Owen Ó hEidhin

Last updated

Owen Ó hEidhin (died 1253) was King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne.

The Kings of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne were rulers of a Trícha cét located in the cóiced of Connacht, Ireland.

Uí Fiachrach Aidhne

Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of County Galway.

Contents

Background and succession

The succession to the rule of Aidhne after the death of Muirgheas Ua hEidhin in 1180 is unclear. The death of Muirgheas's son, Conor, is reported in 1201 but he is not referred to as king. In 1211 "Cugaela Ó hEidhin died", again, without context. "Donough Ó hEidhin was deprived of sight by the son of Cathal Crovderg, without the consent of the O'Conor" in 1212 but again there is no reference to this person ruling the territory.

Aidhne

Aidhne, also known as Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne, Maigh Aidhne / Maigh nAidhne, was the territory of the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, a tuath located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. Aidhne is coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh. The territory of Aidhne is bounded on the west by Loch Lurgain and the barony of Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster. County Clare also bounds Aidhne on its south and south-east side. Aidhne is bounded on the east by the low mountains of Sliabh Echtghe / Slieve Aughty, which separate Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne from the territory of Uí Mhaine in eastern County Galway. On the north-east Aidhne is bounded by the plains of Uí Mhaine and on the north by Maigh Mucruimhe. On the north-west Aidhne is bounded by the parish of Meadhraighe / Maree (Ballynacourty) which is in the territory of Uí Bhriúin Seola.

Muirgheas Ua hEidhin was King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne.

The years 1222–1224 mention dynastic strife with " Gilla Mo Choinni Ó Cahill, Lord of Kinelea East and West, was slain by Shaughnessy, the son of Gilla na Naemh Crom Ó Seachnasaigh, after having been betrayed by his own people." In 1223 "Seachnasaigh Ó Seachnasaigh, the son of Gilla na Naemh Ó Seachnasaigh, was slain by the Clann-Cuilen, a deed by which the Bachal mor of St. Colman, of Kilmacduagh was profaned." Gilla na Naemh, recorded as Lord of the Western half of Kinelea of Echtge died in 1224.

The War of 1225

Ó hEidhin is first mentioned as king of Aidhne during the war of 1225.

Aed Meith Ua Neill invaded Connacht to aid Donn Óge Mag Oireachtaigh who had been deprived of his lands by King Aedh Ua Conchobair. The war resulted in Ua Conchobair been usurped by Aedh mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, who Ó hEidhin supported.

Connacht province in Ireland

Connacht, formerly spelled Connaught, is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of the country. Up to the 9th century it consisted of several independent major kingdoms.

Donn Óge Mag Oireachtaigh was the lord of Clann Taidg.

Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht.

While these events were taking place:

the inhabitants of the southern side of Connaught ... were not in a state of tranquility at this period, for the English of Leinster and Munster, with Murtough O'Brien, the English of Desmond, and the sheriff of Cork, had made an irruption upon them, and slew all the people that they caught, and burned their dwellings and villages. Hugh, the son of Cathal Crovderg, was displeased at their coming on this expedition; for it was not he that sent for them, but were themselves excited by envy and rapacity, as soon as they had heard what good things the Lord Justice and his English followers had obtained in Connaught at that time. Woeful was the misfortune, which God permitted to fall upon the best province in Ireland at that time! for the young warriors did not spare each other, but preyed and plundered each other to the utmost of their power. Women and children, the feeble, and the lowly poor, perished by cold and famine in this war!

Leinster province in Ireland

Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the 12th-century Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled both, thereby forming the present-day province of Leinster. The ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes. In later centuries, local government legislation has seen further sub-division of the historic counties.

Munster province in Ireland

Munster is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south west of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings". Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into counties for administrative and judicial purposes. In later centuries, local government legislation has seen further sub-division of the historic counties.

