East Breifne

East Breifne (Old Irish Muintir-Maelmordha; Irish "Breifne Uí Raghallaigh") was an historic kingdom of Ireland roughly corresponding to County Cavan.

In 1211 Walter de Lacy erected the castle on Turbet Island in the abortive Anglo-Norman attempt to gain control of the area. [COUNTY CAVAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1996]

A great battle, fought between the O'Rourkes and the O'Reillys (cousins), in the year 1256 near Ballinamore led to the division of Breifne between the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys, In the 16th century "Breifne O'Rourke" eventually became Co. Leitrim and "Breifne O'Reilly" became Co. Cavan.

The following is a list of the kings of East Breifne, an Irish kingdom situated in modern County Leitrim and County Cavan. The dynasty was part the O Raghallaigh family of Muintir Maoilmhordha and lasted until 1607.

Kings (Lords) of Breifne O'Reilly (Irish "Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh")

* Godfrey Ua Raghallaigh (died 1161)
* Cathal Ua Raghallaigh (1161-1162); son
* Fergal son of Cu Chonnacht O'Raigillig, King of Dartry and Clann Fermaige: 1239
* Matha Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1282
* Gilla-Isa Ruaid O'Raigillig, East Breifne: ↑1327 or 1330
* Matha son of Gilla-Isa O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1304
* Mael Sechlainn O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1328
* Richard [Risderd] O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1349- ↑1346 or 1349
* Cu Chonnacht O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1362 or 1365 (resigned) - son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
* Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1365-1366/69 (deposed) - son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
* Magnus O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1366/69-1366/69 (deposed)
* Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1366/69-1384 - son of Gilla-Isu Ruaid
* Thomas, son of Mathgamain Ua Raighillaigh, king of Muinter-Mailmordha: 1384-1390
* John, son of Philip O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1390-1400 - son of Philip son of Gilla-Isa-Ruaid
* Gilla-Isa son of Anrig O'Raigillig, East Breifny: 1400-1400
* Maelmordha, son of Cuconnaught O'Reilly, Muintir Reilly: 1403-1411 - son of Cu Chonnacht son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
* Richard, son of Thomas O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1411-1418
* Owen, son of John O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1418-1449
* Farrell, son of Thomas O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450 (deposed) - (AM1450)
* John, son of Owen O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450-1460 - son of Owen son of John son of Philip son of Gilla-Isa-Roe
* Cathal O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1467
* Turlough, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1468-1487 - son of John son of Owen
* John, son of Turlough O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1487-1491
* John, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1491-1510 - son of Cathal son of Owen son of John
* Hugh, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1514
* Owen, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifny:1526
* Farrell, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny & Conmaicne: 1526-1536 - son of John, son of Cathal
* Maelmordha, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1537-1565 - son of John son of Cathal
* Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1583 - son of Maelmordha son of John
* Philip, son of Hugh O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1596-1596
* Edmond, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifny: 1596-1601 - son of Maelmordha son of John son of Cathal
* Owen, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifny: (from 1601)

Kings (Lords) of Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh (Old Irish)

* Gofraid (Godfrey Ua Raghallaigh) ( died 1161)
* Cathal mac Gofraid (Cathal Ua Raghallaigh;son of Godfrey)1161-1162
* Cathal mac Annaid (Cathal Ua Raghallaigh) c.1220-c.3rd May 1256
* Conchobar mac Cathail (Con Ua Raghallaigh, chief of Muintir-Maelmordha) 1256-1257
* Domnall mac Annaid 1257-1283
* Matha mac Domnaill 1285-1285
* Fergal mac Domnaill (Ferghal O'Raigillig) 1285-1293
* Gilla Isu Ruad mac Domnaill 1293-1330
* Risdeard mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1330-1349
* Cu Chonnacht mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1349-1365
* Pilib mac Giolla Iosa Ruaidh 1365-1384
* Maghnus mac Con Connacht 1369-1369
* Tomas mor mac Mathghamhna 1384-1392
* Seoan mac Pilib 1392-1400
* Giolla Iosa mac Pilib 1400-1400
* Maolmhordha mac Con Connacht 1403-1411
* Risdeard mac Tomais Mhoir 1411-1418
* Eoghan mac Seoain 1418-1449
* Sean an Einigh mac Eoghain 1449-3rd September 1460
* Fearghal mac Tomais Mhoir 1449-1450
* Cathal mac Eoghain 1460-1467
* Toirdhealbhach mac Seaain an Einigh 1467-1st September 1487
* Seaan mac Toirdhealbhaigh 1487-after 25th November 1491
* Seaan mac Cathail 1491-1510
* Aodh mac Cathail 1510-1514
* Eoghan Ruadh mac Cathail 1514-1526
* Fearghal mac Seaain 1526-1534
* Maolmhordha mac Seaain 1534-1565
* Aodh Connallach mac Maolmhordha 1565-1583
* Sir Seaan Ruadh mac Aodha Connallaigh (John Roe, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly) 1583-1596
* Pilib Dubh mac Aodha Connallaigh 1596-1596
* Eamonn mac Maolmhordha 1596-1601
* Eoghan mac Aodha Connalaigh 1601-1603
* Maolmhordha mac Aodha Connallaigh 1603-1607

Etymology

* Muintir Maelmordhaia
* East Breifne

History in Ireland

* Irish kings
* Irish Royal Families
* William Bedell
* Dermot O'Hurley

References

*"O'Reillys of East Brefine: O Raghalliagh, Kings of Muintir Maoilmhordha, a.1161-1607", pages 229-230, in "A New History of Ireland", Vol. IX, ed. Byrne, Martin, Moody, 1984.