Ulster Connected Events - The Annals of the Four Master

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Ancient Ulster Connections in the Annals
Legend and History from the Annals of the Four Masters

In the Age of the World 3500 (perhaps 1700 BC) the sons of Milesius arrive in Ireland to take it from the Tuatha De Dananns.

In the Age of the World 3502, the first year of the reign of Eremhon, son of Milesius, over Ireland. He gave the province of Ulster to Emhear, son of Ir, son of Milesius.

In the Age of the World 3668, The first year of the joint reign of Sobhairce and Cearmna Finn, the two sons of Ebric, son of Emher, son of Ir, son of Milidh, over Ireland. These were the first kings of Ireland of the race of Ir.

In the Age of the World 3847. After Sedna, son of Airtri, son of Eibhric, son of Emher, son of Ir; had been five years in the sovereignty, he fell by Fiacha Finscothach and Muineamhon, son of Cas Clothach, at Cruachain.

In the Age of the World 3922, Ollamh Fodhla, after having been forty years in the sovereignty of Ireland, died at his own house at Teamhair (Tara). He was the first king by whom the Feis Teamhrach was established; and it was by him Mur Ollamhan was erected at Teamhair. It was he also that appointed a chieftain over every cantred, and a Brughaidh over every townland, who were all to serve the King of Ireland.

In the Age of the World 3942. This was the twentieth year of the reign of Finnachta son of Ollamh Fodhla over Ireland. He afterwards died of the plague in Magh Inis, in Uladh.

In the Age of the World 4020. At the the battle of Aircealtair over the Ultonians, it was this Sirna, son of Dian, that wrested the government of Teamhair (Tara) from the Ulta, i.e. the race of Ir.

In the Age of the World 4452. The thirtieth year of Airgeatmhar, son of Sirlamh [from the race of Ir], in the sovereignty of Ireland, when he fell by Duach Ladhgrach and Lughaidh Laighdhe, son of Eochaidh.

In the Age of the World 4532 (perhaps 668 BC) it was Macha, daughter of Aedh Ruadh, who brought the sons of Dithorba with her to Ulster to erect the fort of Eamhain [Macha], that it might always be the chief city of Uladh.

In the Age of the World 4539. Cimbaeth, son of Fintan, having been seven years in the sovereignty of Ireland, after he had been taken to her as husband by Macha, died at Eamhain Macha. This Cimbaeth was the first king of Eamhain [Macha]. It was Cimbaeth and Macha that fostered Ugaine Mor.

In the Age of the World 4981. Rudhraighe, son of Sithrighe, son of Dubh, son of Fomhor, son of Airgeatmar, after having been seventy years in the sovereignty of Ireland, died at Airgeat Gleann. It was by this Rudghraighe that these battles were won throughout Ireland: the battle of Cuirce; the battle of Luachair; seven battles in Cliu; the battle of Gleannamhnach; the battle of Sliabh Mis; the battle of Boirinn; the battle of Ren; the battle of Ai; the battle of Cuil Silinne; the two battles of Fortrasc.

The Age of the World 5200, i.e. The first year of the age of Christ, and the eighth year of the reign of Crimhthann Niadhnairg.

For 10 AD, Tibraide Tireach, from whom are the Dal Araidhe, being within the womb of his mother Aine, daughter of the king of Saxony, escaped death from Cairbre Conncait's massacre of the nobility.

For 37 AD, Fiatach Finn (a quo Dal Fiatach), son of Daire, son of Dluthach, sovereign of Ireland.

For 56 AD, Elim, son of Conra, King of Ulster, along with other provincial kings, killed Fiacha Finnfolaidh, sovereign of Ireland, to become sovereign of IReland himself.

For 106 AD, Tuathal Teachtmhar, after having been thirty years in the sovereignty of Ireland, was slain by Mal, son of Rochraidhe, King of Ulster, in Magh Line, at Moin An Chatha, in Dal Araidhe, where the two rivers, Ollar and Ollarbha, spring.

For 165 AD, Conaire, son of Mogh Lamha, after having been eight years in the sovereignty of Ireland, fell by Neimhidh, son of Sruibhgheann. This Conaire had three sons, Cairbre Musc, from whom the Muscraighe are called; Cairbre Baschaein, from whom are the Baiscnigh, in Corca Baiscinn; and Cairbre Riadal, from whom are the Dal Riada.

