The Age of Christ, 857.
The thirteenth year of Maelseachlainn.
Suairleach, Abbot of Achadh Bo Cainnigh;
Ailill Banbhan, Abbot of Birra;
Maelcobha Ua Faelain, Abbot of Cluain Uamha;
and Faelghus, Abbot of Ros Cre, died.
A great army was led by Amhlaeibh and Imhar, and by Cearbhall, lord of Osraighe, into Meath.
A great meeting of the chieftains of Ireland was collected by the King Maelseachlainn to Rath Aedha Mic Bric, with Fethghna, successor of Patrick, and Suairleach, successor of Finnia, to establish peace and concord between the men of Ireland; and here Cearbhall, lord of Osraighe, gave the award of the successors of Patrick and Finnia to the King of Ireland, after Cearbhall had been forty nights at Ereros, and the son of the King of Lochlann at first along with him plundering Meath. And after they had awarded
Maelgualai, King of Munster, was stoned by the Norsemen, until they killed him.
Seghonnan, son of Conang, lord of Carraig Brachaidhe, died.
The Age of Christ, 858.
The fourteenth year of Maelseachlainn.
Oenghus, Abbot of Cluain Fearta Molua, and who was a distinguished sage; and Colman, Abbot of Daimhliag, died.
Niall, son of Giallan, died, after a good life, after having been twenty four years in oppressive sickness.
A hosting of the men of Leinster, Munster and Connaught, and of the southern Ui Neill, into the North, by Maelseachlainn, son of Maelruanaidh; and he pitched a camp at Magh Dumha, in the vicinity of Ard Macha. Aedh Finnliath, son of Niall, and Flann, son of Conang, attacked the camp that night against the king, and many persons were killed and destroyed by them in the middle of the camp; but Aedh was afterwards defeated, and he lost many of his people; for Maelseachlainn and his army manfully defended the camp against the people of the North.
Aedh Dubh, son of Dubh Dabhoireann, lord of Ui Fidhgeinte, died, after being wounded.
A victory was gained by Cearbhall, over the fleet of Port Lairge, at Achadh Mic Erclaighe.
The Age of Christ, 859.
The fifteenth year of Maelseachlainn.
Fiachra, Abbot of Tigh Munna, died.
The battle of Druim Da Mhaighe was given by Maelseachlainn to the foreigners of Ath Cliath, where many of the foreigners
The plundering and devastation of Meath by Aedh Finnliath, the son of Niall Caille.
Gormlaith, daughter of Donnchadh, Queen of Ireland, died, after having lamented her crimes and iniquities, and after doing good penance for her transgressions and sins.
An army was led by Cearbhall into Meath, to assist Maelseachlainn against Aedh, son of Niall, and Amhlaeibh, where Ruarc, son of Braen, was slain by the Ui Neill.
The renewal of the fair of Roighne by Cearbhall, son of Dunghal.
The Age of Christ, 860.
Finan, of Cluain caein, bishop and anchorite;
Dalach, son of Maelraitte, Abbot of Cluain Iraird;
Finncheallach, Abbot of Fearna;
and Muirgheas, anchorite of Ard Macha, died.
Mescell, son of Donnghal;
Ruarc, son of Bran, King of Leinster, were slain by the Ui Neill.
Bruadar, son of Dunlang, lord of Corca Loighdhe;
Maelodhar Ua Tindridh, the most learned physician of Ireland, died.
Aedh Finnliath, son of Niall Caille, and Flann, son of Conang, went with the lord of the foreigners to plunder Meath, and committed great depredations there.
