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O'Rourkes of Carrigallen
a supplement to Ua Ruairc of Bréifne
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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. |
Although this division in the Bréifne O'Rourke lordship lasted off-and-on for only a few decades, it helps to setup a distinction between the O'Rourkes of Dromahaire and the O'Rourkes of Carrigallen in later references. Since the descendants of Tigernán mór would ultimately gain the upper hand as lords of Breifne their story is better known. But what of the O'Rourkes of Carrigallen, the descendants of Tadhg na gCaor? Who were the O'Rourkes of Carrigallen?
From early source genealogies, and from other sources (e.g. RIA MS.C.IV.I.), we understand that Tadhg na gCaor was a son of Ualgarg mór. The Hibernian Magazine of March 1782 mentions Teig na geer as an elder brother of Tigernan Mor, Prince of Breffny and Convacny. The article goes on to mention the estates of Kinell Luachain and Culolin remained in the family of Teig na geer without interruption till the time of James I and King Charles, his son.
The early genealogies in conjunction with the Irish annals suggest that Tadhg na gCaor had at least 8 sons whose names have been identified. They included Art, Lochlainn, Conchobar crom, Maghnus, Sean, Amlaib, Aedh, and Donnchad. Tadhg na gCaor's sons Art and Lochlainn would be distinguished as lords of East Breifne O'Rourke, before this title would eventually be dissolved. Below is a partial descendant chart, based on the early genealogies, with death dates drawn from the Irish annals.
Ualgarg mór (1346)
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Tadhg na gCaor (1376)
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Maghnus (1390) Seaan (1407) Conchobar crom (1426) Art (1430) Lochlainn (1458)
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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:
C1419.19 - Aed Buide O Ruairc, king of Brefne for a year and a half, died this year in his own stronghold after possessing his lordship. Tadc O Ruairc was made king in his stead by the Muinter Ruairc from Sliab an Iarainn westwards; and Art son of Tadc O Ruairc was made king from the mountain eastwards by the Muintet Raigillig, the Tellach Dunchada and the descendants of Maelsechlainn Mag Ragnaill; so that they disturbed the whole Garbtrian of Connacht at that time. The Muinter Raigillig came with Art O Ruairc and encamped in Cenel Luachain.
Art was also described of Magh Angaidhe in the annals, an area located in the barony of Carrigallen, south of Lough Finvoy, alias Garadice lake (source: Onomasticon Goedelicum). Magh Angaidhe has been associated around modern Newtowngore by various sources, an area consisting of all or part of the modern civil parish of Carrigallen. Art met his death in 1430 at the hands of Manus O'Rourke, a son of Art's brother Conchobar crom (died 1426).
From the early genealogies (e.g. An Leabhar Donn) there is mention of some of the descendants of both Art and Lochlainn, sons of Tadhg na gCaor. The chart below reflects some of the descendants of Art, with death years drawn from the annals.
Art (1430)
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Cathal ballagh Aedh
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Uaithne Ferghal Ualgarg (1472) Tadhg Domnall Tighernán Seaan Fergal Cathal Aedh
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Seann Cobthach
Art (1430)
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Cobthach Eóghan
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Feradach Tighernán (1496) Feidhlimidh Máelsechlann Eóghan
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Ualgharg
The 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.
Regarding the descendants of Art there is an interesting passage in the Composition Booke of Conought, 1585 which references the old names of lands within the barony of Carrigallen. The passage reads, "There is in Slight Teige ne geire O Roirke in keanallohan a quantity of land called Sleight Cahill Ballagh, consisting of 9 quarters, also Slieght Hugh mcArte in enellohane 8 quarters, also Sleight koegh 2 quarters, also Sleight Shane one quarter." In this instance 'sleight' (sliocht) means 'descendants of', and the lands referenced were those of descendants of Tadhg na gCaor O Ruairc. The lands included the descendants of three of Art's sons, that is, Cathal ballagh (Cahill Ballagh), Aedh (Hugh son of Art), and Cobthach (koegh). Also mentioned is the name of Shane, whose relationship within the family is uncertain.
