, and his generosity, when he said,
  1. The productive vine branch of the poets and doctors;
    The fragrant fruit tree of the learned and gamesters;
    The sheltering tree of guests and strangers;
    The triumphant ever-shady tree of the brughaidhs and biatachs;
The generating furnace of prowess and honour; the golden ridge-pole of generosity; the bounteous, decisive, truly learned prince; the defensive column of the right and justice of the Clann-Maelruanaidh, in accordance with their privileges and old books; a Cormac Ua Cuinn-cet-chathaigh in knowledge, skill, and sciences; the Cuchullainn of the territory of Connacht in contending against, and triumphing over, enemies and pirates; the rewarding, generous, Guaire of the race of Muiredhach Muillethain; the Laech-Liathmhaine of Leth-Cuinn for generosity, truth, and bounty; a man who preserved his fame, his name, his repute, his charity, his humanity, and his good intelligence, from the age of infancy to the time of his death, and even at the hour of death, free from

p.401

satire or reproach, censure or malediction, rebuke or envy; who spent his sovereignty and great lordship, his wealth and large property, according to the desire of his own great heart. But, though it would be excessive to relate, and copious to completely illustrate, and though the most learned could not calculate, the power of his sovereignty over the districts and fair territories throughout the greater part of Connacht, both ecclesiastical and lay, he left not the value of one groat of inheritance; but he earned the blessing of patrons and ecclesiastics, poets and doctors, the poor and widows, strangers and orphans, the infirm and pilgrims, martyrs, and victims of heavy sickness, guests and exiles, for himself, and for his posterity, and heirs. He obtained, moreover, prodigious bounty and gifts from the elect Trinity, viz., illness without pain, without oppression, without anguish, without horror, and the command of his own sense, memory, reason, and understanding until he experienced pure penance, and great penitence for his faults, after spending nearly eighty years. And three score years of this period he was abbot in Trinity Island on Loch-Cé, and on Loch-uachtair, and nineteen years chief lord over all the territories of the Clann-Maelruanaidh; and the half of every year of these he spent in an encampment on Machaire-Connacht, in despite of many of the Foreigners and Gaeidhel of Erinn, and of all other neighbours; (or it was forty-two years, perhaps, Mac Diarmada spent in that manner); and the

p.403

place in which his fortified camp was wont to be during that time was near Sceithin-na-cend, and near Fuaran-Gar, and near Imaire-Maighe-hAi, and on each side of them. But the disease from which there is no escape, and which cannot be avoided, attacked him, and he died after communion, after mass, and after precept, on Maunday Thursday, on Carraig-Mic-Diarmada; and his body was nobly, honourably, interred in the abode of the saints, and the bed of the patrons, i.e. in Trinity-Island, as he himself had ordered that he should be buried in the sepulchre of the preceding abbots, to exhibit, and manifest, his wisdom and knowledge and to renounce pride, and to magnify the honour of the church after him. His soul afterwards journeyed to the general Pasch without end or limit, in saecula saeculorum. Amen. It was for him, therefore, the author composed the stanza,
    1. Sixty-eight years, certain to me
      Five hundred, and a thousand years,
      From the birth of Christ, a long record,
      To the death of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada.
Moreover, Mac Diarmada's country was made a harp without a céis, and a church without an abbot, after the death of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, for numerous evils came after his decease, viz., the ruin and destruction of the power which the Clann-Maelruanaidh possessed up to that time. Their ardour and spirit were blunted; their brughaidhs, and biatachs, and widows, were impoverished; their patrons, and professors, and airchinnechs

p.405

were expelled, and many of their princes and nobles were annihilated and slain.

LC1568.2

A general war broke out between Foreigners and Gaeidhel, Albanachs and Saxanachs, the Síl-Conchobhair and Clann-Maelruanaidh, chieftains and people, after the high prince. Magh-Luirg, and Magh-Ai, and Airtech, and the districts of Connacht from Loch Aillinne to Cam-sruthan, were entirely wasted. Moreover, cold and famine, theft and rapine and desecration, illegality and oppression, grew throughout the districts and tribes. They were all banished and driven, both high and low, to distant, foreign territories, viz., to Tir-Amhalghaidh, and to Tir-Fiachrach, to Lower Connacht, to the Mainechs, to Clann-Connmhaigh, and to Clann-Rickard. Another person, i.e. Toirdhelbhach, the son of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, was made king in his place, with the consent of the church and laity, of ecclesiastics and ollamhs.

LC1568.3

The Countess of Clann-Rickard i.e. Margaret, the daughter of Donnchadh, son of Conchobhar O'Briain, i.e. the best woman that was in Erinn in her own time, died this year.

LC1568.4

O'Conchobhair Sligigh i.e. Domhnall, came from England, and brought with him a patent for his country from the queen.

Annal LC1569

LC1569.0

The kalends of January, the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and sixty-nine years.

LC1569.1

Enormous, splendid, depredations were committed by O'Ruairc, i.e. Maghnus, the son of Brian, son of Eoghan O'Ruairc, and by Mag Uidhir, i.e. Cuchonnacht Og, son of Cuchonnacht, upon Mac Diarmada, i.e. Toirdelbhach Mac Diarmada, when they carried off five thousand cows, with a


p.407

proportionate quantity of horses, and of all other kinds of spoil, so that all Connacht and Magh-Luirg were injured, and greatly disturbed, by this depredation, through the number of ploughmen, great farmers, and servants that were slain. Other great depredations were committed by Mac Diarmada upon O'Ruairc in like manner. Numerous injuries were committed this year in Erinn, and particularly in Connacht.

LC1569.2

Ros-Comain was given by O'Conchobhair to the Justiciary; and Diarmaid, son of Cairbre, son of Eoghan Coach, was the O'Conchobhair; and Sir Henry Sidney was the Justiciary's name.

Annal LC1570

LC1570.0

The kalends of January. The age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and seventy years.

LC1570.1

A great war broke out between the descendants of Mac Diarmada, viz., the sons of Ruaidhri, son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, and Mac Diarmada, i.e. Toirdelbhach, the son of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, with his brothers, so that the territories and houses, the lands and septs, in their neighbourhood were wasted. The sons of Eoghan Mac Diarmada retained three hundred Albanachs against the sons of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada; and the sons of Ruaidhri were driven out of the country, to Clann-Connmhaigh, and to the Mainechs. Much was destroyed in Magh-Luirg by those Albanachs, in church and territory. And on the last day, after those Albanachs had completed their period of service, Brian, the son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, with his kinsmen, (viz., the sons of Tomaltach, son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada), came out of Clann-Connmhaigh to view the country; and they sent skirmishing parties against their enemies, on hearing that the Albanachs had departed; and Diarmaid Riabhach, the son of Eoghan, son of Tadhg Mac Diarmada, was killed by them in that incursion; and a great loss was the person


p.409

who fell there, i.e. by far the best prince of his own immediate kindred, in hospitality, energy, and dignity. Those Albanachs, who had been retained by the sons of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, committed great depredations in Magh-Luirg on the same day, i.e. the third day of summer.

