Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Annála Connacht (Author: [unknown])

Annal 1235

1235.1

1235 First of January on Monday and the eighth day of the moon. First year of the Decemnovennial Cycle; twenty-third of the Solar Cycle; eighth of the Indiction. Common year. G.

1235.2

Domnall son of Aed O Neill, king of Cenel Eogain, was killed by Domnall Mac Meic Lochlainn, who seized the kingship for himself this year.

1235.3

Matadan O Matadain, king of Sil nAnmchada, died.

1235.4

Isaac O Mailfagmair, erenagh of Killala, died this year.

1235.5

Lochlainn the son of Echtigern O Cellaig's son was killed by the sons of Gilla Riabach O Baigill this year.

1235.6

Taichlech son of Aed O Dubda, king of the Ui Amalgada and the Ui Fiachrach, was killed by an arrow-wound while interposing [in a dispute] in the camp of Fedlim mac Cathail Chrobdeirg King of Connacht.

1235.7

An Gilla Suasanach (the Mop-haired Lad) Mac Aedacain died this year.

1235.8

The Galls of Ireland, assembled by Richard Burke, made a hosting and came past Athlone to Roscommon, which they burnt, and thence to Elphin, where they burnt the great church, and so to Ath Da Larac on the Boyle. Now these were the most renowned and resolute of that army; Mac Muiris the Justiciar, Hugo de Lacy Earl of Ulster, Richard son of William Burke, Walter Riddesford chief baron of Leinster with the Leinster Galls, John Gogan with the Munster Galls, and the bands of all Ireland along with them. They came on the eve of Trinity Sunday to the monastery of Boyle and their soldiery overran the monastery, broke open the crypt(?) and took away its valuables, chalices and vestments. But the chiefs of the Galls abhorred this act, and everything they could recover was sent back and what they could not was paid for. Next day they sent their raiders and soldiery and mercenary bands to


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Cret and Glencar and to the tower of Glenfarn and brought great preys to Ardcarne, where they were to meet the Justiciar.

1235.9

Then the Galls adopted a remarkable plan, which no man of Connacht or Munster suspected them of. At the instigation of Eogan O hEidin, who wished to be revenged for his wounds on the Munsterman and on Donnchad Cairbrech O Briain, they turned back the way they had come and passed into Tir Maine and Maenmag and so, without warning or notice, into Thomond. They took vast, innumerable spoils from the Munstermen, who had provided no retreat and made no preparations.

1235.10

But the Connachtmen and Fedlim mac Cathail Chrobdeirg pursued after the Galls, who had [thus] slipped away, to fulfill their promise to the Munstermen and to share their day of battle; and there were good, long affrays every day between the two sides. On the last day both Connachtmen and Munstermen moved into action and fought stoutly, with might and main, but armoured Galls and a heavy force of horsemen overpowered them, and many Munstermen were killed there through the unwisdom of a decision which Donnchad Cairbrech chanced to adopt. But the men of Connacht came out of the fray in valorous and honourable plight, without any of their eminent men being killed. Next day Donnchad Cairbrech determined to make peace with the Galls and to yield them hostages and tribute. He took this decision, though after long hesitation, because by that time a large part of his people had been plundered and killed. The Galls, however, proceeded to Connacht and advanced first upon Aed O Flaithbertaig, who made peace with them in order to preserve his cattle and folk, his lands and territory.

1235.11

As for Fedlim, he determined to repair, with what cows he could find in Connemara and Conmaicne Cuile and all those who adopted his advice, the son of Magnus and Conchobar Ruad son of Muirchertach Muimnech, to seek the protection of O Domnaill, leaving the land [i.e., Connacht] for the Galls to work their will therein. The Galls afterwards came to Doon Castle and sent emissaries to Magnus son of Muirchertach Muimnech demanding that he should accept their terms of peace and yield them hostages. Magnus refused both demands. They then sent out large raiding parties from Doon, consisting of the descendants of Ruaidri and innumerable soldiery, who


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plundered Achill Island and carried off great spoils to rejoin the Galls at Druimne.

1235.12

Aed O Flaithbertaig and Eogan O hEidin came round with a large army and ships, which they had brought to Leenane. These ships arrived with their troops, and the Justiciar marched to meet them at Calad Insi Aenaig (the shore opposite Inisheany) in Druimne. Magnus with his ships was on the sound of this island, and great fights and skirmishes took place between them from time to time. Then the Galls grew weary and decided to pitch a camp and draw up their ships in a recess of the great strand at that place.

