Kingdom of Breifne

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Kingdom of Bréifne (also Breffny, Brefnie, Brenny) was the traditional territory for an early Irish tribal group known as the Uí Briúin Bréifne. Breifne means as much as hilly in Irish and this part of Ireland is indeed quite hilly. The Bréifne territory included the modern Ireland counties of Leitrim and a part of Cavan and at its height in the 12th century, when Tighernán mór Ó Ruairc was king of Bréifne, it extended from Kells in County Meath to Drumcliffe in County Sligo. By about the 13th century the Bréifne region had split into East Bréifne and West Bréifne, the Ó Ruairc kings (O'Rourke) maintaining lordship over West Bréifne (mainly Co. Leitrim). The Kingdom of Bréifne region was part of the kingdom of Connacht up until the time of Queen Elizabeth I. In that time it was shired into the modern counties Cavan and Leitrim, Leitrim remaining a part of the province of Connacht while Cavan became part of Ulster. The Ó Ruairc's were effectively lords of Breifne O'Rourke through the turbulent 16th century.

1 History of Breifne
2 Old Territories that were at one stage part of Breifne
3 Kings of Breifne
4 See also
5 References

[edit] History of Breifne

In ancient times the area that became to be known as Bréifne was said to be occupied by the Erdini, called in Irish 'Ernaigh', who possessed the entire country bordering Lough Erne. Not much is known of this ancient people.

At the beginning of the Christian era in Ireland (circa 5th-6th century) tribal groupings believed to be in or near Breifne included the Glasraighe, Masraige, Dartraige, Armhaighe, Gallraighe, the Fir Manach, and the Gailenga.

Around the 6th century a people known as the Conmaicne Rein are thought to have moved north from around the present Dunmore in County Galway and settled in Magh Rein (the area around Fenagh). From here they peopled what is now South Leitrim, which became known as Magh Rein, and its inhabitants as the Conmaicne Magh Rein. They consisted of different family groupings - Muintir Eolais, Muintir Cearbhallain (O Mulvey), and Cinel Luachain, among others.

About the 8th century, the area since known as Breifne was conquered and settled by the Uí Briúin (O Brian) who were a branch of the royal family of Connacht. The Uí Briúin, of whom the O'Ruaircs (O'Rourkes) were hereditary chieftains, established themselves first in modern county Leitrim and then into what is now county Cavan.

By the 9th century the O'Ruaircs had established themselves as kings of Breifne.

In the 10th and 11th centuries the O'Ruairc kings of Breifne fought some battles for the title of king of Connacht, four different kings of Breifne received that honor.

During the 12th century the reign of Tiernan mor O'Ruairc, the kingdom of Breifne was said to comprise most of the modern counties of Leitrim and Cavan, and parts of Longford, Meath, Fermanagh and Sligo.

A great battle fought between the O'Rourkes and the O'Reillys in the year 1256 near Ballinamore led to the division of Breifne between the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys.

In the 16th century Breifne O'Rourke eventually became Co. Leitrim and Breifne O'Reilly became Co. Cavan.

[edit] Old Territories that were at one stage part of Breifne

Cenél Cairpre (Cairbre) - northern Co. Sligo and northeast Co. Leitrim. The territory of Cairbre, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, around the 6th century extended from the Drowes west to the Owenmore river in Ballysadare.

Duncarbry (Dun Chairbre) marks the border of Cairbre's territory on the Drowes, while the Barony of Carbury in North Sligo still reminds us also today. Noted chiefs of Cenél Cairpre included O'Mulclohy (Ó Maolchloiche).

Cairpre Gabra - northern Co. Longford, barony of Granard. O'Ronan (Ó Ronáin) were chieftains in the barony of Granard until dispossessed by the O'Farrells in the 13th century.

In the Annals of the Four Masters about 476 AD, the battle of Granard was fought by Eochaidh, son of Cairbre, son of Oilioll, son of Dunlaing, son of Enda Niadh against Ui Dunlainge, Ui Briuin Cualann and Ui Fergusa of North Leinster.

Cenél Laegaire - Co. Fermanagh. The Fir Manach, the Cinéal Eanna and the Cenél Laegaire were early indigenous tribes in the Co. Fermanagh area. The Cenél Laegairi mic Neill were noted west of Loch Erne (Book of Lecan). The The Cenél Laegairi mic Neill were also noted in central Ireland (Mide, Meath).

[edit] Kings of Breifne

Note: Where mentioned I used the spelling used in the document.

