Upper and Lower Clandeboye
Upper and Lower Clandeboye and Carrickfergus
County Antrim and Down
1300-1600
In the sixteenth century, under Sir John Perrot, Antrim and Down were the first counties in Ulster to be created, but as recognisable divisions they appear in records from the fourteenth century, when Antrim was divided into three parts: northern Clandeboye, the Glynnes and the Route. Southern Clandeboy covered north Down, and combined together, the territory of Clandeboy was the second-greatest O�Neill state and stretched from the ford of Belfast to Glenravel near Broughshane in Co. Antrim and south to the Borders of Lecale, Kilwarlin and Kinelarty in Co. Down; on the west it included Kilultagh on the south-east side of Lough Neagh, and beyond the Bann included �Coill Ichtarach� in south-east Derry in the old O�Flynn country of Loughinsholin in the modern County Londonderry.
Clandeboye is an anglicised form of Clann-Aedha-buidhe and takes its name from an O�Neill sept descended from Aedh Buidhe known as Hugh Ua Neill the Yellow-Haired, king of Tir E�ghain, who was slain in 1283. His descendants became known as the Clann-Aedha-buidhe. They first appear on record in 1319, when the Annals of Ulster note the death of Brian son of Domnall Ua Neill, killed by the Clann-Aedha-buidhe. The expansion of the Clann-Aedha-buidhe into south Antrim and north Down was achieved at the expense of the old resident chiefs, the MacDunlevys, O�Flynns and others probably over much of the fourteenth century. In 1359, Murcertach, son of Thomas O�Flynn, lord of Ui Tuirtri, was slain by Aedh, head of the Clann Adha Buidhe. Murcertach was heir-apparent to Ui Tuirte: after death of his father, Thomas O�Flynn, in 1365, the lordship of Ui Tuirtri was ceded and added to the expanding Clann Adha Buidhe territory.
AU 1319
Brian, son of Domnall Ua Neill, was killed by the Clann-Aedha-buidhe.
FM 1319.5
Donnell O'Neill, Lord of Tyrone, was expelled from his lordship through the power of the English and the Clann-Hugh-Boy, and went to Fermanagh under the protection of Flaherty Maguire; but the inhabitants of Fermanagh plundered his people.
FM 1319.7
Brian, son of Donnell O'Neill, Tanist of Tyrone, was slain by the Clann-Hugh-Boy and Henry Mac Davill at Rath-lury.
FM 1320.6
Mac Martin was slain in his own house by Hugh, the son of Teige O'Conor; but the Clann-Martin and the Clann-Hugh-Boy pursued Hugh to Clogher, where they killed him.
April 26, 1327
Order to Robert Sauvage to deliver Brian son of Henry in his custody for securing peace to the constable of Carrickfergus Castle, to kept there. Dated at Dublin.
[Rotulorum patentium et clausorum cancellariae Hiberniae calendarium (Dublin, 1828), p. 36/96]
FM 1345.4
Hugh O'Neill went with a fleet on Lough Neagh, and the Clann-Hugh-Boy, with their muster, overtook him (Hugh), and many persons were wounded and killed in the contest between them; but Hugh made his escape, in despite of them, in his ships.
I. Brian Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe (1347-1368), son of Henry, king of Tir E�ghain
AU 1356.8
Muircertach, son of Thomas Ua Floinn, who was to be king of Ui-Tuirtri, was slain in treachery by Aedh, son of Brian, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny.
FM 1365.8
Brian, the son of Hugh Mac Mahon, assumed the lordship of Oriel. He sued for an alliance by marriage with Sorley, son of Owen Duv Mac Donnell, heir to the lordship of the Insi-Gall, and High Constable of the province of Ulster; and he induced him to put away O'Reilly's daughter, and espouse his own. Not long after this Mac Mahon invited him Mac Donnell to a feast. and they continued drinking for some time. Anon a dispute arose between them; whereupon Brian threw his arms about him Sorley, and ordered that he should be fast and strongly fettered, and cast into a neighbouring lake: and this being accordingly done he was at once drowned. Upon this Donnell son of Hugh O'Neill, and his brother, Brian, son of Henry O'Neill, with the chief of Clannaboy, and Turlough More Mac Donnell, with all of his tribe in Ulster, assembled together, and, with one accord, marched into Oriel as far as the confines of Rath-Tulach, the mansion-seat of Mac Mahon. Intelligence of this having reached Brian, he fled, leaving the town empty and desolate to them. They, however, pursued Mac Mahon, who, with the chiefs of his territory, was engaged placing their herds and flocks in the fastnesses of the country. The men of Oriel were defeated, and deprived of their arms and cattle. After this Mac Mahon was banished from his own country to Muintir-Maelmora, and his wife and his daughter were made prisoners.
AU 1365.13
Thomas Ua Floinn, king of Ui-Tuirtri, eminent without defect of generosity, or of nobleness, or of pre-eminence, died this year.
Note: The last reference to the king of Ui-Tuirtri.
II. Muircheartach Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe (1369-1395), son of Henry, king of Tir E�ghain
AU 1371.5
Cu-muighi Ua Cathain, king of Oirecht-Ui-Cathain, was taken prisoner by the Foreigners in the port of Cuil-rathain and put by them into Carraic-Ferghusa.
