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

Year U1397

U1397.0

Kalends of Jan. on 2nd feria, 29th of the moon, A.D. 1397.

U1397.1

Richard, son of Richard de Burgh, died in the beginning of the Spring of this year.

U1397.2

A great hosting by Mac Donnchaidh of Tir-Oilella to the Plain of Connacht, to aid Ua Conchobuir the Brown and they all encamped with their herds on the Curragh of Cenn-eitigh. When Ua Concobuir the Red and Mac William de Burgh heard that—that Mac Donnchaidh went with his herds to the Curragh of Cenn-eitigh—they assembled into one place, namely, Ua Concobuir the Red and Mac William (de


p.35

Burgh), that is, Thomas and the sons of Cathal junior Ua Conchobuir and the sons of Aedh Mac Diarmata and the muster of the gallowglasses of Connacht along with them. They delivered an assault on the camp of Ua Concobuir the Brown and Ua Concobuir the Brown was not there himself at that time. Howbeit, Mac Donnchaidh perceived not that host, until Ua Concobuir the Red came, with a large horse-host, upon him into the place where he was in his camp. Whereupon there were then slain Mac Donnchaidh and Aedh Blind -eye, son of Aedh, son of Toirdelbach Ua Concobuir and Diarmait Mac Donnchaidh, that is, the future king of Tir-Oilella and two sons of Ruaidhri, son of Mailruanaigh Mac Donnchaidh and Art, son of Cathal Mac Donnchaidh the Cleric and Cu-aithne, son of Cu-aithne Ua Concobuir and Mac Suibne, namely, Constable of Connacht from the mountain northwards and Donnchadh Mac Suibne and Donnsleibe Mac Suibne, that is, two brothers of Mac Suibne and Concobur Mac Suibne and many others were slain: that it is not possible to reckon for their number. And it is not possible to put tale or reckoning on the chattels that were found there of beeves and horses and apparel. When O'Concobuir the Brown learned that the defeat was inflicted and Mac Donnchaidh slain and his own encampment gone into their power, he made for the prey of Ua Concobuir the Red and of the sons of Aedh son of Feidhlimidh. And it is not possible to reckon those spoils that be made for their number. And on the Vigil of the first feast of Mary in Harvest Aug. 14 these deeds were done.

Feidhlimidh, son of Cathal junior Ua Concobuir and Dubhghall Mac Domnaill went after that defeat to the house of Ua Domnaill and told him news of the defeat


p.37

and asked Ua Domnaill to go with them into Cairpre. Ua Domnaill with his muster came with the sons of Cathal junior. The men of Cairpre and Tir-Oilella mustered against them. Ua Domnaill with his host went to the northern part of Tir-Oilella as far as the Meeting-Field. Houses and crops were burned by them there and the son of Cormac, son of Ruaidhri, was despoiled by them. Maelruanaigh Mac Donnchaidh took the lordship of Tir-Oilella at that time. Compact and alliance were made by Maelruanaigh Mac Donnchaidh and by Ua Domnaill and by the sons of Cathal junior and by Ua Dubhda and by the Eastern Ua hEaghra with each other. Ua Domnaill returned to his own country on that occasion and the sons of Cathal junior and the Muinter-Duirnin and Mac Domnaill the Gallowglass with his sons went into Cairbre in accordance with that compact.

Muircertach the Lame, son of Domnall, was in Fasa-caille at that time and as many of the gallowglasses of Mac Suibhne as came alive from the defeat of the Curragh of Cenn-eitigh were along with him there, under Domnall Mac Suibne and under the Western Ua Eaghra. An offensive march was made by Muircertach the Lame and by all those on the sons of Cathal junior to Lis-in-doill and to Bun-Brenoigi. Ua Domnaill came, with a small force, to join the sons of Cathal and battle was given by them beside Bun-Brenoigi and the battle went against the sons of Cathal. And Marcus Mac Domnaill was slain in it and his son, namely, Dubghall Mac Domnaill and John Mac Sitigh were slain there also and many of the gallowglasses that are not reckoned here. Great forays were


p.39

made by the sons of Domnall, son of Muircertach Ua Concobuir, on the sons of Cathal junior Ua Concobuir and the sons of Cathal were put across the Erne to the far side again. On the Vigil of the great feast of Mary all these deeds were done.

U1397.3

Niall (Niall Mor Ua Neill), son of Aedh Mor Ua Neill, arch-king of Ulster and contender for the kingship of Ireland, died this year, after victory of Unction and penance. And his son, namely, Niall Ua Neill junior, was made king in his stead.

U1397.4

(Art (namely, Art of Cuil), son of Philip Mag Uidhir of the battle-axe, was killed by the shot of an arrow on the 7th of the Kalends of January Dec. 26, that is, the feast day of St. Stephen, A.D. 1397, by the sons of Mag Shamhraghain.)