1159

A.D. 1159. Aodh Ó hOisin, the archbishop from whom Giolla Aodha of Cork is named, died.

Donnchadh Ó Maoil Sheachlainn, king of Midhe, was treacherously killed by the Uí Fhionnaláin.

Domhnall son of Maol Muaidh [Ó Mathghamhna], king of Cinéal mBécce, was killed by the Uí Mhathghamhna.

1160

A.D. 1160. A hosting by Muircheartach son of Niall Ó Lochlainn with [the men of] the north of Ireland, the men of Midhe, the Leinstermen, and the Galls of Dublin; and they divided all Bréifne and Connacht, and Ruaidhrí son of Toirdhealbhach Ó Conchobhair, king of Connacht, submitted to Muircheartach son of Niall Ó Lochlainn.

1163

A.D. 1163. Donnchadh son of Donnchadh son of Cithach Mac Carthaigh, candle of generosity and valour of Clann Charthaigh, was treacherously killed by Diarmaid son of Cormac Muighe Thamhnach after excelling one another(?) ... Mo Chuda as well as all the other relics between them.

War broke out between Somhairle Mac Giolla Adhamhnáin, king of the Hebrides ... of Scotland with a great fleet came from Dublin.

A foray by Toirdhealbhach Ó Briain against Diarmaid son of Cormac [Mac Carthaigh] through Druim Fínghin, and he carried off many cows.

1164

A.D. 1164. Muircheartach son of Toirdhealbhach son of Diarmaid Ó Briain joined with Thomond against his own father, and they banished him to the house of Diarmaid son of Cormac [Mac Carthaigh] at Lismore. He gave hostages and military service to Diarmaid son of Cormac for assisting him against Muircheartach, his son, and Ruaidhrí son of Toirdhealbhach Ó Conchobhair, king of Connacht.

1165

A.D. 1165. Armagh, together with its three churches, was burned, except St. Paul's church, and from Dair Colaim Cille to Craobh Brighde.

Muircheartach son of Niall Ó Lochlainn, king of Oileach, captured Eochaidh son of Cú Uladh Mac Duinn Shléibhe, king of Ulaidh, his own gossip, at Camus Comhghaill, in his Easter house, after they had been at the same guest-table up to that, and he carried him off to Inis Aonaigh and blinded him there, in violation of the protection of Patrick's coarb, the Bachall Íosa, Clog an Udhachta, Soisgéala Mártain, Míosach Cairnigh, the three shrines in Teampall na Sgrín, together with the relics of the north of Ireland, and in violation of the protection of Donnchadh son of Cú Chaisil Ó Cearbhaill, king of Oirghialla, together with the nobles of the north of Ireland, including Cinéal Conaill and Cinéal Eóghain, laymen and clergy. An account reached Ó Cearbhaill of this violation of his protection and of the blinding of his foster-son. He made peace with Ruaidhrí Ó Conchobhair, king of Connacht, and Tighearnán Ó Ruairc, and taking with him the Oirghialla south of Sliabh Beatha, the Conmhaicne, and the Uí Bhriúin, he went into Tír Eóghain. Muircheartach son of Niall [Ó Lochlainn] was at Teallach Óg, and he came to Fiodh Ó nEachach to meet Ó Cearbhaill, and they fought a battle there in which Cinéal Eóghain were defeated, and Muircheartach son of Niall Ó Lochlainn, king of Oileach, was killed and his head cut off for the [outraged] honour of Jesus, Patrick, and Ó Cearbbaill. Ó Cearbhaill went from there to Magh nImchláir, and Aodh Ó Néill proclaimed his kingship of Cinéal Eóghain.