Echu Mugmedón, father to Brión, Fiachra, and Niall (of the Nine Hostages).
Brión: son of Echu Mugmedón and the ancestor of the O'Briuin Kings of Connacht.
Aodh Fionn mac Fergna: king of Breifne
Maenach mac Báithin: king of Ui Briuin Breifne - c.653 -
Dub Dothra: king of the Ui Briuin & Conmaicne & Breifne - c.743 -
Cormacc mac Duibh Dá Críoch: king of Breifni - c.790
Muircheartach mac Donnghal, king of Breifne: c.800-806
Mael Dúin mac Échtgal, king of Breifne: died822
Ceallach son of Cearnach, son of Dubh Dothra, king of Breithfne
Tighearnán mac Seallachan, king of Breifne: c.888 - father of Ruarc
Ruarc mac Tighearnáin, lord of Ui Briuin Breifne: c. 893 - grandfather of Sean Fergal
Flann mac Tighearnáin, lord of Breifne: c.910
Cernachan mac Tighearnáin, king of Breifne: died 931
Conghalach mac Cathaláin, lord of Breifne: c.935
Cléircén son of Tigernán, king of Bréifne: C. 937
Fergal? ua Ruairc, king of Bréifne

[edit] Ó Ruairc dynasty, Kings of Bréifne

(Sean) Fergal Ó Ruairc king of Connacht & Breifne: c.964-67
Niall Ó Ruairc, heir of Breifne: 1000-1001
Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: d.1014-1015 - son of Fergal
Art an caileach Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1020-1030? - son of Fergal
Aedh Ó Ruairc, lord of Dartraige: 1029
Art uallach (oirdnidhe) Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1030-1046 - son of Aedh mac Fergal
Niall Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne Connacht: 1047 - son of Art uallach
Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: c.1057 - son of Niall
Cathal Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: c.1051-1059 - son of Tighernan
Aedh in Gilla Braite Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1066 - son of Niall son of Art Uallach
Aed Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1067-1087 - son of Art Uallach
Donnchadh cael Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1084 - son of Art an caileach
Ualgharg Ó Ruairc, royal heir of Connacht: 1085 - son of Niall son of Art uallach
Donnchadh Ó Ruairc , lord of Ui Briuin and Conmaicne: 1101 - son of Art Uí Ruairc
Domnall Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1095-1102 - son of Tigernán son of Ualgharg
Cathal Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briuin Breifne and Gailenga: 1105 - son of Gilla Braite son of Tigernán
Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briúin: c.1108 - son of Donnchadh
Aedh an Gilla Sronmaol Ó Ruairc king of Conmaicne: c.1117-1122 - son of Domnall (or Donnchadh).
Tigernán mór Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c1124-1152, 1152-1172 - son of Donnchad macDomnail
Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1152-1152, 1172-1176 - son of Gilla Bruide son of Domnall
Amlaíb Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1176-1184 - son of Fergal son of Domnall son of Tigernán
Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1184-1187 - son of Máelsechlann son of Tigernán mór
Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of greater part of Breifne: c.1207 - son of Ferghal mac Domnall son of Fergal
Ualgarg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1196-1209 - son of Cathal son of Aedh son of Donnchadh
Art Ó Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1209-1210 - son of Domnall son of Fergal son of Domnall
Niall O'Ruairc, king of Dartry and clann Fermaige: 1228 - son of Congalach son of Fergal son of Domnall
Ualgarg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c1210-1231 - son of Cathal son of Aedh son of Donnchadh
Cathal riabach O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1231-1236 - son of Donnchadh son of Aedh son of Gilla Braite
Conchobar O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1250?-1257 - son of Tigernán son of Domnall son of Cathal

