Ó Ruairc kings of Bréifne - Early Reference in the Annals

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Ó Ruairc kings of Bréifne
Early Reference in the Annals
a supplement to Ua Ruairc of Bréifne

With any degree of certainty, the earliest reference in the Irish annals to an Ó Ruairc ancestor as a king of Bréifne is that of Tighearnán in the late 9th century. He is described as a son of Sellachán in the following entries from the Annals of the Four Masters (M), Cronicon Scotorum (CS), and the Annals of Ulster (U):

M888.4 - Tighearnan, son of Seallachan, lord of Breifne, died.
CS892 - Tigernán son of Sellachán, king of Bréifne, dies.
U892.4 - Tigernan m. Sellachain, rex Breifne, moritur.

The early Irish genealogies also reflect that Tighearnán was a son of Sellachan, descended from the ancient line of Brion, a quo Uí Briúin, whose descendants were prominent in the history of the Irish province of Connaught. In the early genealogies (e.g. Book of Ballymote), Tighearnán (aka Tigernán) was listed with 12 sons - as follows:

Cernacan, a quo Muinter Cernachan
Cerball, a quo hI Cerbaill Callraidhe
Ainbeith, a quo hI Ainbeith
Flann, a quo hI Flaind,
Fachtnan, a quo hI Fachtnan
Altan, a quo hI Altan,
Baighellan, a quo hI Baigellan
Muircertach, a quo Muinter Muircertaigh
Maelbrighde, a quo hI Maelbrighde
Maelruanaigh, a quo Muinter Maelruanaigh
Muiredach, a quo Muinter Muiredhaigh
Ruarc, a quo Muinter Ruairc.

Four of Tighearnán's sons appear to be mentioned in the Irish annals. These are summarized below, with additional notes added in parentheses by this author:

M893.5 - Ruarc, son of Tighearnan, lord of Breifne; died.
CS898 - Ruarc son of Tigernán, king of Bréifne, dies.
M905.4 - The battle of Magh-Cumma was gained by Flann, son of Maelseachlainn, and by his sons, over the men of Breifne, wherein were slain Flann, son of Tighearnan, lord of Breifne, and his son, and many others of the nobility, together with three thousand men, who fell along with them in that battle.
CS910 - Flann son of Mael Sechnaill, with his sons, inflicted a battle-rout on the men of Bréifne, in which Flann, son of Tigernán fell, and his son and many others were killed, i.e. three thousand men.
M918.6 - A battle was gained in Cianachta-Breagh (i. e. at Tigh-mic-nEathach) by Donnchadh, son of Flann, son of Maelseachlainn, over the foreigners, wherein a countless number of the foreigners was slain; indeed in this battle revenge was had of them for the battle of Ath-cliath, for there fell of the nobles of the Norsemen here as many as had fallen of the nobles and plebeians of the Irish in the battle of Ath-cliath. Muircheartach, son of Tighearnan, i. e. heir apparent of Breifne, was wounded in the battle of Cianachta, and he afterwards died of his wounds. (Note: Cianachta Breagh located in or near Co. Louth)
M929.7 - Cearnachan, son of Tighearnan, lord of Breifne, died.
U931.5 - Cernachán son of Tigernán, king of Bréifne, died.

From information in the early genealogical references, as well as in the Irish annals, comes the following chart which includes aproximate death years. The names added in gray are speculative, based on entries from the Irish annals.
Tighearnán (888-892) _________________________________|_______________________________ | | | | Ruarc (893-898) Flann (905-910) Muirchertach (918) Cernachán (929-931) _|__________________________________________________ | | Art (no direct reference) Tighearnán (of 943) _|___________________________ _|___________________ | | | | Sean Ferghal (964-967) Ualgharg (968-970) Aedh (945-947) Clerchen (935) _|______________________ | | Aedh (1014-1015) Art an caileach (aft 1030) _|_ | Art uallach (oirdnide) (1046)
From the death dates referenced above it seems apparent that Ruarc (ancestor of the Ó Ruaircs) was an elder son of Tighearnán, perhaps succeeding his father at his death. Based on the annals, Ruarc and two of his brothers were noted as kings of Bréifne. The following covers the remaining 10th century entries in the annals which reflect kings and royal heirs of Bréifne. Additional notes were added in parentheses by this author.