For 240, the battle of Magh Techt, and the fleet of Cormac (mac Artt) sailed across Magh Rein (i.e. across the sea), this year, so that it was on that occasion he obtained the sovereignty of Alba (Scotland).

For 262, the battle of Crionna Fregabhail was fought by Cormac (mac Artt) against the Ulstermen, where fell Aenghus Finn, son of Fearghus Duibhdeadach i.e. the Black Toothed, King of Ulster, with the slaughter of the Ulstermen about him.

For 326, the fourth year of Colla Uais, in the sovereignty of Ireland, when Muireadhach Tireach expelled him and his brothers into Alba (Scotland) with three hundred along with them.

For 331 AD, the battle of Achadh Leithdheirg, in Fearnmhagh, was fought by the three Collas against the Ulstermen, in which fell Fearghus Fogha, son of Fraechar Foirtriun, the last king of Ulster who resided at Eamhain [Macha]. They afterwards burned Eamhain, and the Ulstermen did not dwell therein since. They also took from the Ulstermen that part of the province extending from the Righe and Loch nEathach westwards. Colla Meann fell in this battle.

For 356, After Muireadhach Tireach had been thirty years in the sovereignty of Ireland, he was slain by Caelbhadh, son of Crunn, King of Uladh, at Portrigh, over Dabhall.

For 457, Ard Machab (Armagh) was founded by Saint Patrick, it having been granted to him by Daire, son of Finnchadh, son of Eoghan, son of Niallan. Twelve men were appointed by him for building the town. He ordered them, in the first place, to erect an archbishop's city there, and a church for monks, for nuns, and for the other orders in general, for he perceived that it would be the head and chief of the churches of Ireland in general.

For 464, Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (from whom are descended the Cinel Conaill), was slain by the old tribes of Magh Slecht, he having been found unprotected, and was buried at Fidhnach Maighe Rein, by Saint Caillin, as the Life of the aforesaid saint relates.

For 465, Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (from whom are descended the Cinel Eoghain), died of grief for Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and was buried at Uisce Chain, in Inis Eoghain.

For 548, The death of Eochaidh, son of Connlo, son of Caelbhadh, son of Crunn Badhrai, King of Ulidia, from whom are the Ui Eathach Uladh.

For 557, The battle of Moin Doire Lothair was gained over the Cruithnigh (Cruithne of Ulster), by the Ui Neill of the North, i. e. by the Cinel Conaill and Cinel Eoghain, wherein fell seven chieftains of the Cruithnigh, together with Aedh Breac; and it was on this occasion that the Lee and Carn Eolairg were forfeited to the Clanna Neill of the North

For 558, After Diarmaid, the son of Fearghus Cerrbheoil, had been twenty years in sovereignty over Ireland, he was slain by Aedh Dubh, son of Suibhne, King of Dal Araidhe, at Rath Beag, in Magh Line.

For 572, Conall, son of Comhgall, King of Dal Riada, died. It was he that granted Hy Iona to Colum Cille (St. Columba).

For 597, The battle of Cuil Cael, by Fiachna, son of Baedan, against Fiachna, son of Deman; and the battle was gained against Fiachna, son of Deman.

For 622, the battle of Lethed Midinn, at Drung, was fought by Fiachna, son of Deman, Lord of Dal Fiatach, against Fiachna, son of Baedan, King of Ulidia. The battle was gained over Fiachna, son of Baedan, and he fell therein.

For 634, The battle of Magh Rath was gained by Domhnall, son of Aedh, and the sons of Aedh Slaine, over Congal Claen, son of Scannlan, King of Ulidia, where fell Congal, and the Ulidians and foreigners along with him.

For 665, Maelcaeich, son of Scannal, chief of the Cruithne of Dal Araidhe of the race of Ir, died. Eochaidh Iarlaidh, King of the Cruithne, also died!

For 679, Dunghal, son of Scannal, chief of the Cruithni, and Ceannfaeladh, son of Suibhne, chief of Cianachta Glinne Geimhin, were burned by Maelduin, son of Maelfithrigh, Lord of the Cinel Eoghain, at Dun Ceithirn.

