Kingdom of Breifne Totally Explained

Everything about Kingdom Of Breifne totally explained

ť See Also East Bréifne

The Kingdom of Bréifne (also Breffny, Brefnie, Brenny) was the traditional territory for an early Irish tribal group known as the Uí Briúin Bréifne. The Bréifne territory included the modern Irish counties of Leitrim and Cavan, along with parts of County Sligo (an area roughly equivalent to the modern Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore).
   Breifne means hilly in Irish, a description which describes the topography of this part of Ireland. It is also believed to mean a place of great beauty. However, the Metrical Dindshenchas states the name is derived from Brefne, daughter of Beoan mac Bethaig, a brave soldier-woman.
   At its height in the 12th century, when Tiernan O'Rourke was king of Bréifne, it extended from Kells in County Meath to Drumcliffe in County Sligo.
   In 1296, according to the Annals of the Four Masters "Maelpeter O'Duigennan, Archdeacon of Breifny...died."
   In 1256, a great battle was fought between the O'Rourkes and the O'Reillys near Ballinamore. This led to the division of Breifne between the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys. The Bréifne region was split into East Bréifne and West Bréifne.
   The Ó Ruairc kings (O'Rourke) maintained lordship over West Bréifne (mainly Co. Leitrim). The Kingdom of Bréifne region was part of the kingdom of Connacht up until the time of Queen Elizabeth I. In that time it was shired into the modern counties Cavan and Leitrim, Leitrim remaining a part of the province of Connacht while Cavan became part of Ulster. The Ó Ruairc's were effectively lords of Breifne O'Rourke through the turbulent 16th century.

History of Breifne

In ancient times the area that became to be known as Bréifne was said to be occupied by the Erdini, called in Irish 'Ernaigh', who possessed the entire country bordering Lough Erne.
   At the beginning of the Christian era in Ireland (circa 5th-6th century) tribal groupings believed to be in or near Breifne included the Glasraighe, Masraige, Dartraige, Armhaighe, Gallraighe, the Fir Manach, and the Gailenga.
   Around the 6th century a people known as the Conmaicne Rein are thought to have moved north from around the present Dunmore in County Galway and settled in Magh Rein (the area around Fenagh). From here they peopled what is now South Leitrim, which became known as Magh Rein, and its inhabitants as the Conmaicne Magh Rein. They consisted of different family groupings - Muintir Eolais, Muintir Cearbhallain (O Mulvey), and Cinel Luachain, among others.
   About the 8th century, the area since known as Breifne was conquered and settled by the Uí Briúin (O Brian) who were a branch of the royal family of Connacht. The Uí Briúin, of whom the O'Ruaircs (O'Rourkes) were hereditary chieftains, established themselves first in modern county Leitrim and then into what is now county Cavan.
   By the 9th century the O'Ruaircs had established themselves as kings of Breifne.
   In the 10th and 11th centuries the O'Ruairc kings of Breifne fought some battles for the title of king of Connacht, four different kings of Breifne received that honor.
   During the 12th century the reign of Tiernan mor O'Ruairc, the kingdom of Breifne was said to comprise most of the modern counties of Leitrim and Cavan, and parts of Longford, Meath, Fermanagh and Sligo.
   .
   In the 16th century Breifne O'Rourke eventually became Co. Leitrim and Breifne O'Reilly became Co. Cavan.

Old Territories that were at one stage part of Breifne

Cenél Cairpre (Cairbre) - northern Co. Sligo and northeast Co. Leitrim. The territory of Cairbre, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, around the 6th century extended from the Drowes west to the Owenmore river in Ballysadare. Duncarbry (Dun Chairbre) marks the border of Cairbre's territory on the Drowes, while the Barony of Carbury in North Sligo still reminds us also today. Noted chiefs of Cenél Cairpre included O'Mulclohy (Ó Maolchloiche).

Cairpre Gabra - northern Co. Longford, barony of Granard. O'Ronan (Ó Ronáin) were chieftains in the barony of Granard until dispossessed by the O'Farrells in the 13th century. In the Annals of the Four Masters about 476 AD, the battle of Granard was fought by Eochaidh, son of Cairbre, son of Oilioll, son of Dunlaing, son of Enda Niadh against Ui Dunlainge, Ui Briuin Cualann and Ui Fergusa of North Leinster.

Cenél Laegaire - Co. Fermanagh. The Fir Manach, the Cinéal Eanna and the Cenél Laegaire were early indigenous tribes in the Co. Fermanagh area. The Cenél Laegairi mic Neill were noted west of Loch Erne (Book of Lecan). The The Cenél Laegairi mic Neill were also noted in central Ireland (Mide, Meath).

