At one
time a major power in the center of the island, the Delbhna were broken into
several factions and scattered across central Ireland. The Delbhna were one of the fortuatha
descended from older populations dominant in Ireland in pre- and proto-
historic times. Many of these, like the
Debhna, were themselves divided into a number of sub-groups, “kingdoms not
ruled directly by members of the dominant dynasty of a province” (Francis John
Byrne) and/or “people belonging to a different stock from that of the rulers of
the territory” (T.F. O’Rahilly)
What makes
the Delbhna interesting to me is (1) the
MacConroys of the Delbhna Tir Dha Locha are my ancestors and (2) the Delbhna are,
according to one legend, descended from Delbaeth mac Ogma of the Tuatha De
Danaan, the race of gods driven underground, literally, by the Milesians, the
sons of Mil Espain. Delbaeth mac Ogma is
the same as Tuireann, the Irish god of thunder, and Ogma, his father, is/was
god of eloquence, inspiration, language, magic, music, physical strength,
poets, and writers.
Another
legend claims that the Delbhna descended from Suman, son of Lugh Delbath, son
of Cas, progenitor of the Dal gCais in Tuadh Mumhan, though this legend, most
popular among the Delbhna of Midhe, came late and after the rise of the kings
of Thomond to prominence.
Four groups of Delbhna inhabited parts of Connacht:
1. Delbhna Tir Dha Locha (of the Land of the Two Lakes), or Delbhna
Feadha/Fiodh (of the Woods), were based in
the area of Co. Galway between Loch Orbsen (Lough Corrib) and Loch Lurgan
(Galway Bay) which is now the barony of Moycullen. Their kings took the
surname MacConraoi, or MacConroy, later Anglicized as McEnry, then as
King. As chiefs of the name they were styled Mac Mheic Con Raoi.
Their
eldest cadets in the south probably originated as erenaghs of the abbey of St.
Enda at Ballynspiddal, to which was attached at least three daughter
churches. The name of the family was probably
O’hEannaidh (or O’Heaney). Another family in Delbhna Tir Da Locha prior
to the 13th century were the McAneaves (Mac Giolla an Naomh, “son of
the servant of the Saint”), who later anglicized their name as Forde, probably
erenaghs of Cloghmore, founded by St. Colmcille.
The two lochs to which the name of the territory
refers are Loch nOirbsean (Loch Corrib) and Loch Lurgan (Galway Bay). The territory occupied nearly all the land
between the two lakes and the River Corrib. It was roughly coextensive with the later barony
of Moycullen, which took in the civil parishes of
Kilcummin, Killanin, Moycullen, and Rahoon (67,
61, 107, and 122 on the map, respectively), the former civil parish of Kilkenny (now part of Killanin), plus the barony of Galway which was later annexed by the O’Flahertys. This territory comprised 52 townlands at the time of the Indenture of Composition in 1585 (388 today).
After their defeat in a war against the forces of
Hugh O’Connor and Richard de Burgo, ancestor of the Burkes, in 1236, the O’Flahertys
of Moy Seola and their allies the O’Hallorans of Clan Feargail were forced west
of the River Galway. Both families built
castles in both Gnomore and Gnobeg, though the O’Flahertys were lord of both.
Given these circumstances, it was probably at this
time that the MacConroys relocated to the far western reaches of Connemara and made
their home at Ballymacconry near the
later Joyce (and still later O’Flaherty) castle of Doon; the territory originally took in everything south of Barratrough (Streamstown) Bay south and west to include the lands about the head of Mannin Bay, bordering the land of the MacConneelys on Ballymacconnelly Peninsula. They also settled on the northwest coast of Thomond,
called Ballyconry. The O’Heaneys
migrated first to the Renvyle Peninsula in the far reaches of Connemara, then
moved east across Loch Orbsen into the Claregalway area, where they became
loyal vassals of the Burkes.
