Cover art is ‘The Giant’s Causeway’ by William Henry Bartlett

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Book of Leinster

Notes: This second section is a continuation of the same chronicle, transitioning from the legendary pre-Christian king-list into genuine historical annals, recording major events alongside each reign, deaths of abbots and bishops, synods, battles, and remarkable natural phenomena, right up to the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 1170s.

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On the Kingships of Ireland After the Faith

Here begins [the account] of the kingships and periods of Ireland after the faith.

Loegaire son of Niall — thirty years he held the kingship of Ireland after the coming of Patrick. Armagh was founded. Secundinus and Old Patrick rested. Loegaire fell beside the Cass, etc.

Ailill Molt son of Dath Í — twenty years until he fell in the Battle of Ócha at the hands of Lugaid son of Loegaire, and Muirchertach son of Erc, and Fergus Cerbél son of Conall Cremthainne, and Fiachra Lond son of Caelbad king of Dál Araide, and Crimthann son of Énna king of Leinster. Eogan son of Niall died. The repose of Benignus the second bishop. The death of Conall Cremthainne son of Niall. The repose of Iarlathu the third bishop. The Battle of Ócha in which Ailill Molt fell.

Lugaid son of Loegaire — twenty-five [years]. He fell in Achad Forcha through the miracle of Patrick. Muridach son of Eogan died. The Battle of Cell Osnaid. Patrick bishop of the Irish rested. Cormac [was] the first abbot. The repose of Ibar the bishop.

Muirchertach son of Erc — twenty-four [years]. He fell in a vat of wine at Clettech. Dubthach abbot of Armagh rested. The Battle of Druim Dergaige, from which the Plain of Meath was taken from the Leinstermen. The repose of Saint Brigit. Ailill, first abbot of Armagh. The repose of Colmán son of Dúach. The Battle of Eblinn.

Tuathal Máel Garb — eleven [years]. He fell in Grellaig Elti at the hands of Máelmór son of Argetán grandson of Mac Hí. The repose of Ailbe of Imleach. Ailill, second abbot of Armagh. The Battle of Slicech where Eogan Bél king of Connacht fell. Fergus and Dommall, the two sons of Muirchertach son of Erc, were victors. The Battle of Tortan — a victory for the Leinstermen — in which Mac Erca son of Ailill Molt fell. The Battle of Cloenlocha. Nem the bishop.

Diarmait son of Cerball — twenty-one [years]. He fell at the hands of Áed Dub son of Suibne king of Dál Araide at Ráith Bic in Mag Line. Duach abbot of Armagh. Ciarán son of the Craftsman. The Battle of Cúil Conaire in Ceru where Ailill Banda fell. Colum son of Crimthann — Fiachra abbot of Armagh. The Battle of Cúil Dreimne against Diarmait son of Cerball.

Dommall and Fergus, the two sons of Mac Erca — one year. The Battle of Gabra Liffey — Fergus and Dommall were victors. The repose of Brendan of Birr in the three hundredth year of his age.

Báetán and Eochaid, two sons of Ninnid — three [years]. Eochaid fell at the hands of Cronán son of Tigernach king of Ciannacht of Glenn Gemin. A voyage to the west by Colmán Bec son of Diarmait and by Conall son of Comgall.

Ainmire son of Sétna — three [years]. He fell at the hands of Fergus son of Nellini.

Báetán son of Nainnid — one year. Íte of Cluana, Oenu grandson of Loigse, Gildas the Wise rested. The death of Áed son of Suibne king of Moenmaig.

Áed son of Ainmire — twenty-eight [years]. He fell at the hands of Brandub son of Eochaid in the Battle of Dún Bolg. Daig son of Cairell rested. The Great Assembly of Druim Ceta. Feidlimid abbot of Armagh rested. Eochu abbot of Armagh. Pope Gregory. David of Kildare rested. The repose of Colm Cille and Baithíne.

