- O'Finn and O'Carroll were cited as chiefs of Calraighe (Calry) which extended from portions of Co. Sligo into the Co. Leitrim parishes of Drumlease and Killargy.
- Mac Fhlannchaidh (MacClancy) were chiefs of Dartraighe (Dartry) in the Co. Leitrim barony of Rosclogher.
- O'Murrough, or O'Murrey, were chiefs in the modern barony of Rosclougher. Their territory was the Hy Murragh. The Mac Murry or Mac Morrow were chiefs in Loghmoyltagh.
- Mac Kenny (Kenny, Keaney) were chiefs in an area known as Muinter Mountains, or Muintir Kenny, an older name for the barony of Dromohair. Originally known as the Mac Consnamha, the Clan Kenny was said to originate in the parish of Innismagrath. They later were known as Mac Kinnawe and still later Ford.
- Mac Raghnaill (MacRannall or Reynolds) were chiefs of an area comprising much of the Leitrim baronies of Mohill and Leitrim (Liathdromen), then known as Muinter Eolais.
- Mac Gauran (McGovern) were chiefs in the Co. Cavan barony of Tullaghagh (Tullyhaw) from the 1100's on and their territory at one time apparently extended into Co. Leitrim.
- O Raghailligh (O'Reilly) were lords of much of County Cavan, which was known as Breifne O'Reilly after the 13th century.
- Mac Thighearnain (McTiernan or McKiernan) were chiefs in the Co. Cavan barony of Tullyhunco.
- Mac Fhionnbhair (Gaynor, MacGinver) were chiefs in Muintir Geradain (or Géradháin).
- O Ruairc (O'Rourke) were hereditary chieftains of Breifne for many centuries.
- MacBradaigh (Brady) were a powerful sept who held sway in an area a few miles east of Cavan town, likely in the parshes of Castletara and Larah.
- MacTighearnain (MacTiernan) over Teallach Dunchadha,
- MacSamhradhain (MacGuaran) over Teallach Eachdhach,
- MacConsnamha (Mac Kinnawe, Ford) over Clann-Chionaoith,
- MacCogadhain or Mac Acadhain (Cogan) over Clann-Fearmaighe,
- Mag Dorchaidh (Darcy) over Cinel-Luachain,
- O Finn and O Cearbhaill (O'Carroll) over Calriaghe,
- Mag Flannchadha (MacClancy) over Dartraighe,
- O Raghallaigh (O'Reilly) over Muinter Maoilmordha,
- O Cuinn (O'Quinn) over Muinter Giollagain,
- Mac Maoiliosa (Mellowes) over Magh-Breacraighe,
- Mag Fhionnbhairr (MacGinver, Gaynor or Finnevar) over Muinter-Geradhain,
- Mag Raghnaill (MacRannall) over Muinter Eolais, whose more ancient inhabitants were the Conmaicne Rein,
- Muinter Maoilmiadhaigh (Mulvey) over Magh-nise (Moynish),
- Muinter-Fearghail (O'Farrell) over Clann-Feargius.
- Teallach Dunchadha is now the barony of Tullyhunco in Cavan.
- Teallach Eachdhach is now the barony of Tullyhaw on Cavan, and derives its name from the tribe of Eochadh which settled in west Cavan in the 7th century. Both Tullyhunco and Tullyhaw were considered to be part of West Breifne.
- Clann-Chionaoith (aka Muintir Kenny) was between Lough Allen and the river Arigna in County Leitrim.
- Clann-Fearmaighe was northern County Leitrim, near Dartry (Glenfarne)
- Cinel-Luachain was in the Leitrim and Cavan County parishes of Oughteragh, Drumreilly Upper, and Drumreilly Lower.
- Calriaghe extended from the barony of Carbury in Sligo into the barony of Dromahair in Leitrim.
- Dartraighe was in the Leitrim barony of Rosclougher as well as in the separate barony of Dartree in County Monaghan.
- Muinter Maoilmordha consisted of much of eastern County Cavan.
- Muinter Giollagain was in north(?) Co. Longford.
- Magh-Breacraighe [or Breacruighe] was a district on the borders of Co. Longford and Westmeath.
- Muinter-Geradhain was on the west side of Lough Gowna in Co. Longford.
- Muinter Eolais was in the Leitrim baronies of Mohill and Leitrim, and part of Carrigallen, an early territory of the Conmaicne Rein.
- Magh-nise (Moynish) was in Tellach Ebhellan in southwest County Leitrim.
- Clann-Feargius was in the midland region of Co. Longford known as Annaly.
- Teallach Eachach (barony of Tullyhaw in Cavan)
- an Learga (barony of Lurg? in Fermanagh)
- an Dubhbaile (barony of Boyle? in Roscommon)
- Tuath Cnuic Ninne (barony of Knockninny? in Fermanagh)
- Tuath Mhuintire Feodhachain (Muintir Fagan?)
