Battle of Moira
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Moira, known archaically
as the Battle of Mag Rath, was fought in the summer of 637
by the Gaelic High King of Ireland
Domnall II
against his foster son King Congal
of Ulster
, supported by his ally Domnall the Freckled (Domnall Brecc)
of Dalriada
.
The battle was fought near the Woods of Killultagh, just outside the village of Moira
in what would become County Down
. It was allegedly the largest battle ever fought on the island of Ireland
, and resulted in the death of Congal and the retreat of Domnall Brecc.
and in particular Scotland
frequently became involved in the affairs of Ireland, notably Dalriada, which had come over from Scotland to occupy a substantial swathe of territory to the north of Lough Neagh
. Indeed the tribal loyalties often spilled across the Irish Sea
, where the same clans could be found on either side, especially in Scotland. Rivalries and alliances between the petty kingdoms changed frequently. For example Dalriada, which fought with Congal in this battle, had seen one of their kings
killed by his brother at the Battle of Fid Eoin (either 629 or 630).
Congal himself had first established his power base in Dalaradia, where he became King, before being recognised as King of Ulster in 627. His ambitions soon came into conflict with Domnall II, who became High King of Ireland in 628. Ironically Domnall II only rose to such a position because Congal had defeated and killed the previous High King, Suibne Menn
, (who was Domnall's distant cousin in the Uí Néill
clan) in a previous battle.
Domnall at first launched a raid into Leinster
in 628 to secure his authority as High King. Some primary sources state that Congal had initially become the Ard Rí
following his defeat of Suibne Menn. It may be therefore that Domnall seized the position indirectly from his Ultonian rival. Regardless, the two had become enemies.
Domnall pressed this rivalry very quickly, and in 629 the two kings engaged each other at the Battle of Dún Ceithirn in what is now County Londonderry
. On that occasion Congal was defeated, and Domnall was left unchallenged as the High King.
Throughout the 30's Domnall continued to wage war on his rivals in the Uí Néill clan. In 637, however, Congal once again rose to challenge the Ard Rí, and enlisted the help of Dalriada to do so. The two forces met just east of Lough Neagh.
(the mound of which can still be seen in the village). The area was also much more forrested in the first millenium AD, with the existence of expansive woodland near the hamlet.
, Anglo-Saxons
and Britons (Welshmen). At least one side had a substantial cavalry force.
According to Sir Samuel Ferguson "there appears reason to believe that the fight lasted a week", at the end of which the defeated force fled towards the woods of Killultagh. The forces of Ulster and Dalriada were defeated, with Domnall of Dalriada forced to flee north to his kingdom's holdings. Congall was killed in the course of the battle.
The scale of the battle was, however, confirmed in the 19th century when the railway line in Moira was being constructed. Thousands of bodies of men and horses were excavated. When one considers that the survivors probably numbered quite considerably more, then the reputation of the scale of the battle becomes obvious.
had to endure the advances that the High King had made. They were not to be completely subjugated however.
By contrast the consequences were much more keenly felt for Dalriada. The land defeat at Moira was coupled with a naval defeat on the exact same day; at the Battle of the Mull of Kintyre
the Ard Rí's fleet had succeeded in defeating Dalriada's. As a result of both battles the High King's forces were able to occupy the Dalriadan lands in north Antrim
, unprotected as they now were.
As a direct result of the battle the Uí Néill clan became dominant in the north of Ireland. Their descendants would claim overlordship of at least some of the land until the Flight of the Earls
almost a thousand years later in 1607.
Archaism
In language, an archaism is the use of a form of speech or writing that is no longer current. This can either be done deliberately or as part of a specific jargon or formula...
as the Battle of Mag Rath, was fought in the summer of 637
637
Year 637 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 637 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Battle of Mag Rath: Dál Riata influence...
by the Gaelic High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
Domnall II
Domnall mac Áedo
Domnall mac Áedo , also known as Domnall II, was a son of Áed mac Ainmuirech. Domnall was High King of Ireland from 628 until his death. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill kindred of the northern Uí Néill....
against his foster son King Congal
Congal Cáech
Congal Cáech was a king of the Cruithne of Dál nAraidi, in modern Ulster, from around 626 to 637. He was king of Ulster from 627-637 and, according to some sources, High King of Ireland.-Sources:...
of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
, supported by his ally Domnall the Freckled (Domnall Brecc)
Domnall Brecc
Domnall Brecc was king of Dál Riata, in modern Scotland, from about 629 until 642...
of Dalriada
Dalriada
Dalriada can refer to:* Dál Riata, a Gaelic kingdom in western Scotland and north-east Ireland in the Early Middle Ages* Dalriada School, a co-educational, voluntary grammar school in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland* Dalriada , Hungarian folk metal band...
.