1235.13

When Magnus saw that, he sailed eastwards out of the sound and landed on Inishraher, and some of his men went [back] to Inisheany and brought away some sheep from it to eat. But when the Galls saw them landing on the one island and returning to the other and keeping no watch or ward against their enemies, from whom they were divided by one of the islands, they rose up quickly, sharply, actively, and their [...] carried their ships along the strand and launched them, and being followed by a host [of their own men] and soldiery with arms and armour, they landed upon both the islands and killed all the people they found on them. Magnus and those of his followers who were on Inishraher then took to their ships, though if he had trusted the Ui Maille he would have sent his ships against the Galls and their vessels.

1235.14

However, though but little of the day was left by that time, there was not a cow on an island of Insi Mod that was not put ashore [on the mainland] before nightfall, and they would have gone before, driven by thirst and hunger, but that they were restrained; and many base people were killed that night. On the next day, a Friday, the Galls landed on the islands of North Umall, but the commanders of the soldiery would not suffer them to kill anyone, out of respect for the Passion.

1235.15

When the Galls had ended their sacking and plundering of Umall by land and sea they came, bringing their cows and spoil with them, to Luffertaun, and thence pursued their way to Ballysadare, from which place they made a raid on O


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Domnaill, because he was harbouring Fedlim [O Conchobair] in his exile. After this they came to the Curlieu Hills and passed on to the Callow of Rockingham on Loch Key, to take it from a large force of the men of Fedlim O Conchobair and Cormac son of Tomaltach [Mac Diarmata], who were holding it.

1235.16

But the Galls of Ireland and the Justiciar granted a general protection and sure sanctuary to Clarus Mag Mailin Archdeacon of Elphin and the canons of Trinity Island. The Justiciar and the principal Galls went to visit this place and pray therein, doing reverence to it in honour of the Holy Trinity.

1235.17

Then a fleet of ships with galleries and perriers came to the lake, and they mounted a perrier on a small platform and many stones were hurled by it into the Rock. And since they could not take it by this means they made numerous vessels out of the houses of Ardcarne, collected all the fuel of the district and [putting it on board these vessels, or rafts] set it alight. They bound empty barrels about these rafts to keep them afloat, and sent one of their larger ships, protected by a roof of planking, to tow the rafts to the Rock and so set it afire.

1235.18

But the people in the fortress were seized with fear and came out, on stipulated terms, and the Justiciar put in a garrison of armed and armoured Galls, well furnished with food and drink. They left the people of Connacht without food or clothing or cattle; yet they bore away no pledge or hostage at that time, nor did they leave peace or settlement in the country, for the Gaels were killing and robbing each other to obtain what little the Galls had left behind them.

1235.19

Fedlim [O Conchobair], however, made peace with the Justiciar, agreeing to pay him rent and tribute for the five King's Cantreds. Cormac Mac Diarmata submitted at the same time.

1235.20

As for the garrison of the Rock, after they had occupied it for three full weeks, from Thursday to Thursday, the warden went outside its gate and O Hostin, who was one of themselves, shut it behind him. The Galls then fled for protection to Trinity Island, [whence] they were afterwards escorted. But


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when Cormac had [re-taken] the Rock he determined to throw it down and scatter its stones, that the Galls might not have again.

1235.21

Domnall and Muirchertach, sons of Muiredach O Maille, were killed by Domnall son of Magnus son of Muirchertach [Muimnech] O Conchobair and by Niall Ruad son of Cathal O Conchobair on Clare Island, and there they were buried.

1235.22

Tuathal son of Muirchertach [Muimnech] O Conchobair was killed by Conchobar Buide son of Toirrdelbach O Conchobair and by Conchobar son of Aed Muimnech this year.

1235.23

Some soldiery and kerne who were marauding on Finloch of Cera [L. Carra] on behalf of the son of Ruaidri were killed by Magnus son of Muirchertach O Conchobair this year.

1235.24

Matthew, prior of Holy Trinity Island, rested in Christ.

1235.25

Gilla Coimded O Cuilin [...]. . .

1235.26

The best men of Ui Briuin na Sinna were killed in a skirmish with Donnchad son of Muirchertach Muimnech.

1235.27

O hAnainn, the great priest, died at Kilmore.

1235.28

The castle at Meelick was broken down by Fedlim O Conchobair.

1235.29

The church of an Druimne at Athleague was burnt, with the charters(?) and all the books of the Canons.