Kings of Conaille-Muirtheimhne 686 to 1107
Kings of Ard-Cianachta 686 to 954
This is not a history of Co. Louth, rather some key points in the long story of the county, to the year 1859.
The main sources used were:
Brett, William, Reminiscences of Louth, Dundalk 1857 [1913 Reprint]
Camden, William, 'The Annals of Ireland', Britannia, London 1722
Connellan, Owen (Editor), The Annals of Ireland By the Four Masters, Dublin 1846
Faul, Rev. Denis, Blessed Oliver Plunkett and the Parish of Louth, Dundalk 1961 [Pamphlet]
Mac Carthy, B. (Editor), The Annals of Ulster, Dublin 1893, (original book and at http://www.ucc.ie/celt/)
Mac Iomhair, An t-Athair Diarmuid, 'Two Old Drogheda Chronicles', Journal of the County Louth Archaeological & Historical Society, Dundalk 1961
O'Donovan, John (Editor), The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters, Dublin 1848-51, at http://www.ucc.ie/celt/
Patterson, E.M., The Great Northern Railway, Hull 1962
Stokes, Whitley, The Annals of Tigernach, Wales 1993 [Reprint from Revue Celtique1896/97]
'The Annals of Dundalk', Tempest's Annual, Dundalk 1905-06
Journal of the Old Drogheda Society
Penny Journal, 21 Jul 1832
AM = Anno Mundi, the age of the world, the date convention adapted by the Four Masters up to the birth of Christ
AM 2859 - Forests of Magh - Muirthemne (County Louth) cut down. Castletown Mount built (?).
AM 3500 - The fleet of the sons of Milidh came to Ireland at the end of this year, to take it from the Tuatha De Dananns; and they fought the battle of Sliabh Mis with them on the third day after landing. In this battle fell Scota, the daughter of Pharaoh, wife of Milidh; and the grave of Scota is to be seen between Sliabh Mis and the sea. Therein also fell Fas, the wife of Un, son of Uige, from whom is named Gleann Faisi. After this the sons of Milidh fought a battle at Tailtinn, against the three kinge of the Tuatha De Dananns, Mac Cuill, Mac Ceacht, and Mac Greine. The battle lasted for a long time, until Mac Ceacht fell by Eiremhon, Mac Cuill by Eimhear, and Mac Greine by Amhergin. Their three queens were also slain; Eire by Suirghe, Fodhla by Edan, and Banba by Caicher. The battle was at length gained against the Tuatha De Dananns, and they were slaughtered wherever they were overtaken. There fell from the sons of Milidh, on the other hand, two illustrious chieftains, in following up the rout, namely Fuad at Sliabh Fuaid, and Cuailgne [Cooley] at Sliabh Cuailgne.
AM 4169 - It was in the time of Sirna, also, happened the eruption of the Scirtach, in Leinster; of the Doailt, in Crich Rois; of the Nith, in Magh Muirtheimhne; of the Leamhain, in Munster; and of the Slaine, in Ui Creamhthainn.
AD 2 - Death of Cuchulainn, when engaged in the "Táin-bó-Culaighne" or "Spoiling of the Cooley Cattle". He was probably born at Castletown, then Dún Dealgan.
178 - Cú Bretan son of Congus, the king of Fir Rois [flourished]
236 - A battle at Eth; the battle of Ceann Daire; the battle of Sruth against the Ulstermen; the battle of Slighe Cuailgne.
248 - First battle of Faughart fought by Cormac Ulfada, King of Ireland and father of Finn MacCool.
400 - St. Bridget born at Faughart. Lupita, sister of St Patrick sold into slavery on shore of Connal-Muirthemne (Louth).
432 - St. Patrick's second landing in Ireland was according to some authorities effected in Carlingford.
521 - St. Buite, founder of Monaster-Buite [Monasterboice], was buried there, "in the ground which his faith and piety had consecrated".
534 - Saint Mochta, Bishop of Lughmhagh, disciple of St. Patrick, resigned his spirit to heaven on the nineteenth day of August. It was of him the following testimony was given:
The teeth of Mochta of good morals,
for three hundred years, lasting the rigour!
