Aedh O'Conchobar - Battle of Connacht

09/02/2022

These human remains are probably fallen Soldiers from Cath Áth An Chip (Battle of Ath an Chip) in 1270AD? Well done Whitney who found this article (Leitrim Observer, 1930). The location of the skeletons is Battlebridge, across the Shannon from the Battlefield. If this were true, I would speculate these are Anglo-Normans corpses dumped here after the battle which raged in Maigh Nissy (across the River). The remains are today opposite Beirnes Of Battlebridge

17/09/2021

Aedh O'Conchobar
plaque at Drumcong School / Plaic ag Scoill Naomh Brid

06/06/2021

Aedh na nGall certainly does deserve a statue in county Leitrim.

21/12/2020

Loughanneane Park, Sculpture trail, in Roscommon Town, includes a sculpture of Aedh O'Conchobar, Ri Connachta, Champion of Ath an Chip 1270.

11/12/2020

Battle of Connacht 1270 by Noel Maclochlainn, 9798616815262, available at Book Depository with free delivery worldwide.

04/12/2020

Battle of Connacht 1270: Aedh O'Conchobar's victory at Áth an Chip (Conmaicne)

29/10/2020

This is amazing!! Well done Blanaid and Leitrim Girl Guides!!!!!

23/10/2020

Aedh O'Conchobar
'Ní Bheidh Mo Leithéid Arís Ann!'
("My likeness won't be seen again")

12/10/2020

We are now stocking this wonderful by book Noel Maclochlainn Aedh O'Conchobar - Battle of Connacht. For anyone that has a love of history, specially local based history this is the book for you 😘😘

Buy Now: https://boylecraftshop.com/collections/books?page=6

05/10/2020

John McDonald (1846-1932), farmer, Irish cultural nationalist, and poet lived near Dromod in county Leitrim. A supporter of the Land League all his life, he published a volume of poetry, "Irish National Poems", in 1886. His poems invoked proud memory of the Gael, chieftains, Galloglaich, and ordinary person. John McDonald is forgotten. There is no plaque in his memory. His book is rare. One poem recalls both Mag Raghnaill and Galloglaich, both prominent at Ath an Chip, in 1270.

"A tale of Augrey Castle 1649" refers to Dromod , in county Leitrim. MagRaghanill (Reynolds) of Moynissy had a castle on Inis Muirinn, an island on the Shannon. This island, covered in Sitka Spruce, can be seen from Aughry townland at Dromod town.

Dromod is the "town of MacShanley" burned by MagRaghanill of Moynissy during a Civil war of 1475. After the civil war of 1475, there were two "MagRaghanill" taoiseach in opposition to each other, one at Moyrein/Mohill and at Moynissy/Leitrim barony.

Mac Raghnaill were allied to the Earls of Kildare but lost protection after the failed Silken Thomas rebellion. McRaghnaill's fortress of Inis Murrin was probably built in 1540, in consequence of U'Ruairc invasion of Moynissy that same year and construction of the Castle of Liatroim. MagRaghnaill and MacDermott resisted, but U'Ruairc held Liatroim, ending centuries of MagRaghnaill rule of Kiltoghert, in south Leitrim. But MagRaghnaills of Lough Scur and Mohill held their territory despite the U'Ruairc intimidation.

03/10/2020

In 1270, the first clash between Irish Gaels and Anglo Normans occurred in the "woods of Conmaicne" (Feda Conmaicne), an obsolete native forest covering Carrick on Shannon Electorial Area. Wild cats lived at Lisnagat townland (lios na gCat, fort of wild cats).

After crossing the Shannon from Port Leice (Cortober) to Ath Cora Conaill (ford at Connells weir, today Carrick on Shannon riverside), the Foreigners led by D'Burgh, Earl of Ulster, entered the forest of Conmaicne at Summerhill, Carrick on Shannon, where some of Aedh O'Conchobars soldiers (Ceithrenn) attacked the Foreigners.

The Irish word for Skirmish is "Rúisc" and the Irish name of Carrick on Shannon is Cora Droma Rúisc - which surely means "Weir at the Ridge of the Skirmish". Droma Rúisc , ridge of the skirmish, lies east of Carrick on Shannon Bridge, so must be Summerhill (formerly Gallows hill) in the town of Carrick on Shannon.