Kingdom of Desmond kingdom in southwest Ireland

The Kingdom of Desmond was a historic kingdom in southwestern Ireland. It was founded in 1118 by king Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh, when the Treaty of Glanmire formally divided the Kingdom of Munster into Desmond and Thomond. It comprised all of what is now County Cork and most of County Kerry. Desmond was ruled by the Mac Cárthaigh (MacCarthy) dynasty. Other clans within the kingdom included the O'Sullivans and O'Donovans. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland in the late 12th century, the eastern half of Desmond was conquered by the Anglo-Normans and became the Earldom of Desmond, ruled by the FitzGeralds and Fitzmaurices. The king of Desmond, Diarmaid Mac Cárthaigh, submitted to Henry II of England, but the western half of Desmond lived on as a semi-independent Gaelic kingdom. It was often at war with the Anglo-Normans. Fínghin Mac Carthaigh's victory over the Anglo-Normans at the Battle of Callann (1261) helped preserve Desmond's independence. The kings of Desmond founded sites such as Blarney Castle, Ballycarbery Castle, Muckross Abbey and Kilcrea Friary. Following the Nine Years' War of the 1590s, Desmond became part of the Kingdom of Ireland.

Donough Cairbreach Ó Briain sent some of his people, together with the spoils of battle, ahead of him back to Thomond. However, Aedh mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair and Owen Ó hEidhin were alerted to this, and "went before them with a few select men, defeated the Momonians, deprived them of their spoils, and detained some of their nobles as hostages."

Thomond kingdom in south Ireland

Thomond was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Clare and County Limerick, as well as parts of County Tipperary around Nenagh and its hinterland. The kingdom represented the core homeland of the Dál gCais people, although there were other Gaels in the area such as the Éile and Eóganachta, and even the Norse of Limerick. It existed from the collapse of the Kingdom of Munster in the 12th century as competition between the Ó Briain and the Mac Cárthaigh led to the schism between Thomond and Desmond. It continued to exist outside of the Anglo-Norman controlled Lordship of Ireland until the 16th century.

Aedh Ua Conchobair was restored but soon after his English supporters left the kingdom, Áedh Mór Ó Flaithbheartaigh with "all the other nobles, revolted against him, and joined the sons of Roderic." King Aed obtained aid from the English of Leinster "under the conduct of William Grace and the sons of Griffin."

Aedh sent his brother Felim Ua Conchobair with a mixed force of Irish and English "into Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, to plunder Owen O'Heyne. These encamped for one night at Ardrahen, with a view to plunder the country early in the morning following."

Ó Flaithbheartaigh and the Ó Conchobair's were en route to join Aedh mac Ruaidri when they received intelligence that

"the English had gone to plunder their sworn partisan, Owen O'Heyne, and were stationed at Ardrahan, did not abandon their friend, but, with one mind and accord, followed the English until they came very close to them. They then held a council, and came to the resolution of sending Tuathal, the son of Murtough O'Conor, and Taichleach O'Dowda, with numerous forces, into the town, while O'Flaherty and the other son of Murtough were to remain with their forces outside Tuathal and Taichleach, with a strong body of their soldiers, marched spiritedly and boldly into the town, and made a powerful attack upon the English there, who were routed east and west. They pursued those who fled eastwards. Tuathal wounded the constable of the English with his first shot; and Taichleach, by another shot, gave him so deep a wound, that he was left lifeless. As to the English who were routed westwards from the town, they were met by O'Flaherty and the other son of Murtough; but it happened, through their evil destiny, that the English routed them immediately. On this occasion Mahon, the son of Hugh, who was son of Conor Moinmoy; Gilchreest Mac Dermot; Niall, the son of Farrell O'Teige (Fearghal Ó Taidg an Teaghlaigh), and others, were slain; but the man who slew Niall O'Teige, i.e. the brother of Colen O'Dempsey, was slain himself also."

1232

A Gilla Ceallaigh Ó hEidhin was killed in battle in the Tuathas fighting alongside Connor mac Aedh mac Ruaidhri, but his relationship to Owen is unclear. It was in 1232 that "The kingdom of Connaught was again given to Hugh, the son of Roderic", Owen's lord, and that de Burgh began building the castle of Galway.

1235

A major expedition was led into Connacht by Richard Mór de Burgh. At Ardcarne, "the English held a private consultation, at the request of Owen O'Heyne, who wished to be revenged on the Momonians, and on Donough Cairbreach O'Brien." They determined to travel through Uí Maine and Máenmaige to enter Thomond in secrecy, where they "committed great depredations."