Were without emitting an erring word out from them,
without admitting a morsel of obsonium* inside them.
Three score psalm-singing seniors,
his household of regal course,
Without tilling, reaping, or threshing,
without any work but reading.
A man of three score, a man of three hundred,
blessed be God, how old the teeth!
Not more has the youth under valour!
How lasting the ancient teeth!*obsonium [Latin]: food eaten with bread
664 - Eclipse of the sun. Pestilence from England reached Faughart.
686 - The battle of Imlech Pich in which fell Dubdainber, king of Ard Cianachta [FERRARD], and Uarchride Ua Osseni [king of Conaille Muirtheimhne] and Congalach son of Conaing escaped by flight. Niall, son of Cernach, was victor.
Sad are the Conaille this day,
They have cause after Uarchride.
Not readier shall be the sword
In Ard (1), after Dubhdainbher.
Sorrowful,
The grief that is in the land of Tadhg (2),
Without Dubcuile, without Bran's son,
Without Dubhdainbhear over Ard.
Sorrowful,
To look at their stony graves -
To see your dogs, your grayhounds, your women,
in the possession of your foes.
If Crunmael's son had not healed
My sorrow for me, truely,
Of blood and gore my tears would be,
For the death of Imlech.
(written by Gabaircenn)
(1) "Ard" - Ard-Cianachta (present barony of Ferrard)
(2) "Land of Tadhg" - Poetic name for Ard-Cianachta
697 - The devastation of Magh Muirtheimhne by the Britons and Ulidians.
719 - Death of Fealchu of Monasterboice.
732 - The battle of Fochart, in Magh Muirtheimhne was fought by Aedh Allan and the Clanna Neill of the North, against the Ulidians, where Aedh Roin, King of Ulidia, was slain; and his head was cut off on Cloch An Chommaigh ["stone of decapitation" in Faughart Graveyard], in the doorway of the church of Fochard; and Conchadh, son of Cuanach, chief of Cobha, was also slain, and many others along with him. The cause of this battle was the profanation of Cill Cunna by Ua Seghain, one of the peaple of Aedh Roin, of which Aedh Roin himself said: 'I will not take its Conn from Tairr,' for Ceall Cunna and Ceall Tairre are side by side.
- Aenghus, son of Ailell, Lord of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard], died
735 - A battle in the territory of Muirtheimne between the Uí Néill and the Ulaid, in which Aed Rón, king of Ulaid, and Conchad son of Cuanu, king of Cuib, fell. Aed son of Fergal was victor. [AU]
737 - Cuidgheal, Abbot and Scribe of Lughmhadh [Louth], died.
744 - The battle of Ard Cianachta by Dungal, son of Amhalgaidh, in which was slain Ailill, son of Dubhdachrich Ua Cinnfaelaidh, and in which was slain Domhnall, son of Cinaedh, in the heat of the conflict, after he had, at the first, gained the victory.
747 - Foidmend mac Fallomain, king of Conaille Muirthemne died.
753 - Muireadhach, son of Cormac Slaine, Abbot of Lughmhagh, died.
751 - The army of Leinster was led by Domhnall, son of Murchadh, against Niall [the O’Neill], until they arrived in Magh Muirtheimhne.
752 - Death of Foidmenn son of Fallach, king of Conaille Muirtheimne.
753 - Muredach, son of Cormac of Slane, abbot of Louth, died.
- Gorman, successor of S. Mochta of Louth, and father of Torbach a successor of S. Patrick. 'Tis he that lived for a year on the water of Fingen's well in Clonmacnois, and died in pilgrimage at Cluain'.
754 - Coissetach, Abbot of Lughmhagh, died.
756 - An army of the Laigin led by Domnall against Niall, and they reached Mag Muirtheimne.
770 - Donnghal, son of Nuadhad, Abbot of Lughmhadh, died.
774 - Muireadhach, son of Aenghus, chief of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard], was slain.
781 - Ceallach, son of Maenach, and Ceallach, son of Cormac, chief of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard], died.
