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

Annal M973

M973.0

The Age of Christ, 973 rectè 975.

M973.1

The nineteenth year of Domhnall.

M973.2

Foghartach, Abbot of Doire-Chalgaigh, died.

M973.3

Artghal, son of Coscrachan, successor of Comhghall and Finnen, died, after a long and virtuous life.

M973.4

Feardalach, Abbot of Reachrainn, was killed by the foreigners.

M973.5

Cinaedh Ua hArtagain, chief poet of Ireland in his time, died.

M973.6

Ceallach, son of Domhnall, lord of Ui-Faelain, was slain by Broen, son of Murchadh.

M973.7

Muireadhach, son of Donnchadh, son of Ceallach, Tanist of Osraighe, died.

M973.8

Too much wet, so that the fruits were destroyed.

M973.9

Dubhdalethe, successor of Patrick, made a circuit of Munster, and obtained his demand.

Annal M974

M974.0

The Age of Christ, 974.

M974.1

The twentieth year of Domhnall.

M974.2

Conaing, son of Finan, Abbot of Coindere and Lann-Etala, died.

M974.3

Sedna Ua Demain, Abbot of Aendruim, was burned in his own house.

M974.4

Donnchadh, son of Ceallach, lord of Osraighe, died.

M974.5

Domhnall, son of Conghalach, lord of Breagha, died; he was named Triubhus Fliuch.

M974.6

Tadhg Ua Ruadhrach, lord of Cianachta, was slain in Ulidia.

M974.7

Gilla-Coluim Ua Canannain, lord of Cinel-Conaill, went upon a predatory excursion into Ui-Failghe, where the lord of Cairbre-mor, i.e. Fearghal, son of Fogartach, was lost on the expedition.

M974.8

Dunchadh Ua Braein, successor of Ciaran of Cluain-mic-Nois, went on his pilgrimage to Ard-Macha.

M974.9

Mathghamhain, son of Ceinneidigh, supreme King of all Munster, was treacherously taken prisoner by Donnabhan, son of Cathal, lord of Ui-Fidhgeinte, who


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delivered him up to Maelmhuaidh, son of Bran, lord of Desmond, who put him to death, against the protection of saints and just men.


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Annal M975

M975.0

The Age of Christ, 975 rectè 977.

M975.1

The twenty-first year of Domhnall.

M975.2

Gormghal, successor of Tola;

M975.3

Conaing, son of Cathan, Abbot of Fearna;

M975.4

and Noemhan of Inis-Cathaigh, died.

M975.5

Muircheartach, son of Domhnall Ua Neill, and Conghalach, son of Domhnall, son of Conghalach, two heirs to the monarchy of Ireland, were slain by Amhlaeibh, son of Sitric.

M975.6

Gilla-Coluim Ua Canannain, lord of Cinel-Conaill, was slain by the king, Domhnall Ua Neill.

M975.7

Maelruanaidh God Ua Maeleachlainn, royal heir of Teamhair, was treacherously killed.

M975.8

Inis-Cathaigh was violated by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, against the foreigners of Luimneach, with Imhar and his two sons, namely, Amhlaeibh and Duibhchenn. Brian was fifty years of age at that time.

M975.9

Seachnasach, son of Hiruadh, lord of Eile, was slain.

Annal M976

M976.0

The Age of Christ, 976 rectè 978.

M976.1

The twenty-second year of Domhnall.

M976.2

Fiachra Ua hArtagain, Abbot of Ia-Choluim Chille,

M976.3

and Maenach, son of Muireadhach, Abbot of Druim-Inesclainn, died.

M976.4

The battle of Bealach-Leachta between Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, and Maelmhuaidh, lord of Des-mond, wherein Maelmhuaidh was slain, and the men of Munster slaughtered.

M976.5

The battle of Bithlann was gained over the Leinstermen by the foreigners


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of Ath-cliath, wherein were slain Augaire, son of Tuathal, King of Leinster; Muireadhach, son of Rian, lord of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh; and Conghalach, son of Flann, lord of Leighe and Rechet, with numbers of others along with them.

M976.6

A naval victory was gained on Loch Eirne by the Airghialla, over the Cinel-Conaill, where many were slain, together with Niall Ua Canannain, and Ua Conghalaigh, and the son of Murchadh Glunillar, and other nobles.