The town of Carrick on Shannon did not exist until 1600's. There was no community living here in 1270AD - the entire district was a forest named "Feda Conmaicne", the woods of the Conmaicne. Beyond the forest was Maigh Nissi (Moynissy, Nissi's plain), corresponded to unforested parts of Kiltubrid/Kiltoghert parishes.

The original name of South Leitrim is Conmaicne Rein, after the Conmaince people, an original Connacht tribe, dispersed to various parts of Connacht, including Connamara, Dunmore, Cara, South Leitrim, and Longford. Descendents of the Conmaicne are living in south Leitrim and Longford to this day!!

01/10/2020

Recent aerial photographs of Battle Bridge (Ath an Chip) at Drumhierney townland, has unexpectedly revealed possible Archaeology at Battlefield of Ath an Chip. We are not sure what this circle is, but it looks exciting! MacCostellos 1247 castle perhaps? Or MagRaghnaills Castle of Liathroim? But why a circle?

Discovery credits: Gerard Anthony of Carrick on Shannon.

29/09/2020

The developers should rebuild the home brick by brick!

Moving away from 1798 for this afternoon, it is not right to remain silent on this morning’s shocking story about the demolition of the residence that belonged to The O’Rahilly, a 1916 leader who died from his wounds whilst leading a charge on Dublin’s Moore Street. The house had received much focus recently and its protection from Dublin City Council was secured several weeks ago. This house was displayed in the 1907 World Fair as an example of Irish architectural development. Michael Collins, Cathal Brugha and Madame Markievicz graced it with many visits and was used as a safe house. Some of the earliest business of our national government, An Dáil Éireann, was carried out in this house when it was declared illegal by Westminster. All this seems irrelevant in Ireland now. Maybe the new apartments will receive a token gesture by being titled “O’Rahilly Apartments” or receive a state sponsored plaque to inform us of what stood there originally. Only then of course will its importance be respected. We have lost Robert Emmet’s house, Frescati, Wolfe Tone’s House, Oliver Bond’s House, Clanwilliam House, most of Jacob’s Mills and many more, all to developments not worthy of admiring.

What is most disturbing is the fact that the developers ordered for this house to be illegally demolished this morning before the designated 7am start of work rule. It was literally knocked in darkness. As of now, it still remains to be reported on the national media. There is a culture in Ireland that has allowed buildings of importance to be knocked to make way for apartments, office space, carparks or the sea of hotels. In every city and town across Ireland, buildings, centuries old, are being allowed to deteriorate into an unsafe state, thus legitimising the need for their demolition and sanitising any public anger. Progression and development should not see our heritage victimised. Instead of demolishing, let’s rejuvenate. Ireland drastically needs law reform regarding planning and our heritage. This year alone, we have faced several instances of our 1798 heritage being harassed by development. Thankfully they were quashed, however, this has failed. What will be next I ask you?

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18/09/2020

Folks, Time to start drafting a Festival Plan for Summer 20201. Ideas welcome here or ([email protected]). COVID will be acknowledged but will not stop the event occurring.

The core festival is state commemoration, supported by community events across Roscommon and Leitrim (A proposed 1270 Summer School is a separate event). This will take some coordination but the framework should allow us to plugin further events.

Possible Festival Schedule - Week ending July 25th

Day 1: South Roscommon / Castle
Community Walks/Relay (Athlone to Roscommon),
Coin Hoard exhibition at Roscommon Castle,
Expert - Normans (by K&C Grandard),
Battle Bus Tour (by Noel MacLochlainn)
Campsite and Celebration- Roscommon Castle

Day 2: North Roscommon
Community Walks/Relay (Roscommon to Elphin)
Traditional Music Festival (J. Staffard committee)
Coin Hoard exhibition at Roscommon Castle,
Expert Exhibition of Normans (by K&C Grandard),
Battle Bus Tour (by Noel MacLochlainn)
Campsite & Celebration- Elphin
Celebration - Clonlis House
Expert - Medieval Cookery/Diet (UCC)
Expert - Archaeology of area (UCG)
Expert - Archaeology of RathCroghan (KnockKrogan)