Kings of Breifne

Note: Where mentioned spelling used in the document is used here.

Echu Mugmedón, father to Brión, Fiachra, and Niall (of the Nine Hostages).

Brión: son of Echu Mugmedón and the ancestor of the O'Briuin Kings of Connacht.

Aodh Fionn mac Fergna: king of Breifne

Maenach mac Báithin: king of Ui Briuin Breifne - c.653 -

Dub Dothra: king of the Ui Briuin & Conmaicne & Breifne - c.743 -

Cormacc mac Duibh Dá Críoch: king of Breifni - c.790

Muircheartach mac Donnghal, king of Breifne: c.800-806

Mael Dúin mac Échtgal, king of Breifne: died822

Ceallach son of Cearnach, son of Dubh Dothra, king of Breithfne

Tighearnán mac Seallachan, king of Breifne: c.888 - father of Ruarc

Ruarc mac Tighearnáin, lord of Ui Briuin Breifne: c. 893 - grandfather of Sean Fergal

Flann mac Tighearnáin, lord of Breifne: c.910

Cernachan mac Tighearnáin, king of Breifne: died 931

Conghalach mac Cathaláin, lord of Breifne: c.935

Cléircén son of Tigernán, king of Bréifne: C. 937

Fergal? ua Ruairc, king of Bréifne

Ó Ruairc dynasty, Kings of Bréifne

(Sean) Fergal Ó Ruairc king of Connacht & Breifne: c.964-67

Niall Ó Ruairc, heir of Breifne: 1000-1001

Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: d.1014-1015 - son of Fergal

Art an caileach Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1020-1030? - son of Fergal

Aedh Ó Ruairc, lord of Dartraige: 1029

Art uallach (oirdnidhe) Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1030-1046 - son of Aedh mac Fergal

Niall Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne Connacht: 1047 - son of Art uallach

Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: c.1057 - son of Niall

Cathal Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: c.1051-1059 - son of Tighernan

Aedh in Gilla Braite Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1066 - son of Niall son of Art Uallach

Aed Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1067-1087 - son of Art Uallach

Donnchadh cael Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1084 - son of Art an caileach

Ualgharg Ó Ruairc, royal heir of Connacht: 1085 - son of Niall son of Art uallach

Donnchadh Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briuin and Conmaicne: 1101 - son of Art Uí Ruairc

Domnall Ó Ruairc, king of Connacht & Breifne: c.1095-1102 - son of Tigernán son of Ualgharg

Cathal Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briuin Breifne and Gailenga: 1105 - son of Gilla Braite son of Tigernán

Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of Ui Briúin: c.1108 - son of Donnchadh

Aedh an Gilla Sronmaol Ó Ruairc king of Conmaicne: c.1117-1122 - son of Domnall (or Donnchadh).

Tigernán mór Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c1124-1152, 1152-1172 - son of Donnchad macDomnail

Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1152-1152, 1172-1176 - son of Gilla Bruide son of Domnall

Amlaíb Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1176-1184 - son of Fergal son of Domnall son of Tigernán

Aedh Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1184-1187 - son of Máelsechlann son of Tigernán mór

Domnall Ó Ruairc, lord of greater part of Breifne: c.1207 - son of Ferghal mac Domnall son of Fergal

Ualgarg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c.1196-1209 - son of Cathal son of Aedh son of Donnchadh

Art Ó Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1209-1210 - son of Domnall son of Fergal son of Domnall

Niall O'Ruairc, king of Dartry and clann Fermaige: 1228 - son of Congalach son of Fergal son of Domnall

Ualgarg Ó Ruairc, king of Breifne: c1210-1231 - son of Cathal son of Aedh son of Donnchadh

Cathal riabach O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1231-1236 - son of Donnchadh son of Aedh son of Gilla Braite

Conchobar O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: 1250?-1257 - son of Tigernán son of Domnall son of Cathal

Lords of Bréifne Ó Ruairc

Sitric O'Ruairc, king of Bréifne: elected and killed 1257-1257 - son of Ualgarg son of Cathal

Amlaíb O'Ruairc, king of Breifne West : 1257-1258 - son of Art son of Domnall son of Fergal

Domnall O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1258 to 1258 (deposed) - son of Conchobar son of Tigernán

Art O'Ruairc, king of Breifne East: 1258-1259 (deposed) - son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh

Domnall O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1259 to 1260 (killed) - son of Conchobar son of Tigernán

Art bec O'Ruairc, king of Breifne West: 1260-1260 (killed) - son of Art son of Domnall son of Fergal

Art O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1261-1266 (deposed)- son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh

Conchobar buide O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1266-1273 - son of Amlaíb son of Art