Colmán Rímid and Áed Sláne — seven [years]. Áed Sláne fell at the hands of Conall Guthbind son of Suibne. Colmán Rímid fell at the hands of Locán Dilmana. The repose of Comgall of Bangor. The Battle of Slemain in which Colmán Rímid was victorious. Conall Cú was a fugitive. Fintan of Cluain Eidnech. The repose of Cainnech.

Áed Úaridnach — eight years until he died. Senach abbot of Armagh — or Gregory [here]. The death of Brandub son of Eochaid. Áedán son of Gabrán died.

Máel Coba — three years until he fell in the Battle of Sliabh Toad at the hands of Suibne Mend. The Battle of Odba where Conall Láeg Breg fell. Óengus son of Colmán was defeated.

Suibne Mend — sixteen years until he fell at the hands of Congal Cáech son of Scannlán at Tráig Breine. Mac Lasre abbot of Armagh. Comgán of Glenndalough. Áed Bennán. Rónán son of Tuathal. The Battle of Both — Suibne Mend’s victory over Dommall son of Áed. The Battle of Dún Cethirn. The death of Eochaid Buide.

Dommall son of Áed — thirty years, he died of natural death. The Battle of Mag Roth and the Battle of Sáiltine were fought in one day — one of them against Eogan and the other against the Ulaid. Mochuta of Raithin rested. Molaisse of Leighlin rested.

Cellach and Conall Cáel sons of Máel Coba — fifteen [years]. Cellach died of natural death in the Bruig of Mac ind Óc. Conall Cáel fell at the hands of Diarmait son of Áed Sláne. Fursa rested. A cow gave birth to four calves in one day.

Blaithmac and Diarmait — fifteen years. They died of the Yellow Plague of Connacht. Féchín of Fobhar, Manchán Léith, Airerán the Wise rested of the Yellow Plague of Connacht. The Synod of Constantinople.

Sechnassach son of Blaithmac — six years. He fell at the hands of Dub nDúin king of Cairpre. Fáelán son of Colmán king of Leinster. The voyage of Bishop Columbanus with the relics of the saints to Inis Bó Finne.

Cend Fáelad son of Crundmáel — four years until he fell at the hands of Finnachta Fledach in the Battle of Aircheltra. The first burning of Armagh.

Finnachta Fledach — twenty [years]. He fell in Grellaig Dollaid at the hands of Áed son of Dluthach. The burning of the kings in Dún Cethirn. Adomnán brought captives back to Ireland. The remission of the Bórama. The moon turned to blood as a portent.

Loingsech son of Óengus — eight years until he fell at the hands of Cellach of Loch Cimbe in the Battle of the Corann. Mo Ling of Luachair. A great famine for three years in Ireland, so that man ate man.

Congal Chind Magair — nine years until he died from a sudden fright. Cú Chuarain king of Ulster and of Cruithentúaith.

Fergal son of Máel Dúin — seventeen years until he fell in the Battle of Almain at the hands of Murchad son of Brain. Inrechtach son of Muridach king of Connacht.

Fogartach son of Niall — one year until he fell in the Battle of Cind Delgen at the hands of Cinaed son of Irgalach.

Cinaed son of Irgalach — four years until he fell in the Battle of Druim Corcáin at the hands of Flaithbertach son of Loingsech. Dommall son of Cellach king of Connacht died. The death of Murchad son of Brain.

Flaithbertach son of Loingsech — seven years until he died in Armagh. Suibne abbot of Armagh died.

Áed Allán son of Fergal — nine years until he fell in the Battle of Seredmag at the hands of Dommall son of Murchad. The Battle of Uchbath in which Bran Bec son of Murchad and Áed Mend fell.

Dommall son of Murchad — twenty years until he died. Ships were seen in the air. The repose of Fidmun. Cú Chumne rested.

Niall Frossach son of Fergal — seven years until he died in Iona on pilgrimage. Three showers in his reign: a shower of silver, a shower of honey, and a shower of wheat. Fer dá Chrích abbot of Armagh.