M935.6 - Clerchen, son of Tighearnan, son of the lord of Breifne, died. (Note: not listed among the sons of Tighearnán who died between 888-892)
CS943 - Dub Léna daughter of Tigernán, king of Bréifne, wife of the king of Temair, i.e. Donnchad son of Flann, dies.
M945.5 - An army was led by Ruaidhri Ua Canannain to Slaine, where the foreigners and the Irish met him, namely, Conghalach, son of Maelmithigh, and Amhlaeibh Cuaran; and the foreigners of Ath-cliath were defeated, and numbers slain and drowned. Scolaighe O'hAedhagain, lord of Dartraighe; Gairbhith, son of Muireadhach, Tanist of Ui-Creamhthain; and Aedh Ua Ruairc, son of Tighearnan, in the heat of the battle.
U947.3 - Scolaige ua hAedacáin, king of Dartraige, and Gairbíth son of Muiredach, heir designate of Uí Chremthainn, and Aed son of Tigernán ua Ruairc were killed [in battle] in a counterattack.
CS966 - Fergal ua Ruairc, the Nebuchadnezzar of the Irish, i.e. the king of Connacht, after committing countless evil deeds, fell by Domnall son of Congalach, king of Cnogba (aka Knowth, in Meath).
U967.2 - Tigernach son of Ruarc, king of Carraic Brachaide, died. (Note: unless this is a transcription error, this entry should not be confused with the O'Ruaircs. Carraic Brachaide is Carrickabraghy and located in the northernmost part of Ireland, deep within the Ui Neill territory of Inishowen)
M968.3 - A victory was gained over Ualgharg Ua Ruairc by Conchobhar, son of Tadhg, in which were slain Ualgharg, and among the rest Duibhghilla, i.e. the son of Laidhgnen. (Note: from the name, the latter was likely from a tribe of Fernmag or Gaileanga, east of the Breifne region)
M990.4 - Aedh Ua Ruairc, royal heir of Connaught, and Dubhdarach, Ua Fiachna, was slain by the Cinel-Eoghain.

The entries above mention Sean Ferghal and his apparent brother Ualgharg. In the early genealogies they are the only two sons of Art mac Ruairc who are mentioned. Not clearly covered in the genealogies is Tigernán, king of Breifne (of 935-943), or his apparent sons Clerchen (of 935) and Aedh Ua Ruairc (of 945-947). Did Sean Ferghal have an uncle named Tigernán? Nor is it clear who Aedh Ua Ruairc of 990 may have been. Entries in the first half of the 11th century Irish annals uncover additional Ua Ruairc descendants who are also not covered in the early genealogies.