AU 1371.6
An attack was made by the sons of kings of Oirecht-Ui-Cathain on the Foreigners and the Foreigners inflicted great defeat upon them.
September 2, 1375
John Oneill clk has letters of presentation to the church of Acochill (Ahoghill) , diocese of Connor. Dated at Kilkenny.
[Rotulorum patentium et clausorum cancellariae Hiberniae calendarium (Dublin, 1828), p. 93/139]
AU 1383.7
A great hosting by Niall Ua Neill (king of Tri E�ghain) with his sons and the nobles of the Fifth about him. The whole North was destroyed and burned and pillaged by them. Aedh Ua Neill junior and Raibilin (Roland) Savage fell in with one another on an encounter and two thrusts of their spears were given to each other by them. Raibilin went mortally injured to his Bisset's house and the son of John Bisset killed him outright and Aedh junior expired with, them the Bissets the third hour after the combat and so on. Jenkin the Fair, namely, son of John Bisset, was killed by the people of Raibilin in revenge of Savage.
FM 1383.3
A great army was led by Niall O'Neill, with his sons and the chieftains of Kinel-Owen, into Trian-Chongail, against the English; and they burned and totally plundered many of their towns. The English of the territory assembled to oppose them. Hugh O'Neill and Raibilin Savadge met each other in a charge of cavalry, and they made two powerful thrusts of their spears into each others' bodies. Raibilin returned severely wounded to his house, where Mac Eoin Bisset killed him, and Hugh O'Neill died the third day afterwards of the effects of his wound; and Mac Eoin Bisset, he was killed by Raibilin's people the third day after the killing Raibilin himself.
AU 1384.13
(The burning of Carraic-Ferghusa was done by Niall Ua Neill this year, on the vigil of Easter April 10).
III. Brian Ballach, son of Muircheartach Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe (1395-1425)
AU 1418.5
Great forays were made by the Foreigners of Meath on Aedh, son of Art Mag Aenghusa. An attack was made by Mag Aenghusa and by Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe on the track of the Foreigners and of those preys. And it is not easy to tell or to count the amount that was taken and that was slain of the Foreigners on that pursuit. And he himself came to his house on that expedition with a victory of rescue and chattel and so forth.
AU 1422.1
Eogan, son of Niall Ua Neill junior, was liberated by his own sons and by his wife from Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe this year.
AU 1422.4
A large host was led by Eogan, son of Niall Ua Neill junior, and by Ua Domnaill and by Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe and by the nobles of the rest of the Province into Connacht. And Cairpre was burned by them on that expedition. Great rout was inflicted on them in Sligech by Eogan, son of Concobur, and by Toirdelbach Carrach Ua Concobuir and by Ua Ruairc. Six of the host were slain by them in that rout. The host went thence into Tir-Oilella and great destruction was committed by them there. And they were a night in the fort of Loch-dergain, and went after that through the Breifni, by leave of Ua Ruairc, to their houses.
FM 1422.8
Niall Garv, the son of Turlough, son of Niall Garv O'Donnell, went into Fermanagh, subjugated Maguire, Mac Mahon, and Magennis, and brought them with him to O'Kane, who also submitted to him. From thence they proceeded, attended by the sons of O'Kane, to Mac-I-Neill Boy, and completely plundered the Glynns of Antrim and Mac Eoin Bisset, and burned the country; and they proceeded into Clannaboy and Moylinny, the spoils of which territories they carried off to Carrickfergus, and afterwards returned home in safety.
AU 1425.1
The Mortimer came to Ireland this year: namely, the Earl of March and many of the Saxons came with him. And it is that Earl had the guardianship of the king of the Saxons and of the greater part of France and of all the Foreigners of Ireland. For the king of the Saxons was left a child, and it is the Earl of March that had his protection and his guardianship. Now, there went many of the magnates of Ireland to the house of that Earl and came therefrom in great concord and honour. Moreover, the magnates of the Ulster Province went to the house of that Earl: namely, Ua Neill and Eogan Ua Neill and Nechtain Ua Domnaill and Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe, that is, Brian the Freckled. And Mac Uibhilin went there apart from the rest, by himself. On the completion of their compact with the Earl, the Earl died of the plague before they went from out Meath. The Foreigners of Meath and Saxons followed those Gaidhil and the latter were all taken prisoners, and other worthy persons of their septs along with them. Ua Neill and Mac Ui-Neill-buidhe and Mac Uibilin submitted to the award of the Foreigners and were liberated. Many machinations and many evils were charged against Eogan and against the son of Ua Domnaill, and they were kept in custody through that. And a cause of great war in the whole of the Province of Ulster were those captures.
AU 1425.7
Brian (namely, Brian the Freckled) Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe, namely, the one son of a king that was best in hospitality and in knowledge of every science that was heard of, was slain this year in treachery in Carraic-Ferghusa by ignoble servitors of the Rock itself. And John, son of Henry Ua Neill was slain on the same spot along with Mac-Ui-Neill (Or, it may be that it is on this next year above it were right for the slaying of Brian the Freckled to be).
IV. Aedhe the Tawny, son of Brian Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe, lord of Trian-Congaill (1425-1444)
AU 1426.7
Henry Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe was blinded by the sons of Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe.
