Kingdom of Breifne explained

Conventional Long Name:Kingdom of Breifne
Common Name:Breifne
Government Type:Tanistry / Elective monarchy
Event Start:Split from Connacht
Event End:Dissolution
Year End:1256
P1:Connacht
Flag P1:Flag of Connacht.svg
S1:East Breifne
S2:West Breifne
Image Map Caption:Breifne
Capital:Dromahair
National Motto:Irish: Buagh
(English: Victory)
Common Languages:Irish
Religion:Christianity
Leader1:Dub Dothra
Year Leader1:743
Leader2:Conchobar Ó Ruairc
Year Leader2:1250–1257
Title Leader:King
Today:Ireland

The Kingdom of Breifne or Bréifne (in Irish ˈbʲɾʲeːfʲnʲə/), anglicized as Breffny, was a medieval overkingdom in Gaelic Ireland. It comprised what is now County Leitrim, County Cavan and parts of neighbouring counties, and corresponds roughly to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore. It had emerged by the 10th century, as a confederation of Irish: [[túath]]a headed by an overking drawn from the Uí Briúin Bréifne.

By the 11th century, Bréifne was ruled by the Ua Ruairc (O'Rourke) dynasty. The kingdom reached the height of its power in the 12th century, under Tigernán Ua Ruairc. During the latter part of his reign, Bréifne took part in campaigns against the Norman invasion of Ireland. His assassination by the Anglo-Normans in 1172 was followed by a succession dispute, and a conflict between the Ua Ruairc and Ua Raghallaigh (O'Reilly) dynasties.

Following the Battle of Magh Slecht in 1256, Bréifne split into West Breifne (ruled by the Ua Ruairc) and East Breifne (ruled by the Ua Raghallaigh).

Bréifne was part of the province of Connacht until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. In that time it was shired into the modern counties Cavan and Leitrim, Leitrim remaining a part of the province of Connacht while Cavan became part of Ulster.

History

Irish: Breifne is said[1] to derive from an obsolete Irish word meaning "hilly", a description which describes the topography of this part of Ireland.[2] But this derivation is opposed by the likes of O'Connell[3] and MacEoin.[4] It was referred to as the rough third of Connacht. Alternatively, the Metrical Irish: Dindshenchas|nocat=y states the name is derived from Irish: Brefne, daughter of Irish: Beoan mac Bethaig, the grandson of Nemed, a brave soldier-woman. She was slain by Regan after whom Tomregan is supposedly named.[5] [6]

In ancient times the area that became known as Bréifne was said to be occupied by the Erdini, called in Irish 'Ernaigh', who possessed the entire country bordering Lough Erne.

At the time of the Christianization of Ireland (c. 5th–6th century), groups believed to be in or near Breifne included the Glasraighe, Masraige, Dartraige, Armhaighe, Gallraighe, the Fir Manach, and the Gailenga.

Around the 6th century, a people known as the Conmaicne Rein are thought to have moved north from around the present Dunmore in County Galway and settled in Magh Rein (the area around 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 Eolais, Muintir Cearbhallain (O Mulvey), and Cinel Luachain, among others.

About the 8th century, the area since known as Breifne was conquered and settled by the Uí Briúin Bréifne who were a branch of the royal family of Connacht. The Uí Briúin established themselves first in modern county Leitrim and then into what is now County Cavan. It can be argued that there is no contemporary evidence to support these speculations.

By the 9th century, the Ó Ruaircs had established themselves as kings of Breifne.

In the 10th and 11th centuries, the Ó Ruairc kings of Breifne fought some battles for the title of king of Connacht, with four different kings of Breifne gaining the title.

During the 12th century the reign of Tighearnán Ua Ruairc, the kingdom of Breifne was said to comprise most of the modern counties of Leitrim and Cavan, and parts of Longford, Meath, Fermanagh and Sligo.

In the 16th century Breifne O'Rourke eventually became County Leitrim and Breifne O'Reilly became County Cavan.

Territories

The following territories were at one stage part of Breifne.

Duncarbry (Dun Chairbre) marks the border of Cairbre's territory on the Drowes, while the Barony of Carbury in North Sligo still reminds us also today.

Noted chiefs of Cenél Cairpre included Ó Maolchloiche (O'Mulclohy).

According to the Annals of the Four Masters, about 476 AD, the Battle of Granard was fought by Eochaidh, son of Cairbre, son of Oilioll, son of Dunlaing, son of Enda Niadh against the Ui Dunlainge, Ui Briúin Cualann and Ui Fergusa of North Leinster.

Kings of Breifne

Note: Where mentioned spelling used in the document is used here.

Early kings

Ó Ruairc dynasty, Kings of Bréifne, c. 964–1257

Lords of Bréifne Ó Ruairc, 1257–1605

Lords of Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh (Muintir Maelmordha)

Modern Breifne

The Prince of Breifne is a courtesy title given to the Chieftain O'Rourke in 1994 by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland. In 2003, however, the Chief Herald stopped giving out courtesy titles due to a scandal over the MacCarthy Mór.

Princes of Breifne

See also

References

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Topographia Hibernica: Or the Topography of Ireland, Antient and Modern. Giving a Complete View of the Civil and Ecclesiastical State of that Kingdom; with Its Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Trade, Manufactures, Extent and Population. Seward. William Wenman. 1795.
  2. Web site: Bréifne/Breffni.
  3. http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/digital-book-collection/digital-books-by-county/cavan/oconnell-diocese-of-kilmo/ page 4
  4. The Celtic Languages in Contact. 26–27 July 2007. 10 December 2012. Hildegard L.C.. Tristram. Potsdam University Press.
  5. http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T106500D/text071.html Part 71 of The Metrical Dindshenchas
  6. Web site: Revue celtique. 1870. Paris.
  7. Web site: The Adventures of Sir Lancelot du Lac in Breifne, Ireland. Smith. Tom.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kingdom of Breifne".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.