M976.7

Comaltan Ua Cleirigh, lord of Ui-Fiachrach-Aidhne, died.

M976.8

The battle of Cill-mona was gained by Domhnall, son of Conghalach, and Amhlaeibh, over the king, Domhnall Ua Neill, wherein fell Ardghal, son of Madadhan, King of Ulidia; Donnagan, son of Maelmuire; and Cinaedh, son of Croinghille, lord of Conaille, with a large number besides them.

M976.9

A battle was gained by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, over the foreigners of Luimneach, and Donnabhan, son of Cathal, lord of Ui-Fidhgeinte, wherein the foreigners of Luimneach were defeated and slaughtered.


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Annal M977

M977.0

The Age of Christ, 977 rectè 979.

M977.1

The twenty-third year of Domhnall.

M977.2

Cormac Ua Maelbearaigh, Abbot of Gleann-Fuaid, died.

M977.3

Flann, son of Maelmichil, lector of Cluain-mic-Nois, Bishop and airchinneach of Cluain-Deochra;

M977.4

Flann, son of Maelmaedhog, airchinneach of Gleann-Uisean;

M977.5

Cathasach, airchinneach of Eaglais-beg at Cluain-mic-Nois;

M977.6

and Muireann, daughter of Conghalach, Abbess of Cill-dara, died.

M977.7

Conchobhar, son of Finn, lord of Ui-Failghe, died.

M977.8

Domhnall Claen, King of Leinster, was taken prisoner by the foreigners of Ath-cliath.

M977.9

Leathlobhar Ua Fiachna, lord of Dal-Araidhe, was killed.

M977.10

Cill-dara was plundered by the foreigners.

Annal M978

M978.0

The Age of Christ, 978 rectè, 979.

M978.1

Mughroin, Abbot of Ia, scribe and bishop, the most learned of the three divisions,

M978.2

and Rumann Ua hAedhagain, Abbot of Cluain-Eois, died.

M978.3

The battle of Teamhair was gained by Maelseachlainn, son of Domhnall, over the foreigners of Ath-cliath and of the Islands, and over the sons of Amhlaeibh in particular, where many were slain, together with Raghnall, son of Amhlaeibh, heir to the sovereignty of the foreigners; Conamhail, son of Gilla-Arri; and the orator of Ath-cliath; and a dreadful slaughter of the foreigners along with them. There fell also in the heat of the battle Braen, son of Murchadh, royal heir of Leinster; Conghalach, son of Flann, lord of Gaileanga, and his son, i.e. Maelan; Fiachna and Cuduilich, the two sons of Dubhlaech, two lords of Feara Tulach; and Lachtnan, lord of Mughdhorn-Maighen. After this Amhlaeibh went across the sea, and died at I-Coluim-Cille.

M978.4

After Domhnall, the son of Muircheartach of the Leather Cloaks, son of Niall Glundubh, had been twenty-four years in the sovereignty of Ireland, he died at Ard-Macha, after the victory of penance. In commemoration of this, Dubhdalethe said:


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    1. From the birth of the son of God,—no falsehood,—
      Eight, seventy, and nine hundred,
      Till the death of Mughroin whom verses extol,
      The comely successor of Colum;
      Till the battle of strong Teamhair,
      Wherein blood was spilled over shields,
      Wherein the Gaeidhil and Galls were slaughtered
      By the noble famous Maelseachlainn;
      And till the death of Domhnall Ua Neill
      At Ard-Macha of majestic hostages,
      Monarch of Ireland who bestowed horses, than whom a worthier man
      On the surface of the earth was never born.

M978.5

A battle between the Ulidians and Dal-Araidhe, wherein the king of the province, i.e. Aedh, son of Loingseach, and many others, were slain by Eochaidh, son of Ardgar.

M978.6

Dubhghall, son of Donnchadh, Tanist of Aileach, was slain by his kinsman, Muireadhach, son of Flann; and Muireadhach himself was slain by his tribe before the end of a month, in revenge of Dubhghall.

M978.7

Tighearnan Ua Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel-Conaill, was slain.

M978.8

Dunghal, son of Donnchadh, Tanist of Osraighe, died.

Annal M979

M979.0

The Age of Christ, 979 rectè 980.

M979.1

The first year of Maelseachlainn Mor, son of Domhnall, son of Donnchadh, son of Flann, in sovereignty of Ireland.