Dondchad son of Dommall — twenty-five years until he fell in the Battle of Druim Ríg at the hands of Áed son of Niall. Dub dá Lethé abbot of Armagh.

Áed Ordnide — twenty-seven [years]. He fell in the Battle of Dá Ferta at the hands of Máel Canaig. The Battle of Druim Ríg. Condmach, Torbach, Toicthech, Nuadu — abbots of Armagh rested. The moon turned to blood. Murgius son of Tommaltach king of Connacht.

Conchobar son of Dondchad — twenty-four years until he died. The Battle of Leth in Chaim against Niall Caille. Eogan Manistrech abbot of Armagh. The drowning of Turgéis in Loch Úair by Máel Sechnaill son of Máel Ruanaid.

Máel Sechnaill son of Máel Ruanaid — sixteen years until he died. The repose of Feidlimid king of Cashel — who was also king of Ireland with opposition. The Battle of Forcha — Máel Sechnaill’s victory over the foreigners [Vikings] where six hundred fell. Olchobor king of Cashel rested. Forannan and Diarmait, two abbots of Armagh, rested.

Áed Findliath — eighteen years until he died at Druim Inasclaind. The Battle of Cill Ua nDaigri — a victory for Áed son of Niall. Showers of blood fell so that portions of gore were found. Fethgna abbot of Armagh.

Fland son of Máel Sechnaill — twenty-seven [years] until he died. It is he who released the hostages of Ireland and then retook them by force. Ainmeri and Máel Coba, abbots of Armagh, rested. The Battle of Belach Mugna — a victory for the Leinstermen over the men of Munster — in which Cormac son of Cuilennán fell. Two suns rose racing together in one day. Cerball son of Muricán king of Leinster rested.

Niall Glundub — three years. He fell in the Battle of Dublin. Conchobar grandson of Máel Sechnaill king of Meath.

Dondchad son of Fland — twenty-five [years] until he died. A battle — Muirchertach son of Niall’s victory — in which Albdann son of Gothfraith king of the foreigners fell. Máel Brigte son of Tornán, Joseph, and Máel Pátraic — three abbots rested.

Congalach son of Máel Mithig — ten [years]. He fell at the hands of the foreigners of Dublin at Taig Giugrand. The Battle of Muine Brocáin — Congalach’s victory over the foreigners — in which seven thousand fell. Two fiery columns rose a week before Samhain and lit up the whole world.

Dommall Ua Néill — twenty-five [years] until he died in Armagh. Muridach abbot of Armagh. Conchobar son of Taidg king of Connacht died. The Battle of Cill Móna. A battle between Brian and Máel Muat. Meath was waste for five years until Máel Sechnaill son of Dommall seized it.

Máel Sechnaill son of Dommall — twenty-three [years]. The Battle of Temair — Máel Sechnaill’s victory over the foreigners. He besieged the foreigners for three days and three nights and extracted the hostages of Ireland by force from them. It was then that Máel Sechnaill proclaimed the famous liberation — that is: “Let every Gael who is in the territory of the foreigners, in slavery and bondage, go free to his own land.” Dub dá Lethé, successor of Patrick.

Brian son of Cennétig — twelve [years]. He fell at the hands of the Leinstermen and the foreigners of Dublin at Clontarf. The Battle of Glenn Máma — Brian and Máel Sechnaill’s victory over the foreigners. The Battle of Craíb Tilcha between the Ulaid and the Cenél Eogain in which the kings of both peoples fell — that is, Áed and Eochaid.

Máel Sechnaill son of Dommall in the kingship of Ireland again until he died at Cróinis of Loch Annind. Twenty-five battles routed before Máel Sechnaill. The comet-star for a fortnight. Máel Maire, successor of Patrick. Findlaech son of Ruadrí king of Alba. A battle — Augaire son of Ailill’s victory over Sitriuc son of Amlaíb. A shower of wheat.