At that time Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, king of Leinster, carried off by force Derborguill, daughter of Murchadh Mac Floinn, wife of Tighearnán Ó Ruairc, king of Bréifne and Midhe according to some books. When Tighearnán heard of this, he sent word to Ruaidhrí son of Toirdhealbhach [Ó Conchobhair], king of Connacht, and setting out together, with the Galls of Dublin, the men of Midhe, and the Uí Fhaoláin, they burned Fearna Mhór Maodhóg with all its churches, and brought away hostages from Mac Murchadha.

Another hosting by Ruaidhrí Ó Conchobhair with the same people to Fearna, in which he demolished Mac Murchadha's stone house, and they banished himself eastwards oversea to the king of England [who was] in France.

The king of England at that time was King Henry, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine, and Anjou, and Lord of Wales and Scotland, according to the books of the Galls. On Mac Murchadha's arrival, the king welcomed him and kept him with him for a while, and then allowed him to return to England with letters and treasure. As it was not possible for himself or hit forces to go with Mac Murchadha, he gave permission to everyone who wished to go with Mac Murchadha to Ireland for the purpose of recovering his territory.

Mac Murchadha came to Bristol and made a treaty with Richard FitzGilbert, Earl of Striguil; Áine, daughter of Mac Murchadha, was to be given in marriage to the Earl, and the province of Leinster after Mac Murchadha's death, in consideration of his coming to Ireland to effect the conquest for Mac Murchadha in the ensuing summer.

1166

A.D. 1166. A hosting of Ireland by Ruaidhrí son of Toirdhealbhach Ó Conchobhair to Machaire Arda Macha, from there to Bealach Gréine, to Teach Damhnatan, through An Fotair over Sliabh Beatha, in Magh Leamhna, and to Fearnach na Meabhla ... The nobles of the north came to meet him, and gave him four hostages: two from north of the Mountain and two from south of the Mountain, so that Ruaidhrí was then named King of Ireland.

1167

A.D. 1167. Mac Murchadha came to an agreement with the king of Wales concerning the help he had promised to send with him to Ireland. The king aided him by giving him Robert FitzStephen, whom he had in prison for three years, and by affirming to Mac Murchadha that he would come to Ireland with him in consideration of his release, together with as much of a following as he could get. Mac Murchadha crossed the sea from there to Fearna, and was in hiding there throughout the Spring.

Toirdhealbhach son of Diarmaid Ó Briain, king of almost all Ireland, died.

Muircheartach Dúin na Sgiath, son of that Toirdhealbhach, was killed and burned by Conchobhar son of the son of Conchobhar Ó Briain, i.e. Slapar Salach. This Conchobhar, Slapar Salach, was killed by Maol Seachlainn Ó Faoláin and his son three days after that.

Éanna son of Diarmaid Mac Murchadha was blinded by Domhnall Mac Giolla. Phádraig, king of Osraighe.

Donnchadh son of Cú Chaisil Ó Cearbhaill, high-king of Oirghialla, who obtained the kingship of Midhe as far as Clochán na hImrime, and the kingship of Ulaidh, and to whom was offered many times the kingship of Cinéal Eóghain, chief ornament of the north of Ireland, and even of all Ireland, for appearance, wisdom, bravery, friendship, brotherliness, vigour, kingship, power, for bestowing treasure, food, bounty, and reward to laymen and clergy, for overwhelming all evil and exalting all goodness, for protecting bells, croziers, and the monasteries of canons and monks, and like unto Solomon for peacefulness in his own native territory and towards every territory around, died after repentance, having bequeathed much gold, silver, and stock, and having partaken of the Body of Christ.

Robert FitzStephen came to Ireland, as he had promised Mac Murchadha, with thirty knights, three score esquires, and three hundred archers. They made port at Banabh, and leaving their ships, encamped at the harbour until Mac Murchadha arrived with five hundred supporters. The principal knights who came there with Robert FitzStephen were, Maurice FitzGerald, Robert de Barry, Meiler FitzHenry, and Hervey de Montmorency: it was this Hervey who endowed the monastery of Dúin Bróith. They confirmed their agreement, and unfurling their banners they proceeded with one accord to attack Wexford, and captured it. After its capture, Mac Murchadha, as he had promised, handed it over to Robert FitzStephen and Maurice FitzGerald, together with the county to the east and the west of it. He went from thence to Osraighe, where he inflicted slaughter and took hostages from Mac Giolla Phádraig as an earnest of submission to him.