M979.2

Faelan, son of Coellaidhe, distinguished Bishop and Abbot of Imleach-Ibhair;

M979.3

and Murchadh, son of Riada, Abbot of Ross-Chomain, and Prior of Cluain-mic-Nois, died.

M979.4

Aghda, son of Duibhcenn, lord of Teathbha, died in Imdhaidh-Chiarain, after a good life.

M979.5

Amhlaeibh, son of Sitric, chief lord of the foreigners of


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Ath-cliath, went to Hi on his pilgrimage; and he died there, after penance and a good life.

M979.6

A great army was led by Maelseachlainn, son of Domhnall, King of Ireland, and by Eochaidh, son of Ardgar, King of Ulidia, against the foreigners of Ath-cliath; and they laid siege to them for three days and three nights, and carried thence the hostages of Ireland, and among the rest Domhnall Claen, King of Leinster, and all the hostages of the Ui-Neill. Two thousand was the number of the hostages, besides jewels and goods, and the freedom of the Ui- Neill, from the Sinainn to the sea, from tribute and exaction. It was then Maelseachlainn himself issued the famous proclamation, in which he said:— "Every one of the Gaeidhil who is in the territory of the foreigners, in servitude and bondage, let him go to his own territory in peace and happiness." This captivity was the Babylonian captivity of Ireland, until they were released by Maelseachlainn; it was indeed next to the captivity of hell.

Annal M980

M980.0

The Age of Christ, 980 rectè 981.

M980.1

The second year of Maelseachlainn.

M980.2

Anmchadh, Bishop of Cill-dara, completed his virtuous life in this world, at an advanced life.

M980.3

Eoghan Ua Cathain, Abbot of Cluain-fearta-Brenainn;

M980.4

Sinach, son of Murthuilen, Abbot of Beannchair;

M980.5

Clerchen, son of Donnghal, successor of Feichin;

M980.6

Conaing Ua Flannagain, vice-airchinneach of Ard-Macha;

M980.7

and Rothechtach of Daimhinis, a priest, died.

M980.8

Domhnall Ua hAiteidh, lord of Ui-Eathach, and Loingseach, son of Foghartach, chief of Ui-Niallain, mutually fell by each other.

M980.9

Donnghal, son of Duibhrighe, Abbot of Fidh-duin, died.

Annal M981

M981.0

The Age of Christ, 981 rectè982.

M981.1

The third year of Maelseachlainn.

M981.2

Muireadhach, son of Ruadhrach, successor of Fechin,

M981.3

and Bruadar, son of Echthighern, lord of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh, died.

M981.4

Archu, son of Niall, royal heir


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of Ulidia, was slain by his kinsmen.

M981.5

Aedh Ua Dubda, lord of North Connaught, died.

M981.6

Flaithbheartach, Abbot of Leithghlinn, died.

M981.7

Ailell, the fosterson of Dunchadh, died.

M981.8

Dal-gCais was plundered by Maelseachlainn, son of Domhnall, and the Tree of Aenach-Maighe-Adhair was cut, after being dug from the earth with its roots.

M981.9

Cill-dara was plundered by Imhar of Port-Lairge.

M981.10

Osraighe was plundered by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh.

M981.11

Gilla-Caeimhghin was blinded by Domhnall, son of Lorcan.

Annal M982

M982.0

The Age of Christ, 982.

M982.1

The fourth year of Maelseachlainn.

M982.2

Cormac, son of Maelchiarain, successor of Mochta;

M982.3

Aedh Ua Mothrain, successor of the two Sinchealls;

M982.4

Muireadhach, son of Muiregan, Prior of Ard-Macha, died.

M982.5

A battle was gained by Maelseachlainn, son of Domhnall, and by Gluniairn, son of Amhlaeibh, i.e. the son of Maelseachlainn's mother, over Domhnall Claen and Imhar of Port-Lairge, where many perished, both by drowning and killing, and among the rest Gilla-Padraig, son of Imhar, and many others of distinction along with him. Leinster was spoiled and ravaged by Maelseachlainn as far as the sea.

M982.6

Gleann-da-locha was plundered by the foreigners of Ath-cliath.

M982.7

Gilla-Phadraig plundered Leithghlinn, in atonement for which he gave the mainchine gifts of his two sons to Molaisi for ever, besides doing penance for it.

M982.8

Gilla-Phadraig was taken prisoner by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh.


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