For 689, Fearghus, son of Lodan, King of Ulidia, was slain by the Ui Eachdhach, people of Iveagh.

For 706, Cucuaran, King of the Cruithni and of Ulidia, was killed by Finnchu hUa Ronain.

For 732, The battle of Fochart, in Magh Muirtheimhne was fought by Aedh Allan and the Clanna Neill of the North, against the Ulidians, where Aedh Roin, King of Ulidia, was slain

For 754, The battle of Eamhain Macha was gained by Fiachna, son of Aedh Roin (king of Ulidia), over the Ui Neill, wherein were slain Dunghal Ua Conaing and Donnbo.

For 756, The battle of Ath Dumha was fought between the Ulidians and Ui Eathach (people of Iveagh), in which Ailill, son of Feidhlimidh, lord of Ui Eathach, was slain.

For 771, A battle was fought between the Dal Araidhe themselves at Sliabh Mis, in which Nia, son of Cucongalt, was slain. Another battle was fought between the Dal Araidhe, by Eochaidh, son of Fiachna, and Tomaltach, son of Innreachtach, where Cinaedh Ciarrge, son of Cathasach, and Dunghal Ua Fearghusa, and others besides them, were slain.

For 781, A battle was fought between the Ui Eachach (people of Iveagh) and the Conaille, in which Cathrae, chief of Mughdhorna Cremorne, and Rimidh, son of Cearnach, were slain.

For 787, Tomaltach, son of Innreachtach, King of Ulidia, was slain by Eochaidh, son of Fiachna. Breasal, son of Flathrai, was lord of Dal Araidhe.

For 796, A battle between the Ulidians and the Ui Eathach Cobha, wherein Eochaidh, son of Ailell, lord of Cobha (Iveagh), was slain.

For 803, Cinaedh, son of Conchobhar, was slain at Magh Cobha, by the Cruithni of Dal Araidhe.

For 823, A battle was gained in Magh Inis (Lecale) by the Ulidians over the foreigners (Vikings), wherein many were slain.

For 825, the battle of Leithi Cam, in Magh Enir between the the races of Conall and Eoghan (northern Ui Neill), and the Airghialla and the Ulidians. The Airghialla were defeated, cut down, and pursued to Craebh Caille, over the Callainn, to the west of Ard Macha; and the battle was gained over the Ulidians and Airghialla, and a slaughter made of them.

For 830, Ard Macha was plundered thrice in one month by the foreigners, and it had never been plundered by strangers before. The plundering of Daimhliag and the tribe of Cianachta, with all their churches, by the foreigners.

For 835, Gofraidh, son of Fearghus, chief of Oirghialla, went to Alba, to strengthen the Dal Riada, at the request of Cinaeth, son of Ailpin.

For 847, Flannagan, son of Eochaidh, lord of North Dal Araidhe, was slain by the Cinel Eoghain.

For 851, Cathmal, son of Tomaltach, half king of Ulidia, was killed by the foreigners.

For 862, A great victory was gained by the king, Aedh Finnliath, and by Flann, son of Conang, over Anbhith, son of Aedh, King of Ulidia, with the Ulidians, in the territory of Conaille Cerd.

For 864, A complete muster of the North was made by Aedh Finnliath, so that he plundered the fortresses of the foreigners, wherever they were in the North, both in Cinel Eoghain and Dal Araidhe;

For 879, A battle was gained by the Conaille Muirtheimhne, with their lord Gibhleachan, over the Ulidians, wherein fell Ainbhith, son of Aedh, King of Ulidia; and Conallan, son of Maelduin, lord of Cobha; and other nobles along with them.

For 885, Eremhon, son of Aedh, King of Ulidia, was slain by Eloir, son of Iargni, one of the Norsernen.

For 892, A battle was grained at Rath Cro by Maelfinnia, son of Flannagan, over Aiddeidh, son of Laighne, and over the Dal Araidhe, in which were slain Muireadhach, son of Maeleitigh, lord of Dal Araidhe, and Ainniarraidh, son of Maelmoicheirghe, son of Innreachtach, lord of Leath Chathail, with three hundred along with them.