LC1570.2

The President, i.e. Edward Fitton, came into Connacht this year, accompanied by the Queen's forces, together with the rising out of Connacht, (as many of them as were obedient to him), viz., the Earl of Clann-Rickard, and all the race of Ulick-an-fhiona, and the Síl-Cellaigh, and the Clann-Domhnaill of Sliabh-ruadh, and Captain Collier, and Patrickin Cusack, and the rising out of Gaillimh, and many more that we cannot enumerate; and all these went to take the castle of Sruthair. Mac William Burk, with his kinsmen and relatives, and the sons of Oliver Burk, assembled a large army of Albanachs,5

Annal LC1571

LC1571.0

6 The kalends of January, the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred and seventy-one years.

LC1571.1

The President of the province of Connacht was in the town of Ath-Luain at this time. O'Conchobhair Donn, i.e. Diarmaid, the son of Cairbre, son of Eoghan Caech O'Conchobhair, went to meet him; and he was taken prisoner by the President whilst under his own guarantee. His own son, i.e. Aedh O'Conchobhair, and Aedh, the son of O'Conchobhair Ruadh, and other choice


p.411

men, went to the town of Ath-Luain, a ship's company. O'Conchobhair [gap: extent: 7-8 characters] a hotel for them outside the court. They brought O'Conchobhair by stealth from the Foreigners. After O'Conchobhair had thus come from the Foreigners, he retained 800 Albanachs, and he and the sons of Eoghan Mac Diarmada combined together. They went on an expedition to Upper Connacht. They burned the Pobal-caech, and Crúthonn, and Cethroma [gap: extent: 1 word]; and they brought great preys with them, and returned safely.

LC1571.2

The President came upon Machaire-Connacht, with a great army. Baile-an-tobair, and the Caislen-riabhach, were taken by him; and he broke down the Caislen-riabhach, and turned back afterwards. O'Conchobhair Donn, and his Albanachs, were in Magh-Luirg before them, levying tributes on every side, and on Magh-Luirg especially, for they had Mac Diarmada's permission thereto. Brian son of Ruaidhri was not, nor were his kinsmen, acting with O'Conchobhair about that time; and Brian did not know that O'Conchobhair was acting treacherously, until he himself proved his treachery, i.e. until he apprehended Diarmaid, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, and Tomaltach Og, son of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada, after they had sided with O'Conchobhair's people, and until their horses and armour were taken from them. Tomaltach Og escaped in the course of some time after that. A ransom was exacted from Diarmaid. His stud, and some of his herds, were afterwards taken from Brian Mac Diarmada, by those Albanachs of O'Conchobhair. Brian himself was lying in pain during all that time. On his recovery, he took cows and horses from O'Conchobhair. The son of Conchobhar, son of Cathair O'Conchobhair, and four of his people, were killed by Brian, moreover, in that war. An encampment was made by Brian Mac Diarmada, and by the sons of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada, about Rath-Brenainn, and from that to Cam-sruthan. They committed great depredations upon the abbot of the Buill, and another


p.413

depredation upon Mac Donnchadha of the Corann. Inis-Floinn, moreover, and Inis-Mic-David, were burned by them in the same year.

LC1571.3

The President came to Ros-Comain, and was seven weeks residing in it. He turned back again, and left hostages. The President came to Connacht again, with a large armament of the queen's people; and they went into Clann-Rickard. The Earl of Clann-Rickard, and this army of Foreigners, went into Cuilecha, and took two or three castellated towns. O'Domhnaill, i.e. Aedh, son of Maghnus O'Domhnaill, came to Lower Connacht; and the sons of Eoghan Mac Diarmada went to meet him to Baile-esa-dara, and they combined together against their enemies. O'Domhnaill returned again to Ulster. A large number of his people went with Eoghan's sons, along with their own people; and they attacked Brian Mac Diarmada's residence in Clann-Faghartaigh; and they took from him two thousand cows, and more, with a proportionate number of horses, and returned safely. The President was this time in Cuilecha. Messengers went to meet him from Brian, to complain to him of those deeds. These reports were not neglected by the President, with his Foreigners, for he made no stay, or delay, until he came into Clann-Connmhaidh. Brian Mac Miarmada, and the sons of Tomaltach Mac Diarmada, went to meet him in Clann-Connmhaidh; and he sent Brian on before him again to Magh-Luirg, to watch Mac Diarmada and the Albanachs, and he himself remained after him in Clann-Connmhaidh that night; and they appointed to meet each other on the morrow at Rath-na-cleirech. This appointment was observed on both sides; and Mac Diarmada and his sons, and Tadhg, son of Cathal Mac Diarmada, were in Cluain-na-cea[gap: extent: 2-3 letters]a in Uachtar-tíre. This invitation was not neglected by Brian and his kinsmen, for they guided the army, in one march, from the [gap: extent: 1-2 words] of Machaire-Connacht to Bealach-na-nur-mhointe


p.415

above Droichet-Mic-Muanaigh. They made a short rest and stay there. Brian, and John the son of Thomas, son of Rickard [gap: extent: 1-2 words], who was sheriff at that time, accompanied by a band of the Gaeidhel, went before the Foreigners, to attack the Buill.7

Annal LC1577

LC1577.0

The son of O'Gadhra, i.e. Cian, the son of Diarmaid, son of Eoghan O'Gadhra, died.

LC1577.1

O'Conchobhair Donn, and O'Conchobhair Ruadh, and the descendants of Toirdhelbhach Laighnech Mac Domhnaill, went on a foray against Mac Donnchadha of the Corann, and committed great depredations. Cathal Og, the son of O'Conchobhair Sligigh, and Albanachs, pursued them into Corr-sliabh, and through Magh-Luirg, and from that to Tuilsce; but they did not overtake them until they reached Clochan-na-righraidhi, where the cavalry of the pursuers had them a little in check. The rear of the army turned back upon them, and Ruaidhri Glas, son of Brian Caech, son of Ruaidhri Glas, was slain with one blow of a lance, by Brian, son of O'Flannagain; and they arrived safely themselves, with their preys.