FM 1427.14
An army was led by O'Donnell (Niall), Lord of Tirconnell, into Trian-Chongail, against O'Neill (Domnall), and to assist the Mac-I-Neill Boys. On this expedition O'Donnell defeated Mac Quillin, and killed a great number of his people; and the two sons of Donough Mac Sweeny, who were assisting Mac Quillin, were taken prisoners by O'Donnell. The people of O'Donnell and of the sons of Mac-I-Neill Boy became possessed of great spoils and immense booty on that day.
AU 1432.7
A great hosting was made by the Ua Neill and by Mag Uidhir and by Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe into Cenel-Moen to face Ua Domnaill. Slaughters numerous and burnings extensive were done by them upon Tir-Conaill and the town of Ua Domnaill and the town of Nechtain were burned by them, and many corn-fields were burned by them. And they were from the feast of Holy Cross to Lammas on that expedition, and went to their houses without making peace, and so on.
AU 1433.2
Great war arose between Ua Neill and Ua Domnaill, that is, Niall the Rough, son of Toirdelbach. Ua Neill and Eogan went with a large host in pursuit or Ua Domnaill and Mac Uibilin into the Dubh-trian (Dufferin). Mac Domnaill of Scotland came with a numerous fleet to Ireland into the muster of Ua Neill to aid him. Ua Domnaill and Mac Uibilin and Robert Savage were pursued by them into the Dubh-trian (Dufferin) and their cattle were all wrested from them and killed by the Scotch. Very great slaughter and loss of men were inflicted by them on Mac Uibilin, so that only a few of his people escaped with him from the Dubh-trian: the amount that escaped, they fell at the river-pass of the New Castle. Ua Neill and Henry, namely, the son of Ua Neill and Mac Domnaill of Scotland went with their hosts to Ardglas and it was burned by them on that expedition. Mac Domnaill and his host went in their ships from Ard-glas to Inis-Eogain and Ua Neill went by land to aid him, to harry Tir-Conaill. Nechtain Ua Domnaill and the daughter of Ua Concobuir Faly, that is, the wife of Ua Domnaill and the Tir-Conallian sons of sub-kings also went into conference with them at Inis-Eogain and peace was made between them without permission from Ua Domnaill. For Ua Domnaill and Mac Uibhilin went to the Foreign settlement of Meath and made a pact with them against Ua Neill. And the deputy of the king took a large host with them to the Plain of Ard-Macha and they went against the Monastery of Poor Friars in Ard-Macha. But they returned to their houses on that occasion without obtaining sway. MacUilbilin was billeted by the Foreigners of the Plain of Oirgialla after his expulsion by Ua Neill. Ua Domnaill went around Meth westwards to Ath-luain and went thence into Ui-Maine. A night march was made by him across the Plain, to meet Mac Diarmata of the Magh-Luirg and then to meet Ua Ruairc. Ua Ruairc escorted him over beyond the Erne. Ua Neill and Mag Uidhir went to Narrow-Water to meet Ua Domnaill and peace was made with him.
AU 1444.3
Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny was slain this year: namely, a general protector to the learned companies of Ireland and Scotland was he. His death happened thus: to wit, he was wounded in the Week of the Passion and died in the Summer of this year.
V. Muircertach son of Brian Ballach Mac Ui-Neill-buidhe, lord of Trian-Conghail (1444-1463)
FM 1444.4
After the death of Hugh, a great army was led by Owen, son of Niall Oge (i.e. the O'Neill); and the greater number of the chieftains of Ulster, O'Donnell excepted, marched with a numerous army to plunder and destroy the Clann-Hugh-Boy. Murtough Roe O'Neill, Henry O'Neill, Mac Quillin, and all their auxiliaries, assembled to oppose this army in the territory of Duibhthrian Dufferin. They cut a passage through the wood, in the direction which they conceived they the enemy would approach them. O'Neill with his forces advanced to this narrow passage, when the others charged them, and slew Mac Donnell Galloglagh, who was in the rear of the army, amongst the baggage. The army became much discouraged at this, so that they delivered up to the sons of Mac-I-Neill Boy all such hostages as they chose to select, namely, Hugh, the son of O'Neill, the son of Henry O'Neill, the son of Mac Mahon, the son of O'Mellan, and fifteen other hostages besides, on condition of being themselves permitted to return home through the passage already mentioned. This being agreed to, they took their way homeward in sorrow and disgrace.
AU 1444.6
The defeat of Bealach-Curdhit was inflicted on Eogan, son of Niall Ua Neill junior, by the sons of Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe, wherein was slain Mac Domnaill, the Gallowglass, namely, Toirdelbach, son of Mac Domnaill, Constable of Ua Neill (the Freckled) and wherein many others were taken as hostages.
AU 1450.4
A hosting was made by Henry Ua Neill and by Art Ua Neill, namely, sons of Eogan Ua Neill (that is, king of the Province), into Trian-Conghail to assist Mac Uibhilin.