- Tuath Chloinne Remuinn
- Tuath Mhachaire Bhuidhe (barony of Magheraboy? in Fermanagh)
- Baile Achatrelag
- Baile an Tochair (Ballintober? in Roscommon)
Turn to: | O'Rourke History | Home Page | Queries | Family Trees
Placenames of the O Ruairc of Bréifne
Kingdom of Bréifne
In ancient times this territory, together with much of county Fermanagh, was occupied by the Erdini, called in Irish 'Ernaigh', who possessed the entire country bordering Lough Erne.
In the first quarter of the 6th century a people known as the Conmaicne moved north from around the present Dunmore in County Galway and settled in Magh Rein (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 Eoluis, Muintir Cearbhallain, and Cinel Luachain.
In the 7th and 8th centuries, the area since known as Breifne was conquered and settled by the Uí Briúin who were a branch of the royal family of Connacht. The Uí Briúin, of whom the O'Rourkes were hereditary chieftains, established themselves, first in Leitrim and then into what is now Co Cavan. During the 12th century the O'Rourke's reached the height of their power under the kingship of Tiernan O'Rourke.
A great battle fought between the O'Rourkes and the O'Reillys in the year 1256 near Ballinamore led to the division of Breifne between the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys, with West Breifne eventually becoming Co. Leitrim and East Breifne becoming Co. Cavan.
In pre-medieval and medieval times, the kingdom of Breifne (Brenny) was said to comprise most of the counties of Leitrim and Cavan (and at times parts of Fermanagh, Sligo and Meath) in north-central Ireland. Some of the early chiefs and territories in this area included:
At the time of Tighernan O Ruairc, King of Breifne in the 12th century the tribes and chieftains of Breifne were described as
The probable locations of the territories mentioned above were:
Mention of the territories and clans in history:
West Breifne, "Slieve an Ierin westwards" and East Breifne, "Slieve an Ierin eastwards." Sliabh-an-Iarainn was Slieve Anierin on the eastern side of Lough Allen. In the mid-thirteenth century the O'Reilly clan had taken control of East Breifne (Co. Cavan). In the early 15th century the estates of Cenel Luachain and Culolin were commonly called Western Breffny and were the estates of Tadhg na gCaor O Ruairc.
In 1228, Niall, the son of Congalagh O'Rourke, was Lord of Dartry and Clann Fearmaighe, and was slain by the two sons of Art, the son of Donnell O'Rourke, namely, Art and Auliffe. In 1274, Melaghlin, son of Auliffe, the son of Art O'Rourke, Lord of Dartry and Clann-Fearmaighe, was slain by Conor, son of Donnell, the son of Niall O'Rourke.
About the year 1350 the MacCabes came from the western isles of Scotland as gallowglasses to the O'Reillys and the O'Rourkes, the principal septs of Breffny. Their chief became "Constable of the two Breffnys".
In Tiernan Mor's reign as king of Breifne from 1367 to 1418, he raided the lands of MacDermot of Moylurg (Sligo/Roscommon), MacDonagh of Tirerrill (Sligo), O Reilly of East Breifne (Cavan), O Donnell of Tirconnell (Fermanagh/Donegal), O Muldoon of Lurg (Fermanagh), and O Healy of Muinter Elidhe (Lough Arrow, Sligo).
West Breifne covered Co Leitrim and the two baronies in Co Cavan, Tullyhunco and Tullyhaw. Lorcan O'Runai in his book "From Rosclogher to Rooskey" list the more well known families of North Leitrim. The ancient principalities of North Leitrim were chiefly Dartry, Tullyhaw and Tullyhunco, Dromahaire, Cineal Luachain, Clannfearnmaigh (Glenfarne) and Muintir Kenny lying between Lough Allen and Co Roscommon.
Source: http://mctiernan.com/mtest.htm
History of some of the placenames of the family O'Ruairc
Dromohair - the name of the stronghold of the O Ruairc Kings of Breifne whose main branch later became known as the O'Rourkes of Dromohair, descendants of Tiernan Og. Dromohair Castle was broken down in 1581 by Brian na Murtha O Ruairc himself, for fear the Saxons would occupy it. An old name for the barony of Dromohair was Muinter Kenny for the MacKinnawe chiefs.
Leitrim Castle - built in 1540 by Brian Ballach O'Ruairc. Destroyed by Brian na Murtha in 1580 before the forces of Sir Nicholas Malby arrived.
O Ruairc's new town (Newtown beside Lough Gill) was broken down in 1581 by Brian na Murtha O Ruairc himself, for fear the Saxons would occupy it.
Cloncorick - the name of the stronghold of the Lords of East Breifne, who became know as the O'Rourkes of Cloncorick (or Clooncorrick). The stronghold was not far from Magh Angaidhe, near modern Carrigallen in Co. Leitrim and on the border of Breifne O Reilly (early 15th century)
Castlecar - the country around Glencar, north of Dromahair in County Leitrim and the home of the O'Rourkes of Carha.
Inis na d-torc or Hog Island (modern Cherry Island) in Loch Finnmhaige (Loch Finvoy, modern Lough Garadice). Many historians agree that King Tiernan, who reigned from 1128 to 1172 and described as 'a great man of battle,' ruled his kingdom from Tuam Shanshadha, now Woodford, at Lough Fenvoye (Garadice), and maintained a fortress on Cloch Inse na Dtorc (Cherry Island) on the same lake.