LC1577.2

O'Conchobhair Sligigh, and Brian Mac Diarmada, went to meet Captain Malbie, the lord of Connacht on the part of the Foreigners, on their finding him in Ros-Comain; and the captain welcomed them both; and they asked him for an army to take Bun-Drobhais from O'Domhnaill. They left the army to be assembled after them. O'Conchobhair went to his own place, and left Brian for the purpose of drawing the army to him. After his army had been mustered by the captain, moreover, he advanced the first day until he reached Cuil-Cesra, in front of Buill, and went on the


p.417

morrow across Corr-sliabh, northwards, until he reached Baile-an-mhúta. O'Conchobhair Sligigh, and Mac William Burk, came to them then, and all the nobles of Connacht, except O'Ruairc alone, and his kindred. They afterwards proceeded on to Bun-Drobhais. The place was captured by them without delay. The son of Cathal Clerech was killed with one cast of a spear by O'Domhnaill's son, i.e. Aedh Og, son of Aedh Dubh O'Domhnaill. Eight of the Saxons were wounded and slain about that place; and the captain left the place to O'Conchobhair on that occasion.

LC1577.3

The Clann-Duibhsith of Alba, viz., Domhnall Og and Ferdorcha, with their brethren and kindred of Alba and Erinn, went on an expedition against O'Conchobhair Donn, and took a prey from him. O'Conchobhair himself, and the sheriff of Ros-Comain, overtook them, with a few men. The Albanachs turned upon them, and [gap: extent: 1-2 words] of the chieftains of Clann-Suibhne were slain there, viz., Aedh, son of Maelmuire; and Maelmuire, son of Toirdhelbhach, Caech, [gap: extent: 1-2 words], son of Ruaidhri Dubh, the son of Maelmuire Mac Suibhne.

LC1577.4

A hosting by O'Domhnaill, i.e. Aedh, son of Maghnus [gap: extent: 1-2 words] into Lower Connacht. Great preys were taken by him in Tir-Oilella; and a great destruction of houses, and corn-fields, was committed by O'Domhnaill on that hosting in Tir-Oilella, and in Luighne, and in Cairbre.

LC1577.5

The sheriff of the county of Sligech, i.e. son of Tibbot Buidhe Mac Seoinin, was killed in Sligech by O'Domhnaill, when returning from that hosting; and he departed safely himself.

LC1577.6

Petidech of the Muilenn-cerr i.e. Garrett, died.

LC1577.7

A fortified camp was established by O'Domhnaill against Bun-Drobhais. O'Conchobhair Sligigh brought the captain of the province of Connacht, together with a large army of Foreigners and Gaeidhel,


p.419

such as the Síl-Conchobhair, the Clann-Maelruanaidh, and Síl-Cellaigh. All these came to the monastery of the Buill, in front of Corr-sliabh. They went down across the mountain, on the morrow, and Cuil-Deghaidh was taken by them. From thence they went to Baile-an-tochir, and they took it likewise. They proceeded from thence to Bun-Drobhais, and they remained four days and feasting there, after the expulsion of O'Domhnaill. They returned to Sligech afterwards, and arranged with O'Ruairc. They plundered some of Clann-Diarmada Ruadh of the Coillte, when returning. They came after this to Magh-Luirg. Baile-na-huama was given as a loan to the captain, by Brian Mac Diarmada. The captain left it to John Odhar Mac Neill, for the purpose of warring against Albanachs.

LC1577.8

Uaithne, son of Aedh O'Dimusaigh, was killed by some of the Síl-Mordha in treachery.

LC1577.9

Captain Harant, and the son of Master Francis, were captured by Rughraidhe Og O'Mordha. A camp assault was made by Saxons upon Rughraidhe Og, and they captured Cormac, the son of O'Conchobhair Failghe, in that camp. Rughraidhe Og's two sons, and his wife, i.e. the daughter of Aedh, son of John, son of Redmond, and Cormac O'Conchobhair, were slain in the camp by Saxons; and they carried off Captain Harant with them, and he half dead.

LC1577.10

Ferdorcha Mac Duibhsith, i.e. the choice of his own kindred for nobility and guarantee, was killed by John Odhar Mac Neill, who carried off a great prey.

LC1577.11

Baile-an-muta was taken by Saxons in treachery; and Mac Donnchadha was captured by them there, i.e. Aedh, son of Cairbre, son of Tadhg, the lord of the place itself, and Cormac, son of Tadhg-an-triubhais i.e. Mac Donnchadha of Tir-Oilella.

LC1577.12

John Salach, son of


p.421

Aedh, son of John, son of Redmond, was killed by Foreigners.8

LC1577.13

Conchobhar Carragh, the son of O'Cathain, was killed by O'Cathain.

LC1577.14

Baile-an-muta was taken by the descendants of Tomaltach Mac Donnchadha, and by the descendants of Dubhgall Gruamach, against Saxons.

LC1577.15

The head roof? of the monastery of the Trinity, and the erection of the bawn of Dun-gar, were in progress at the same time by Brian, the son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada; for this Brian was the superior of the monastery, and lord of the Rock.

LC1577.16

Tadhg, the son of Murchadh, son of Toirdhelbhach O'Briain, and Toirdhelbhach, son of Mac Mathghamhna, died at the close of this year; and there were not in Erinn, in their own time, two youths of greater account than they in every way.

LC1577.17

Robert Savage, i.e. the sub-sheriff of the county of Sligo, was killed, and six of his people along with him, by Mac Donnchadha of the Corann.

LC1577.18

Edmond, son of Murchadh O'Ferghail, and Conchobhar Og Mag Ranaill, died.

Annal LC1578

LC1578.0

The kalends of January on Wednesday; and the age of the Lord at this time is one thousand, five hundred, and seventy-eight years.

LC1578.1

O'Neill's son, i.e. Henry O'Neill, was killed with one cast of a spear by O'Gallchubhair's son; and he was a great loss, that son of Toirdhelbhach, the son of Niall Conallagh.

LC1578.2

The chief priest of Trinity-Island, i.e. John Buidhe O'Sergoid, was drowned in Loch-Cé on Easter-day.

LC1578.3

The Lord of Louth, i.e. Christopher Plunket, followed Mac Mathguna in pursuit, who had his prey before him. Mac Mathuna gave them an onset; and the Lord of Louth, and Mag Aenghusa, i.e. Brian, were killed in that onset, and five horsemen along with them: and that was a great deed he performed that day.

LC1578.4

John, the son of Donnchadh Mag Uidhir, was hanged by


p.423

his own brothers, viz., by Brian and Donnchadh Og, through the advice of Mag Uidhir, i.e. Cuconnacht.

LC1578.5

The sheriff of the county of Magh-eó i.e. Meiler, the son of Walter, was killed by Edmond Burk, son of Thomas-an-Machaire; (and that was a great calamity; and in Caislein-na-hEille he committed that deed).

LC1578.6

O'Conchobhair Sligigh, i.e. Domhnall, the son of Tadhg, son of Cathal Og, and Mac Diarmada's son, i.e. Brian, the son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, went to Baile-atha-cliath, to the great council; and they were five weeks at that court, and received great honour from the council of Erinn; and they returned safely.