Joint sovereignty over Ireland for forty-two years. Cuán Ua Lothcháin. Corcán the cleric. A great snowfall. Amalgaid, successor of Patrick. The Battle of Sliabh Crot. Niall son of Eochaid. Niall son of Máel Sechnaill.

Diarmait son of Máel na mBó was king of Ireland with opposition. It is thus that kings with opposition are counted in the royal succession: if the king is from Leth Cuind [the northern half] and holds all of Leth Cuind and one province of Leth Moga — that man is king of Temair and of Ireland with opposition. But if he is from Leth Moga [the southern half], he is not called king of Ireland unless he holds all of Leth Moga and Temair with its territories and one of the provinces of Leth Cuind. The son of Máel na mBó was king of Ireland in this fashion, for he held all of Leth Moga and Connacht and the Men of Meath and the Ulaid and the Airgialla. It is he who sent the son of Brian overseas.

Tairdelbach Ua Briain — twelve [years]. Dub dá Lethé, successor of Patrick. Dondchad son of Brian [went] to Rome. The Battle of Saxan. Cnómess. The Battle of Odba. The Battle of Móna Crunnióce. Tairdelbach died of natural death.

Muirchertach Ua Briain — twenty [years] until he died of serious illness. The Battle of na Crincha — a victory for the son of Dommall Remair and the foreigners of Dublin over the men of Meath. Dondchad son of Dommall Remair king of Leinster was killed. A battle between Cenél Eogain and the Ulaid in which the kings of both peoples were killed. Máel Ísu, successor of Patrick. The blinding of Ruadrí Ua Conchobuir. A battle between the Uí Cendselaig in which Enna Bacach fell — Dondchad son of Murchad was victor. Máel Coluim son of Dondchad king of Alba died. The Battle of Fidnacha. The plague of the tessach. Terror on the feast of John. The Battle of Mag Coba. Magnus king of Norway was slain in Ulster. The Synod of Ráith Bresail. A battle between Dondchad Mac Murchada and the children of Dommall — routed against the children of Dommall. The Battle of Dublin — thereafter routed against the Leinstermen — in which Dondchad Mac Murchada and Conchobar Ua Conchobuir were killed.

Joint sovereignty over Ireland for thirty-six years. But Tairdelbach son of Ruadrí Ua Conchobuir was king of Ireland with opposition. Enna son of Dondchad Mac Murchada king of Leinster rested. A battle between Ua Mathgamna and Mac Duind Sléibe. Cellach, successor of Patrick. The Battle of Licc Uatha — broken against Diarmait son of Dondchad Mac Murchada. The Battle of Cúil Coll — broken by Diarmait within a fortnight against the men of Munster and the Ossraige and the foreigners of Waterford. Máel Ísu Ua Anmire, chief elder of Ireland, rested. Cormac Mac Carthaig, high king of Munster, killed. The Battle of Monad Mór. Broken before the Leinstermen and the Connachtmen against Tairdelbach Ua Briain. Diarmait son of Dondchad Mac Murchada and Tairdelbach Ua Conchobuir were victors. The Synod of Kells, at which Cardinal Johannes presiding was present — in the year eleven hundred and fifty-two this noble council was held.

Muirchertach son of Niall — fourteen [years]. He fell at the hands of Uí Briúin and the Airgialla. Dommall Ua Londgain chief bishop of Munster rested. A synod at Brí Meic Taidc. The Battle of Áth Fir Dead. Muirchertach son of Niall’s victory over the Connachtmen and the Uí Briúin.

Ruadrí son of Tairdelbach Ua Conchobuir. Diarmait son of Dondchad Mac Murchada sent overseas. The English came to Ireland and wrought total devastation. Gilla Meic Liac, successor of Patrick. The English came to Ireland. Ireland was devastated by them. Diarmait Mac Murchada died. Diarmait son of Cormac killed by the English. Dommall Ua Briain king of Thomond rested. Conchobar Moenmaige son of Ruadrí killed. The death of that Ruadrí on pilgrimage at Cong.

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