M1000.6 - Niall Ua Ruairc was slain by the Cinel-Conaill and Hugh Ua Neill.
CS1013 - A great raid was made by Ualgarg ua Ciardha king of Cairbre and by the son of Niall ua Ruairc and by the men of Tebtha into Gailenga...
M.1014.20 - Aedh O'Ruairc, i.e. the son of Sen-Fearghal, lord of Breifne, and royal heir of Connaught, was slain by Tadhg of the White Steed, son of Cathal, son of Conchobhar, King of Connaught, at Loch Neill, in Magh-Aei, in revenge of Domhnall, his brother. (Note: Magh-Aei in modern Co. Roscommon)
M1024.7 - The battle of Ath-na-croise in Corann, between Ua Maeldoraidh and Ua Ruairc, where Ua Ruairc was defeated,... and slain was Ruarc, grandson of Diarmaid, Tanist of Breifne. (Note: Corann, e.g. the barony of Corann in Co. Sligo)
M1024.7- Another battle was fought between them (Ua Maeldoraidh and Ua Ruairc), in which the men of Breifne were defeated, and the son of Tighearnan slain.
M1029.5 - Aedh Ua Ruairc, lord of Dartraighe; and the lord of Cairbre; and Aenghus Ua hAenghusa, airchinneach of Druim-cliabh; and three score persons along with them, were burned in Inis-na-lainne, in Cairbre-mor. (Notes: Dartraighe included much of the barony of Rosclogher, Co. Leitrim. Cairbre included the barony of Carbury, Co. Sligo)
T1030.9 - Hugh O'Muldory was slain by the king of Breifne, Cailech (Art) O'Rourke. (Note: O'Muldory of the northern Ui Neill, e.g. Cenel Conaill)
T1039.3 - Doncadh Derg mac Airt Uallaigh h-Úi Ruairc, rígdamna Brefne, do marbadh la h-Aedh h-Úa Concobair
M1043.9 - A plundering excursion was made by Annudh Ua Ruairc, over Lughmhadh and Druim-Ineasclainn, and over all Conaille; but the saints soon took vengeance, namely, Mochta and Ronan, for Annudh was killed before the end of three months by one man, i.e. the son of Art Beag. (Note: Conaille, alias Conaille Muirthemne, in modern Co. Louth)
CS1046 - Art ua Ruairc king of Connacht was killed by Cenél Conaill in the second year after plundering Cluain moccu Nóis (aka the religious center of Clonmacnoise).
LC1046.2 - Art Uallach O'Ruairc was slain by the Cenel-Conaill.
T1046.3 - Art Uallach h-Úa Ruairc, ri Condacht, do marbadh do Cenel Chonaill
T1047.4 - Niall mac Airt Uallaigh h-Úi Ruairc, rí Brefne, & Airrthir Connacht do marbad d'Aedh h-Úu Concobair isin Corand.

The entries for the years 1014, 1030, 1039, 1046, and 1047 mention descendants of Sean Ferghal Ua Ruairc, including Aedh, Art an caileach, Art uallach (aka Art oirdnighe, king of Connacht), and also three sons of Art uallach; Donchadh Derg, Annudh, and Niall. They are all mentioned in the early genealogies, as reflected in the chart below. However, who was Niall Ua Ruairc slain in the year 1000? Who were the Ua Ruaircs mentioned in 1024 and 1029?
Sean Ferghal Ó Ruairc (c.966) _________________________|_____________________________________ | | Aedh (1014) Art an caileach (aft 1030?) _|_ _|_ | | Art oirdnighe (1046) Donnchad cael (1084) ______________|_______________________________________________ _|_ | | | | | Donnchad dearg (1039) Annodh (1043) Niall (1047) Aedh (1087) ??? _|_ _|_ | | Ualgarg (1085?) Domnall _|_ | Aedh * blue indicates a king of Connacht (this line from Rawlinson B502)
For additional detail on this line, see Sean Ferghal, the 1st Ó Ruairc. Entries in the last half of the 11th century Irish annals present additional questions.