Maelseachlainn, son of Maelruanaidh, son of Donnchadh, Monarch of Ireland, died on the thirteenth day of November precisely, on Tuesday, after he had been sixteen years in the sovereignty. Of his death was sung:
- 1"[gt ]Mournfully is spread
2"[gt ]her veil of grief over Ireland,
3"[gt ]Since the chieftain of our race has perished,
4"[gt ]Maelseachlainn of the flowing Sinainn.- 5"[gt ]Many a moan in every place,
6"[gt ]it is a mournful news among the Gaeidhil;
7"[gt ]Red wine has been spilled into the valley,
8"[gt ]Erin's monarch has died.- 9"[gt ]Though he was wont to ride the white stallion,
10"[gt ]and many steeds of steady pace,
11"[gt ]The only horse of Maelseachlainn this day
12"[gt ]i.e. his bier I see behind two oxen.
The destruction of Longphort Rothlaith by Cinnedidh, son of Gaithin, lord of Laighis, on the fifth of the Ides of September; and the killing of Conall Ultach and Luirgnen, with many others along with them.
The Age of Christ, 861.
The first year of Aedh Finnliath, son of Niall Caille, in sovereignty over Ireland.
Maelpadraig, son of Finnchu, bishop, scribe, and anchorite, and intended abbot of Ard Macha, died.
Daniel Ua Liaithidhe, Abbot of Corcach and Lis Mor, was mortally wounded.
Aedhan, Abbot of Inis Cathaigh, died.
Muiregan, son of Diarmaid, lord of Nas and Airther Life, was slain by the Norsemen.
Aedh, son of Cumasgach, lord of Ui Niallan, died.
Amblaeibh, Imhar, and Uailsi, three chieftains of the foreigners; and Lorcan, son of Cathal, lord of Meath, plundered the land of Flann, son of Conang.
The cave of Achadh Aldai, in Mughdhorna Maighen; the cave of Cnoghbhai; the cave of the grave of Bodan, i.e. the shepherd of Elcmar, over Dubhath; and the cave of the wife of Gobhann, at Drochat Atha, were broken and plundered by the same foreigners.
The plundering of Connaught by the king, Aedh Finnliath, with the youths of the North.
The killing of the foreigners at
Fiach of Luimneach died.
The Age of Christ, 862.
The second year of Aedh Finnliath.
Aeidhginbrit, Bishop of Cill Dara, a scribe and anchorite, died; one hundred and sixteen years was his age when he died.
Maenach, son of Connmhach, Abbot of Ros Cre;
Muireadhach, son of Niall, Abbot of Lughmhadh and other churches;
and Brocan, son of Comhsudh, Abbot of Slebhte, died.
A great victory was gained by the king, Aedh Finnliath, and by Flann, son of Conang, over Anbhith, son of Aedh, King of Ulidia, with the Ulidians, in the territory of Conaille Cerd.
A prey by Cearbhall, lord of Osraighe, from Leinster; and another prey in a fortnight afterwards from the Osraighi, by the Leinstermen.
Lorcan, son of Cathal, lord of Meath, was blinded by Aedh Finnliath.
Conchobhar, son of Donnchadh, the second lord that was over Meath, was drowned in a water at Cluain Iraird, by Amhlaeibh, lord of the foreigners.
Domhnall, son of Dunlang, heir presumptive of Leinster, died.
Cermad, son of Catharnach, chief of Corca Bhaiscinn, was slain by the foreigners.
The plundering of Eochanacht by Cearbhall, son of Dunghal, so that he reached Feara Maighe Fene, and bore away the hostages of the Aitheach Tuatha of Munster; and the Ui Aenghusa of the South were also plundered by him in the one year.
The Age of Christ, 863.
The third year of Aedh.
Maincheine, Bishop of
Tuathal, son of Ardghus, chief Bishop of Fortrenn, and Abbot of Dun Ceallain, died.
Ceallach, son of Ailell, Abbot of Cill Dara, and the Abbot of Ia, died in Pictland.
Ceithearnach, son of Fairneach, Prior of Ard Macha;
Conmhal, Prior of Tamhlacht;
and Luchairen (i.e. the father of Egertach), son of Eoghan, son of Aedhagan, son of Torbach, scribe and anchorite at Cluain Mic Nois, died.