For 1177, An army was led by John De Courcy and the knights into Dalaradia and to Dun da leathghlas; they slew Donnell, the grandson of Cathasach, Lord of Dalaradia. Dun da leathghlas was plundered and destroyed by John and the knights who came in his army. A castle was erected by them there, out of which they defeated the Ulidians twice, and the Kinel-Owen and Oriels once, slew Conor O'Carellan, chief of Clandermot, and Gilla-Macliag O'Donnelly, chief of Feardroma; and Donnell O'Flaherty now Laverty was so wounded by arrows on this occasion, that he died of his wounds in the church of St. Paul at Armagh, after having received the body and blood of Christ, and after extreme unction and penance. Many other chieftains were also slain by them besides these. During the same expedition, John De Courcy proceeded with his forces to Hy-Tuirtre and Firlee; before his arrival, however, Cumee O'Flynn had set Armoy on fire; but they burned Coleraine and many other churches on this incursion.

For 1178, John De Courcy with his foreigners repaired to Machaire Conaille, and committed depredations there. They encamped for a night in Glenree, where Murrough O'Carroll, Lord of Oriel, and Cooley Mac Donslevy, King of Ulidia, made a hostile attack upon them, and drowned and otherwise killed four hundred and fifty of them. One hundred of the Irish, together with O'Hanvy, Lord of Hy-Meith-Macha, fell in the heat of the battle.
John De Courcy soon after proceeded to plunder Dalaradia and Hy-Tuirtre; and Cumee O'Flynn, Lord of Hy-Tuirtre and Firlee, gave battle to him and his foreigners, and defeated them with great slaughter, through the miracles of Patrick, Columbkille, and Brendan; and John himself escaped with difficulty, being severely wounded, and fled to Dublin.

For 1181, Donnell, the son of Hugh Mac Loughlin, and the Kinel-Owen of Tullaghoge, made an incursion into Ulidia, and defeated the Ulidians, the Hy-Tuirtre, and the Firlee, together with Rory Mac Donslevy, and Cumee O'Flynn.

For 1189, Armagh was plundered by John De Courcy and the English of Ireland.

For 1196, Rory Mac Donslevy, with the English, and the sons of the chieftains of Connaught, marched an army against the Kinel-Owen and Oriors.

For 1197, John De Courcy and the English of Ulidia marched, with an army, to Eas-Creeva, and erected the castle of Kilsanctan, and wasted and desolated the territory of Kienaghta.

For 1197, Flaherty O'Muldory, Lord of Kinel-Connell, Kinel-Owen, and Oriel, defender of Tara, heir presumptive to the sovereignty of all Ireland, died on the thirtieth year of his reign. Eachmarcach O'Doherty (i.e. Gilla Sron-mael) immediately after assumed the chieftainship of Kinel-Connell. A fortnight afterwards John De Courcy, with a numerous army, crossed Toome into Tyrone, thence proceeded to Ardstraw, and afterwards marched round to Derry-Columbkille. The English then plundered Inishowen, and carried off a great number of cows from thence, and then returned.

For 1199, The English of Ulidia made three great incursions into Tyrone, and on the third incursion they pitched their camp at Donaghmore-Moy-Imclare, and sent forth a large body of their troops to destroy and plunder the country. Hugh O'Neill set out to oppose this host; and they came to an engagement, in which the English were slaughtered, and such as escaped from him fled secretly by night, tarrying nowhere until they had passed Toome.

For 1203, An army was led by the son of Hugo de Lacy and a party of the English of Meath into Ulidia; and they banished John de Courcy from thence, after they had defeated him in a battle fought at Dundaleathglas (Downpatrick), in which many had been slain.

For 1236, O'Donnell (Donnell More) marched with an army to Iubhar Chinn Choiche in Ulidia, and destroyed every territory through which he passed: he also obtained hostages and submission from most of the Ulidians.

For 1238, An army was led by Mac Maurice, Lord Justice of Ireland, and Hugo de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, into Tyrone and Tirconnell. They deposed Mac Loughlin (Donnell), and gave the government of Tyrone to the son of O'Neill, and they themselves obtained the hostages of the north.

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