1224 First of January on Monday and the seventh day of the moon; and this was the ninth year of the Cycle of Nineteen and the twelfth year of the Cycle of Indiction and of the Solar Cycle, and Leap-year. The twelve hundred and twenty-fourth year since the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A heavy and terrible shower fell in part of Connacht this year, that is, in Tir Maine and in Sodain and in Ui Diarmata and in Clann Taidc, which brought about disease and very great sickness among the cows and beasts of those regions after they had eaten grass and leaves; and when men drank of the milk of these cattle and ate of their flesh, they suffered internal pains and various diseases. Nor was it strange that these portentous things should happen in Connacht at that time, for a great affliction befell the country then, the loss of Cathal Crobderg son of Toirrdelbach O Conchobair, king of Connacht; the king most feared and dreaded on every hand in Ireland; the king who carried out most plunderings and burnings against Galls and Gaels who opposed him; the king who was the fiercest and harshest towards his enemies that ever lived; the king who most blinded, killed and mutilated rebellious and disaffected subjects; the king who best established peace and tranquility of all the kings of Ireland; the king who built most monasteries and houses for religious communities; the king who most comforted clerks and poor men with food and fire on the floor of his own habitation; the king whom of all the kings in Ireland God made most perfect in every good quality; the king on whom God most bestowed fruit and increase and crops; the king who was most chaste of all the kings of Ireland; the king who kept himself to one consort and practised continence before God from her death till his own; the king whose wealth was partaken by laymen and clerics, infirm men, women and helpless folk, as had been prophesied in the writings and the visions of saints and righteous men of
Aed O Conchobair his son reigned after him; for he had been king in effect by the side of his father and already held all the hostages of Connacht. And God granted him this kingdom, for no crime was committed in Connacht at the moment of his accession save one robbery on the road to Cruach, and the hands and feet of the robber were cut off, and the violation of one woman by O Mannachan's son, who was blinded forthwith for the offence.
Donn Cathaig son of Airechtach O Raduib, chieftain of Clann Tomaltaig, died on pilgrimage at Tobar Patraic this year.
Maelsechlainn son of Tadc O Cellaig, king of Ui Maine, [died.]
Gilla na Naem Crom (the Stooped) O Sechnusaig, king of the western half of Cenel Aeda na hEchtge, died this year.
The Canon Muirges O Conchobair, son of Ruaidri, the man of all the Gaels that ever were who was most skilled alike in literature and chanting and verse-making, died this year and was buried at Cong after a victory of Unction and Penance.
Domnall O Cellaig king of Ui Maine died.
Cu Chenann O Con Chenainn died this year.
Mathgamain O Cerin king of Ciarraige Locha na nAirne died this year.
Mael Isu son of the bishop O Mailfagmair, parson of Ui Fiachrach [Muaide] and Ui Amalgaid and bishop designate, was killed by the son of Donnchad O Dubda, after he had been sharing his food and fireside in his own house; and this, the slaying of a bishop of that race, is a deed which no other O Dubda had ever done before.
Aed son of Conchobar Maenmaige [O Conchobair] died on his journey from the River and Jerusalem this year.
The sons of Hugo [de Lacy] came to Ireland in spite of the King of England, and their coming produced assaults of war and dispersion among the Galls of Ireland, until these rose up against them and they were driven to seek the protection of Aed O Neill king of Ailech. Then the Galls and Gaels of Ireland raised an army to attack them: Aed mac Cathail Chrobdeirg king of Connacht, Donnchad Cairbrech O Briain king of Thomond, Diarmait Cluasach (Long-eared) Mac Carthaig king of Desmond and the leading men of Ireland generally, except the Cenel Eogain and Cenel Conaill. They advanced as far as Muirthemne and Dundalk and from that position demanded hostages and sureties from the sons of Hugo and Aed O Neill. But he moved out with his Galls and Gaels, and they posted themselves in parties on the passes of Sliab Fuaid and the doorways of Emain and Fid Conaille and challenged attack in these positions. But the Galls of Ireland, when they saw they were to have protection, determined to make peace and settlement with William [de Lacy] and the Earls and to accept the award of the King of England as to the conditions of peace: so they disbanded and left their positions without having extracted terms or tribute from Aed O Neill for the nonce.
Aed mac Cathail Chrobdeirg marched with a great force to the castle of Ard Abla in Tethba. They prevailed against it, burning and slaying every Gall and Gael they found therein.
Maelmuire O Connmaig, bishop of Ui Fiachrach and Cenel Aeda, rested in Christ.
The bishop of Conmaicne, the Foreign Bishop, died.
Maelchoimgin O Scingin, erenach and chaplain of Ardcarne, rested in Christ.