Tighearnach, son of Focarta, lord of Loch Gabhar, and the second chief who was over Breagh, died.
Tadhg, son of Diarmaid, lord of Ui Ceinnsealaigh, was slain by his own brethren.
Colman, son of Dunlang, lord of Fotharta Tire, was slain by his own children.
The Age of Christ, 864.
Dineartach, Bishop and Abbot of Lothra;
Colgga and Aedh, two abbots of Mainistir Buithe, died.
A complete muster of the North was made by Aedh Finnliath, so that he plundered the fortresses of the foreigners, wherever they were in the North, both in Cinel Eoghain and Dal Araidhe; and he carried off their cattle and accoutrements, their goods and chattles. The foreigners of the province came together at Loch Feabhail Mic Lodain. After Aedh, King of Ireland, had learned that this gathering of strangers was on the borders of his country, he was not negligent in attending to them, for he marched towards them with all his forces; and a battle was fought fiercely and spiritedly on both sides between them. The victory was gained over the foreigners, and a slaughter was made of them. Their heads were collected to one place, in presence of the king; and twelve score heads were reckoned before him, which was the number slain by him in that battle, besides the numbers of them who were wounded and carried off by him in the agonies of death, and who died of their wounds some time afterwards.
Sruthar Slebhte and Achadh Arglais were plundered by the Osraighi.
Loch Lephinn
Cearnachan, son of Cumasgach, lord of Rath Airthir, was slain by Muirigen, son of Aedhagan.
A victory was gained over the fleet of Eochaill by the Deisi, and the fortress was destroyed.
A slaughter was made of the foreigners by the people of the north of Osraighe, and Cinnedidh, son of Gaithin, at Mindroichet.
The Age of Christ, 865.
The fifth year of Aedh.
Oeghedhchair, Abbot of Conner and Lann Eala, bishop and scribe;
Robhartach of Finnghlas, bishop and scribe;
Conall of Cill Scire, bishop;
and Dubhartach of Beiri, died.
Cormac Ua Liathain, bishop, abbot, and anchorite, died.
Maeltuile Mac an Gobhann, Abbot of Ara Airthir, died.
Aedhacan, son of Finnsneachta, Tanist Abbot of Cluain, and abbot of many churches, died on the first day of November.
Maelduin, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, lord of Oileach, died, after having entered into religion.
Cosgrach of Teach Telle, scribe and anchorite, died.
Huppan, son of Cinaedh, heir presumptive of Connaught, was burned in an ignited house, by Sochlachan, son of Diarmaid.
The burning of Dun Amhlaeibh at Cluain Dolcain, by the son of Gaithen and the son of Ciaran, son of Ronan; and one hundred of the heads of the foreigners were exhibited by the chieftains in that slaughter at Cluain Dolcain.
Muireadhach, son of Cathal, lord of Ui Cremhthainn, died of paralysis.
Ceanannan, son of Ceallach, heir presumptive of
A victory was gained by the son of Gaithin over the foreigners of Ath Cliath, wherein fell Odolbh Micle.
Gnimhbeolu, chief of the foreigners of Corcach, was slain by the Deisi.
The Age of Christ, 866.
The sixth year of Aedh.
Ceallach, son of Cumasgach, Abbot of Fobhar, who was a noble and illustrious wise man;
Connmhach, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois, one of the Fine Gall, i.e. of the race of Eochaidh Gall, died on the first day of the month of January.
Daniel, Abbot of Gleann Da Locha and Tamhlacht;
Caemhan, son of Daelach, Abbot of Daimhliag Cianain;
Conghal, son of Feadach, Abbot of Cill Dealga, and a distinguished scribe;
and Fearghus of Ros Ailithir, scribe and anchorite, died.
Reachtabhra, son of Murchadh, Abbot of Corcach Mor; and Laichtene, Abbot of Cluain Eidhneach, died.
