Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Annals of the Four Masters (Author: [unknown])

Annal M887

M887.0

The Age of Christ, 887.

M887.1

The eleventh year of Flann.

M887.2

Seachnasach, Abbot of Lusca;

M887.3

Flann, son of Maelduin, Abbot of Ia;

M887.4

Corrnac, Abbot of Fobhar, and Tanist Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois;

M887.5

Cormac, son of Fianamhail, Abbot of Druim Innasclainn;

M887.6

Fothadh, Abbot of Mainistir Buithe;

M887.7

Suibhne, son of Maelumha, anchorite and scribe of Cluain Mic Nois, died.

M887.8

Maelmordha, son of Gairbhith, lord of Conaille Muirtheimhne, was beheaded by Ceallach, son of Flannagan.

M887.9

The plundering of Cill Dara and Cluain Iraird by the foreigners.

M887.10

A slaughter was made of the Osraighi by the Deisi, and the killing of Braenan, son of Cearbhall, and also of Suibhne, son of Dunghus, lord of Ui Fearghusa.

M887.11

A slaughter was made of the foreigners by the Ui Amhalghaidh, in which fell Elair, son of Bairid, one of their chieftains, and others along with him.

M887.12

Maelfabhaill, son of Cleireach, lord of Aidhne, died.

M887.13

The fair of Tailltin was celebrated by Flann, son of Maelsechnaill.

M887.14

A mermaid was cast ashore by the sea in the country of Alba. One hundred and ninety five feet was her length, eighteen feet was the length of her hair, seven feet was the length of the fingers of her hand, seven feet also was the length of her nose; she was whiter than the swan all over.

M887.15

Conchobhar, son of Flannagan, lord of Ui Failghe, was destroyed by fire at Cluain Foda Fini, in the church; and the relics of Finian were violated by the Feara Tulach, on his way from parleying with Flann, son of Maelseachlainn, King of Ireland.

Annal M888

M888.0

The Age of Christ; 888.

M888.1

The twelfth year of Flann.

M888.2

Maelbrighde, Abbot of Cluain Mic Nois,

M888.3

and Maelcorghais, Abbot of Lothra, died.

M888.4

Tighearnan, son


p.543

of Seallachan, lord of Breifne, died.

M888.5

A great wind occurred on the festival of St. Martin of this year; and it prostrated many trees, and caused great destruction of the woods of Ireland, and swept oratories and other houses from their respective sites.

M888.6

A battle was gained by Riagan, son of Dunghal, over the foreigners of Port Lairge, Loch Carman, and Teach Moling, in which two hundred heads were left behind.

M888.7

A battle was gained by North Connaught over the foreigners, in which Eloir, son of Barith, was slain.

M888.8

A battle was gained over the Eili by Maelguala and the men of Munster, at Caiseal, in which many noble youths were slain.

Annal M889

M889.0

The Age of Christ, 889.

M889.1

The thirteenth year of Flann.

M889.2

Cochlan, Abbot of Teach Munna;

M889.3

Dichuill of Tamhlacht;

M889.4

and Fearghus, son of Maelmichill, OEconomus of Cluain Mic Nois, died.

M889.5

Suadhbhar, i.e. the son of Coitceadhach, of Inis Snaig, died; he was an anchorite.

M889.6

Becc, son of Erimhon, King of Ulidia, was slain by Ateidh, son of Laighne.

M889.7

Conghalach, son of Flannagan, lord of Breagh, died after a good life.

M889.8

Riagan, son of Echtighearn, lord of Ui Ceinnsealaigh;

M889.9

Sealbhlaith, daughter of Aedh; and Maeletigh, daughter of Cathmhael, died.

M889.10

Dubhcheann, son of Cinaedh, lord of Feara Cualann, died.

M889.11

There was a conflict and dissension, about Whitsuntide, at Ard Macha, between the Cinel Eoghain and the Ulidians, i.e. between Atteidh, son of Laighne, and Flaithbheartach, son of Murchadh; but Maelbrighde, successor of Patrick, separated them afterwards. After this Maelbrighde obtained reparation for the violation of Patrick's law, from the fifth part of Ireland, i.e. from the province of Ulster, together with the delivery of their hostages, namely, thirty times seven cumhals, and four of the Ulidians to be hanged, and as many more from


p.545

the Cinel Eoghain.