784 - Feadhach, son of Cormac, Abbot of Lughmhadh, Slaine [Slane], and Daimhliag [Duleek], died.
797 - Cosgrach Ua Fraeich, Abbot of Lughmhadh, died.
The Kings of Conaille Muirtheimhne (North Louth)
Name
Date of Death
Comment
Uaircridhe Ua Oisene
686
Amhalgaidh mac Cathasach
736
Foidmeann Mac Fallach
747
Uargal mac Uachtbran
760
Sluaigheadhach
784
Fiachain
787
Spelán mac Sluagadach
822
Maelbrighde mac Spelén
867
Died in religion
Gairbhith mac Maelbrighde
875
Gibhleacán mac Mael Brigte
886
Mael Mórdha mac Gairbíth
887
Beheaded by Cellach son of Flannacán
Conghalach mac Gairbhith
908
Domhnall mac Gairbhith
910
Maelbrighde mac Geibhleachan
911
Spelán mac Conghalach
921
Killed
Cróngilla mac Cuilennán
935
Died of a sickness
Maceitigh mac Cuilennán
949
Slain by the Mughdhorna-Maighen
976
Fell at the battle of Cill-mona
Conghalach Ua Cui-lennain
987
Matudhan Ua Croinghille
996
Slain in battle
Gillachrist Ua Cuilennain
998
Killed in battle
Muireadhaigh
1004
Ingeirci
1004
Crinan mac Gormladh
1011
Killed by Cucuailgne
Cineadh mac In Gerc
1029
Fell [in battle] at Cell Shléibe
Domhnall, mac Gillachrist, mac Cucuailgne
1052
Slain by the lord of Feara-Rois
Cinaedh mac Odharmgac
1066
Died after penance
mac Ua Treodain
1078
Slain by the Uí-Meith
mac Angheirrce
1081
Slain by the men of Fearnmhagh
Fergus
1107
The above list is based on Laurence P. Murray, 'The Ancient Territories of Oirghialla, Uladh and Conaille Muirtheimhne' in JCLAHS, 1912 with additions and corrections from The Annals of the Four Masters on the CELT web site at http://www.ucc.ie/celt/index.html, William M. Hennessy, The Annals of Ulster, Dublin 1887 [Reprinted by De Burca 1998] and T.M. Charles-Edwards, The Chronicle of Ireland, Liverpool 2006. I have retained the dating convention of the Four Masters. I would be happy to receive any additions/corrections etc. to the above list.
For the genealogy of Cinaedh mac Croinghille (died 976 A.D.), a direct descendant of Conall Anghlonnach, from whom the Conaille Muirtheimhne descended, click HERE.
811 - Dunghal, son of Cuana, lord of Feara Rois died
812 - Maelduin, lord of Feara Rois died
- Dunghal, lord of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard] died.
820 - Cumascach, son of Tuathal, lord of Ard Cianachta, was slain by Murchadh.
- A victory was gained over the men of Ard Cianachta, in the battle of Carn Conain, by Comascach, son of Conghalach, wherein was slain Eodhos, son of Tighearnach, and many others along with him.
824 - Spelán son of Sluagadach, king of Conaille of Muirtheimne, dies.
825 - Maenach, son of Crunnmhael, Prior of Feara Rois, died.
827 - Robhartach, son of Cathasach, abbot of Cluain-mor-Arda [Clonmore] 'fell asleep'. [AU]
828 - A great slaughter of porpoises on the coast of Ard Cianachta by the foreigners. [AU]
- The mortal wounding of Cinaed son of Cumuscach, king of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard], by the foreigners; and Lann Léire [Dunleer] and Cluain Mór [Clonmore] were burned by them. [AU]
833 - Danish raid on coast of Co Louth. MacScanlon, chief of Ballymascanlon repels them.
841 - A fleet of Norsemen on the Boinn, at Linn Rois. Another fleet of them at Linn Saileach, in Ulster.
Another fleet of them at Linn Duachaill.845 - Ceallach, son of Maelpadraig, Prior of Feara Rois [to the south of the river, AU], died.
849 - Eochaidh, son of Cearnach, lord of Feara Rois, was slain by the foreigners.