Day 3: Shannonside - Carrick/Cortober
Community Walks/Relay (Elphin to Cortober)
Coin Hoard exhibition at Carrick on Shannon
Expert Exhibition of Normans (by K&C Grandard),
Battle Bus Tour (by Noel MacLochlainn)
Campsite - Festival & Celebration
Memorial of Carrick Skirmish Droma Ruisc/Summerhill
Insult Shouting Competition across Shannon

Day 4: Battle Frenzy
Community Walks/Relay (Carrick to Gowel)
Insult Shouting Competition in Moynissy
Battle Bus Tour (by Noel MacLochlainn)
Campsite - Festival & Celebrations (Loch Scur, Gowel)
Expert Exhibition of Irish Gaels / Normans (Claiomh),

Day 5: Battle of Ath an Chip
Community March (Gowel to Leitrim Village)
Community March (Lough Scur to Leitrim Village)
State Commemoration lead by President of Ireland
- Irish Girl Guides Parade
- Expert Exhibition of Irish Gaels / Normans (Claiomh),
- Expert Exhibition of Medieval Diet (UCC)
- Concert by Eleanor Shanley at Lough Scur

Community BBQs: Leitrim Village, Lough Scur, Drumsna, Mohill, Boyle, Keadue, Cortober, Carrick on Shannon, Dromod, Ballinamore

26/08/2020

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/connacht-s-revenge-an-irishman-s-diary-on-the-battle-of-%C3%A1th-an-chip-1.4335163

Connacht’s revenge – An Irishman’s Diary on the Battle of Áth an Chip Thu, Aug 20, 2020, 20:01 Ronan McGreevy A coin from Henry II’s reign. The Battle of Áth an Chip in the summer of 1270 was the biggest reverse the Anglo-Normans suffered since first landing in Ireland a century before.  ...

21/08/2020

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/connacht-s-revenge-an-irishman-s-diary-on-the-battle-of-%C3%A1th-an-chip-1.4335163?mode=amp

08/08/2020

We will be partnering with Claiomh on two days in Summer 2021, to educate the public, particularly families and children. Details to be announced next year.

CLAÍOMH (meaning 'sword' in Gaelic) is a 'living history' group based in Ireland that re-creates a live and authentic image of medieval Ireland's past. The aspiration of the group is to spread awareness of Ireland's rich resources of Medieval & Early Modern history and archaeology through means of entertaining battle demonstrations, craft displays and palatable but informative talks with the aid of museum-quality reconstructions: http://www.claiomh.ie/

Irish Living History and Re-enactment

08/08/2020

Public talk available on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s3o-PTVEKE

750th Anniversary of the Battle of Connacht by Noel MacLochlainn Seldom has a victory been so successfully erased from the history books as the Irish victory...

06/08/2020

Answer to question from talk Aug 3rd.

Joe Mulleady: Were the Black Pigs D**e in Jamestown/Drumsna part of the fortification of the castle in Drumsna?

Evelyn Mc Cabe: the doon of drumsna is an interesting boundary

Good question. I forgot to mention the Dun of Drumsna in my talk. Conmaicne (south Leitrim and Longford) and East/West Breifne (north Leitrim, Cavan) acted as a buffer between greater powers. Due to afforestation around the Shannon, it appears Drumsna and Jamestown was a fording point between old kingdoms and the Dun of Drumsna was a defensive construction. It is much older vintage so was not part of the castle in Drumsna.

06/08/2020

A question from talk Aug 3rd.

Noel McGloin: Have any archeological excavations been carried out in any of the sites or drone surveys?

No. Regarding Archaeology - We had some correspondence with Susan Curran - who said Lidar scans exist for at least some areas associated with the Battle) and with Damien Shiels (who opinioned that archaeological excavations of battlefields have mixed results).

Currently, the only Archaeology found was the Drumlion Coin Hoard which is in the national museum and I'm exploring how to get on exhibition down here in 2021.

06/08/2020

Answering a question from the talk on Aug 3rd.

Noel McGloin: Hi Noel, just wondering did you get to publish your book 'The Battle of Connacht'? If so, where can you get it? Tried to get it in Carrick on Shannon (Mulvey's) today & they didn't have it.