These lands were located in keanallohan, aka in Cenel Luachain. Cenel Luachain was a former name of County Leitrim civil parishes which included Oughteragh, Drumreilly Upper and Drumreilly Lower, and perhaps part of the parish of Carrigallen. This was the general area of the O'Rourkes of Carrigallen (barony) and the O'Rourkes of Cloncorick (Carrigallen parish) in the southeastern portion of modern County Leitrim. In the State Papers of 1542, concerning the septs under Brian ballach mór O'Rourke, keanallohan is also mentioned. The State Papers note, "These gentlemen here recited shall be in the peace and conduct of him and his heirs under the King:- the two McGranels, O'Mulmoy, McGlaugh, Kenalowhan, Colloflimme, McCahelrewe, O'Birne, McTernan, and McAnnauve."
Art's younger brother, Lochlainn, was nominated the Ó Ruairc in 1435 following the death of Tadhg O'Rourke son of Tigernán mór. Lochlainn would reign contested as lord of East Breifne Ó Ruairc, while Donnchadh bacagh, of Tigernán mór's line, would hold the reigns for West Breifne Ó Ruairc. In 1440 the elder Lochlainn was captured by the sons of his brother Art, and he was eventually handed over to the "sons of Tiernan O'Rourke". The Annals of the Four Masters described what happened next, A war afterwards broke out between the sons of Tigernán O'Rourke and the sons of Tadhg O'Rourke, so that they disturbed the territory by the contests between them.
In 1446, in a display of rivalry among the descendants of Tadhg na gCaor, "Feidhlimidh, the son of Seaan O'Rourke, was slain in the middle of the church of Fenagh by his own kinsmen, namely, the sons of Lochlainn O'Rourke". The reference here to the church of Fenagh helps place Lochlainn and his sons in south Leitrim. At his death in 1458, the Annals of Ulster described Lochlainn as Ua Ruairc, namely, Lochlainn, son of Tadhg Ua Ruairc, that is, joint-king of the Breifne. Following the reign of Lochlainn there may have been another lord of east Breifne O'Ruairc, but only vague references exist. Considering the genealogies and the record of his death, Lochlainn lived to be over 80 years of age. Some of the descendants of Lochlainn included:
Lochlainn (1458)
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Eóghan (1486) Cathal caech
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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)
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Domnall (1464) Máelsechlann Ferghal Ualgarg
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Tadhg Maghnus Tadhg Ualgarg Conchobar na cluasi Art Ferghal
Additional 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.
Lochlainn is generally thought to be an ancestor of the O'Rourkes of Cloncorick. Cloncorick has been described near the modern town of Carrigallen (Carraig Álainn, earlier Tulach Álainn) in the central portion of Carrigallen parish, county Leitrim and near the border of Breifne O Reilly (source: Onomasticon Goedelicum). The place-names Magh Angaidh and Culolin (Cowlofflyn, Cuylofflaynd, Colloflimme/Colloflinne, perhaps Cúl Ó Floinn) have been associated with the parish of Carrigallen. Early reference to the parish of Carrigallen was included in the Papal Annals of 1422 when Pope Martin V appointed Maurice Ofloynd to the rectory of Cuylofflaynd of Inis Moyrmaghangody (Inis mor Magh Angaidh). Further reference is given to the parishes of Drumreilly and Oughtheragh when in May 1422 Pope Martin V gave a mandate to the Dean and Archdeacon of Ardagh concerning "the rectory of the parish churches of Drumyrbealaych and Wacturaght called the rectory of Cinel Luachain..."
Not being able to reference the later O'Rourkes of Carrigallen, based on the early genealogies or annals, we look to other sources. In the Compossicion Booke of Conought, 1585, there were two O'Rourkes mentioned in south Leitrim. There was Owen macShane O'Rourke of Loghnacohnie; and also Felim glas O'Rourke of Cloncorick. Loghnacohnie has been associated with the townland of Lugnagon, near modern Lough Garadice, in the civil parish of Carrigallen. Also in 1585 the name Cowlovlvoin (e.g. Culolin, Carrigallen parish) appears in an indenture made between the Lord Deputy, Sir John Perrott and the principal native gentlemen of Breifne. Amongst these were Felim Glas O'Rourke of Clooncorrick and Owen Mac Shane O'Rourke of Garadice. Elsewhere in the indenture the same Felim Glas is referred to as being from Cowlovlin. (source: Carrigallen Parish - A History, Fr. Daniel Gallogly).