LC1578.7

Liatruim of Muinter-Eolais was taken by Saxons against Brian, the son of Brian O'Ruairc; and fifteen men were killed in it; and a great quantity of all kinds of spoil was taken out of it. The son of O'Ruairc, i.e. Brian, went to meet the Justiciary; and he made peace with the Foreigners, and obtained his town, i.e. Liatruim.

LC1578.8

Ruaidhri Og O'Mordha was killed by Brian Og MacGillapatraic, and by the Foreigners; and there was not in Erinn a greater destroyer against Foreigners than that man; and he was a very great loss.

LC1578.9

Bun-Drobhais was given to O'Domhnaill, by the Justiciary, who exacted twelve hundred marks from him for it, vel amplius; and we would say that it was wrong to sell the residence of Brian Luighnech's descendants to O'Domhnaill, if fear allowed us to say it.

LC1578.10

The great, regal, house of the Rock was begun by Brian, the son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada; and he had this work, and the head roof? of the monastery of the Trinity, and the bawn of Dun-gar, in progress together; and he had neither lordship nor tanistship at that time.

LC1578.11

The chief priest of Baile-na-cille in Clann-Connmhaigh, i.e. Tadhg


p.425

O'Tonaire, died between the two festivals of Mary in the autumn.

LC1578.12

The son of O'Conchobhair Donn, i.e. Tadhg Buidhe, the son of Conchobhar O'Conchobhair, and his two sons, viz., Felim and the Dubhaltach, were killed by Thomas Udis, in treachery, on Caisel-na-hOilidhe, on the margin of Curragh-cinn-eite.

LC1578.13

Dolbh, the son of Dubhtach O'Duibhgennain, i.e. the chief O'Duibhgennain, died.

LC1578.14

Mac Flannchaidh, i.e. Cathal Dubh, died.

Annal LC1579

LC1579.0

9 The kalends of January on Thursday; the age of the Lord one thousand, five hundred, and seventy-nine years.

LC1579.1

John O'Maelmocheirghe, i.e. comarb of Druim-Oirghialla, the most eminent man in Erinn for keeping a general house of hospitality for the men of Erinn, and of the world, (as many of them as he could supply), died.

LC1579.2

O'Gadhra, i.e. Diarmaid, the son of Eoghan O'Gadhra, and the Gilla-dubh Mac Philip, i.e. the lord of the Leitir, died in the same month as the comarb.

LC1579.3

Immense depredations were committed in Magh-Luirg, upon Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, by the sons of Donnchadh Mag Uidhir, viz., by his own relatives, and by Albanachs, viz., John, the son of Aenghus, son of Gilla-espuig Bán Mac Domhnaill, and the Clann-Duibhsith.

LC1579.4

Aedh, the son of John, son of Redmond, from Glenn-Malura, died in hoc anno; and he was of the great woes of Erinn, as regards nobility and bounty. Roland Eustace died likewise: and these two were of the great losses of the province of Laighen.

LC1579.5

John Odhar Mac Neill was killed by the sons of Eoghan Mac Diarmada, in Lathach-Brendruma, in front of Corr-sliabh; and several of his people were slain in the beginning of the same day, by the Foreigners of Ros-Comain, on Machaire-Connacht.

LC1579.6

Sadhbh, daughter of Thomas, son of Richard Og Burk, i.e.,


p.427

the wedded wife of Tadhg, son of William O'Cellaigh, i.e. the best and most patient woman in her own time, mortua est; and she was buried in Cill-Conaill.

LC1579.7

The son of Maurice Dubh, son of the Earl of Des-Mumha, came to Erinn in this year, and a few Spaniards along with him. They occupied Dun-in-óir in Mumha; and when the Justiciary of Erinn heard this he assembled a large army, viz., the Earl of Cill-dara, and Captain Malbie, i.e. the governor of the province of Connacht at that time, and a great number of the Gaeidhel of Connacht, and the province of Laighen, with its armament, and a great number of Muimhnechs. When the sons of the Earl of Des-Mumha, viz., John, the son of James, and Shemus-na-tinol, his other brother, heard that James, the son of Maurice Dubh, had come to Erinn, accompanied by the Spaniards, they raised an insurrection of war, against the Foreigners of Mumha; and the president of the two provinces of Mumha, and eight of the principal Foreigners along with him, were killed in their own territory. James, the son of Maurice Dubh, went on an expedition into the country of Clann-William. The Clann-William of the Suir, i.e. the posterity of the Red Earl, overtook him. They fought with each other. The son of Maurice Dubh fell there; and three of the Clann-William fell with him. And he endured much hardship by sea and land up to that time, throughout Spain and France, making preparations against his enemies, and performed great bravery, and warlike deeds, in those foreign countries, for the sake of his own land, and of the faith.

LC1579.8

The Justiciary went to Mumha, with this large army which we have mentioned, and it is not possible to reckon or calculate the towns, corn-fields, and property, destroyed in Mumha on that occasion.

LC1579.9

The Bishop O'hElidhe, i.e. the paragon of learning and piety of the whole world, and the son of O'Ruairc, i.e. Connbrathar, the son of Brian, son of Eoghan O'Ruairc, came from the east, after their education and tour. The Justiciary of Erinn


p.429

apprehended them; and they were both hanged, to the profanation of God and men. And that was a pitiful deed, i.e. to put an honourable, most pious bishop, and a friar minor of noble blood, to death in an unbecoming manner. But God performed a plain, manifest miracle on the Justiciary; i.e. a burning attacked his head the day these two were hanged, and this burning did not leave him until he died of it in the course of a short time.

LC1579.10

Tadhg, the son of Conn Citach, son of Aedh, son of Eoghan, died.

LC1579.11

Richard Eustace, and Richard Bris, accompanied by a large army, went on an expedition against the sons of the Earl, into their own fastnesses. The Earl's sons, and the people of Maurice Dubh's son, after his own death, overtook them. These two Richards were slain, and two hundred persons along with them, vel amplius. Richard, son of Domhnall, died; and the existence of these three Richards was a great injury to the Gaeidhel of Erinn.

LC1579.12

The treasurer of Erinn, i.e. Edward Fitton, died in Baile-atha-cliath, the last day of the middle month of summer; and there came not of the Saxon Foreigners, for a long time, one more to be lamented than he, as regards nobility and dignity.

LC1579.13

Mac Donnchadha of Tir-Oilella was killed by Maelruanaidh, the son of Cathal, son of Eoghan Mac Donnchadha; and the country was in a disturbed condition after him, between the Clann-Donnchadha.

LC1579.14

O'Briain, i.e. Domhnall, son of Conchobhar O'Briain, died; and that was a great calamity.

LC1579.15

Honora, daughter of Donnchadh, son of Conchobhar O'Briain, died.

