Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Annals of Ulster (Author: [unknown])

Year U1170

U1170.0

Kalends of Jan. on 5th feria, 10th of the moon, A.D. 1170.

U1170.1

Concobhar, son of Muircertach Ua Lochlainn, king of Cenel-Eogain, royal heir of all Ireland, was killed by Aedh Mac Cana the Little and by the Ui-Caraca[i]n, Easter [Holy] Saturday [April 4], in the centre of the Great Third in Ard-Macha.

U1170.2

Donnchadh Ceinnselach Ua Cellaigh was killed by the Leinstermen.

U1170.3

(A hosting by Ruaidhri Ua Conchobair and by Mael-Sechlainn and by Tigernan Ua Ruairc and by Murchadh Ua Cerbuill to Ath-cliath to give battle to Mac Murchadha and to the Earl. When, however, they were face to face preparing for the battle; they noticed no[thing] until they saw the fort on fire, that is, [by] fire of lightning. Howbeit, after that Ua Conchubair turned back, after refusal of battle was offered to him. Thereafter, Mac Murchadha went into Ath-cliath, after giving his word to the Foreigners of Ath-cliath. And he failed upon his word and many persons were killed there and he expelled the Foreigners.

U1170.4

The hostages of Mac Murchadha, namely, his own son and his grandson, that is, the son of

p.165

Domnall Caemanach and the son of his foster-brother, to wit, the son of Ua Caellaidhe, were killed by Ruaidhri Ua Conchubhair, through suggestion of Tigernan Ua Ruairc.)

U1170.5

Ath-cliath was destroyed by Diarmait Mac Murchadha and by the transmarine men he brought with him from the east to destroy Ireland, in revenge for his expulsion over sea out of his own land and of the killing of his son. Howbeit, they inflicted slaughter upon the Foreigners of Ath-cliath and Port-lairgi and, on the other hand, many slaughters were inflicted upon themselves. Moreover, Leinster and the country of Meath, both churches and territories, were destroyed by them and they took Ath-cliath and Port-lairgi.

U1170.6

A great, unbecoming deed was done by the monk, namely, by Amlaimh, son of the successor of [St.] Finnian of Magh-bile and by Maghnus Mac Duinnsleibhe [Ua Eochadha], king of Ulidia, along with the chiefs of Ulidia and with the Ulidians besides, except the bishop, Mael-Isu and Gilla-Domanghairt Mac Cormaic, successor of [St.] Comgall and Mael-Martain, successor of [St.] Finnian, with their communities: that is, the Congregation of Canons Regular, with their abbot, whom Mael-Moedoic Ua Morgair, Legate of the successor of [St.] Peter, instituted in Saball of [St.] Patrick, were expelled out of the

p.167

monastery they themselves built and were despoiled completely, both of books and furniture, cows and persons, horses and sheep and all things they had collected therein from the time of the Legate aforesaid to then, save the tunics and the capes which were upon them at that hour,—through carnal jealousy and self-love and desire of honour for himself. For the monks of Drochait-atha deposed him from the abbacy [of Saball] for just causes. Alas! alas! alas! in sooth. Woe who did and woe the country wherein was done the deed. But it went not without vengeance from the Lord; for the chiefs who did it were killed at one and the same time by a few enemies and the king was wounded and killed unhappily a little while after, in the place wherein that unrighteous counsel was decided upon, namely, in Dun. Now, on Tuesday the Congregation was expelled; on Tuesday, at the end of a year, the nobles of Ulidia were killed and the king was wounded; on Tuesday, a little after, he himself was killed by his brother in Dun.

U1170.7

Diarmait Ua Ainbfheith, king of Ui-Meith and leader of the horse-host of the king of Ailech, was killed by a fleet that came from the Islands of Orcc to the Island that was built by himself upon Loch-Ruidhe, namely, upon Inis-Lachain.