Hy-Many
Encyclopedia
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...
, 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...
. Its territory of approximately 1000 square miles (2,590 km²) encompassed all of what is now north, east and south County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, south and central County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, an area near County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, and at one stage had apparently subjugated land on the east bank of the Shannon, together with the parish of Lusmag in Offaly.
There were two different Ui Maine, the Ui Maine of Tethbae
Tethbae
Tethbae, also Tethba and other variants, and often anglicized Teffia, was a region of Ireland in the Middle Ages. It was divided into two distinct kingdoms, north Tethba, ruled by the Cenél Coirpri, and south Tethba, ruled by the Cenél Maini...
and the Uí Maine of Connacht; these tribes were separated by the Shannon River
Shannon River
Shannon River may refer to:*River Shannon, Ireland*Shannon River, Minnesota*Shannon River , A river in Western Australia....
. The people of the kingdom were descendants of Máine Mór
Máine Mór
-Biography:Máine Mór descended from Colla da Chrioch of Oirghialla/Oriel, which became overpopulated. Máine Mór, his father Eochaidh Ferdaghiall and his two sons Breasal and Amhlaibh, travelled to Connacht to seek new lands...
, who won the territory by warfare. Its sub-kingdoms, also known as lordships, included - among others - Tír Soghain
Soghain
The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
, Corco Mogha, Delbhna Nuadat
Delbhna Nuadat
The Delbhna Nuadat were lords of a large section of what is now County Roscommon, situated between the Suca and Shannon rivers. From the early historic era they were a subject people of the Ui Maine....
, Síol Anmchadha
Síol Anmchadha
Síol Anmchadha was a sub-kingdom or lordship of Hy-Many, and ruled by an off-shoot of the Ui Maine called the Síol Anmchadha , from whom the territory took its name....
, and Máenmaige
Máenmaige
Máenmaige was a originally a kingdom, later termed a trícha cét, and in Anglo-Norman times a cantred, which formed the barony of Loughrea.-Early historic rulers:It was first under the control of Ui Fhiachrach Fionn, and later by the Uí Maine...
. These kingdoms were made up of offshoots of the Uí Maine dynasty, or subject peoples of different races.
The Uí Maine are among the ancient Irish dynasties still represented today among the recognized Irish nobility
Irish nobility
This article concerns the Gaelic nobility of Ireland from ancient to modern times. It only partly overlaps with Chiefs of the Name because it excludes Scotland and other discussion...
and Chiefs of the Name
Chiefs of the Name
The Chief of the Name, or in older English usage Captain of his Nation, is the recognised head of a family or clan...
, by the O'Kelly of Gallagh and Tycooly, Prince of Uí Maine and Count of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
. The Fox (O'Kearney) may represent the eastern Uí Maine of Tethbae.
Early times
Máine MórMáine Mór
-Biography:Máine Mór descended from Colla da Chrioch of Oirghialla/Oriel, which became overpopulated. Máine Mór, his father Eochaidh Ferdaghiall and his two sons Breasal and Amhlaibh, travelled to Connacht to seek new lands...
is said to have established the kingdom around 357 AD, and ruled for fifty years. Before his arrival, the area had been occupied by the Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg
In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann.-Mythology:...
, ruled by King Cian d'Fhearaibh Bolg
Cian d'Fhearaibh Bolg
Cian d'Fhearaibh Bolg, last King of the Senchineoil of Magh Senchineoil, now in County Galway.-Background:Cian is identified as the king of Magh Senchineol, home to the Senchineoil people, who were said to be of Fir Bolg origin, a population group from Irish mythology. It was asserted by T. F...
.
The Uí-Maine were traditionally thought to be descended from Colla da Crioch, one of the Three Collas. Their original homeland was Oirghialla. DNA testing of descendants of William Boy O'Kelly, however, indicates that the Ui-Maine were not descended from the Three Collas.