Tigernán O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1273-1274 - son of Aedh son of Ualgarg son of Cathal

Art O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1275-1275 - son of Cathal riabach son of Donnchadh

Amlaib O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1275?-1307 - son of Art son of Cathal riabach

Domnall carrach O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1307-1311 - son of Amlaíb son of Art

Ualgarg mór O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1316-1346 - son of Domnall carrach

Flaithbheartach O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1346-1349 (deposed) - son of Domnall carrach

Aodh bán O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1349-1352 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall

Flaithbheartach O'Ruairc, king of Breifne: 1352-1352 (died) - son of Domnall carrach

Tadgh na gcoar O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1352-1376 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach

Gilla Crist O'Rourke, lord of Breifny: d.1378 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach

Tigernán mór O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1376-1418 - son of Ualgarg mór son of Domnall carrach

Aodh buidhe O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1418-1419 - son of Tigernán mór

Tadhg O'Rourke, king of West Breifne: 1419-1424 - son of Tigernán mór

Art O'Rourke, king of East Breifne: 1419-1424 - son of Tadhg na gcoar

Tadhg O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1424-1435 - son of Tigernán mór

Lochlann O'Rourke, king of East Breifne: 1435-1458 - son of Tadhg na gcoar

Donnchadh bacagh O'Rourke, king of West Breifne: 1435-1445 - son of Tigernán mór?

Donnchadh O'Rourke, king of West Breifne: 1445-1449 - son of Tigernán óg son of Tigernán mór

Tigernán óg O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1449-1468 - son of Tadhg son of Tigernán mór

Donnchadh losc O'Rourke, half-king of Breifne: 1468-1476 - son of Tigernán mór son of Ualgarg mór

Domnall O'Rourke, half-king of Breifne: 1468-1476?, - son of Tadhg son of Tigernán mór

Feidhlimidh O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1476-1500 - son of Donnchadh son of Tigernán óg

Eóghan O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1500-1528 - son of Tigernán óg son of Tadhg

Feidhlimidh O'Rourke, king? of Breifne: 1528-1536 - son of Feidhlimidh son of Donnchadh

Brian ballach mór O'Rourke, king of Bréifne, 1528-1559, 1560-1562 - son of Eóghan son of Tigernán óg

Tadhg O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1559-1560 - son of Brian ballach

Aodh gallda O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1562-1564 - son of Brian ballach

Aodh buidhe O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1564-1566 - son of Brian ballach

Brian na múrtha O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1566-1591 - son of Brian ballach

Brian óg na samhthach O'Rourke, king of Breifne: 1591-1600 - son of Brian na múrtha

Tadhg O'Rourke, lord of Breifne: 1600-1605 - son of Brian na múrtha

Lords of Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh (Muintir Maelmordha)

Godfrey Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1161

Cathal Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1161-1162 - son of Godfrey

Fergal son of Cu Chonnacht O'Raigillig, King of Dartry and Clann Fermaige: 1239

Cathal Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1256

Con Ua Raghallaigh, chief of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1256-1257

Matha Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1282

Ferghal O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1282-1293

Gilla-Isa Ruaid O'Raigillig, East Breifne: ↑1327 or 1330

Matha son of Gilla-Isa O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1304

Mael Sechlainn O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1328

Richard [Risderd] O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1349- ↑1346 or 1349

Cu Chonnacht O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1362 or 1365 (resigned) - son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid

Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1365-1366/69 (deposed) - son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid

Magnus O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1366/69-1366/69 (deposed)

Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1366/69-1384 - son of Gilla-Isu Ruaid

Thomas, son of Mathgamain Ua Raighillaigh, king of Muinter-Mailmordha: 1384-1390

John, son of Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1390-1400 - son of Philip son of Gilla-Isa-Ruaid

Gilla-Isa son of Anrig O'Raigillig, East Breifny: 1400-1400

Maelmordha, son of Cuconnaught O'Reilly, Muintir Reilly: 1403-1411 - son of Cu Chonnacht son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid

Richard, son of Thomas O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1411-1418

Owen, son of John O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1418-1449

Farrell, son of Thomas O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450 (deposed) - (AM1450)

John, son of Owen O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450-1460 - son of Owen son of John son of Philip son of Gilla-Isa-Roe

Cathal O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1467

Turlough, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1468-1487 - son of John son of Owen

John, son of Turlough O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1487-1491

John, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1491-1510 - son of Cathal son of Owen son of John

Hugh, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1514

Owen, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny:1526

Farrell, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny & Conmaicne: 1526-1536 - son of John, son of Cathal

Maelmordha, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1537-1565 - son of John son of Cathal

Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1583 - son of Maelmordha son of John

John Roe, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1583-1596

Philip, son of Hugh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1596-1596

Edmond, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1596-1601 - son of Maelmordha son of John son of Cathal

Owen, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1601-?