An account of these events reached Ruaidhrí Ó Conchobhair, who was titled King of Ireland at that time. He assembled those of the forces of Ireland who were his lieges, and went to Fearna. Mac Murchadha was in the fastnesses of a wood near Fearna, and they made peace: Diarmaid Mac Murchadha was to receive Ó Conchobhair's daughter as wife, and Mac Murchadha was to send back the knights, and not to bring any more foreigners to Ireland, nor to support them there. He gave up his own halidoms and his son to Ó Conchobhair in token of his fulfilment of that agreement.

A short time after this, Mac Murchadha sent letters to England for Richard, Earl of Striguil. The Earl sent Raymond le Gros FitzGerald with ten knights and seventy archers to assist Mac Murchadha and the knights, for he was a son of the paternal uncle of Robert FitzStephen and Maurice FitzGerald, according to the books of the Galls.

1169

A.D. 1169. Thomas of Canterbury, archbishop of Canterbury and primate of all England, was killed within the church of Canterbury by the retainers of Henry, son of the Empress, king of England.

Richard, Earl of Striguil, came to Ireland with two hundred knights and a thousand archers to the assistance of Mac Murchadha on St. Bartholomew's Day. Mac Murchadha came with his knights to meet them, and gave his married daughter, Áine, to the Earl, in consideration of his assisting him to conquer Ireland. On the following day they proceeded to Waterford and took it.

When Diarmaid son of Mac Carthaigh heard of this, he went with all the Munstermen he could get to Waterford to meet them. They fought a battle there, and Cathal son of Amhlaoibh Mór Ó Donnchadha, Raghnall Ó Ríoghbhardáin, and the son of Íomhar Ó Cathail were killed, and there was slaughter of the English on the other side.

Mac Murchadha and the Earl went with their knights to Dublin, and they drove out all the Norse, the merchants, and the inhabitants who were there, killed or drowned many women and men and youths, and carried off much gold and silver and apparel. The English Earl left the care of these, as well as of the town, in the hands of Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, to avenge the wicked slaying of his father by the people of Dublin before that, when a dead dog was buried with his body in the ground as a mark of hatred and contempt.

Mac Murchadha with his Galls and Gaels plundered the most of Midhe and Cluain Ioraird, and set Ceanannas and Bréifne on fire.

1171

A.D. 1171. Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, king of Leinster, died at Fearna.

Iohannes Orcach and [Haskulf son of Raghnall son of] Thorkil, two officials of Dublin, came to Ireland with three score shiploads of Norsemen to avenge their reverse and their expulsion from Dublin. The Norse and the English fought a battle around Dublin, in which the two one-time officials of Dublin were killed, with slaughter of the Norse fleet.

Maghnus son of Cú Uladh son of Conchobhar [Mac Duinn Shléibhe] king of Ulaidh, was killed by his own brother, Donn Sleibhe.

A hosting by Tighearnán Ó Ruairc with the forces of Uí Bhriúin, Domhnall son of Maol Seachlainn Crosaoh [Ó Maoil Sheachlainn with the men of] Oirthear Midhe, and Murchadh Ó Cearbhaill with the Oirghialla and Uí Mheith, to drive the knights from Dublin. The English went to Ceall Maighneann, to meet the Irish, and they fought a battle, in which the Galls were defeated, and the Gaels pursued beyond the town, eastwards and southwards, all those who did not go into the town with the knights. Ó Ruairc remained on the green of the town with a small force of horse, and when the knights saw him, they sallied forth from the town against him, killing Aodh, son of Tigheaman Ó Ruairc; and Ó Ruairc was defeated. When the Irish saw Ó Ruairc fleeing, they themselves fled, and the knights pursued them, killing many of them. So far the rout of An Luaithreadh.