Early leaders (in order)
| Name | Years Ruled | Death |
|---|---|---|
| Máine Mór Máine Mór -Biography:Máine Mór descended from Colla da Chrioch of Oirghialla/Oriel, which became overpopulated. Máine Mór, his father Eochaidh Ferdaghiall and his two sons Breasal and Amhlaibh, travelled to Connacht to seek new lands... |
50 years | natural death |
| Breasal mac Maine Mór Breasal mac Maine Mór Breasal mac Maine Mór, 2nd king of Uí Maine, fl. 4th-century/5th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Bresal, son of Maine, thirty years, when he died a natural death, which the poem states was surprising, as he had been much engaged in wars." He participated in the war that led to the foundation... son of Máine Mór |
30 years | natural death |
| Fiachra Finn Fiachra Finn Fiachra Finn, 3rd king of Uí Maine, fl. 5th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Fiachra Finn, the son of Bresal , seventeen years, when he was treacherously slain by his brother Maine Mall... son of Bresal |
17 years | slain by brother |
| Connall Cas Ciabhach Connall Cas Ciabhach Connall Cas Ciabhach, 4th king of Uí Maine, fl. 4th-century/5th-century.-References:* http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/uimaine.htm* Annals of Ulster at at * Annals of Tigernach at at... son of Bresal |
22 years | slain |
| Dallán mac Breasal Dallán mac Breasal -Biography:John O'Donovan remarked that "Conall Cas-ciabhach, i.e. of the curled tresses, was prince of Hy-Maine, twenty-two years, when he was slain... brother of Fiachra Finn |
11 years | mortally wounded then drowned |
| Duach mac Dallán Duach mac Dallán Duach mac Dallán, 6th king of Uí Maine, fl. 5th-century/6th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Dallan, who was also a brother of Fiachra Finn, was prince of Hy-Maine for eleven years, when he was mortally wounded and afterwards drowned."... son of Dallan |
16 years | slain by Maine Macamh |
| Lughaidh mac Dallán Lughaidh mac Dallán Lughaidh mac Dallán, 7th king of Uí Maine, fl. 5th-century/6th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Lughaidh, the son of Dallan, and brother of Duach, was prince or chief ruler of Hy-Many for fourteen years, when he died a natural death."... son of Dallan |
14 years | natural death |
| Feradhach mac Lughaidh Feradhach mac Lughaidh Feradhach mac Lughaidh, 8th king of Uí Maine, fl. 6th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Feradhach, the son of Lughaidh, was prince of Hy-Many for twenty-four years, when he was slain by his successor."-References:... son of Lughaidh |
24 years | slain by successor |
| Marcán Marcán Marcán, 10th King of Uí Maine, died 556.Marcán was the first of two semi-historical kings who reigned subsequent to that of the first attested king of Uí Maine, Maine mac Cearbhall.... |
15 years | slain by sword |
| Feradhach mac Lughaidh Feradhach mac Lughaidh Feradhach mac Lughaidh, 8th king of Uí Maine, fl. 6th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Feradhach, the son of Lughaidh, was prince of Hy-Many for twenty-four years, when he was slain by his successor."-References:... son of Feradhach |
9 years | slain by successor |
Main families
Descendant clans of the dynasty include the Ó Ceallaigh, Ó MadadhanMadden
Madden may refer to:People* Madudan mac Gadhra Mór ancestor of the Madden family of County Galway* Benji and Joel Madden of the pop-punk band Good Charlotte* Bill Madden , columnist for the New York Daily News...
Ó Neachtáin
Naughton
Naughton is an Irish gaelic surname derived from the name Ó Neachtain meaning 'descendent of the waters'. A Sept of the Dal gCais of the same stock as Quinn and Hartigan where located in Inchiquin Barony, Co. Clare....