The English forces were shadowed by King Felim Ua Conchobair, who, with the men of Munster,

came to a pitched battle with the English, and fought manfully. But the English cavalry and infantry, who were clad in armour, finally overcame them. Many were slain on both sides, but the Momonians suffered most loss, through the imprudence of Donough Cairbreach. The Connacians then returned home, and on the next day O'Brien made peace with the English, and gave them hostages.

Returning to Connacht, Owen and the English, now joined by Áedh Mór Ó Flaithbheartaigh, found the kingdom desolate as Fedlim had ordered all its peoples to take themselves and their livestock out of their route. The English invaded Achill, while Ó Flaithbheartaigh and Ó hEidhin "also came round with a great army, having vessels with them, which they carried by land as far as Linan Cinn-mara. These vessels, with their forces, being met by the Lord Justice at Druimni, were brought to the Callow of Inis-Aenaigh."

The joint armies plundered Achill and its surrounding islands, killing all they found upon it. The land around Clew Bay, belonging to the Ó Máille clan, was extensively plundered "both by sea and land". The expedition then raided Domnall Mór Ó Domhnaill in Tír Chonaill and proceeded to raid on their way to Loch Cé. Here the English returned to Mide and the Irish to south and west Connacht.

1236

The Lord Justice of Ireland, Mac Maurice, summoned the English of Ireland to meet him at Ath-feorainne, at which meeting Felim, the son of Cathal Crovderg O'Conor, was present. They all yearned to act treacherously towards Felim, although he was the gossip of the Lord Justice; and this was the reason that the meeting had been called. Felim having received intelligence and forewarning of their design, departed from the assembly; and, attended by a few horsemen, proceeded to Roscommon. He was pursued thither and as far as the bridge of Sligo; he fled to O'Donnell for protection. As they did not overtake him they committed great acts of plunder upon Teige O'Conor, and carried away many respectable women into captivity and bondage; they then proceeded to Druim Gregruighe in Moylurg, where the Lord Justice awaited their return. The meeting above mentioned was called immediately after the departure of Richard, the son of William Burke, for England.

Felim, the son of Cathal Crovderg, returned to Connaught, having been invited thither by some of the Connacians, namely, by O'Kelly, O'Flynn, the son of Hugh, who was son of Cathal Crovderg O'Conor, and the son of Art O'Melaghlin; all forming four equally strong battalions. They marched to Rindown, where Brian, the son of Turlough, Owen O'Heyne, Conor Boy, son of Turlough, and Mac Costello, had all the cows of the country. Felim's people passed over the ramparts and ditches of the island recte peninsula, and every chief of a band and head of a troop among them drove off a proportionate number of the cows, as they found them on the way before them; after which they dispersed, carrying off their booty, in different directions, and of the four battalions, leaving only four horsemen with Felim.

When Brian, the son of Turlough, Owen O'Heyne, and their forces, observed that Felim's people were dispersed with their spoils, they set off actively and quickly with a small party of horse and many foot-soldiers to attack Felim and his few men. Conor Boy, son of Turlough, did not perceive his situation until he came up with Rory, son of Hugh, son of Cathal Crovderg, and, mistaking him for one of his own people, he fell by him.

Felim (the King) strained his voice calling after his army, and commanding them to abandon the spoils and rally to fight their enemies. Many of the enemy's forces were killed in this rencounter by Felim and his people, upon the island and outside the island; all excommunicated persons and doers of evil, excepting only Teige, son of Cormac, who was son of Tomaltagh Mac Dermot. As soon as Mac William learned how O'Conor had defeated all who had turned against him, he joined him to reduce them. Dermot, the son of Manus, upon hearing this, went over to Manus, the son of Murtough O'Conor.