[edit] Lords of Bréifne Ó Ruairc

Sitric O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: elected and killed 1257-1257 - son of Ualgarg son of Cathal
Amlaíb O'Ruairc, king of Breifne West : 1257-1258 - son of Art son of Domnall son of Fergal
Domnall O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1258 to 1258 (deposed) - son of Conchobar son of Tigernán
Art O'Ruairc, king of Breifne East: 1258-1259 (deposed) - son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh
Domnall O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1259 to 1260 (killed) - son of Conchobar son of Tigernán
Art bec O'Ruairc, king of Breifne West: 1260-1260 (killed) - son of Art son of Domnall son of Fergal
Art O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1261-1266 (deposed)- son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh
Conchobar buide O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1266-1273 - son of Amlaíb son of Art
Tigernán O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1273-1274 - son of Aedh son of Ualgarg son of Cathal
Art O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1275-1275 - son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh
Amlaib O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1275?-1307 - son of Art son of Cathal riabach
Domnall carrach O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1307-1311 - son of Amlaíb son of Art
Ualgarg mór O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1316-1346 - son of Domnall carrach
Flaithbheartach O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1346-1349 (deposed) - son of Domnall carrach
Aodh bán O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1349-1352 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall
Flaithbheartach O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1352-1352 (died) - son of Domnall carrach
Tadgh na gcoar O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1352-1376 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach
Gilla Crist O'Rourke, lord of Breifny: d.1378 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach
Tigernán mór O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1376-1418 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach
Aodh buidhe O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1418-1419 - son of Tigernán mór
Tadhg O'Rourke, king of West Breifne: 1419-1424 - son of Tigernán mór
Art O'Rourke, king of East Breifne: 1419-1424 - son of Tadhg na gcoar
Tadhg O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1424-1435 - son of Tigernán mór
Lochlann O'Rourke, king of East Breifne: 1435-1458 - son of Tadhg na gcoar
Donnchadh bacagh O'Rourke, king of West Breifne: 1435-1445 - son of Tigernán mór?
Donnchadh O'Rourke, king of West Breifne: 1445-1449 - son of Tigernán óg son of Tigernán mór
Tigernán óg O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1449-1468 - son of Tadhg son of Tigernán mór
Donnchadh losc O'Rourke, half-king of Breifne: 1468-1476 - son of Tigernán mór son of Ualgarg mór
Domnall O'Rourke, half-king of Breifne: 1468-1476?, - son of Tadhg son of Tigernán mór
Feidhlimidh O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1476-1500 - son of Donnchadh son of Tigernán óg
Eóghan O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1500-1528 - son of Tigernán óg son of Tadhg
Feidhlimidh O'Rourke, king? of Breifne: 1528-1536 - son of Feidhlimidh son of Donnchadh
Brian ballach mór O'Rourke, king of Bréifne, 1528-1559, 1560-1562 - son of Eóghan son of Tigernán óg
Tadhg O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1559-1560 - son of Brian ballach
Aodh gallda O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1562-1564 - son of Brian ballach
Aodh buidhe O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1564-1566 - son of Brian ballach
Brian na múrtha O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1566-1591 - son of Brian ballach
Brian óg na samhthach O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1591-1600 - son of Brian na múrtha
Tadhg O'Rourke, lord of Breifne: 1600-1605 - son of Brian na múrtha

[edit] Lords of Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh (Muintir Maelmordha)

Godfrey Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1161
Cathal Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1161-1162 - son of Godfrey
Fergal son of Cu Chonnacht O'Raigillig, King of Dartry and Clann Fermaige: 1239
Cathal Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1256
Con Ua Raghallaigh, chief of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1256-1257
Matha Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1282
Ferghal O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1282-1293
Gilla-Isa Ruaid O'Raigillig, East Breifne: ↑1327 or 1330
Matha son of Gilla-Isa O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1304
Mael Sechlainn O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1328
Richard [Risderd] O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1349- ↑1346 or 1349
Cu Chonnacht O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1362 or 1365 (resigned) - son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1365-1366/69 (deposed) - son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
Magnus O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1366/69-1366/69 (deposed)
Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1366/69-1384 - son of Gilla-Isu Ruaid
Thomas, son of Mathgamain Ua Raighillaigh, king of Muinter-Mailmordha: 1384-1390
John, son of Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1390-1400 - son of Philip son of Gilla-Isa-Ruaid
Gilla-Isa son of Anrig O'Raigillig, East Breifny: 1400-1400
Maelmordha, son of Cuconnaught O'Reilly, Muintir Reilly: 1403-1411 - son of Cu Chonnacht son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
Richard, son of Thomas O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1411-1418
Owen, son of John O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1418-1449
Farrell, son of Thomas O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450 (deposed) - (AM1450)
John, son of Owen O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450-1460 - son of Owen son of John son of Philip son of Gilla-Isa-Roe
Cathal O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1467
Turlough, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1468-1487 - son of John son of Owen
John, son of Turlough O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1487-1491
John, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1491-1510 - son of Cathal son of Owen son of John
Hugh, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1514
Owen, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny:1526
Farrell, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny & Conmaicne: 1526-1536 - son of John, son of Cathal
Maelmordha, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1537-1565 - son of John son of Cathal
Hugh Conallagh, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1583 - son of Maelmordha son of John
John Roe, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1583-1596
Philip, son of Hugh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1596-1596
Edmond, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1596-1601 - son of Maelmordha son of John son of Cathal
Owen, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1601-?