AU 1450.5
Niall, son of Henry, son of Eogan Ua Neill, went in quest of spoil from Muircertach Mac Ui-Neill-buidhe. The spoil was taken by Niall and by his people. Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe overtook Niall and Eogan, son of Brian Ua Neill junior. His force was then directed against Niall. Now Eogan, son of Brian junior, son of Brian Mor, son of Henry Ua Neill the Turbulent, delivered two strokes of a spear on Niall and slew him and that Niall was buried in Ard-Macha, and so on.
AU 1465.9
Henry, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, died this year.
AU 1465.11
John, son of Alexander, son of John Mac Domnaill Mor and many others with him were slain by Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, the day before the feast of St. Michael, A.D. 1465.
VI. Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, lord of Trian-Conghail (1468-1482)
AU 1468.6
Great defeat was inflicted in Benn-uama by Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, wherein was slain the Savage.
FM 1468.26
A great victory was gained by Con, the son of Hugh Boy O'Neill, over the English of Lecale at Beann-uamha, where Murtough Roe O'Neill, Lord of Clannaboy, was taken prisoner, and Aengus, the son of Alexander Mac Donnell, the son of Robert Savadge, Lord of Lecale, and many others, both English and Irish, were slain.
AU 1470.2
A great hosting was made this year by Ua Neill, namely, Henry, son of Eogan Ua Neill, into Clann-Aedha-buidhe, to join Mac Uibhilin in the Dubh-trian. And Conn Mac-Ui-Neill-buidhe and the Clann-Aedha-buidhe went on a foray on Mac Uibhilin and Ua Neill and Mac Uibhilin overtook them and battle was given by them to each other at close of day. And the Clann-Aedha-buidhe were defeated. And Aedh junior, son of Aedh the Tawny, was taken there and Mac Suibne of the Wood and Owen Mac Suibne the Red were taken there. Art, son of Domnall Ua Neill the Slender, was slain there and the castle of Sgathdergi was obtained on that expedition by Ua Neill and he gave it into possession of Mac Uibhilin to keep it. And Ua Neill went to his house from that expedition with triumph of victory and rout.
Note: The castle of Sgathdergi is Sketrick Castle is located on Sketrick Island which is reached by a causeway on the west coast of Strangford Lough in Co. Down.
AU 1470.4
Great war arose this year between Ua Neill and the sons of Art Ua Neill and the sons of Art went, after their expulsion, into Trian-Congail and Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, took sides with them against Ua Neill.
AU 1470.7
A great hosting was made into Trian-Conghail by Ua Neill (namely, Henry), with the magnates of the Fifth around him: to wit, Ua Domnaill and the Fir-Manach and Oirecht-Ui-Cathain and Mac Uibillin. And they were a while at the Coill-ichtarach, destroying crops and burning houses. And they went across at the Pass at the mouth of Tuam and went through the Fidhbadh and were a night on the Riasc-mor and went from that to Edan-dubcairgi, namely, to the town of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, and were two nights there. And Henry, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled and Feidhlimidh grandson of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny and Brian, son of Niall Ua Neill the Foreign, went to submit to Ua Neill. And obedience and homage were got by him from them all and peace was established by him between them and Mac Uibillin. And Ua Neill went from that into the Island of Rinn-Sibhne and was there for a space, burning crops and houses.
And the son of Aedh the Tawny, namely, Brian, went into the Ard of Ulidia and large preys were carried off by him around the host into the Fidhbadh. Ua Neill proceeded with Mac Uibillin into the Ard of Ulidia and went from that to his own town. Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny and the sons of Art Ua Neill and the sept of Henry went into Tir-Eogain and great forays were done by them on the sons of Feidhlimidh Ua Neill.
Note: (1) Tuam is Toome, (2) Fidhbadh is Feevagh and (3) Edan-dubcairgi is Edenduffecarrick.
AU 1471.3
Trian-Conghail was all re-taken this year by Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, and they came and submitted to him, namely, the son of Ua Neill and Mac Uibhilin and Henry, son of Brian the Freckled.
AU 1472.4
A hosting was made by Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, and by Godfrey Ua Cathain, namely, brother of Ruaidhri, to the Route, to avenge the son of Ua Cathain (namely, Ruaidhri) upon them. And there was an encounter between them and Godfrey Ua Cathain was slain with one cast of a javelin by Rughraidhe Mac Uibilin: to wit, a man that was eminent in hospitality and in charity and in leadership was that Godfrey. An inroad was made on the morrow by Conn son of Aedh the Tawny on the Route and great defeat was inflicted by him on them and Mac Uibilin, that is, Cormac, namely, an eminent leader without defect, was slain therein. Rughraidhe Mac Uibilin was then made the Mac Uibilin and peace was made by him with the son of Aedh the Tawny and a meeting was accepted by them with the Oirecht-Ui-Cathain. And Mac Uibilin went on a small cot on the mouth of the Bann, to go to meet Ua Cathain. And a party of the Oirecht-Ui-Cathain met him on going on land and he was slain and cast on the Bann and so on.
AU 1474.7
An inroad was made by Ua Neill (namely, Henry) on Conn son of Aedh the Tawny and on the sons of Art Ua Neill in the Tuaiscert, and large preys were driven in front of them by them. And the whole of Trian-Congail overtook them, but Ua Neill took the preys with him in their despite and went to his house full safe.
