Brian Ua Neill
Encyclopedia
Brian Ua Néill, also known as Brian O'Neill, was the High King of Ireland
from 1258 to 1260. He died in the Battle of Druim Dearg
in 1260.
, revolts began to flare across Ireland. Tadhg O'Brien, son of the King of Thomond
defeated the colonists in 1257 and plundered their lands. Hugh de Lacy
's death in 1243 meant that the Earldom of Ulster
was still in a period of lax administration. In 1255, Brian (who at this time was King of Tir Eoghain) seized this opportunity to raid the colonists' lands across the River Bann
into Ulaid
and destroy any towns and castles that he encountered. Meanwhile, Aodh O'Connor, the son of the King of Connacht
, expanded his territory by conquering the neighbouring Kingdom of Breifne in 1256 (with backing from Brian).
castle at Belleek
on the Erne
. Here Brian was confirmed as High King of Ireland and Aodh's overlordship of Breifne was accepted. However their success was short-lived. Tadhg died the following year, and Brian and Aodh had lost a valuable ally.
. Expecting an attack, the Normans had also raised an army. At the Battle of Druim-dearg, Brian and Aodh were heavily defeated, and Brian was killed along with many other important Irish leaders (including a number of O'Cahan
chiefs). His head was cut off by the Normans and sent to King Henry III of England
with much rejoicing from the colonists.
(r. 1166–1186).
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...
from 1258 to 1260. He died in the Battle of Druim Dearg
Battle of Druim Dearg
The Battle of Druim Dearg, also known as the Battle of Down, was a battle between the Normans and Brian Ua Neill , High King of Ireland near Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1260...
in 1260.
Revolt in Ireland
Due to the increasing pressure of the Norman colonists, under the Lordship of IrelandLordship of Ireland
The Lordship of Ireland refers to that part of Ireland that was under the rule of the king of England, styled Lord of Ireland, between 1177 and 1541. It was created in the wake of the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169–71 and was succeeded by the Kingdom of Ireland...
, revolts began to flare across Ireland. Tadhg O'Brien, son of the King of Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
defeated the colonists in 1257 and plundered their lands. Hugh de Lacy
Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster
125px|right|thumb|[[coat of arms|Arms]] of Hugh de LacyHugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster was the younger son of Hugh de Lacy, and founded the Earldom of Ulster....
's death in 1243 meant that the Earldom of Ulster
Earl of Ulster
The title of Earl of Ulster has been created several times in the Peerage of Ireland and Peerage of the United Kingdom. Currently, the title is a subsidiary title of the Duke of Gloucester, and is used as a courtesy title by the Duke's son, Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster...
was still in a period of lax administration. In 1255, Brian (who at this time was King of Tir Eoghain) seized this opportunity to raid the colonists' lands across the River Bann
River Bann
The River Bann is the longest river in Northern Ireland, the total length being 80 miles . The river winds its way from the south east corner of Northern Ireland to the north west coast, pausing in the middle to widen into the enormous Lough Neagh...
into Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
and destroy any towns and castles that he encountered. Meanwhile, Aodh O'Connor, the son of the King of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. 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...
, expanded his territory by conquering the neighbouring Kingdom of Breifne in 1256 (with backing from Brian).
High King of Ireland
Brian, Tadhg, and Aodh formed an alliance, and in 1258 they met near a ruined GeraldineGeraldine
The feminine form of the first name Gerald. Famous women named Geraldine include:*Geraldine Ferraro, United States congresswoman and 1984 Vice Presidential candidate*Geraldine Chaplin, actress*Geraldine Fitzgerald, actress*Geraldine Page, actress...
castle at Belleek
Belleek, County Fermanagh
Belleek is a village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. While the greater part of the village lies within County Fermanagh, part of it crosses the border into County Donegal, a part of Ulster that lies in the Republic of Ireland. This makes Belleek the western-most village in the United Kingdom...
on the Erne
River Erne
The River Erne , in the northwest of Ireland, rises in Beaghy Lough, two miles south of Stradone in County Cavan and flows 64 miles through Lough Gowna, Lough Oughter and Upper and Lower Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, to the sea at Ballyshannon, County Donegal...
. Here Brian was confirmed as High King of Ireland and Aodh's overlordship of Breifne was accepted. However their success was short-lived. Tadhg died the following year, and Brian and Aodh had lost a valuable ally.
Battle of Druim-dearg and death
In 1260 Brian and Aodh assembled an army and attacked the Norman colonists near DownpatrickDownpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
. Expecting an attack, the Normans had also raised an army. At the Battle of Druim-dearg, Brian and Aodh were heavily defeated, and Brian was killed along with many other important Irish leaders (including a number of O'Cahan
O'Cahan
O'Cahan is the name of a significant clan in Ulster, a province of Ireland. It has been angiclized to O'Kane, Kane and variations including, O'Keane, O'Kean, O'Keen, O'Keene, Keen, Keene, Kain, O'Kaine, and similar variations thereof. They are descended from Eógan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
chiefs). His head was cut off by the Normans and sent to King Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
with much rejoicing from the colonists.
Lineage and Successors
Brian was the son of Niall Ruadh, grandson of Muircheartach Muigh, who died in 1160. He was related to Niall Caille and his son, Áed Findliath, who was married to Máel Muire, daughter of King Kenneth MacAlpin. He was preceded as High King of Ireland by Ruaidrí Ua ConchobairRuaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
(r. 1166–1186).