After this Mac William proceeded to Tuam da ghualann, without notice or forewarning, and thence to Mayo of the Saxons, and left neither rick nor basket of corn in the large churchyard of Mayo, or in the yard of the church of St. Michael the Archangel, and carried away eighty baskets out of the churches themselves. They afterwards went to Turlagh, on which they inflicted a similar calamity. They then sent a body of men to plunder the people of Dermot, the son of Manus, and these falling in with the people of Conor Roe, and the inhabitants of Turlagh, they plundered them all indiscriminately; and Manus was compelled to expel and banish Dermot's people from him. On the following day Conor Roe went into Mac William's house, made peace with him, and received a restoration of the prey of cows which had been taken from him; and such part of their cattle as the people of the church of Turlagh were able to recognise as their own was restored to them. Dermot, the son of Manus, also went into the house of i.e. submitted to the English, that they might spare such of his people and cattle as were then remaining with him. Mac William proceeded to Balla, where he stopped for one night, and went thence to Tuam da ghualann. He left the province of Connaught without peace or tranquillity, and without food in any church or territory within it.

The following year "The barons of Ireland went to Connaught, and commenced erecting castles there."

Death

"Owen Ó hEidhin, Lord of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, died." in 1253.

Preceded by
Muirgheas Ó hEidhin
King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
before 1225–1253
Succeeded by
Eoghan Ó hEidhin

Related Research Articles

Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair High King of Ireland

Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and High King of Ireland from 1166 to 1193. He was the last High King of Ireland before the Norman invasion.

Iar Connacht

West Connacht was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Galway, particularly the area known more commonly today as Connemara. The kingdom represented the core homeland of the Connachta's Uí Briúin Seóla kindred and although they ruled, there were smaller groups of other Gaels in the area, such as the Delbhna Tir Dha Locha and the Conmhaícne Mara. It existed from 1051 onwards, after the Ó Conchobhair, Kings of Connacht, pushed the Ó Flaithbheartaigh to the West of Lough Corrib, from their original territory of Maigh Seóla. Iar Connacht remained a subordinate túath of Connacht, until the 13th century, after which it was more independent.

Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair (1153–1224), the youngest son of the Irish High King Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, was a King of Connacht.

Felim mac Aedh Ua Conchobair (1293–1316) was King of Connacht in Ireland from January 1310 to 10th August 1316.

The city of Galway, Ireland - built as a naval base and military fort by Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair in 1124, refounded as a military outpost and town by Richard Mor de Burgh in 1230 - has been subjected to a number of battles, sacks and sieges. This article enumerates them.

O'Conor, is an Irish aristocratic house and former royal line of Gaelic leaders, which included many historic Kings of Connacht and the last High Kings of Ireland. The family seat is Clonalis House outside Castlerea in County Roscommon.

Events from the year 1347 in Ireland.

Events from the year 1224 in Ireland.

Máenmaige was originally a kingdom, later termed a trícha cét, and in Anglo-Norman times a cantred, which formed the barony of Loughrea.

Muintir Murchada

Muintir Murchada was the name of an Irish territory which derived its name from the ruling dynasty, who were in turn a branch of the Uí Briúin. The name was derived from Murchadh mac Maenach, King of Uí Briúin Seóla, who died 891.

Fearghal Ó Taidg an Teaghlaigh, Chief of the Name, Marshal and bodyguard of King Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair of Connacht and his successor, Aedh, died 1226.

Amhalgaidh mac Cathal was King of Maigh Seóla and Iar Connacht.

Áedh Mór Ó Flaithbheartaigh was King of Iar Connacht.

Áed Ua Conchobair or Áed in Gai Bernaig was King of Connacht, and reigned 1046–1067.

Gilla na Naomh Ua hEidhin was King of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne until his death in 1100.

Síol Maelruain was a territory located in north County Roscommon due west, from what is now Castlerea. Its lake, Lough O'Flynn, is the source of the River Suck and is located at the foot of Slieve O'Flynn mountain. The lordship was centered on the village of Ballinalough, its rulers been the Ó Floinn family. David Flynn (chaplain) was Chaplain to James III.

Macraith Mág Tighearnán was chief of the McKiernan Clan and Baron or Lord of Tullyhunco barony, County Cavan from c.1240 until his death in 1258.

Fergal mac Tomás Mág Tighearnán was chief of the McKiernan Clan of Tullyhunco, County Cavan from 1362 until his death in 1383.

References