M889.12

Maelodhar, son of Forbasach, chief judge of Leath Chuinn, died.

M889.13

The burning of Rath Etain, in which Egeartach, son of Cairbre, was killed.

M889.14

Lachtnan, son of Maelciarain, lord of Teathbha, died.

M889.15

Faelan, son of Guaire, lord of Ui Ceinnsealaigh;

M889.16

Niall, son of Cormac, lord of the Deisi, died.

M889.17

Mochta, fosterson of Fethghna, bishop, anchorite, and scribe of Ard Macha, died.

Annal M890

M890.0

The Age of Christ, 890.

M890.1

The fourteenth year of Flann.

M890.2

Maelpeadair, son of Cuan, Bishop of Tir Da Ghlas, and successor of Brenainn;

M890.3

Ciaran, son of Maeldubh, Abbot of Airdne Coluim,

M890.4

Colga, son of Caithniadh, Abbot of Cluain Eidhneach;

M890.5

Loichene, Abbot of Daimhinis;

M890.6

and Oenacan, son of Maeltuile, Vice Abbot of Daimhliag Cianain, died.

M890.7

Muireadhach, son of Eochagan, King of Ulidia, was slain by Adith, son of Loegne.

M890.8

Dubhlachtna, son of Maelguala, King of Caiseal, died.

M890.9

Ceallach, son of Flannagan, lord of Breagh, was treacherously slain by Foghartach, son of Tolarg; of which Flannagan himself the father of Ceallach said, lamenting him:

    1. The page of Ceallach is coming from the west,
      with the steed of Ceallach held in his hand!
      Cause of tears is the bitter news!
      It is no falsehood; the son of Dearbhail is dead!
    2. There was no son of a king who rules over chiefs
      as good as Ceallach of untarnished fame;
      A household like the household of the man
      exists not under heaven of brilliant rays.

Flann, son of Lonan, said:

    1. Illustrious the careers
      of the three sons of Flann,
      who coursed over Odhbha,
      Congalach of Colt,
      Ceallach of Cearna,
      and Cinaedh of Cnodhbha.
    2. Though Ceallach slew
      an outlaw, pity
      he should fall in the battle's onset;
      Alas!
      his danger was certain;
      it was clear that he would not spend the life of a historian as some had expected.


p.547

M890.10

Ruadhachan, son of Cathan, lord of Feara Cul,

M890.11

and Innreachtach, son of Maelduin, lord of Caille Follamhain, were slain in Ossory, in the army of Maelruanaidh, son of Flann, and of the son of Imhar.

M890.12

Cinneidigh, son of Cinaedh, lord of Ui Briuin, was slain by the Fortuatha of Leinster.

M890.13

Maelgorm, Tanist of the Deisi, was slain.

M890.14

Scolaighe, son of Macan, lord of Dealbhna Eathra, was slain by the people of Cluain Mic Nois, in revenge of which Maelachaidh was afterwards killed.

M890.15

Ard Macha was plundered by Gluniarainn, and the foreigners of Ath Cliath; and they carried off seven hundred and ten persons into captivity, after having destroyed a part of the church, and broken the oratory; of which was said:

    1. Pity, O Saint Patrick,
      that thy prayers did not stay
      The foreigners with their
      axes when striking thy oratory.

M890.16

Maelaithghin, Bishop of Ard Macha, died.

Annal M891

M891.0

The Age of Christ, 891.

M891.1

The fifteenth year of Flann.

M891.2

Soerbhreathach, son of Connadh, scribe, wise man, bishop, and Abbot of Corcach;

M891.3

Blathmhac, son of Taircealtach, one of the people of Breaghmaine, Abbot of Cluain Mhic Nois, died;

M891.4

Moran Ua Buidhe, Abbot of Birra, died, after a good life, at an advanced age.

M891.5

Maelachaidh, Vice Abbot, i.e. Prior, of Cluain Mic Nois, and Abbot of Daimhinis, suffered martyrdom from the Dealbhna Eathra; and he took an oath at his death, that he had no part in the killing of Scolaighe.

M891.6

Muireadhach, son of Maelruanaidh, Prior of Lusca, died.

M891.7

Flannagan, son of Ceallach, lord of all Breagh, was slain at Olbha by the Norsemen.