In his 14th century magnum opus, Seán
O Dubhagain, chief ollamh of Ui Maine, wrote of their original territory being
divides into Gno Mor and Gno Beag, but this is an anarchronism based on the
division of the territory by two branches of the O’Flahertys (see “A Brief Account of the Kingdoms of the
O'Flahertys” at http://notesfromtheninthcircle.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-brief-account-of-kingdoms-of.html)
(For more on the MacConroys, see “The
MacConroys in Iar Connacht” at http://notesfromtheninthcircle.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-macconroys-in-iar-connacht.html)
2.
Delbhna Cuile Fabhair once
ruled Maigh Seóla (later the barony of Clare), the area east of Lough Corrib in
County Galway, until conquered by the Ui Bruin Seola (the later Muintir
Murchada who became the O’Flahertys) in the 8th century. The chiefs remained in Magh Seola, took the
surname O'Fathairtaigh or O’Faherty, and were recognized by their overlords as
kings of Delbhna Cuile Fabhair as well as lords of Muintir Fathartaigh and Fiodh Luaraigh,
which together made up 14 townlands in the later parish of Claregalway. The name of their territory, Cuile Fabhair (anglicized as Coolfower) means “hill of the well”. They were dispossessed in the 13th century by the
Anglo-Norman knight John de Cogan, a retainer of Rochard de Burgo.
They and/or their territory are sometimes confused with the O’Fathaigh (O’Faheys) of the district of Pobal Muintir Ui Faithaigh, who were in the kingdom of Ui Maine. They had at least two septs, called O’Donnell and O’Hughes.
They and/or their territory are sometimes confused with the O’Fathaigh (O’Faheys) of the district of Pobal Muintir Ui Faithaigh, who were in the kingdom of Ui Maine. They had at least two septs, called O’Donnell and O’Hughes.
3.
Delbhna Nuadat,
or Delbhna Ui Maine, were lords of a large section that is now
Athlone in Co. Roscommon, situated between the Suck and Shannon Rivers. From
the early historic era (5th century CE) they were subject to the Ui
Maine sept of Muintir Rodhuibh, later known as the MacGeraghtys. Their
chiefs, who later claimed to be descended from a branch of the O’Connors, took
the surname O'Flannagain or O’Flanagan.
4.
Delbhna Sith Neannta ruled
over the small area now called the townland of Fairymount in the barony of
Ballintober South in Co. Roscommon, subject to the Sil Murray. Their chiefs took the name O'Laoghog or O’Logue.
The Book of Rights mentions a “Delbhna of Druim Leith” paying tribute directly to the king of Connacht at Cruachan (and receiving stipend), but the context isn't clear which of the four groups it means (although it was likely not Delbhna Nuadat).
Four groups of Delbhna inhabited parts of Midhe and Leighin:
5.
Delbhna bEthra
probably formed a single kingdom with the Delbhna Nuadat until the latter were subjugated
by the Ui Maine. By the late 5th century
they had fallen under the control of the southern Uí Néill. Their chiefs
took the surname MacCochluinn or MacCoughlan, ruling what is now the barony of Garrycastle
in Co. Offaly
6.
Delbhna Mor were
located in what is now the barony of Delvin in Co. Westmeath. In the 8th century their chief was considered the champion of all Ireland. They were subject to the southern Ui
Neill. Their chiefs took the surname
O'Finnallain or O’Fenelon.
7.
Delbhna Bheag,
or Delbhna Bec, were based in what is now the barony of Demifore in
Co. Westmeath. They were subject to the southern Ui Neill. Their chiefs took the surname Ua
Maoilchallan, or O’Mulholland.
8.
Delbhna Teannmhagh,
or Delbhna Iarthair Mhidhe, at one time controlled what is now the
barony of Rathconrath, also called West Delvin, in Co. Westmeath. They were subject to
the southern Ui Neill. Their chiefs took
the surname Ua Scolaidhe or O'Scully.
1 comment:
Hi Chuck, thanks for posting this. I found you in a search for the Sea Kings of Connaught... it is quite likely that we are related. :-)
My paternal surname was King and although, Australian, I am more Irish than the Irish... always knew the roots went back a long way. My maternal side, came via Norway... not the most welcome route, but family is always embarrassing.
I will follow you on G+. Feel free to get in touch any time and thanks for the info. It adds a few pieces to the picture I am building up.
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