The battle was fought near the Woods of Killultagh, just outside the village of Moira
Moira, County Down
Moira is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is in the northwest of the county, near the borders with counties Antrim and Armagh. The M1 motorway and Dublin–Belfast railway line are nearby. The settlement has existed since time immemorial...
in what would become County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
. It was allegedly the largest battle ever fought on the island of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and resulted in the death of Congal and the retreat of Domnall Brecc.
Background
Ireland in the period was a patchwork of petty statelets, fused together and driven apart by tribal loyalties, often given to a state of war. Other realms from across the water in Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and in particular Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
frequently became involved in the affairs of Ireland, notably Dalriada, which had come over from Scotland to occupy a substantial swathe of territory to the north of Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
. Indeed the tribal loyalties often spilled across the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
, where the same clans could be found on either side, especially in Scotland. Rivalries and alliances between the petty kingdoms changed frequently. For example Dalriada, which fought with Congal in this battle, had seen one of their kings
Connad Cerr
Connad Cerr was a king of Dál Riata in the early 7th century. He was either a son of Conall mac Comgaill or of Eochaid Buide. Connad appears to have been joint king with Eochaid Buide in the 620s....
killed by his brother at the Battle of Fid Eoin (either 629 or 630).
Congal himself had first established his power base in Dalaradia, where he became King, before being recognised as King of Ulster in 627. His ambitions soon came into conflict with Domnall II, who became High King of Ireland in 628. Ironically Domnall II only rose to such a position because Congal had defeated and killed the previous High King, Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn was an Irish king who is counted as a High King of Ireland.Suibne belonged to the junior branch of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, the Cenél Feredaig, named for his grandfather Feredach, a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
, (who was Domnall's distant cousin in the Uí Néill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
clan) in a previous battle.
Domnall at first launched a raid into Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
in 628 to secure his authority as High King. Some primary sources state that Congal had initially become the Ard Rí
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
following his defeat of Suibne Menn. It may be therefore that Domnall seized the position indirectly from his Ultonian rival. Regardless, the two had become enemies.
Domnall pressed this rivalry very quickly, and in 629 the two kings engaged each other at the Battle of Dún Ceithirn in what is now County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
. On that occasion Congal was defeated, and Domnall was left unchallenged as the High King.
Throughout the 30's Domnall continued to wage war on his rivals in the Uí Néill clan. In 637, however, Congal once again rose to challenge the Ard Rí, and enlisted the help of Dalriada to do so. The two forces met just east of Lough Neagh.
Location
In 637 the settlement of Moira was substantially smaller than it is in present times. However, there was at the very least a motteMotte
Motte may be:*Motte-and-bailey, a type of construction used in castles*Isaac Motte, an 18th century American statesman*La Motte , various places with this name-See also:* Mote * Mott...
(the mound of which can still be seen in the village). The area was also much more forrested in the first millenium AD, with the existence of expansive woodland near the hamlet.
Battle
Little is known about the actual battle itself. The armies of both Domnall II and Congal were primarily made up of warriors native to Ireland. However Domnall I of Dalriada brought a more varied force to the fight. His army included Scots, PictsPicts
The Picts were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Mediaeval people living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland. There is an association with the distribution of brochs, place names beginning 'Pit-', for instance Pitlochry, and Pictish stones. They are recorded from before the Roman conquest...
, Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
and Britons (Welshmen). At least one side had a substantial cavalry force.
According to Sir Samuel Ferguson "there appears reason to believe that the fight lasted a week", at the end of which the defeated force fled towards the woods of Killultagh. The forces of Ulster and Dalriada were defeated, with Domnall of Dalriada forced to flee north to his kingdom's holdings. Congall was killed in the course of the battle.
The scale of the battle was, however, confirmed in the 19th century when the railway line in Moira was being constructed. Thousands of bodies of men and horses were excavated. When one considers that the survivors probably numbered quite considerably more, then the reputation of the scale of the battle becomes obvious.
Aftermath
With the death of Congal in the battle the chance for Dalaradia and its local allies to undo the advances of Domnall had been scuppered, and the UlaidUlaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
had to endure the advances that the High King had made. They were not to be completely subjugated however.
By contrast the consequences were much more keenly felt for Dalriada. The land defeat at Moira was coupled with a naval defeat on the exact same day; at the Battle of the Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
The Mull of Kintyre is the southwesternmost tip of the Kintyre Peninsula in southwest Scotland. From here, the Antrim coast is visible and an historic lighthouse, the second commissioned in Scotland, guides shipping in the intervening North Channel...
the Ard Rí's fleet had succeeded in defeating Dalriada's. As a result of both battles the High King's forces were able to occupy the Dalriadan lands in north Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, unprotected as they now were.
As a direct result of the battle the Uí Néill clan became dominant in the north of Ireland. Their descendants would claim overlordship of at least some of the land until the Flight of the Earls
Flight of the Earls
The Flight of the Earls took place on 14 September 1607, when Hugh Ó Neill of Tír Eóghain, Rory Ó Donnell of Tír Chonaill and about ninety followers left Ireland for mainland Europe.-Background to the exile:...
almost a thousand years later in 1607.