Flann, son of Conaing, lord of all Breagh, collected the men of Breagh and Leinster, and the foreigners, to Cill Ua nDaighre,—five thousand was the number of his forces,—against the king, Aedh Finnliath. Aedh had only one thousand, together with Conchobhar, son of Tadhg Mor, King of Connaught. The battle was eagerly and earnestly fought between them; and the victory was at length gained, by dint of wounding and fighting, over the men of Breagh, the Leinstermen, and the foreigners; and a slaughter was made of them, and a great number of the foreigners were slain in that battle. There were slain therein Flann, son of Conaing, lord of Breagh; Diarmaid, son of Ederscel, lord of Loch Gabhar; and Carlus, son of Amhlaeibh, i.e. son of the lord of the foreigners. There fell on the other side Fachtna, son of Maelduin, Righdhamhna of the North, in the heat of the battle.
Mannachan, lord of Ui Briuin Na Sinna, slew Flann; of which was said:
- Great the triumph for Mannachan,
for the hero of fierce valour,
To have the head of the son of Conaing in his hand,
to exhibit it before the face of the son of Tadhg.
It was of the chieftains of the Sil Muireadhaigh who came to the battle of Cill Ua nDaighre, the following was composed:
- Though every one should judge adversely,
it is on his full false oath:
These are the eleven men
who went into the battle to guard him.- There went into the battle to assist therein
Finnachta and Follamhain,
Maenach,—good was the disposition of the horseman,—
and Tadhg, son of Tomaltach;- Flannagan, beauteous chief of the cavalry,
and the comely Mughroin, grandson of Cathal;
Mannachan, good was his mind,
and Aidit, grandson of Maelmichil.
The poet of Aedh said before the battle:
- There comes over the bright Finnabhair
a pleasant brown haired host, across the noble, rapid stream.
It is in hundreds the Foreigners are counted,
to fight with the great King of Etar.
Aedh cecinit:
- Good our cause, good our expedition,
the strength of a hundred heroes in our body;
Rise ye up, accomplish valour,
kill the herd along with the boar.
A certain poet cecinit:
- At Cill Ua nDaighre this day,
the ravens shall taste sups of blood,
A victory shall be gained over the magic host of the Foreigners,
and over Flann; it will be no good news to him.
Aedh cecinit:
- The troops of Leinster are with him,
with the additional men of the rapid Boinn;
What shews the treachery of Flann
is the concord of the Foreigners by his side.
Aedh cecinit:
- Put ye the venom of your tongues upon him,
upon the narrow hearted son of Dubhsagh;
Mighty is our standard, Christ protects us
in the pass of danger in which we are.
Of the same battle was said:
- Know ye what did
the intelligent son of Niall of Oileach,
The fair Aedh, with slaughter,
southwards at Cill Ua nDaighre?- Ten hundred in the grave,
by direct computation;
In the battle which happened,
five thousand were defeated.
Loisin, the poet of Flann, said this:
- Monday, the day of terror,
we went to Bealach Natha.
The men of Findruine were slaughtered;
dear were the well-known faces.
The mother of Flann, the daughter of Niall, said this:
- Happiness! wo! good news! bad news!
the gaining of a great triumphant battle,
Happy for the king whom it makes joyous;
unhappy for the king who was defeated.- Unhappy for the host of Leath Chuinn,
to have fallen by the magic host.
Happy the reign of the great Aedh,
and unhappy the loss of Flann!
The mother of Flann again:
- The fire, fire
which the son of Conang made of the plain!
I beseech the king, who protects every place,
to strengthen the mother who bore him.
A stream of strange water burst forth from the side of Sliabh Cualann, in which were fish and coal black trouts, which were a great wonder to all.
Conn, son of Cinaedh, lord of Ui Bairrchi Tire, was slain while demolishing the fortress of the foreigners.