LC1579.16

Thomas, son of the Baron Nugent, died.

LC1579.17

Margaret, daughter of Brian Mac Diarmada Ruadh, the wife of Cathal, son of Eoghan Mac Donnchadha, died.

LC1579.18

The king of Portugal was killed by the Turk in a battle, and forty thousand men along with him; and on Lammas Day this battle was given. The king of Persia went against the Turk, with a countless


p.431

army, to avenge his friend the king of Portugal, who had fallen by him; and a battle was fought between them, and twenty thousand of the Turk's people fell; and the king of the Turks escaped safely from the battle, after his people had been slain.

LC1579.19

Don John of Austria, i.e. the brother of king Philip, king of Spain, the best nobleman that ever came into Christendom, died the fifth day of the first month of autumn. The heir of king Philip died the second month.

LC1579.20

The defeat of Aenagh-beg was given to Shemus-na-tinol, and to John son of Shemus, by Captain Malbie, in which Eoghan, the son of Edmond Mac Sithigh, and seven of his kindred, of the noblest of the Clann-Sithigh, were slain, and one or two score along with them.

Annal LC1580

LC1580.0

The kalends of January on Friday; and the age of the Lord was one thousand, and five hundred, and eighty.

LC1580.1

Mac William Burk, i.e. John, the son of Oliver, head of the nobility, honour, and dignity of the province of Connacht, died in this year.

LC1580.2

The Bishop Burk, i.e. Roland, son of Redmond, head of the ecclesiastics of Connacht, died.

LC1580.3

The defeat of Glenn-Malura, in which nine captains were slain, and one hundred men along with each captain, was inflicted on Saxons by the sons of Roland Eustace, and by Fiacha, son of Aedh, son of John, son of Redmond. Eoghan, son of Felim Ruadh, son of Art, son of Aedh O'Neill, who was called Fuath-an-airgid, died in Baile-atha-cliath.

LC1580.4

Maelruanaidh, son of Cathal, son of Eoghan Mac Donnchadha, undisputed royal heir of Ui-nOilella, died in Cul-mhaile, after triumphing over the world and the devil; and this death of the son of Mac Donnchadha was happy, joyful, news to his enemies, and the cause of great sorrow to his friends.

LC1580.5

Baile-Locha-Riach was taken by the sons of the Earl from


p.433

Saxons. Great injuries were committed by Brian O'Ruairc on Magh-Luirg; and Brian Mac Diarmada committed the like on O'Ruairc's lordship. Richard-an-iarainn was proclaimed Mac William.

LC1580.6

Shemus-na-tinol, son of the Earl of Des-Mumha, was put to death in Corcach by the Justiciary. Ath-sceittin was taken by the same Justiciary, who placed warders therein. Carraic-an-phuill was taken by the same man; and all who were there were killed, and the place was demolished.

LC1580.7

O'Birn, i.e. Tadhg Og, son of Tadhg O'Birn, died in the month of March; and that was a great calamity.

LC1580.8

Maude Dillon, O'Ferghail's wife, died.

LC1580.9

Spaniards came to Erinn, five or six hundred, to Dun-an-oir; and they all fell by the Justiciary.

LC1580.10

Rossa, son of Connla Mac Eochagain was wickedly killed by his own brother; and that was a great calamity.

LC1580.11

Tadhg Riabhach O'Dubhda fell from the top of Caislen-Conchobhair, and was unfortunately killed.

LC1580.12

Loch-an-scuir was taken by Cathal Dubh, son of Brian Mac Diarmada; and Maelsechlainn, son of Mag Ranaill, was killed there. A depredation was committed by Brian Mac Diarmada upon Mag Ranaill, and burnings besides.

Annal LC1581

LC1581.0

The kalends of January on Sunday; and the age of the Lord at this time is one thousand, five hundred, and eighty-one years.

LC1581.1

The Earl of Tuadh-Mumha, i.e. Conchobhar, son of Donnchadh O'Briain, died this year.

LC1581.2

Maelechlainn, son of the Abbot O'Cellaigh, and John, the son of William Og, son of William, son of Conchobhar, and Diarmaid O'Mainnin, were killed by Domhnall, son of the Abbot O'Cellaigh, i.e. his own brother, and by Edmond Dorcha, the son of Domhnall Mac Suibhne.

LC1581.3

A depredation was committed by Saxons upon Tadhg, the son of Eoghan Mac Diarmada.

LC1581.4

Gerald, son of Oliver, son of the Earl, died.

LC1581.5

Domhnall, son of the Gilla-dubh, son of Eoghan


p.435

Caech, from Lethrus, died unfortunately in Sligech, and was interred there.

LC1581.6

Cobhthach Ruadh Mag Samhradhain, from the Lergan, died this year.

LC1581.7

Baile-an-tobair, which the Saxons had, was given to the Dubhaltach, son of Tuathal O'Conchobair.

LC1581.8

Tadhg Og, son of Cathal Og O'Conchobhair, was killed by Albanachs the same year.

LC1581.9

James, the son of Walter Nugent, from Dun-uabhair, died this year.

LC1581.10

Ailín, the son of Brian Mac Suibhne, i.e. O'Conchobhair Donn's constable, died.

LC1581.11

The Calbhach, son of Domhnall, son of Tadhg, son of Cathal Og O'Conchobhair, the undisputed heir of Sligech and Lower Connacht, died the Friday between the two Easters of this year; and the death of this only son of Domhnall O'Conchobhair, and of Mor, daughter of O'Ruairc, is one of the great woes of Erinn; and there never came of the race of Brian Luighnech a man of his years a greater loss than he, and it is not likely that there will come. And this loss has grieved the hearts of Connacht, and it has especially grieved the poets and doctors of the province of Connacht; and it has divided my own heart into two parts. Alas, alas! wretched is my condition, after my comrade and companion, and the person who was the choicest and dearest to me in the world. I am Brian Mac Diarmada, who wrote this on Carraig-Mic-Diarmada; and I am now to be compared to Oilill Olum after his sons, when they had been slain along with Art Enfhir, son of Conn Ced-chathach, in the battle of Magh-Mucraimhe, by Maccon, the son of Macniadh, son of Lughaidh; or to Deirdre, after the sons of Uisnech had been killed in treachery in Emhain-Macha, by Conchobhar, the son of Fachtna Fathach, son of Rossa Ruadh, son of Rudhraidhe; for I am sad, sorrowful, distressed, dispirited, in grief and anguish. And it is not possible to reckon or describe how I am this day after the


p.437

departure of my companion from me, i.e. the Calbhach: and the last day of the month of March he was interred in Sligech.

LC1581.12

Fer-caogad O'Duibhgennain, i.e. the son of Ferghal, son of Philip, died in Cluain-Ui-Brian.