AU1475.1
The son of Savage and Feidhlimidh, grandson of Ua Neill, were taken by Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny and the son of Savage escaped from him after that.
AU 1476.6
A great hosting by Ua Neill (namely, Henry) against Conn son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny and he went against the castle of Bel-Feirsdi (Belfast) and the castle was taken and broken by him and he went to his house with triumph of victory.
AU 1481.6
The son of Savage, namely, Patrick Savage, was taken by Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny and blinded and emasculated in that captivity.
AU 1481.9
Conn, son of Ua Neill (namely, Henry), was taken by the Clann-Aedha-buidhe Ui Neill this year and given into the bands of Ua Domnaill.
AU 1482.1
Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, died this year: to wit, an eminent leader and head of protection and war of the Province and general guarantor to the bardic troops of Ireland and Scotland. He died after victory of penance.
VII. Niall M�r, son of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, lord of Trian-Conghail (1482-1512)
AU 1483.9
The Sradbaile was burned this year by Ua Domnaill, namely, Aedh the Red, son of Niall the Rough and by Aedh junior, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny. And the Justiciary and Foreigners overtook them and Mac Uibhilin and the son of Toirdelbach Carrach Ua Conchobuir were taken from them by the Foreigners on that march.
AU 1484.15
The Heir and John Cathanach, his son, were taken and the best son he had, namely, Alexander the Red, was slain treacherously by Aedh junior, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled.
AU 1485.3
Aedh junior, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, went on a raid into Leth-Cathail and was overtaken there and slain with one thrust of a javelin: to wit, the youth who was best in hospitality and leadership that was in Trian-Conghail at that time.
AU 1485.24
Brian Ua Hood, namely, an honoured poet of Trian Conghail, was slain this year by the son of Mac Eogain, that is, by John, son of Eogan Mac Eogain.
FM 1485.7
Hugh Oge, the son of Hugh Boy, son of Brian Ballagh O'Neill, Lord of Trian-Chonghail, went upon a predatory excursion into Lecale; but he was overtaken by the English, and slain by one cast of a javelin.
AU 1486.23
The castle of Bel-Fersdi (Belfast) was taken by Feidhlimidh, grandson of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny and by the son of Savage, namely, Robert, son of Jenkin Savage and by the sons of Brian the Anglified, son of Brian the Freckled, from the warders of Brian, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian the Freckled, in Summer.
AU 1487.9
Great raids were made this year by Ua Cathain, namely, by John, son of Aibhne Ua Cathain, in Coill-ichtarach and two, or three, and twenty persons were slain there by him. And Brian Carrach, son of Aedh, son of Brian Mag Uidhir, was slain there on that expedition.
AU 1488.20
Ua Neill (namely, Conn) let Niall, son of John Ua Neill the Tawny, from out his captivity this year, about the feast of St. Brenann. And other hostages were got from him, including his own two sons and another son of John the Tawny, namely, Henry.
AU 1488.23
Brian, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, died of the small pox in the Spring of this year.
Mary, daughter of Domnall Mac Domnaill the Freckled, namely, wife of Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, died of the same disease.
AU 1489.14
A raid was made by the sons (namely, Niall and Art) of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, on Henry, son of Henry, son of Eogan Ua Neill and Cathair Ua Concobair, namely, a good horseman of the people of Henry, was slain there a week after May Day.
AU 1489.23
Ua Domnaill, namely, Aedh, son of Niall the Rough, went into Trian-Conghail at the end of the Harvest of this year. And great raids were made by him on Mac Uibilin in the Route and the son of Ua Domnaill, namely, Conn, was wounded there and the castle of Bel-Fersdi was taken by Ua Domnaill on that incursion and he went safe to his house.
AU 1490.17
The castle of Edan-dubcairgi, namely, the castle of Niall, son of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, was taken and broken (on the Nones 7th of May) by Feidhlimidh, grandson of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny.
AU 1490.22
Great raids were made this year by Feidhlimidh, grandson of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, on the sons of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny and Godfrey Ua Moilcroibe was slain by him there.
AU 1493.5
Brian, son of Niall the Foreign, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, was slain by Brian, son of Muircertach Mag Aengusa, in Harvest of this year, in revenge of his father.
AU 1493.23
Ua Domnaill, namely, Aedh the Red, son of Niall the Rough, went with a large host into Trian-Conghail in Harvest of this year and all Lower Connacht went with him thither, under Domnall, son of Eogan, son of Domnall, son of Muircertach Ua Concobuir and under Ua Ruairc, namely, under Feidhlimidh, son of Donchadh, son of Tighernan Ua Ruairc junior, and under Eogan, son of Tighernan, son of Tadhg Ua Ruairc. And he went into Clann-Aedha-buidhe and into Leth-Cathail and into Oirthir and into Ui-Eathach. And hosts hard to count overtook him and rose against him in front of and behind him, under Ua Neill, namely, under Henry, son of Henry, son of Eogan Ua Neill, and under Mag Mathgamna, namely, Aedh junior, son of Aedh the Red, son of Rughraidhe Mag Mathgamna and under Mag Aenghusa, namely, under Aedh, son of Art, son of Aedh Mag Aenghusa. And Ua Domnaill met and bore that onset splendidly, firmly, and turned on those and 13 men of them were slain by him, under a good horseman of the people of Mag Mathgamna. And were it not for the nearness of the night to them, a crushing defeat had been inflicted by Ua Domnaill. And Ua Domnaill came to his house victoriously on that occasion, but that he brought neither peace, nor truce, nor submission with him.
