1522 First of January, the age of the Lord one thousand five hundred and twenty-two years.
A great war broke out this year in the western part of Europe between the races of Christendom. The Romans, Italians, Germans, Spanish and English were on one side and of one accord against the King of France, whose only allies were the Scotch. Many battles were fought and many losses inflicted between them; and we heard from men who spread news and visit ports that this war was won by the French over the many races.
A great war broke out in Ireland itself this year, and particularly in North Ireland, namely between O Domnaill and O Neill. Macwilliam of Clanrickard, the Galls and Gaels of Connacht, the Sil mBriain and the Sil Cerbaill were allied with O Neill for this war. O Neill came with a great army composed of the nobles of Ulster, a Scotch contingent, many of the Meath Galls and the Earl of Kildare's gallowglasses into Tir Conaill.
He took Ballyshannon Castle and burnt Belleek and Bundrowes and departed safely for the nonce.
And very soon after that he came with another great army into Tir Conaill and seized a prey in Kinaweer and devastated much of the country.
O Domnaill assembled another great army to one place; and Magnus O Domnaill with the nobles of the host entered Tir Eogain, took great preys and killed [many people.]
O Neill assembled another great army. Macwilliam of Clanrickard, that is Richard son of Ulick son of Ulick son of Ulick the Hospitable, the Galls and Gaels of Connacht, O Cerbaill and the sons of O Briain assembled to join him and promised to meet in Tir Conaill. The Connacht army came to Sligo, while O Neill entered Cenel Moain with a Scotch contingent commanded by Mac Domnaill's son Alusdur, many of the Meath Galls and the Leinster gallowglasses.
But as for O Domnaill and the Cenel Conaill, since they had not warriors enough or a force to give battle to either of those two armies, he and his nobles determined to make a nightattack on O Neill and his host. They dismounted their horsemen and added them to their battalions [of foot] and, O Neill being encamped at Knockavoe, the Cenel Conaill attacked them of one accord, without help of neighbour or friend. O Neill was defeated that night and many of his followers, both Scotch and Irish, were killed, more especially the Galls and the Leinster gallowglasses. Mac Eoin of the Glens and many other Scots and a great number of the Clann Domnaill Galloclaech and of the Clann Sithig were killed there, and O Neill went away as a defeated man after the slaughter of his followers.
O Domnaill and his army returned with a great booty of horses and armour and made no stay until they encamped at Binbulbin. The two Macwilliams, the two O Conchobairs, Mac
Rugraidhe son of Gofraidh son of Aed Gallda and the son of Mac Cellaig of Brefne were killed by O Neill's army in front of Sgarbh Innse an Fraigh.
The son of Mac Suibne of Banagh, that is Brian of the Fleet, Diarmait son of Tadc Cam O Cleirig, Aed Mac an Baird and many others were killed in Ballyshannon Castle by O Neill's army.
Domnall son of Donnchad O Ruairc, an eminent gentleman in his own country, was killed by the sons of Feidlim O Ruairc.
Domnall son of Sean O Cathain, a noble champion of his own race and a man of universal hospitality to men of learning and skill, was killed this year.
Mag Gormain, that is Maelsechlainn, the most understanding and hospitable of the officers, died this year.
Maelruanaid son of Cormac son of Ruaidri Mac Diarmata, a king's son who, for his years and means, excelled all of the Maicne Mailruanaid who were living in his time, died on Carraic Beg and was buried in the sepulchre of his father and his grandfather in the monastery of Boyle.
Domnall the Cleric son of Sean son of Aibne O Cathain, head of the bounty and valour, good name and fame of the North, was killed by the sons of Gilla Patraic son of Magnus O Cathain in treachery; they were his fosterers and gossips.
Rugraide son of Aed son of Aed Ruad Mag Mathgamna died this year.