LC1581.13

Brian Caech O'Coinnegain, an eminent cleric, and keeper of a general house of guests, died; and the place of sepulture which he selected for himself was, i.e. to be buried at the mound of Baile-an-tobair. And we think that it was not through want of religion Brian Caech made this selection, but because he saw not the service of God practised in any church near him at that time.

LC1581.14

O'Cerbhaill, i.e. William Odhar, the son of Fer-gan-ainm, son of Maelruanaidh, son of John O'Cerbhaill, was killed by the Síl-Conchobhair-Failghe, as he was coming from Baile-átha-cliath.

LC1581.15

Thomas-ant-sleibhe, son of Richard Mac Goisdelbh, died.

LC1581.16

The Earl of Clann-Rickard's son, i.e. William Burk, went to Gaillimh to make peace with the Foreigners, on the engagement and guarantees of the Mayor, and of the town besides; and there was within before him a perpetrator of injury and destruction upon the Clann-Rickard, i.e. William Og Martin, and two bands of soldiers along with him. And after the Earl's son went in, William Martin and the Saxons acted treacherously towards him; and they apprehended himself; and nine of his people were hanged, and he himself was put in prison, in despite of the mayor, and of the town. And not long after that the Earl's son, and Toirdhelbhach, the son of Donnchadh O'Briain, were hanged; and on Corpus Christi the Earl's son was hanged, and O'Briain's son was hanged on the morrow.

LC1581.17

After the fall of the king of Portugal in the battle we have before mentioned, king Philip, i.e. the king of Spain, sent his own guardian, with an army, to Lisbon; and


p.439

the king of Portugal had no heir except a bastard brother, whose name was Don Antoine. And a battle was fought between Don Antoine and the Duke of Alva, the king of Spain's guardian, and the battle was gained against Don Antoine; and three or four thousand men were slain under Don Antoine, but he escaped himself from the battle; and Lisbon was taken against him. And king Philip came to Lisbon; and he has the city and the kingdom.

LC1581.18

A great army of Albanachs was sent by Captain Malbie to Lower Connacht, viz., the sons of Domhnaill O'Conchobhair Sligigh, and Cathal Og O'Conchobhair, mustered before them all their force of cavalry, gallowglasses, and servants. And the Albanachs were in Corrann at Loch-na-fidhnach, in an encampment; and they and O'Conchobhair were face to face. And the Albanachs executed a retreat from the lake up to Cul-O'Finn, until they reached Móin-in-daire-daraigh. And Cathal Og arrived on this bog, and these other chieftains along with him, viz., Maelruanaidh son of Mac Diarmada; and Mael-móra, son of Maelmuire Mac Suibhne; and O'hEdhra Buidhe, i.e. Conn, son of Ruaidhri O'hEdhra; and the son of Tomaltach (i.e. Tomaltach Og), son of Maelruanaidh Mac Diarmada; and the son of Brian, son of Eremhon Mac Suibhne. And Cathal Og O'Conchobhair, and all these chieftains along with him, and many more who are not enumerated here, were killed by Albanachs on that day. And this death of Cathal O'Conchobhair is a great loss and destruction to the Gaeidhel of Erinn and especially to the Gaeidhel of Connacht. Aedh, son of Diarmaid, son of Cairbre O'Conchobhair, i.e. the son of O'Conchobhair Donn, the intended O'Conchobhair,


p.441

was saved there, and was borne off a prisoner from this defeat. The castle of Magh-O'Gadhra was burned by the Albanachs on the same day; and Diarmaid Og, son of Cian O'Gadhra, was put to death there, and Tadhg, the son of Ruaidhri, et alii multi.

LC1581.19

O'Ruairc's new town, and Druim-dhá-eithiar, i.e. O'Ruairc's usual residence, were broken down at the same time by O'Ruairc himself, for fear the Saxons would occupy them.

LC1581.20

A hosting by Captain Malbie, i.e., the governor of the province of Connacht, to Lower Connacht; and he was three nights in Sligech, and two nights in Druim-dhá-eithiar; and he brought with him the hostages of O'Conchobhair Sligigh, and of Lower Connacht, on that occasion. Another hosting by the same Captain to Ulster, as far as Leithbhir; and that town was demolished by him.

LC1581.21

The Srath-bán was broken down by O'Neill, for fear the Saxons would occupy it. (In aid of O'Domhnaill these Saxons went to Ulster on that occasion.) A victory by O'Neill over O'Domhnaill in the same year, in which fell Mac Suibhne Bághanagh, and his two sons, and the two sons of Aedh, son of Niall Og, and Niall Modardha, son of Niall Og; and in which Mac Suibhne-na-tuath, and the son of Murchadh Mall Mac Suibhne, were taken prisoners; and in which two or three hundred, and more, were slain. And it would be difficult to count all that fell in that victory by O'Neill, and also tedious to enumerate them. The O'Neill referred to was Toirdhelbhach Luinech, son of Niall Conallach.

LC1581.22

But truly, the evils and lamentations of that year throughout all Europe, and in Erinn be excessive to relate. Mac Diarmada Gall, i.e. Eoghan Caech, the son of Cathal, son of Tadhg Og, died the day before the great festival of Mary.

LC1581.23

Brian Mac Gilla-Patraic, i.e. the Mac Gilla-Patraic died in Baile-átha-cliath, whilst imprisoned by the Justiciary; and he was one of the most lamented of Erinn.

LC1581.24

The sheriff of the county of Sligo, i.e. Brian, the son of Tadhg, son of Brian, son of Eoghan


p.443

O'Ruairc, went upon an expedition to Breifne-Ui-Ruairc, and Irishmen, and a number of Saxons went with him. The Saxons brought a great prey with them; and the Gaeidhel were caught in the rear of the Foreigners; and the Gaeidhel were routed, and a great many of them were killed.

LC1581.25

The prior of the town of Ath-an-righ, i.e., William O'Cinaedha, mortuus est.