In a 1622 land grant there is mention of a Felim mac Geffery O'Rourke of Callaghill and other townlands, and also the lake, pool or waters of Loghlisculfehie and all the islands and fishing in the same. Both Callowhill and Liscuilfea are adjoining townlands in the civil parish of Oughteragh (Carrigallen barony). Also see this map of civil parishes. By some sources (e.g. Betty Mac Dermot) this Felim is described as a grandson of Felim Glas of 1585.
In 1629 we find a Shane Og O Rourke of Cloncorick who was granted land in Carrigallen barony. "Grant to Shane Og O Rourke, his heirs and assigns for ever of 1211 acres of arable and pasture, and 606 acres bog and wood in the barony of Carrigallen, County Leitrim, to hold as of the Castle of Dublin by knight's service, in capite. The lands are created into a Manor, the Manor of Cloncorick, with power to hold courts, leet, etc." In 1635 Shane Oge's son Owen O Rourke is mentioned as a Ward of the Court, who obtained livery (of his father's estate). This Owen, cited by various sources, married Margaret Nugent of the family of the Earl of Westmeath. In 1637 Owen registered his Coat of Army and Crest with the Ulster Kings at Arms. At this time, Owen son of Shane Oge, was head of the O'Rourkes of Cloncorick, suggesting a possible lineage from Lochlainn, son of Tadhg na gCaor.
By some sources (e.g. Betty Mac Dermot) the above Shane Og (1629) was described as a brother of Owen mac Shane of 1585. This Shane Og was also included in O'Harts Irish Pedigrees, however O'Hart erroneously places him within the ancestry of the O'Rourkes of Carrha! It is revealing that O'Hart gives the ancestry of Shane Oge through an 'Art son of Teige na Goir O'Rourke', although in a way that conflicts with the earlier genealogies. For additional discussion on the erroneous "Chiefs of Carrha" lineage of O'Hart, see O'Rourkes of Carha.
That the O'Rourkes of the Carrigallen area were descended from Tadhg na gCaor, son of Ualgarg mór, seems obvious from the various references mentioned above. O'Hart's "Carrha" lineage seems to refer to the O'Rourkes of the Carrigallen area, perhaps the Cloncorick branch. However, based on earlier genealogies, O'Hart's Arthur (Art) was not noted with a son named Loghlan (Lochlainn), nor was there a Loghlan (Lochlainn) with a son named Shane (Sean or Seaan). This might be explained due to a couple of factors: O'Hart's lineage seems to be missing some generations, and the early genealogies do not cover Lochlainn's descendants beyond his grandsons. However, the pedigrees published in RIA MS. C.IV.I. do indicate a direct lineage from Lochlainn to Owen son of Shane Og.
For curiosity sake, what would O'Hart's lineage look like in comparison to other genealogies for the O'Rourkes of Carrigallen barony.
O'HART
Cloncorick ?
Teige na Goir
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Arthur
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Loghlan
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Shane
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Shane Oge
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Owen
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Shane Oge
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Brian
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RIA MS. C.IV.I.
Cloncorick ?
Tadhg na gCaor (1376)
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Lochlainn (1458)
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Eoghan (1486)
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Sean
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Sean Og (of 1629?)
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Eoghan (of 1637?)
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Sean Og
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Brian
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O'CLERY
'Cenel Luachain'
Tadhg na gCaor (1376)
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Art (1430)
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Cathal ballagh
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Uaithne
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Seaan
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Uaithne
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Seaan
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Aedh
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Tighernán
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RIA MS. C.IV.I.
'Cenel Luachain'
Tadhg na gCaor (1376)
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Art (1430)
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Aedh
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Domnall
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Cobthach
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Feidhlimidh (glas?)
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Seaffraidh
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Feidhlimidh (of 1622?)
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In O'Clery's genealogies the descendants of 'Art son Tadhg na gCaor' has the most coverage available for any of the descendants of Tadhg na gCaor. Additional information for descendants of Tadhg na gCaor was published in 1714 in RIA MS.C.IV.I. Part of this MS. has been transcribed here.
Also see Ua Ruairc of Bréifne -- Genealogy Sources -- Lords and Kings of Bréifne -- Chart of O Ruarc Kings
"O'Rourkes of Carrigallen", written by Dennis Walsh, April 2006, all rights reserved.
Sources used for this article include the Irish Annals; the 'middle' Irish genealogies (e.g. O'Clery); the pedigrees in RIA MS. C. IV. I., and Betty Mac Dermot's Book O Ruairc of Breifne.