AU 1493.27
Finnguala, daughter of Ua Concobair Faly, namely, daughter of the Calbach, son of Murchadh Ua Concobair, wife of Niall, son of Toirdelbach Ua Domnaill of the Wine, and who was after that as wife with Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, and kept her widowhood well after that for nine and forty years fittingly, piously, honourably, died in the beginning of the Harvest of this year.
AU 1494.20
The daughter of Ua Domnaill, namely, daughter of Aedh the Red, son of Niall the Rough, son of Toirdelbach of the Wine, namely, wife of Niall, son of Conn, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, (that is, the dark Damsel) died this year.
AU 1496.20
Eimer, son of Brian, son of Niall Ua Neill the Foreign, was slain in treachery and his other brother, namely, Eogan, was maimed the same day, in the beginning of Summer, by his two other brothers, namely, by Conn the Red and by Feidhlimidh.
AU 1497.4
Feidhlimidh, son of Muircertach the Red, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled, was slain, a week before the feast of Patrick, by Domnall, son of Aedh junior, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled.
AU 1497.31
Muircertach, son of Aedh junior, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, was slain by the sons of Feidhlimidh, son of Muircertach the Red, son of Brian the Freckled, in this year.
AU 1497.23
The monastery of the Friars Minor of Carraig-Ferghusa (Carrickfergus) was delivered from Rome, on the mediation of Niall, son of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, unto the Friars Minor of Stricter Observance and 16 Friars of the Community of Dun-na-Gall went into its possession on the vigil Aug. 14 of the first feast of Mary in the Harvest this year, the decision having gone in their favour therein.
AU 1497.31
Muircertach, son of Aedh junior, son of Aedh Ua Neill the Tawny, was slain by the sons of Feidhlimidh, son of Muircertach the Red, son of Brian the Freckled, in this year.
AU 1497.32
Domnall, son of Aedh junior, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian Ua Neill the Freckled and his other brother, namely, Eimer, were slain this year, after November Day, by John the Black, grandson of Domnall Ua Neill the Slender and by his sons and by his kinsmen also, in Baile-na-scrine.
AU 1507.6
Niall, son of Conn, son of Aodh the Tawny, son of Brian O'Neill the Freckled, was taken this year by the people of Carraig-Ferghusa (Carrickfergus) and he was a while in captivity and 16 hostages were exacted from him at his being let out. And that same castle was taken by Niall, son of Conn, and the mayor of the town was taken there.
AU 1512.1
Niall, son of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, son of Brian O'Neill the Freckled, lord of Trian-Conghail and a man of general hospitality to sages and to folk of erudition and a man that increased Orders and churches and every goodness beside and the ornament of the East of Ireland, died in Carraic-Ferghusa (Carrickfergus) after Communion and Sacrifice. And he was buried honourably in the monastery of the Friars Minor.
FM 1512.3
Niall, the son of Con, son of Hugh Boy, son of Brian Ballagh O'Neill, Lord of Trian-Congail, a man of general hospitality, exalter of the religious orders and of the churches, a successful and triumphant man, who had not paid tribute to the Clann-Neill (O�Neill) or Clann-Daly (O�Donnells), or to the deputy of the King of England,� a man of very long prosperity and life, and a man well skilled in the sciences, both of history, poetry, and music, died on the 11th of April.
VIII. Aedh buidhe, son of Conn, son of Aedh the Tawny, lord of Trian-Conghail (1512-1524)
AU 1512.2
A hosting by Gerald, Earl of Kildare, namely, the Justiciary of Ireland, against Trian-Congail, whereon he took the castle of Bel-Fersti (Belfast) and broke down the castle of Mac Eoin and harried the Glens and much of the country. And he took Aedh the son of Niall, son of Conn O'Neill and other hostages also with him, in pledge of compliancewith his own award.
AU 1513.8
A hosting by the O'Neill, namely, Art, son of Aodh, into Trian-Conghail, whereon he burned Magh-Line (Moylinny) and raided the Glens (Glinns). And Aedh son of Niall, son of Conn O'Neill and Mac Uibhilin overtake part of the host and Aodh, son of Art Ua Neill, was slain on that occasion. The host and the pursuing party meet each other on the morrow and Mac Uibhilin, namely, Richard, son of Rughraidhe and a band of Scots are slain. And O'Neill comes safe to his house after that.
AU 1514.11
The sons of Garrett Mac Uibhilin were slain in treachery by the son of Walter Mac Uibhilin and the country was raided and burned by the son (namely, Aodh) of Niall, son of Conn O'Neill, through that slaying.
AU 1515.1
Great raids were made by O'Domnaill on the Clan of Mac Diarmata the Red on the border of Coillte-Concobuir, so that he carried off a cattle-spoil hard to count. And the leg of O'Domnaill is wounded with a spear that was in his own hand in marshalling a part of the host and they come off safe, except that.