LC1581.26

A great army was sent to Lower Connacht by the governor of the province of Connacht, i.e. Captain Malbie, to take part in the war between the North and O'Ruairc; and the best in this army were the two sons of Domhnall Ballagh Mac Domhnaill, of the Albanachs, and Thomas Odis, an eminent captain of the Saxons, and William Clifford, and Captain Morna, and the sheriff of the county of Sligech, i.e. Brian, the son of Tadhg O'Ruairc. And there were five or six hundred Albanachs with the sons of Domhnall Ballagh Mac Domhnall. And all Saxons that were along with these captains went into the county of Sligech. O'Conchobhair Sligigh spread them over the county. Soon after that Sligigh entreated all the Saxon captains that were there to join him. The chieftains and nobles of all Lower Connacht, along with O'Conchobhair Sligigh and those Saxons, attacked the Albanachs, and the sons of Domhnall Ballagh; and Alasdar, the son of Domhnall Ballagh Mac Domhnaill, i.e., the most hopefully regarded and bravely distinguished son of an Albanach that had come into Connacht for a long time, was killed there at Bun-an-fedáin, by O'Conchobhair Sligigh and the Saxons, in revenge of Cathal Og O'Conchobhair, and in revenge of the persons slain along with him a short time before that. In fine, one or two hundred of the Albanachs, and more, were slain in that defeat, wherever they were throughout the county. And Domhnall Conn, son of Domhnall Ballagh, escaped


p.445

from this destruction. And the quantity of horses taken there, and of coats of mail, arms, and ordnance, and of all other spoils besides, cannot be calculated or over-reckoned. And though some say that this deed was not right, it cannot be said that O'Conchobhair was not justified in his own share of it, for his anger against them had not cooled since the fall of his brother, and his constable, and his good men, by them before that; and there was neither peace nor promise between them afterwards; for it was on the Wednesday before Dardain-álainn of Corpus Christi that Cathal Og fell, with those who were along with him; and between Christmas and Brigid's festival the Albanachs, and the son of Domhnall Ballagh, were slain; although they were not an eric for each other.

LC1581.27

A prodigious defeat was given by the Earl of Des-Mumha to the Earl of Ur-Mumha, and to Saxons, in which fell three hundred and more of the Foreigners and Gaeidhel, both cavalry and infantry, and in which numerous spoils were taken from them.

LC1581.28

A fiery bolt fell upon the new castle of the race of Bresal O'Cellaigh; and John Ruadh Mac-an-fhiledh was killed by it; and horses and cattle were killed there. The pinnacle of the church of Cill-O'Scoba was broken by it.

LC1581.29

Ruaidhri, the son of Enna O'hUiginn, died in Suidhe-Fínáin, and was buried in Cluain-Senmhail. Gerald Clabach, i.e. a gentleman of the Geraldines, and a destroyer of much, was put to death by Saxons.

LC1581.30

Maghnus, son of the Parson Mac Muirghesa, died in the end of his age, on Loch-Labain, after doing great good by charity and humanity, keeping a house for guests, up to that time;


p.447

and he was buried in Cluain-Senmhail.

LC1581.31

The sons of John, son of Conn, son of Henry O'Neill, went on a foray into Breifne-O'Raighilligh. Philip, son of Aedh O'Raighilligh, i.e. son of the O'Raighilligh, with his kinsmen and followers, came up with them; and John Og, the son of O'Neill, was killed there, and O'Neill's other son was taken prisoner; and four of his good cavalry were killed there also.

LC1581.32

O'Domhnaill's daughter, i.e. Margaret, daughter of Aedh Dubh, son of Aedh Ruadh, and wife of Maelmordha, son of John, son of Cathal O'Raighilligh,—and the most famous and worthy woman in Erinn in her own time,—died in the Cabhán in hoc anno.

LC1581.33

Eighteen heirs of the nobles of the Foreigners of Midhe were put to death in Baile-atha-cliath, by the Justiciary of Erinn, that year.

Annal LC1582

LC1582.0

The kalends of January on Monday; anno Domini one thousand, five hundred, and eighty-two years.

LC1582.0

Mag Flannchaidh i.e. Cathal Og, son of Cathal Dubh, was killed by his own brother, i.e. by Tadhg Og, son of Cathal Dubh, who was made lord in his place this year.

LC1582.1

John, son of the Earl of Des-Mumha, i.e. the best Earl's son for bounty, nobility, and dignity, that ever came of the Geraldines, though he had no inheritance but his own energy, was killed by Saxons in the month of January of this year.

LC1582.2

The sons of the Gilla-dubh Mac Goisdelbh, viz., the Gilla-dubh Og, and Egnechán, were slain by Mac Donnchada of the Corann, per dolum.

LC1582.3

The Duke of Alva, the guardian of king Philip, king of Spain, died after gaining many battles and conflicts on the part of his ward, and by the excellence of his hand, up to that time, after completing six score years of age.

LC1582.4

William, son of the baron of Delbhna, went to Alba, having been exiled by the Saxons.

LC1582.5

The great, regal, wedding feast of the lord of the Rock,


p.449

and of his wife, i.e. Medhbh, the daughter of Domhnall O'Conchobhair, i.e., daughter of O'Conchobhair Sligigh, was celebrated together by Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, at which large quantities of all kinds of stock, and of all descriptions of treasure and valuables, were presented and dispensed, according to their wish, to every one of the men of Erinn and Alba that came to solicit them during that year.

LC1582.6

The Baron of Delbhna was detained a prisoner by the Saxons this year; and a great part of his country was destroyed. A session was proclaimed by the captain of Ros-Comain at that time, i.e. Captain Prapasdún; and the principal men of the county went to that meeting. They went to Tor-na-ngainnedh, and the joisting of the tower fell under them, and the captain himself and all the people that were with him, were precipitated to the cellar [gap: extent: some clauses (extent not clear from MS)]O'Flannagain, i.e. Toirdhelbhach-ant-shleibhe, son of William O'Flannagain; and his death resulted from that fall.

LC1582.7

O'Ruairc committed depredation upon Muinter-Airt, and exacted hostages from them. Another depredation was committed by the sheriff O'Ruairc, and by the Saxons along with him, upon the sons of Mac Tighernain of the Breifne, at Loch-Roda; and their women were borne off captives from them.

LC1582.8

O'Dubhda, i.e., Cathal Dubh, son of Conchobhar O'Dubhda, the choicest of the race of Dathi, son of Fiachra, died in hoc anno. Edmond O'Dubhda was inaugurated in his place.

LC1582.9

Nicholas, son of Christopher, son of the Baron, was put to death in Muilenn-cerr, and Nicholas Cusack was put to death along with him; and it was John Cusack that made the false charge on which all the good heirs of the Foreigners were put to death before that.

LC1582.10

The sons of Mac Gilla-Patraic, viz., Domhnall and Cellach, were killed by the son of O'Maelmhuaidh, i.e., Domhnall, son of Tibbot O'Maelmhuaidh, in treachery, in his own


p.451

house; and Domhnall himself was killed soon after that, in Durmhagh of Colum-Cille, by the Síl-Conchobhair-Failghe.

LC1582.11

The two sons of Rudhraidhe Og O'Mordha were put to death by Foreigners, and the son of Fedhlimidh O'Tuathail was put to death along with them.