[edit] O Ruairc, Kings of Breifne, c.1128-1605

Tigernan Mor mac Aeda after 1128-1172
Aed mac Gilla Braite 1172-1176
Amlaib mac Fergaile 1176-1184
Aed mac Mael Sechlainn 1184-1187
Ualagarg mac Cathail Leith after 1196-1209
Art mac Domnaill 1209-1210
Ualagarg mac Cathail Leith after 1214-1231
Cathal Riabach mac Donnchada 1231-1236
Conchobhar mac Tigernain after 1250-1257
Sigtrygg (Sitric) mac Ualgairg 1256-1257 (probably Viking)
Amblaib mac Airt 1257-1258
Domnall mac Conchobair 1258-1260
Art mac Cathail Riabaig 1261-1266
Conchobar Buide mac Amlaib 1266-1273
Art mac Cathail Riabaig 1273-1275
Tigernan mac Aeda 1273-1274
Amlaib mac Airt 1275-1307
Domnall Carrach mac Amlaib 1307-1311
Ualgarg mac Domnaill Charraig 1316-1346
Flaithbheartach mac Domhnaill Charraigh 1346-1349
Aodh Ban mac Ualghairg 1349-1352
Tadhg na gCaor mac Ualghairg 1352-1376
Tighearnan Mor mac Ualghairg 1376-c.1st February 1418
Aodh Buidhe mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1418-1419
Tadhg mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1419-1435
Art mac Taidgh na gCaor 1419-1424
Lochlainn mac Taidhg na gCaor 1435-1440
Donnchadh Losc mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1440-1445
Donnchadh mac Tighearnain Oig 1445-1449
Lochlainn mac Taidgh na gCaor 1449-1458
Tighearnan Og mac Taidhg 1449-1468
Domhnall mac Taidhg 1468-1468
Donnchadh Losc mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1468-1476
Feidhlimidh mac Donnchadha 1476-1500
Eoghan mac Tighearnain Oig 1500-1528
Feidhlimidh mac Feidhlimidh 1528-1536
Brian Ballach mac Eoghain 1536-c.1559
Tadhg mac Briain Bhallaigh c.1559-1560
Brian Ballach mac Eoghain 1560-1562
Aodh Gallda mac Briain Bhallaigh 1562-1564
Aodh Buidhe mac Briain Bhallaigh 1564-1566
Brian na Murtha mac Briain Bhalliagh 1566-3rd November 1591
Brian Og na Samhthach mac Briain na Murtha 1591-1600
Tadhg mac Briain na Murtha 1600-1605

[edit] O'Reillys of East Breifne: O Raghalliagh, Kings of Muintir Maoilmhordha, c.1161-1607

Gofraid ?-1161
Cathal mac Gofraid 1161-1162
Cathal mac Annaid c.1220-c.3rd May 1256
Conchobar mac Cathail 1256-1257
Domnall mac Annaid 1257-1283
Matha mac Domnaill 1285-1285
Fergal mac Domnaill 1285-1293
Gilla Isu Ruad mac Domnaill 1293-1330
Risdeard mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1330-1349
Cu Chonnacht mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1349-1365
Pilib mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1365-1384
Maghnus mac Con Connacht 1369-1369
Tomas mor mac Mathghamhna 1384-1392
Seoan mac Pilib 1392-1400
Giolla Iosa mac Pilib? 1400-1400
Maolmhordha mac Con Connacht 1403-1411
Risdeard mac Tomais Mhoir 1411-1418
Eoghan mac Seoain 1418-1449
Sean an Einigh mac Eoghain 1449-3rd September 1460
Fearghal mac Tomais Mhoir 1449-1450
Cathal mac Eoghain 1460-1467
Toirdhealbhach mac Seaain an Einigh 1467-1st September 1487
Seaan mac Toirdhealbhaigh 1487-after 25th November 1491
Seaan mac Cathail 1491-1510
Aodh mac Cathail 1510-1514
Eoghan Ruadh mac Cathail 1514-1526
Fearghal mac Seaain 1526-1534
Maolmhordha mac Seaain 1534-1565
Aodh Connallach mac Maolmhordha 1565-1583
Sir Seaan Ruadh mac Aodha Connallaigh 1583-1596
Pilib Dubh mac Aodha Connallaigh 1596-1596
Eamonn mac Maolmhordha 1596-1601
Eoghan mac Aodha Connalaigh 1601-1603
Maolmhordha mac Aodha Connallaigh 1603-1607

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Keatings history
Annals of Connacht
Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Ulster
Annals of Innisfallen
Chronicron Scotorum
The Irish Annals
A New History of Ireland, Vol. IX, Martin, Moody, 1984
Book of Ballymote, Manus O'Duignan, late 14th century, on microfilm in Irish national archives
Forus Feasa ar Erinn, Geoffrey Keating, 1632, on microfilm in Irish national archives
Book of Genealogies, Cucogry O'Clery, 1642, on microfilm in Irish national archives
Leabhar na nGenealach, Dubhaltach Óg Mac Fhirbhisigh, 1650-1666, on microfilm in Irish national archives
Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, John O'Hart, 1876
"O'Reillys of East Brefine: O Raghalliagh, Kings of Muintir Maoilmhordha, a.1161-1607", pages 229-230, in "A New History of Ireland", Vol. IX, ed. Byrne, Martin, Moody, 1984.