AU 1515.2
A hosting by O'Neill (namely, Art junior) into Clann-Aedha-buidhe, in violation of his covenant as regards O'Domnaill in the peace in which were the Clann-Aedha-buidhe, and O'Domnaill was in the illness of the wound aforesaid. He burned and raided great part of the country and the son (namely, Aodh) of Niall, son of Conn, comes to meet O'Neill and accepts the stipend of O'Neill, who returns safe to his house afterwards.
AU 1515.5
Aodh, son of Niall, son of Conn, lord of Trian-Conghail, went on a march into Coill-Ulltach and preys were seized by him. Niall, son of Brian, son of Niall the Foreign�one who was in contention with Aodh respecting lordship of Trian-Conghail�follows them with a pursuing party and the son of Brian is slain and the Coill is harried completely and the sway of the territory remains with the son of Niall from that out.
AU 1517.4
A hosting by O'Domnaill, with the nobles of Cenel-Conaill around him, whereon he burned Tir-Eogain before him, until he reached Coill-ichtarach. And, on his being five nights there waiting for Aedh the son of Niall, son of Conn and on the same O'Neill mustering a host during that space, O'Domnaill burns the country on his return, until he reached Dun-Genainn. And O'Neill abandons the town to him and the town is afterwards burned completely and from that inwards to the Mountain and he comes safe to his house. And after the Clann-Aedha-buidhe being a week in Tir-Conaill along with O'Domnaill, he proceeds then to escort them home and each part of them goes safe to their houses.
AU 1524.5
A hosting by the Justiciary, namely, Gerald, son of Gerald and by O'Neill, namely, Conn, son of Conn, to go into Tir-Conaill and camp was taken by them at Port-na-tri-namat. And O'Domnaill and the Conallian nobles and a large force of Scots whom he had were, another large host, along the Finn and Maghnus O'Domnaill and a party of the Scots went to discharge weapons at the host of the Earl in the night. And the son of O'Bruin, namely, the Calbach, son of Brun, son of Tadhg, was slain by them�a great loss in his own country. And peace was made between them on the morrow, without much being destroyed in the country and they turned back into Tir-Eogain. And they found Aodh, son of Niall, son of Conn, lord of Trian-Conghail, with a large host, destroying the country and he disdained to go away suddenly and the thick of the host overtook him and he was slain. And not a triumph lit. wonder for his enemies was the overthrow; for he was the capital head of his own sept and the true well of generosity and goal of the order of poets and lightsome star of peace of the descendants of Aodh O'Neill the Tawny. And it is not exaggeration to say that he left not Foreigner or Gaidhel in Ireland who is more of a loss to all the learned than he himself alone.
AU 1524.12
The daughter of O'Domnaill, namely, Gormlaith, daughter of Aodh the Red, wife of Aodh, son of Niall, son of Conn O'Neill the Tawny, to wit, a woman of general hospitality and wordly fame and who had in her time most affection for religious Orders and for folk of learning, died in Carraic-Ferghusa (Carrickfergus).
AU 1533.3
Feidhlimidh the Lame, son of Niall, son of Conn O'Neill, lord of Trian-Congail, died this year.
Note: Feidhlimidh the Lame otherwise Bacach (meaning �the Lame�).
AU 1533.12
Defeat was inflicted this year on the Clann-Aedha-buidhe and on Alexander Carrach, son of Mac Domnaill, by Mac Uibhilin.
AU 1536.13
Flann Mac-Conmidhe, head of large flocks and herds, was slain in Trian-Congail by the Scots.
AU 1535.2
A hosting by Ua Neill to Trian-Congail and the castle of Edan-dubhcarghe was taken by him from the sons of Aedh, son of Niall, and given to Niall junior, son of Niall, son of Conn.
AU 1536.14
Gilla-espuic the Manly, son of Mac Domnaill of Scotland, was doing much injury throughout Trian-Congail.
AU 1536.15
Niall junior, son of Niall, son of Conn O'Neill, mustered the country and delivered an attack on them and Gilla-espuic himself and two score, or three, of his people with him were slain.
AU 1536.20
A hosting by Ua Neill and Niall Ua Neill junior around the Cargin and on the plain of the Old Castle. Much corn was destroyed by them. Ua Neill went from that to Oirecht-Ui-Cathain and to Trian-Congaill. Niall junior went to the Lucht-tighi of Ua Neill and was a day and night burning there and destroying the country. The sons of Ua Neill and Mag Aenghusa overtook them with a strong pursuing party. And Mag Aenghusa was a great horseman and he himself and Niall smote earch other vigorously and Mag Aenghusa was taken there by Niall and by his people and by the son of Mag Uidhir who was with him, namely, by Cormac. Niall returned safe to his house with victory of overthrow.
LC 1537.12
The son of Aedh, son of Niall, son of Conn, son of Aedh Buidhe, i.e. Niall, heir to the sovereignty of Trian-Conghail, and a man who practised nobility and hospitality, and who was likely to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors in reputation and liberality, as regards rewarding the learned and destitute, poets and men of science, and in bounty and excellence, was killed by Albanachs.