M1051.9 - Cathal, son of Tighearnain, lord of Breifne, went upon a predatory excursion into Eabha, and demolished Dun-Feich, where fifty persons were slain, and whence seven hundred cows were carried off. (Note: Eabha cited in the barony of Carbury, Co. Sligo)
U1053.1 - Mac na hAidche ua Ruairc, heir designate of Connacht, was killed by Diarmait ua Cuinn on Inis Locha Arbach (aka Loch Arrow).
M1057.6 - A battle between Domhnall Ua Maelruanaidh, lord of Feara-Manach, and Domhnall Ua Ruairc, lord of Breifne, wherein O'Ruairc fell, and many of his people along with him.
CS1059 - Cathal son of Tigernán, king of East Connacht, was killed by Aed ua Ruairc.
M1059.7 - Cathal, son of Tighearnan, son of Niall, son of Aedh, lord of East Connaught, was slain by Aedh Ua Ruairc.
AFM1062.5 - Donncuan was slain by Gillachiarain Ua Machainen, lord of Mughdhorna (Note: now the baronies of Cremorne and Farney, in Co. Monaghan). Ruaidhri, son of Cucairrge, Tanist of Fearnmhagh, was slain by the son of Niall Ua Ruairc.
LC1063.3 - A great coigne by Mac Lachlainn from Glenn-Suiligh westwards ... when the chieftains of Connacht came into his house... with Aedh, the son (grandson?) of Niall Ua Ruairc, and with the son of Art Ua Ruairc.
M1065.8 - The plundering of Cluain-mic-Nois by the Conmhaicni and Ui-Maine. The chiefs who were there were Aedh, son of Niall Ua Ruairc...
U1066.1 - Aed ua Ruairc, king of Uí Briúin, died immediately after plundering the shrine of Patrick.
CS1066 - Gilla Braite ua Ruairc king of Bréifne died.
M1066.4 - Gillabraide, lord of Breifne, was slain by the Ui-Beccon (of Meath); and Orlaidh, his wife, the daughter of Conchobhar Ua Maeleachlainn, died.
LC1067.3 - Aedh 'of the gapped spear', son of Tadhg 'of the white steed' O Conor was slain in the battle of Turlach-Aghna by Aedh, son of Art Uallach Ua Ruairc
M1070.9 - A battle was gained by Donnchadh Ua Ruairc and the Ui-Briuin over the men of Teathbha, in which Conn, grandson of Conn, with others, was slain. (Note: Teathbha, which included much of modern Co. Longford)
U1078.5 - Domnall grandson of Tigernán, king of Conmaicne, ... was killed.
LC1078.4 - Domhnall, grandson of Tighernan, king of Conmaicne, was slain.
T1084.3 - Donnchad mac Airt .i. in Cailech, maic Shen-Fergail h-Úi Ruairc, rí Brefne, was slain at Moin-Cruinnoige in Leinster.
CS1085 - The son of Domnall ua Ruairc, king of Uí Briúin, was treacherously killed.
AM1085.12 - Ualgharg Ua Ruairc, royal heir of Connaught, died.
LC1087.4 - Aedh, son of Art Uallach Ua Ruairc, king of Connacht and Conmaicne, was killed by Ruaidhri 'of the yellow hound,' O Conor
T1091.1 - Sitriuc mac Gilla Bruidhe h-Úi Ruairc occisus est per dolum a suis.

The entries above suggest a number of individuals simply not covered in the genealogies. For example, who was Cathal, son of Tighearnain, lord of Breifne (east Connacht) during the 1050s? The entry for the year 1059 describes an ancestry for Cathal, cited as a son of Tighearnan, son of Niall, son of Aedh. Throughout Ua Ruairc history there were always competing lines within the family, and Cathals' fate provides an early example. Cathal was slain by the same Aedh Ua Ruairc who was to become the 3rd Ó Ruairc king of Connacht. By constructing a lineage for Cathal (at right), some of the early references to other Ua Ruaircs become subject to additional interpretation. The possibilities for his great-grandfather could include either the Aedh (son of Tigernán) who died about 945-947, or the Aedh Ua Ruairc mentioned in the annals as a royal heir of Connaught at his death in 990. Niall Ua Ruairc who was slain in the year 1000 is a good candidate to have been his grandfather. And his son seems to be the Domhnall Ua Ruairc, king of Conmaicne in 1078, who is described as a grandson of Tighernan at his death.

Another unknown was Gilla Braite ua Ruairc who died in the year 1066. He appears to be referred to as 'Aedh, son of Niall Ua Ruairc' in the 1065 entry. Is it possible that he was a son of Niall, son of Art Uallach, and an older brother of Ualgharg who died in 1085? Was Sitriuc mac Gilla Bruidhe of 1091 his son? There is good reason to believe the latter Ualgharg Ó Ruairc was ancestor to most of the later Ó Ruairc kings of Bréifne.
Ruarc _|_ | Tighernán (?) _|_ | Aedh _|_ | Niall (1000) _|_ | Tighernán _|_ | Cathal (1059) _|_ | Domnall (1078)

For a continuation of this article see Ó Ruairc kings of Bréifne, The 12th Century

Also see Ua Ruairc of Bréifne -- Genealogy Sources -- Lords and Kings of Bréifne -- Chart of O Ruarc Kings

"Early Reference in the Annals", written by Dennis Walsh, June 2006, all rights reserved.
Sources used for this article include the Irish Annals, and the 'middle' Irish genealogies (e.g. O'Clery).