O Ruairc, Kings of Breifne, c.1128-1605

Tigernan Mor mac Aeda after 1128-1172

Aed mac Gilla Braite 1172-1176

Amlaib mac Fergaile 1176-1184

Aed mac Mael Sechlainn 1184-1187

Ualagarg mac Cathail Leith after 1196-1209

Art mac Domnaill 1209-1210

Ualagarg mac Cathail Leith after 1214-1231

Cathal Riabach mac Donnchada 1231-1236

Conchobhar mac Tigernain after 1250-1257

Sigtrygg (Sitric) mac Ualgairg 1256-1257 (probably Viking)

Amblaib mac Airt 1257-1258

Domnall mac Conchobair 1258-1260

Art mac Cathail Riabaig 1261-1266

Conchobar Buide mac Amlaib 1266-1273

Art mac Cathail Riabaig 1273-1275

Tigernan mac Aeda 1273-1274

Amlaib mac Airt 1275-1307

Domnall Carrach mac Amlaib 1307-1311

Ualgarg mac Domnaill Charraig 1316-1346

Flaithbheartach mac Domhnaill Charraigh 1346-1349

Aodh Ban mac Ualghairg 1349-1352

Tadhg na gCaor mac Ualghairg 1352-1376

Tighearnan Mor mac Ualghairg 1376-c.1st February 1418

Aodh Buidhe mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1418-1419

Tadhg mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1419-1435

Art mac Taidgh na gCaor 1419-1424

Lochlainn mac Taidhg na gCaor 1435-1440

Donnchadh Losc mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1440-1445

Donnchadh mac Tighearnain Oig 1445-1449

Lochlainn mac Taidgh na gCaor 1449-1458

Tighearnan Og mac Taidhg 1449-1468

Domhnall mac Taidhg 1468-1468

Donnchadh Losc mac Tighearnain Mhoir 1468-1476

Feidhlimidh mac Donnchadha 1476-1500

Eoghan mac Tighearnain Oig 1500-1528

Feidhlimidh mac Feidhlimidh 1528-1536

Brian Ballach mac Eoghain 1536-c.1559

Tadhg mac Briain Bhallaigh c.1559-1560

Brian Ballach mac Eoghain 1560-1562

Aodh Gallda mac Briain Bhallaigh 1562-1564

Aodh Buidhe mac Briain Bhallaigh 1564-1566

Brian na Murtha mac Briain Bhalliagh 1566-3rd November 1591

Brian Og na Samhthach mac Briain na Murtha 1591-1600

Tadhg mac Briain na Murtha 1600-1605

O'Reillys of East Breifne: O Raghalliagh, Kings of Muintir Maoilmhordha, c.1161-1607

Gofraid ?-1161

Cathal mac Gofraid 1161-1162

Cathal mac Annaid c.1220-c.3rd May 1256

Conchobar mac Cathail 1256-1257

Domnall mac Annaid 1257-1283

Matha mac Domnaill 1285-1285

Fergal mac Domnaill 1285-1293

Gilla Isu Ruad mac Domnaill 1293-1330

Risdeard mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1330-1349

Cu Chonnacht mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1349-1365

Pilib mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1365-1384

Maghnus mac Con Connacht 1369-1369

Tomas mor mac Mathghamhna 1384-1392

Seoan mac Pilib 1392-1400

Giolla Iosa mac Pilib? 1400-1400

Maolmhordha mac Con Connacht 1403-1411

Risdeard mac Tomais Mhoir 1411-1418

Eoghan mac Seoain 1418-1449

Sean an Einigh mac Eoghain 1449-3rd September 1460

Fearghal mac Tomais Mhoir 1449-1450

Cathal mac Eoghain 1460-1467

Toirdhealbhach mac Seaain an Einigh 1467-1st September 1487

Seaan mac Toirdhealbhaigh 1487-after 25th November 1491

Seaan mac Cathail 1491-1510

Aodh mac Cathail 1510-1514

Eoghan Ruadh mac Cathail 1514-1526

Fearghal mac Seaain 1526-1534

Maolmhordha mac Seaain 1534-1565

Aodh Connallach mac Maolmhordha 1565-1583

Sir Seaan Ruadh mac Aodha Connallaigh 1583-1596

Pilib Dubh mac Aodha Connallaigh 1596-1596

Eamonn mac Maolmhordha 1596-1601

Eoghan mac Aodha Connalaigh 1601-1603

Maolmhordha mac Aodha Connallaigh 1603-1607Further Information

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