FM 1537.4
An army was led by O'Neill (Con) into Trian-Chongail (Clannaboy), and spoiled and plundered a great part of the country; the son of O'Neill, however, was taken prisoner in the rear of the army, at Belfast. O'Neill then returned to his house.
FM 1537.5
Niall Oge, the son of Niall, son of Con O'Neill, Lord of Trian-Chongail Clannaboy, died suddenly at that time; and O'Neill returned again into Trian-Chongail. and obtained his son, who was in captivity; and dissensions and contentions afterwards arose in Trian-Chongail concerning the lordship.
AU 1537.6
Niall, the son of Hugh, son of Niall, son of Con, son of Hugh Boy, heir to the lordship of Trian-Chongail, a man who was likely to follow in the wake of his ancestors in nobleness and hospitality, and in the patronage of the learned and the destitute, was slain by the Scots.
AU 1538.6
Brian, son of Niall O'Neill junior, made inroad on Niall, son of Conn, son of Niall O'Neill, to the castle of the Oghmagh, though there were peace and gossipred between them, and the castle was taken by them without warning and Niall himself, a great tale, was slain there and Eoghan, a youth of tender age who was son to him and Eoghan, son of Edmond Mac Somairle and Edmond, son of Gilla-Padraig Mac Somairle, were slain there.
May 8, 1552
Book by Sir Thomas Cusake, Lord Chancellor, sent to the Duke of Northumberland. Present state of Ireland. In Claneboy is one Moriertaghe Dulenaghe, one of the Neills, who hath the name as Captain of Claneboy, but he is not able to maintain the same; he hath eight tall gentlemen to his sons and all they cannot make past 24 horsemen. There is another sept in that country of Felim Bacagh's sons, tall men, which taketh part with Hugh M'Neill Oge, till now of late. The same Hugh was preyed by Marshal Bagenall, who has made preys upon other of those confines for the same. The said Hugh went to Colla M'Donnell (Connell) who landed with 140 bows.
[Calendar of State Papers relating to Ireland 1509-1573 (London, 1860), Vol. I, p. 126]
March 3, 1569
Sir W. Fytzwylliams to same. A piece of great good service done by Capt. Pers, Capt. Cheston, Robert Holmes, and the horse under Capt. Basenett, in overthrowing 400 Scots with certain Irish, near to a castle in Claneboy, of Sir Brian M'Felim's, called Castlereagh, being from Knockfergus in the way towards Dublin about ten miles, and three miles or thereabouts from Belfast. Desires a copy of a certain book of reckonings delivered to Arnold at his being in Ireland. Might must have money.
[Calendar of State Papers relating to Ireland 1509-1573 (London, 1860), Vol. I, p. 403]
June 20, 1569
The Lord Deputy and Council to William Piers, Seneschal of Claneboy; requiring him to pay to Rowland White the sum of �40 rent out of the lands of the Dufferin, but which he (the seneschal) refused to pay, alleging that John White, of Balregan, and William Blackney, of Rykenhoe, claimed the lands in question, and he, therefore, was doubtful to whom he should properly pay his rent.
[Calendar of the Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery in Ireland of the Reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth (Dublin, 1861), Vol. I, p. 531]
May 4, 1570
Commission to William Piers, esq., seneschal of Clannyboy, sir Brian m�Phelim, knt., the mayor of Carickfergus for the time being, captain Thomas Cheston, gent., Robert Munckoman provost marshal, and Thomas Stephenson, burgess of Carikfergus; to survey and make enquiry into the countries or territories of Arde, as well this side Blackstafe as the other side, Copelande islands the Dufferin, Clandeboy, Kilultoghe, the Glynes with the RaughIines, Momerie, and Carie, the Rowte M'William (M'Quillan), and all lands between lough Coine and longh Eaghe, and the water of Strangforde and the Banne, that are not shire ground, or are doubtful to what shire they belong; to limit and nominate them a shire or county ; to divide them into countries, barony or hundreds, or to join them to any existing shire or barony and to certify their proceedings to the lord deputy with all convenient speed.To certify their proceedings before the 1st August.
[The Eleventh Report of the Deputy Keeper of Public Records in Ireland (Dublin, 1879): Appendix to Eleventh Report, p. 231, no. 1530]
FM 1573.5
An English Earl, the Earl of Essex by name, came to Ireland as President over the province of Ulster in the autumn of this year, and went to reside in Carrickfergus and in Clannaboy. At this time Brian, the son of Felim Bacagh O'Neill, was chief of Trian-Chongail and Clannaboy; and many plundering attacks and conflicts took place between Brian and the Earl from this time to the festival of St. Patrick following.
FM 1585.10
To this assembly also repaired Mac Mahon (Ross, the son of Art, son of Brian of the Early Rising, son of Redmond, son of Glasny); O'Kane (Rory, the son of Manus, son of Donough the Hospitable, son of John, son of Aibhne; Con, the son of Niall Oge, son of Niall, son of Con, son of Hugh Boy O'Neill, as representative of the O'Neills of Clannaboy; and Magennis (Hugh, the son of Donnell Oge, son of Donnell Duv).
FM 1597.28
About Allhallowtide this year the Governor of Carrickfergus and three companies of soldiers were slain in Clannaboy by James, the son of Sorley Boy Mac Donnell.
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