, Ó Domhnalláin
Donnellan
Donnellan is an Irish surname and refers to the clan name Ó Domhnalláin.At least two unrealated families of the name existed in Gaelic Ireland. One in south-east Ulster, another in south-east Connacht in the kingdom of Ui Maine....
, Ó Maolalaidh, and Ó Fallamháin.
Customs
The Uί Maine was given rewards and treasures such as:- A portion of all ‘strongholds and seaport towns in the province’
- A portion of all prizes and wrecks of the sea
- This included any wines or goods that had been washed to shore from shipwrecks, etc.
- It also included whales and fish which became to be known as ‘royal fish’ and were given to only the kings and queens
- Hidden treasures found underground, all silver and gold mines and other metals
- They were given a third of any revenues received by the king of Connacht of any other provinces where wrong had been done
- The revenue (or eric) of killing a person was considered very large and in one document recorded was states as being ‘168 cows’
Along with the privileges that Kings and queens of Uí Maine received, the clans that fought for Uí Maine were also given privileges and rights:
- Any member of a clan was given a choice to go to battle in Spring or Autumn. Most members that chose not to attend battle spent time maintaining their crops.
- It was required that "no man of the province is to be taken as witness against these tribes, but another Hy Manian is to bear witness."
- If the King of Connacht did not pull out or end a battle in 6 weeks or less when fighting in UlsterUlsterUlster 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...
or LeinsterLeinsterLeinster 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...
, any member was allowed to return home. - "However great may be the accusation brought against them by dishonest people, only one man or one witness is required to dent it or prove it against the other party."
- Hy Manians that were baptized were to be baptized by the Comharba of St. Bridget. If parents chose not to baptize their children at St. Bridget's because they lived too far away they were required to pay the Comharba a penny.
- Hy Manians were required to pay a ‘sgreaball ongtha’ to the Comharba to prepare for death during an illness. This fee was said to be 3 Irish pennies.
Annalistic references
- M918.11. A great slaughter was made of the Ui-Maine at Grian.
- M931.14. Domhnall, son of Gadhra, lord of Luighne, was slain.
See also
- Kings of Uí Maine
- Síol AnmchadhaSíol AnmchadhaSíol Anmchadha was a sub-kingdom or lordship of Hy-Many, and ruled by an off-shoot of the Ui Maine called the Síol Anmchadha , from whom the territory took its name....
- Trícha Máenmaige
- SenchineoilSenchineoilThe Senchineoil was the name of the pre-Gaelic inhabitants of what is now central and east County Galway and south County Roscommon.-Overview:...
- SoghainSoghainThe Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...
- Cóiced Ol nEchmachtCóiced Ol nEchmacht-Etymology and extent:Cóiced Ol nEchmacht may be translated as the portion/fifth/province of the Ol nEchmacht, also called the Fir Ol nEchmacht . They were divided up into three main tribes: the Fir Craibe, or Fir na Criabe; the Tuatha Taiden; the Gamanraige...
- Maigh SeolaMaigh SeolaMaigh Seola was a term used to describe the land along the east shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. It was bounded by the Uí Maine vassal kingdom of Soghain. Its rulers up to the 1220s were the Muintir Murchada, who took the surname O'Flaherty...
- Cenél Áeda na hEchtgeCenél Áeda na hEchtgeCenél Áeda na hEchtge was a trícha cét Cenél Áeda na hEchtge (also Cenél Áeda, Kenloth, Kinalethes, Kenealea, Kinelea)was a trícha cét Cenél Áeda na hEchtge (also Cenél Áeda, Kenloth, Kinalethes, Kenealea, Kinelea)was a trícha cét (later a cantred, (a branch of the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne) and which...
- Albéric O'Kelly de GalwayAlbéric O'Kelly de GalwayAlbéric O'Kelly de Galway was a Belgian chess Grandmaster , and an International Correspondence Chess Grandmaster , most famous for being the third ICCF World Champion in correspondence chess between 1959 and 1962. He was also a chess writer...