Mulvey's had 3 copies (just inside the door) last time I checked. Otherwise, it's on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0851LY9QY

Battle of Connacht 1270: Aedh O'Conchobar's victory at Áth an Chip (Conmaicne)

06/08/2020

Answering a question from Aug 3rd talk

Teresa O'Leary: "Moylurg at Lough Key?"

Yes, the Lough key was indeed part of Moylurg. The lakeside was known as Puirt na Carriage ("port of the rock") by locals.

29/07/2020

21/07/2020

It is believed one hundred Knights fought in the Battle of Ath an Chip, south Leitrim in 1270AD. The Annals say "eight of their noblest knights were killed" on the Battlefield. The occasion marked the 1st encounter between Galloglaich (foreign Gael soldiers) and Knights anywhere. The illustration, dated 1200s, shows a Knight in battle.

https://www.facebook.com/MyLineage/photos/a.374747953911/10158666468718912/?__cft__[0]=AZVlwWewB3z3qLiF9qaldkrILjNtkQCLlaWzt863uXeChOwplrQgHH9hAbB_wAmakNxvSdbFBega2GZS7ytQY4cFGsZE69FWUZL0vqZdcDdToHIBsLatppeEu0lf8OGqL7OBMNbBNMjx45TvnV-Vtz_rD6ZXvHoSNWHjVqNlLG7d1h2F6p8YwenVa8bSSzt27f_urbhGSb2TjLcS7JGGs-kcyUxT-he9XMYroCVrwMA5sQ&__tn__=EH-y-y-R

There’s no more iconic symbol of medieval Europe than the knight. Accounts from the Middle Ages describe the well-trained, heavily-armed warriors trampling through enemy forces while chopping off limbs and heads. ⁣⁣
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In England, the weapons of a medieval knight in combat included the long sword, wooden lance with an iron tip, metal-headed mace, battle-axe, and dagger. Trained since childhood and practiced at tournaments, the skilled knight could inflict fatal injuries on even an armored adversary. ⁣⁣
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The sword, symbol of the chivalric code and noble status, was above all the knight’s most important weapon. With a one-meter-long in heavy blade, a ‘great sword’ had to be held with both hands and was remarkably stable in design from the 11th to 15th century CE. ⁣⁣
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A mounted knight wielding a lance was a fearsome sight but a dismounted one swinging a sword that could sever limbs with one blow was a great psychological weapon in itself. ⁣⁣
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The image is a silver seal of Robert Fitzwalter from the British Museum in London, which shows a mounted knight (1213-1219 CE).
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17/07/2020

Feilim O'Conchobar - Aedh's father - helped found Roscommon Friary. The Annals of Roscommon were written here.

11/07/2020

  In 1259, Hugh McFelim O’Connor (Aedh mac Felim Ua Conchobair), also known as Aodh na nGall (Hugh of the Foreigners), son of Felim O’Connor (Feidlim Ua Conchobair) King of Connacht, mar…

08/07/2020

Some gaelic tribal names are found on old maps. This illustrated 1606 map lists O'Reilly & O'Rourke of Breifne, O'Connor & McDermott of Moylurg and Roscommon, MagRannell (Reynolds) of Muintir Eolais dynasty of Conmaicne Rein, and both O'Farrell's of Conmaicne Annaly, now county Longford.

07/07/2020

Nuacht 1270: The historical name of CORTOBER village is PORT NA LEICE, "boat port of the shelf or rocky-hillside". Both O'Connor & O'Beirne mentioned here in the Annals of 1245 were prominent families of Moylurg (North Roscommon). Port Leice is repeatedly mentioned by Annals narrating the Battle of Ath an Chip 1270 story.

02/07/2020

Aedh O'Conchobar, King of Connacht, built a Castle at Lough Scur in the year 1265. The ruins of Castle Sean (of the Heads) stands here today. The Gaels camped at AghaScur, "field of the Scur" during the 1270 Battle of Ath an Chip (which occurred at Battlebridge or Jamestown). At least 160 Galloglaich (Scottish Gael mercenaries), and thousands of Ceithern (Irish Gaelic infantrymen) lived in Fortress Conmaicne (south Leitrim) and served Aedh