1172

A.D. 1172. Henry son of the Empress, King of England, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine, and Anjou, came to Ireland with five hundred knights and numerous cavalry and infantry, and entered Waterford harbour on the feast of St. Luke the Apostle.

1173

A.D. 1173. The King of England departed from Ireland, leaving Hugo de Lacy as constable in his place with great power.

Numerous churches were destroyed by the English after the King had left.

1174

A.D. 1174. The Earl of Striguil came to Uí Chinnsealaigh, and Domhnall Caomhánach [Mac Murchadha] and Uí Chinnsealaigh killed two hundred of his people.

The same Earl came into Munster to Lismore and plundered it completely, and levied a thousand marks from the legate, as a tribute from the great church. He turned back to Dublin from there.

1175

A.D. 1175. Domhnall Mór Ó Briain inflicted a defeat on the Saxon Earl and the knights at Thurles and killed four knights and seven hundred others of his people there.

When the people of Waterford heard of this, they killed the two hundred English who were left to garrison them, together with their constable.

1176

A.D. 1176. A hosting by Domhnall Ó Briain to Eóghanacht Locha Léin, and from thence to Ciarraighe [Luachra], and he plundered there both church and lay property.

Diarmaid Mór Mac Carthaigh was captured by Cormac Liathánach, his own son, who proclaimed himself king in place of his father.

Domhnall son of Amhlaoibh Ó Maoil Ruanaidh, king of Fir Mhanach, was burned by his own kinsmen in the round tower of Daimhinis.

Diarmaid son of Cormac [Mac Carthaigh] came out and took his kingship.

Tadhg Ó Briain's son and Mathghamhain Ó Briain were blinded by Domhnall Mór Ó Briain.

Domhnall Caomhánach, Mac Giolla Phádraig, and Raymond FitzGerald with his knights, came to Limerick and captured and plundered it.

CormacLiáthanach son of Diarmaid Mór Mac Carthaigh was killed by Cathal Odhar [Mac Carthaigh], Conchobhar Ó Donnchadha, and the nobles of Desmond, and the Uí Shuilleabháin in particular, to avenge his capture and deposition of his own father, and the killing by him of Mac Craith Ó Súilleabháin and Conchobhar Ó Domhnaill, together with many others, when he was taking Diarmaid Mac Carthaigh prisoner.

Domhnall Caomhánach and Ó Giolla Phádraig, with their knights, came from Limerick into Múscraighe Aodha;, and plundered Bealach Átha and Cúil Eimhne. Diarmaid son of Cormac [Mac Carthaigh] went to meet them,and made peace, with them, and all the hostages of Munster they had were left with him.

The people of Thomond themselves burned and razed Limerick, lest the English should return there to depose him [i.e. Diarmaid].

The English hanged Maghnus Ó Maoil Sheachlainn, whom they had in captivity; and they built castles at Domhnach Seachlainn, at Trim, at Sgrín Coluim Cille, at Navan, and at Cnoghbha.

1177

A.D. 1177. Muircheartach son of the son of Domhnall Mac Carthaigh took Miles de Cogan and FitzStephen with him to Cork and plundered it, and they made an encampment there. A troop of them went from Cork to attack Waterford, and the Irish rose against them from every side of Lismore and killed well-nigh all the English.

A great war broke out between Domhnall Mór Ó Briain and Diarmaid Mór Mac Carthaigh, and they laid waste from Limerick to Cork, and from Clár Doire Mhóir and Waterford to Cnoc Bréanainn, both church and lay property. The Uí Mac Caille fled southwards across the Lee into Uí Eachach, the Eóghanacht Locha Léin fled to Féardhruim in Uí Eachach, the Ciarraighe Luahra into Thomond, the Uí Chairbre, the Uí Chonaill, and the Uí Dhonnabháin into Eóghanacht Locha Léin, and to [the country] around Mangarta.