M891.8

Cinaedh, son of Flannagan, Tanist of all Breagh, died at Dun Bric.

M891.9

Flaithbheartach, son of Murchadh, lord of Aileach, was slain by Ua Breasail.

M891.10

Maelmoicheirghe, son of Innreachtach, lord of Leath Chathail, was slain by the people of Leath Chathail


p.549

themselves.

M891.11

Cumascach, son of Muireadhach, lord of Feara Arda Cianachta, was slain by the Ulidians.

M891.12

Murchadh, son of Maenach, lord of South Connaught,

M891.13

and Diarmaid, lord of Luighne, died.

M891.14

Flann, son of Lonan, the Virgil of the race of Scota, chief poet of all the Gaeidhil, the best poet that was in Ireland in his time, was secretly murdered by the sons of Corrbuidhe (who were of the Ui Fothaith), at Loch Dachaech, in Deisi Mumhan.

M891.15

A slaughter was made of the foreigners by the Conailli, and by Athdeidh, son of Laighne, in which were slain Amhlaeibh, grandson of Imhar, and Gluntradhna, son of Gluniarainn, with eight hundred along with them.

M891.16

A slaughter was made of the Eoghanachta at Grian Airbh, by the Osraighi, i.e. by the son of Cearbhall, and the Leinstermen.

M891.17

Sitriuc, son of Imhar, was slain by other Norsemen.

Annal M892

M892.0

The Age of Christ, 892.

M892.1

The sixteenth year of Flann.

M892.2

Airgetan, son of Forannan, Abbot of Corcach;

M892.3

Cathasach, son of Fearghus, Tanist Abbot of Ard Macha, a pious youth;

M892.4

and Comhsudh, son of Echtgaidhe, a noble priest of Ard Macha, died.

M892.5

Uathmharan, son of Conchobhar, lord of Ui Failghe, was treacherously killed by Cosgrach, son of Reachtabhra; and Cosgrach, son of Reachtabhra, Tanist of Ui Failghe, was killed in revenge of him.

M892.6

Bran, son of Muireadhach, Tanist of Leinster, was slain.

M892.7

Laeghaire, son of Maelfuataigh, lord of Feara Ceall, died.

M892.8

Maeleitigh, son of Fearadhach, lord of Feara Rois, was slain by the foreigners.

M892.9

A battle was grained at Rath Cro by Maelfinnia,


p.551

son of Flannagan, over Aiddeidh, son of Laighne, and over the Dal Araidhe, in which were slain Muireadhach, son of Maeleitigh, lord of Dal Araidhe, and Ainniarraidh, son of Maelmoicheirghe, son of Innreachtach, lord of Leath Chathail, with three hundred along with them; and Aiddeidh escaped, severely wounded; of which Maelmithidh, son of Flannagan, said:
    1. The Ulidians, at one hour of the day,
      reaped thy food,
      On their departure in terror
      they would not feel reluctant to purchase it.

M892.10

The plundering of Connaught by Flann, son of Maelseachlainn; and their hostages were taken.

Annal M893

M893.0

The Age of Christ. 893.

M893.1

The seventeenth year of Flann.

M893.2

Cairbre, son of Suibhne, Abbot of Lann Leire;

M893.3

Egeartach, Airchinnech of Eaglais Beag, the father of Aenagan; and Dunadhach, died.

M893.4

Maelagrai, son of Gairbhith, lord of the Airtheara, was slain by Amhalghaidh, son of Eochaidh.

M893.5

Ruarc, son of Tighearnan, lord of Breifne;

M893.6

Dobhailen, son of Ailell, lord of Ui Meith Macha, died.

M893.7

Maelmaire, son of Flannagan, lord of Feara Lii, died.

M893.8

Aedhagan, son of Conchobhar, lord of Teathbha, died.

M893.9

The Pilgrim departed from Ireland.

M893.10

Ard Macha was plundered by the foreigners of Loch Febhail; and Cumascach was taken by them, and his son, Aedh mac Cumascaigh, was slain.

M893.11

An army was led by the Deisi, the foreigners, and Ceallach, son of Cearbhall, over Osraighe, as far as Gabhran, where Maelmordha, son of Maelmhuaidh, and a great number of others along with him, were slain.

