Gailenga was the name of two related peoples and kingdoms found in medieval Ireland in Brega and Connacht.
Gailenga was the name of two related peoples and kingdoms found in medieval Ireland in Brega and Connacht.
Along with the Luighne, Delbhna, Saitne and Ciannachta, the Gailenga claimed descent from Tadc mac Cein mac Ailill Aulom. Francis John Byrne, in agreement with Eoin MacNeill, believes that "they were vassal tribes of fighting men whom the Connachta and Ui Neill ... planted on the lands they conquered." (IKHK, p. 69) While Byrne and MacNeill believed they originated in Connacht, recent research on the derivation of the term Connachta would indicate that they originated within Brega, and were transplanted west across the Shannon by the Connachta.
A genealogy, cited by Geoffrey Keating, states: "Tadhg son of Cian, son of Oilill Olom, had two sons, namely, Connla and Cormac Gaileang. From Iomchaidh son of Connla comes O Cearbhaill, and from Fionnachta son of Connla comes O Meachair. From Cormac Gaileang son of Tadhg, son of Cian, comes O Eadhra and O Gadhra and O Conchubhair Ciannachta. The following are the territories they acquired, namely: Gaileanga, east and west; Ciannachta, south and north; Luighne, east and west."
Rawlinson B 502 or Rawlinson B 512 contains the following genealogy:
Léocán m. Laidgneáin m. Máeláin m. Éicnich m. Dúnchada m. Cináeda m. Léocáin m. Donngaile m. Conchobair m. Moínaich m. Máel Mórda m. Adamra m. Dechraich m. Dergscáil m. Leae nó oe m. Cormaicc [Gaileang] m. Taidg m. Céin m. Ailella Auluimm.
Byrne goes to say that the Gailenga and Luigni were closely associated as neighbours and allies in Connacht, "situated south of the Ox Mountains they formed a large block between the northern Ui Fiachrach and the Ui Briuin. They themselves dominated smaller tribes, and have some claim to be considered an over-kingdom, as recognised in the twelfth century when their lands were absorbed into the diocese of Achonry. Their ruling families of O'Gara and O'Hara remained prominent well into the seventeenth century. The baronies of Gallen in Mayo and Leyney in Sligo, along with Corrand and Coolavin in the Curlew Mountains, lloming over the fertile plain of Moylurg, into which the Ui Briuin Ai were to expand, were crowded with small tribes, some of whom are intimately connected with the origin legends of the Connachta." (p.233)
Septs of the Gailenga Móra and Brega adopted the surnames Ó Lóthcháin, Ó hAonghusa, and Mac Maoláin.
All references taken from the Annals of the Four Masters, unless otherwise stated.
The Uí Briúin were a royal dynasty of Connacht. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brión, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the Uí Fiachrach and Uí Ailello, putative descendants of Eochaid Mugmedon's sons Fiachra and Ailill. The Uí Ailello were later replaced as the third of the Three Connachta, through genealogical sleight of hand, by the Uí Maine.
Mac Maoláin Gaelic-Irish surname.
Comhaltan Ua Clerigh was King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, fl. 964/966-978.
The Ciannachta were a population group of early historic Ireland. They claimed descent from the legendary figure Tadc mac Céin. Modern research indicates Saint Cianán and his followers may have been the origin behind the tribal name as it is a late construction similar in form to Eóganachta and Connachta. They first appear in historical sources in the 6th century, and were found in several parts of the island, including in Brega and Airgialla. The Ciannachta groups were absorbed over time. Modern descendants have formed a Clan Cian society.
Fearghal Ó Gadhra, sometimes referred to as Farrell O'Gara, was lord of Coolavin, and patron of the Annals of the Four Masters.
Keenaght is a barony in the mid-northerly third of County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It connects to the north-Londonderry coastline, and is bordered by four other baronies: Coleraine to the east; Loughinsholin to the south-east; Tirkeeran to the west; and Strabane Upper to the south-west. It was the territory of the Cianachta Glengiven from the 5th century until its takeover in the 12th century by the Ó Cathaín's. The largest settlement in the barony is the town of Limavady.
Toichleach Ua Gadhra, King of Gailenga, in medieval Ireland, died in 964.
The Kings of Luighne Connacht were rulers of the people and kingdom of Luighne Connacht, located in what is now County Mayo and County Sligo, Ireland.
The Kings of Sliabh Lugha were rulers of the district of Sliabh Lugha located in what is now the barony of Costello, County Mayo, Ireland.
Conghalach mac Laidhgnen ua Gadhra, King of Gailenga, died 993.
The Ó Gadhra Chiefs of the Name were the heads of the Clan O'Gara, who were originally located in Sliabh Lugha, the southern part of the territory ruled by the Kings of Luighne Connacht. In the 13th century they were expelled from the area and moved to Cul Ui Fionn, later known as the barony of Coolavin, County Sligo.
Eaghra Poprigh mac Saorghus was eponym and ancestor of the clan Ó hEaghra, King of Luighne Connacht.
The Corca Fhir Trí were an Irish people located in the kingdom of Gailenga, Luighne Connacht and Corann in Gaelic Ireland.
The Ciarraige Aí were a population-group found in medieval Ireland.
Luighne Connacht was a territory located in north-central Connacht, on the borders of what is now County Mayo and County Sligo, Ireland. The Tuatha of Luighne was co-extensive with the modern day boundary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Achonry
The Fortúatha were "kingdoms not ruled directly by members of the dominant dynasty of a province". They have also been described as "in effect, people belonging to a different stock from that of the rulers of the territory", yet sometimes enjoying a position of favour with the ruling people.
Ó Gadhra or O'Gara is an Irish surname which originated in the kingdom of Luighne Connacht. Variants include Garry, Geary, Gerry, and Guiry.
The Fothairt were a Medieval Irish people based in Leinster.
Cairrge Brachaidhe, aka Carrickbraghy or Carrichbrack, was a Gaelic-Irish medieval territory located in Inishowen, County Donegal, Ireland.
Kells Round Tower is a round tower in Kells, County Meath in Ireland. The tower, and the high crosses nearby, are National Monuments.