LC1582.12

The sons of Walter Fada went on an expedition into Tir Amhalghaidh, and committed a depredation. The young men of the posterity of Rickard Burk overtook them in pursuit, and set upon them. The sons of Walter Fada turned against them, and the pursuers were routed by superior numbers, at Mám-in-ghair in Glenn-dubh, on the southern side of Neimhfin. Rickard, son of Edmond, son of Ulick, was killed there; and Edmond Allta, the son of Richard, son of Oliver, was also killed there. Ambrose, son of David Bán, and Oliver, son of John, son of David Bán and a great many of their followers along with them, were severely wounded there. Brian, son of Eoghan Mael O'Domhnallain, i.e., the most eminent man in Erinn, of his own age, in poetry and learning, was lost there, together with a graduate in science of Muinter-Dalaigh. And the prey was afterwards carried off by them.

LC1582.13

Crimhthann, son of Murchadh, son of Maurice Caomain, was killed by foreigners.

LC1582.14

Mac Diarmada Ruadh, i.e. Tadhg, the son of Conchobhar Og, son of Muirchertach, died the fourth day after the festival of Brenainn, on Innsi-achaidh-in-chairthe, and was interred in the monastery of the Buill.

LC1582.15

Captain Macafort was killed by Cathal, the son of O'Conchobhair.

LC1582.16

MacAilin of Alba died this year.

LC1582.17

Mac William Burk, i.e. Richard-an-iarainn, son of David, son of Edmond, son of Ulick, died the third


p.453

day of Easter, this year.

LC1582.18

Mary Burk, daughter of Oliver, wife of the Blind Abbot, died.

LC1582.19

Two Saxon bands of the Earl of Ur-Mumha's people were killed this year by the Earl of Des-Mumha. Richard, son of Oliver, was proclaimed Mac William the same year.

LC1582.20

O'Raighilligh, i.e., Aedh Conallagh, died.

LC1582.21

Aedh, son of Fedhlimidh Bacagh O'Neill, and two hundred Saxons of the Saxons along with him, were slain in the Ruta by Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill, and by his kindred.

LC1582.22

Dubhrath was begun by Brian, son of Brian, son of Eoghan O'Ruairc.

LC1582.23

The son of O'Conchobhair Donn, i.e., Toirdhelbhach, son of Diarmaid, son of Cairbre, died, and was buried in the church of Dumha-na-Romhanach; and he was one of the most lamented princes of Erinn.

LC1582.24

A Saxon bishop who was in Oilfinn died in the middle month of the summer: his name was Thomas Chester; and in Cill-Liathain he died.

LC1582.25

Brian, the son of Fer-gan-ainm, son of Conchobhar Og Mac Diarmada, died.

LC1582.26

Tadhg, son of Maelechlainn, son of Hubert Mag Raghnaill, was killed by Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada, on Cnoc-na-carad, close to Caisel-tobair-ind-serbhain.

LC1582.27

O'Conchobhair Donn's daughter, i.e. Medhbh, daughter of Conchobhar son of Eoghan Caech, died.

LC1582.28

James Nugent, son of Christopher, son of the Baron, and Edmond, son of the Baron Nugent, fell by each other, and six persons, or five, along with them.

LC1582.29

Conchobhar, the son of Cormac, son of O'Conchobhair, i.e. son of O'Conchobhair Failghe, and Tadhg son of Gilla-Patraic O'Conchobhair, went to fight with one other, in Ath-cliath, and Conchobhar fell in that fight.

LC1582.30

Cathal, son of Maelechlainn Og Mag Raghnaill, died.

LC1582.31

Diarmaid, son of Mac Carthaigh Mor, accompanied by a band of soldiers, went on a


p.455

predatory expedition against O'Suillebhain. Domhnall O'Suillebhain overtook them, and defeated Diarmaid; and he and his Saxons fell, et alii multi.

LC1582.32

Aedh Dubh, the son of Murchadh O'Flaithbhertaigh, and Justin Mac Domhnaill, were apprehended, in treachery, by John, son of the Earl of Clann-Rickard, i.e., Richard Saxanach, as they were returning from the Holy Cross; and he delivered them to Captain Malbie, who was over Connacht: and not long did God and the Holy Cross let that go unpunished with John.

LC1582.33

Great depredations were committed by the sons of the Earl of Clann-Rickard, viz., Ulick and John, upon the descendants of Ulick Burk, and upon Muinter-Uiginn of the Termon. An ugly treachery was practised by Ulick, the son of the Earl, and by Redmond, son of Ulick-na-gcenn, and by Redmond, the bishop's son, on the Earl's son John; for the two Redmonds gave him an invitation; and they took him to Bél-atha-Finntainn, and drew the Earl, i.e., Ulick, upon him; and he was slain in fratricide; and John, the son of Aedh Mac Suibhne, and John, the son of Brian Mac Gilla-Cellaigh, and Finghin Buidhe Mac Maeltuile, the good material of a physician, were killed along with him. And the like of this fratricide was not committed since Naise, son of Uisnech, was killed in treachery in Emhain-Macha; and no Foreigner's son of his own age was slain who was more lamented than he. Captain Malbie, and all the Foreigners that were in Connacht, went to Clann-Rickard on the report of this treachery; and on the 11th day of November this deed was committed.

LC1582.34

The Earl of Cill-dara's steward, i.e. Meiler Huse, died in the beginning of this year.

LC1582.35

The bishopric of Oilfinn was given to Andrew O'Craidhen, by the Council of Erinn at Ath-cliath.

LC1582.36

The Earl of Des-Mumha, usually called Geróid-na-secaidhe, was killed by


p.457

the warders of Caislen-na-Maingi, and his head was sent to Saxon-land; and there was no one in Erinn whose equal he was not in nobility, honour, and powers, and by whom more Saxons fell, and who put the queen to greater cost.

LC1582.37

Síle, daughter of O'Domhnaill, the wife of Tadhg Og, son of Tadhg, son of Aedh, died.

LC1582.38

Fer-gan-egla, the son of Maelmuire Mac Suibhne, died.

LC1582.39

Fer-gan-egla, the son of Domhnall, son of Fedhlimidh, son of Toirdhelbhach Carragh O'Conchobhair, died.

LC1582.40

Saxons established themselves in Tuillsce, and in Cluain-Muiredhaigh, and in Cairge-Doiren, and in Ferann-na-darach, and in Imlech-mór, and in Uaran, and in Cluain-O'Gormacain, and in the Fothannadh; and they erected houses in those places.

LC1582.41

O'Gallchubhair was killed by O'Neill.

LC1582.42

Mac Aedha of the Mointech, i.e., John, was killed by the people of the Eill.

LC1582.43

William Burk, the son of Meiler Bán, died.

LC1582.44

The possession of Magh-Luirg was this year given to Brian, son of Ruaidhri Mac Diarmada.

LC1582.45

The cuckoo called on Christmas night, at Ard-mic-Grainni, in the presence of Robert Dillon and Diarmaid Mac Duibh; and that was a great wonder.

LC1582.46

The Earl of Sussex, i.e., Thomas-in-uisgi, who was for a long time Justiciary over Erinn, died at Whitsuntide.