M893.12

The mortal wounding of the three sons of Duibhghilla, son of Bruadar, and of the son of Eoghan, son of Cuilennan, in the territory of the Deisi.

M893.13

A shower of blood was rained in Ard Cianachta.


p.553

Annal M894

M894.0

The Age of Christ, 894.

M894.1

The eighteenth year of Flann.

M894.2

Seachnasach, Abbot of Tamhlacht Maeleruain;

M894.3

Mescell, Abbot of Imleach Ibhair;

M894.4

Arggatan, Abbot of Corcach Mor;

M894.5

and Breasal, lector of Ard Macha, died.

M894.6

Gairbhith, son of Muireagan, lord of Dearlas, died.

M894.7

Donnagan, son of Fogartach, Tanist of Tochar Eathach, died.

M894.8

A slaughter was made of the Conailli by the Ui Eachach, in which fell the two sons of Gairbhith, i.e. the son of Eitigh, and Maelmoghna.

M894.9

The renewal of the fair of Connaught by Tadhg, son of Conchobhar;

M894.10

and the renewal of the fair of Tailltin by Diarmaid, son of Cearbhall; and both were celebrated by them.

M894.11

An army was led by the Connaughtmen into Westmeath.

M894.12

Inis Aingin was profaned, and a man was mortally wounded in the middle of it, and the shrine of Ciaran there, and a synod of seniors, with Cairbre Crom, Bishop of Cluain Mic Nois.

M894.13

A victory was gained on the same day over the Connaughtmen, at Ath Luain, by the men of Westmeath, and a slaughter of heads left behind with them.

Annal M895

M895.0

The Age of Christ, 895.

M895.1

The nineteenth year of Flann.

M895.2

Muirgheas, Bishop and Abbot of Disert Diarmada;

M895.3

Maelbrighde, son of Proligh, a holy man, who was Archbishop of Munster;

M895.4

Flaithim, son of Nechtain, Abbot of Liath;

M895.5

Maenach, son of Caemhan, Abbot of Daimhliag;

M895.6

Finghin, anchorite of Cluain Mic Nois;

M895.7

and Toicthiuch of Inis Aingin, died.

M895.8

The foreigners were on Loch Eathach on the Calends of January, and they seized on Etach Padraig.

M895.9

Tadhg, son of Conchobhar, King of the three divisions of Connaught, died


p.555

after a lingering sickness.

M895.10

Rian, son of Bruadair, was slain by the foreigners.

M895.11

A meeting at Ath Luain between Flann, son of Maelseachlainn, and Cathal, son of Conchobhar; and Cathal came into the house of Flann under the protection of the clergy of Ciaran, so that he was afterwards obedient to the king.

M895.12

The plundering of Cill Dara by the foreigners.

M895.13

A prey was taken by the Leinstermen from the Osraighi, on which occasion Buadhach, son of Ailell, was slain.

Annal M896

M896.0

The Age of Christ, 896.

M896.1

The twentieth year of Flann.

M896.2

Caroc, son of Maelcron, Abbot of Achadh Biroir, died.

M896.3

Maelbreasail, son of Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill, was slain in the battle of Sailtin, by Murchadh, son of Maelduin, lord of Cinel Eoghain.

M896.4

A change of kings at Caiseal, i.e. Cormac, son of Cuileannan, in the place of Cennghegan, i.e. Finguine.

M896.5

Maelruanaidh, son of Flann, son of Maelseachnaill, was killed (i.e. he was burned in a house set on fire), by the Luighne, i.e. by the sons of Cearnachan, son of Tadhg, and by the son of Lorcan, son of Cathal, lord of Meath. They also slew Maelcroin (the father of Caindelbhan), son of Domhnall, lord of Cinel Laeghaire; of which was said:

    1. On a hard Wednesday I parted
      with Maelruanaidh the nobly gifted,
      On Thursday I began to think
      on being without my father's son.

And Dubhchuilinn, Abbot of Ros Each;

M896.6

Tibraide, son of Nuadhat, Abbot of Connor, Lann Eala, and Laithreach Briuin, died.

M896.7

Dubhlachtna, son of Ceirine, lord of Ui Bairrche, died.

M896.8

A slaughter was made of the foreigners by the Ulidians.