Carrick Patrick - In 1508 "The Monastery of O Ruairc's town, which is called Carrick Patrick, in the diocese of Ardagh, was commenced by Owen O Ruairc and his wife Margaret, daughter of Conor O Brien". This was the renowned Franciscan Friary of Creevelea, and it was founded in 1508.
Fenagh - The O Ruaircs were also patrons of another older monastery, if it could be called such, Fenagh in the part of Breifne lying east of Lough Allen. The Fenagh churches were founded by Saint Caillin in the 5th or 6th century.
Cluainin O Ruairc - was "O Rourkes little meadow" before it was granted to Sir Frederick Hamilton in the mid 17th century and became known as Manor Hamilton.
In County Cavan, the Parish of Mullagh, there is a townland named Corryrourke - Corr Ui Ruairc - O'Rourke's hill.
From the Calandar of State Papers of Ireland in 1592 --
Names of the five baronies in O Rourke's country, viz. in Mynterolles (Muinter Eolais) two baronies called Leitrim and Moyghell (Mohill). The M'Grannels (MacRannall) enjoyed these two baronies. A third barony is called Carryg Allen (Carrigallen) and is occupied by the O Rourkes called O Rourkes of Carryg Allen (or Cloncorick). The other two baronies lie beyond the mountain of Sleighoneyron (Slieve Anierin), viz., the barony of Dromaheare, in which is the country called Brenny O Rourke. O'Rourke's ancient castle having 50 or 60 quarters of land (10,000 or 12,00 acres) lying about it, called Clanarvy. The barony of Rosclougher, M'Glannough's country. And the Carrhy (Carha), Owen O Rourke's country, called the O Rourke's of the Carrhy. O Rourke's house, called the Newton, is in none of these baronies, but standeth upon the border of his country, near to Sligo, and hath unto it 8 quarters of land in demesne called Moyghellys.
The chief freeholders in the country are two M'Grannells in Mynterolles, M'Glannagh in the Dartry, the O Rourkes of Carrygallen (or Cloncorick), the O Rourkes of the Carrhy (or Carha), and the M'Gawrains (MacGuaran). The chief forces and strength of men to serve O Rourke in his wars are the M'Loughlins, the M'Morrices and the Clantyernens (Clan Tiernan).
More on the clans
The rulers of Muintir Kenny were of the family of Mac Con Snamha of Lough Allen. Muintir Kenny was centered in the parish of Innismagrath in Co. Leitrim.
Muinter Eolais - The MacRannalls were lords here (mid-16th century). Circa 500-700 A.D. this area of southern County Leitrim was known as the home of the Conmaicne Rein. Another name was later Hy Colluing. The Mulvey sept of Tellach Ebhellan, of the same stock as the O'Farrells and the MacRannals, were also noted as chiefs here in southwest Co. Leitrim.
The MacTiernans, who were for a time sub-chiefs of the O Ruaircs of Breifne, ruled Teallach Dhonnchadha (Tullyhunco) in the present Co Cavan.
The Clan Magauran (McGovern) ruled in their mountain kingdom of Tealach Eachach now Tullyhaw, Co Cavan.
Muinter Maoilmordha - In 1256 the battle of Magh Slecht (Maigh Sleach) marked the end of O'Rourke intervention in East Brefnie (Co. Cavan). The O Raghallaigh O'Reilly clan then became dominant here in Co. Cavan.
Dartry - a wild mountainous country beside Lough Melvin in northern Breifne O Ruairc (the barony of Rosclogher, County Leitrim), the MacFlannchaidh Dartraigh (McClancy of Dartry) were chieftains.
In the 14th century Ualgharg O Ruairc was said to have given land to several families from Munster. Of those included O Cureen of O Curneen's chief town (Ardbhaile Ui Chuirnin), O Credegan and O Carnen eranaghs of Drumlease, and O Trevor eranaghs of Killarga.
Carrigallen parish, anciently known as Magh Angaidh, also became known as úl Bhfloinn meaning the 'backhill of the O'Flynns'. The O'Flynns had been the dominant family in the parish prior to the formation of Breifne.
The MacDarcy clan were chiefs in Cenel Luachain which included the present parish of Oughteragh at the foot of Slieve an Iarainn.
Mac Taichligh (MacTully) were chiefs of a district comprising the greater part of the parish of Drung, in the barony of Tullygarvey, Co. Cavan.
Magh Nisse in Muinter Eolais (Moynish in County Leitrim) held by the O'Mulmoy (Green Molloy).
In the late 1500's Brian na Murtha O'Ruairc, before he was hanged, received from Queen Elizabeth I the county of Leitrim and the following tuaths:
Further Reference:
Map of the Breifne Region - circa 700 A.D.
Family Folklore.
The location and O'Ruairc history of Breifne.
Descent from Ruarc - a family tree.
Annals of the Four Masters.
Page last updated on Saturday, 02-Mar-2002 18:25:00 MST