A hosting by Domhnall Mór Ó Briain to Munster, and he reached Cnoc Bréanainn and plundered it.

Domhnall son of Amhlaoibh Mór Ó Donnchadha, Cuilean Ó Cuiléin, and the nobles of Desmond made a raid on Machaire Caisil to exact retribution for the westward raid, as the poet said: Wretched is Munster of the steeds, between Eóghan and Cormac: a westward raid by noble Síol Cormaic, an eastward raid by SÍol Eóghain.

Domhnall Ó Briain and Diarmaid Mac Carthaigh made peace there with one another.

1178

A.D. 1178. The valiant knight John de Courcy came secretly with a band of knights and archers from Dublin to Downpatrick, and reaching it unperceived, they made a dyke from sea to sea about Downpatrick. The Ulaidh then assembled, under Ruaidhrí Mac Duinn Shléibhe, to make an attack on Downpatrick against John, but on reaching it they retreated without striking a blow when they saw the Englishmen with their horses in full battle-dress. When the Englishmen saw the Ulaidh in flight, they followed them with their people, and inflicted slaughter upon them, both by drowning and by the sword. The Bachall Fínghin and Bachall Rónáin Fhinn and many other relics were left behind in that slaughter.

A hosting by Maol Sheachlainn Ó Lochlainn with Cinéal Eóghain, Ruaidhrí Mac Duinn Shléibhe with the Ulaidh, Giolla an Choimdhe Ó Caráin, Patrick's coarb, having with them the relics of the north of Ireland, together with their clerical keepers to Downpatrick to capture it from John [de Courcy]. When they reached it, they fled without striking a blow, leaving behind Patrick's coarb with his clergy, and the Canóin Pádraig, Fionn Faoidheach Pádraig, Clog Timchill Arda Macha, Bachall Comhghaill, Ceolán Tighearnaigh, Bachall Da-Chiaróg Argail, Bachall Eimhine, Bachall Mhura, and many other relics. There fell there Domhnall Ó Flaithbheartaigh, chieftain of Clann Fhlaithbheartaigh, Conchobhar Ó Ciaralláin, chieftain of Clann Diarmada, Giolla Mic Liag Ó Donnghaile, chieftain of Fir Dhroma, Giolla Criost Ó hAdhmaill, chieftain of Clann Adhmaill, Giolla Mártain Mac Con Allaidh, chieftain of Clann Chonchadha, Giolla Comhghaill Mac Tiúlacáin, chieftain of Muinntear Mhongáin, Cionaoth Mac Cartáin, chieftain of Cinéal Faghartaigh, and many others who cannot be reckoned here. Patrick's coarb was captured, but was released by the English of their own accord, and the Canóin Pádraig and the Ceolán Tighearnaigh were brought back from the Galls, after they had been found in the slaughter, when their young keepers were killed. The Galls have all the other relics still.

A hosting by Miles de Cogan and the English of Dublin into Connacht. The Connachtmen themselves burned the churches and houses of the country, all of them that were in level and cleared land. When the English found neither food nor a place to settle down, they turned back to Dublin, broken and weary.

A treacherous foray by Miles de Cogan and the Galls of Dublin and Midhe against Louth and Machaire Conaill.

Aodh Ó Néill, who was king of Cinéal Eóghain before Maol Sheachlainn Ó Lochlainn, was killed by Maol Sheachlainn near Armagh. Ardghal Ó Lochlainn, a son of that Maol Sheachlainn, son of the king of Oileach, was killed by Aodh at that place.

Lismore, Cashel, and Magh Feimhin were plundered by the Galls.

Lane Rónáin Fhinn, chief sanctuary of all Ulaidh, was plundered by John de Courcy, and Tomas Ó Corcráin, its erenach, was beheaded.