In the 15th century Slieve-an-ierin East became an important term in Ó Ruairc history. Slieve an ierin is part of the mountainous region east of Loch Allen in central county Leitrim. The rugged terrain of this area is apparent on the satellite image of the area (at right). Within the territory of Breifne Ó Ruairc Slieve-an-ierin became an effective dividing line between rival factions of the Ó Ruairc families. Northwest of the the mountain was West Bréifne O'Rourke, including the barony of Drumahaire. Southeast of the mountain was East Bréifne O'Rourke, including the barony of Carrigallen.
About 1376 Tigernán mór Ó Ruairc was elected king of Bréifne following the death of his older brother Tadhg na gCaor. Following the approximate 40 year reign of Tigernán mór Ó Ruairc, in 1418, the sons of Tigernán mór and those of Tadhg na gCaor, along with their political supporters, contested the title of king of Bréifne Ó Ruairc. In 1418 Aedh buidhe Ó Ruairc, son of Tigernán mór was elected chief. At Aedh's death the following year, the chieftainship of Bréifne Ó Ruairc was split in two, with Slieve an ierin (Iron Mountain) acting as a dividing point. Tadhg O'Rourke son of Tigernán mór held the title for Slieve-an-ierin West, while Art son of Tadhg na gCoar held the title for Slieve-an-ierin East. |
![]() Slieve-an-ierin (Sliabh an Iarann) area. Also refer to these County Leitrim maps of Baronies and Civil Parishes, or this map highlighting the Baronies most associated with Breifne Ó Ruairc. |
Ualgarg mór (1346) __|__ | Tadhg na gCaor (1376) __________________________|______________________________________________ | | | | | Maghnus (1390) Seaan (1407) Conchobar crom (1426) Art (1430) Lochlainn (1458) _|_ _|_ _______|_________ | | | | Feidhlimidh (1446) Maghnus Domnall (1464) Eóghan (1486)Tadhg na gCaor's son Art was king of East Breifne O Ruairc, i.e. joint king of Breifne O Ruairc, from about 1419 to 1424. The following entry in the Annals of Connacht reveal both Art's status as half-king as well as his location in Cenel Luachain:
Art (1430) ____________________________________|______________________________________ | | Cathal ballagh Aedh _______|______________________________ _______________________________|______________________ | | | | | | | | | | Uaithne Ferghal Ualgarg (1472) Tadhg Domnall Tighernán Seaan Fergal Cathal Aedh _|_ _|_ | | Seann Cobthach Art (1430) ____________________________________|__________________________ | | Cobthach Eóghan _______|___________________________________________________ | | | | | Feradach Tighernán (1496) Feidhlimidh Máelsechlann Eóghan _|_ | UalghargThe annals provide a testament of rivalries among the O'Rourkes of Carrigallen. In 1472 the death of Ualgarg son of Cathal ballagh O'Rourke was at the hands of the followers of Eóghan son of Lochlainn. This Eóghan was a nephew of Ualgarg's grandfather Art O'Rourke. In 1496 Tighernán son of Cobthach O'Rourke was slain by "by Ferghal, son of Cathal ballagh, son of Art Ua Ruairc and by the sons of Uaithne, son of Cathal ballagh." Cobthach and Ferghal were first cousins.
Lochlainn (1458) __________________________________|_________________________________________ | | Eóghan (1486) Cathal caech _____|_______________________________________ _____________________|____________________ | | | | | | | | | | Sean Feidhlimidh Donnchadh Máelsechlann Lochlin Uaithne Lochlann Donnchadh Feradach Máelsechlann (Notes: ALB shows the three middle sons of Eóghan) (son Sean from RIA MS.C.IV.I. son Lochlin from Linea Antiqua) Lochlainn (1458) _____________________________________________________________________________ | | | | Domnall (1464) Máelsechlann Ferghal Ualgarg ____|_____ ____|_____ _|_ _______|______ | | | | | | | Tadhg Maghnus Tadhg Ualgarg Conchobar na cluasi Art FerghalAdditional entries for the sons of Lochlainn appear in the Irish annals. An entry in 1464 recorded the death of Domnall, son of Lochlann, son of Tadhg Ua Ruairc. In 1472 the followers of Lochlainn's son Eóghan (Owen) were responsible for the death of Eóghan's cousin Ualgarg son of Cathal ballagh O'Rourke. Eóghan's own death was noted in 1486 as Eogan, son of Lochlann, son of Tadhg Ua Ruairc, died on the 3rd of the Ides 11th of September. After this point there appear to be no further reference to Lochlainn's descendants in the annals.
O'HART Cloncorick ? Teige na Goir _|_ | Arthur _|_ | Loghlan _|_ | Shane _|_ | Shane Oge _|_ | Owen _|_ | Shane Oge _|_ | Brian |
RIA MS. C.IV.I. Cloncorick ? Tadhg na gCaor (1376) _|_ | Lochlainn (1458) _|_ | Eoghan (1486) _|_ | Sean _|_ | Sean Og (of 1629?) _|_ | Eoghan (of 1637?) _|_ | Sean Og _|_ | Brian |
O'CLERY 'Cenel Luachain' Tadhg na gCaor (1376) _|_ | Art (1430) _|_ | Cathal ballagh _|_ | Uaithne _|_ | Seaan _|_ | Uaithne _|_ | Seaan _|_ | Aedh _|_ | Tighernán |
RIA MS. C.IV.I. 'Cenel Luachain' Tadhg na gCaor (1376) _|_ | Art (1430) _|_ | Aedh _|_ | Domnall _|_ | Cobthach _|_ | Feidhlimidh (glas?) _|_ | Seaffraidh _|_ | Feidhlimidh (of 1622?) |