853 - Muireadhach, lord of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard], died.
868 - Connla, anchorite of Druim Caradh [Drumcar] of Ard Cianachta died
876 - Aenghus, son of Cinaedh, lord of Feara Arda died.
877 – Gregory, King of Scotland captured Dundalk.
886-910 - Constant feud between the tanists of Connal-Muirthemne and those of Meath.
890 - Giblechán son of Mael Brigte, king of the Conaille of Muirtheimne, dies.
891 - Mael Mórda son of Gairbíth i.e. king of Conaille of Muirtheimne, was beheaded by Cellach son of Flannacán.
- Cumascach, son of Muireadhach, lord of Feara Arda Cianachta, was slain by the Ulidians.
892 - Maeleitigh, son of Fearadhach, lord of Feara Rois, was slain by the foreigners.
893 - A shower of blood was rained in Ard Cianachta [Ferrard].
909 - Amalgaid son of Congalach, heir designate of Brega, and Innéirge son of Mael Teimin, a religious layman, were beheaded by the Conaille of Muirtheimne.
921 - The plundering of Feara-Arda [Ferrard] and Lann-Leire [Dunleer], and of Feara-Rois, in this year.
935 - Gairbhith, son of Maeleitigh, lord of Feara-Rois, was slain [by his kinsmen, AU].
937 - Cróngilla son of Cuilennán, king of Conaille of Muirtheimne, died of a sickness.
939 - Visit of Murtough, King of Ireland to Dundalk.
941 - Muircheartach of the Leather Cloaks, son of Niall Glundubh, lord of Aileach, the Hector of the west of Europe in his time, was slain at Ath-Fhirdiadh [Ardee] by Blacaire, son of Godfrey, lord of the foreigners, on the 26th of March. In lamentation of him was said:
Vengeance and destruction have descended upon the race of the Clann-Cuinn for ever,
As Muircheartach does not live; alas, the country of the Gaeidhil will be always an orphan.948 - A victory was gained by Ruaidhri Ua Canannain, in Meath, over Conghalach, son of Maelmithigh, where fell Conghalach, son of Ceallach, lord of Feara-Rois, and a number of others along with him.
950[?] - Battle of Dundalk Bay, when Failbhe Flon, King of Desmond defeated the Danish fleet under Sitric and rescued Callaghan, King of Munster.
953 - Murchadh, son of Cumasgach, lord of Feara-Rois died
956 - Congalach son of Mael Mithig, king of Ireland, was killed with his royal household by the foreigners of Áth Cliath and by the Laigin and Aed son of Aitide, king of Tebtha, and Matudán son of Aed son of Mael Mithig and Cormac son of Cathalán, king of Fir Arda. [CS]
985 - The abduction of the shrine of Patrick, by Maelseachlainn, from Ath-Fhirdiadh to Ath-Sighe, in consequence of the rebellion of the son of Cairelan. They afterwards made peace; and Maelseachlainn submitted to the award of [the successor of] Patrick, i e. the visitation of Meath, both church and state, and a banquet for every fort from Maelseachlainn himself; besides seven cumhals, and every other demand in full.
986 - A great wind which laid low many buildings, including the oratory of Louth.
996 - A battle was gained over the Ui-Meith, at Sruthair, by the son of Donnchadh Finn and the Feara-Rois, wherein the lord of Ui-Meith and many others were slain.
The Kings of Fir Rois (Mid-Louth)
Name
Date of Death
Comment
Cú Bretan son of Congus
178 [fl.]
King of Fir Rois
Dungal mac Cuana
811
Lord of Feara Rois
Maelduin
812
Lord of Feara Rois
Eochaidh mac Cearnach
849
Slain by the foreigners
Maeleitigh mac Fearadhach
892
Slain by the foreigners
935
Slain [by his Kinsmen. AU]
Conghalach mac Ceallach
948
Lord of Feara-Rois
Eochu son of Cernach
849
King of Fir Rois, killed by the heathens
Murchadh mac Cumasgach
953
Lord of Feara-Rois
Maelmordha [Maol Mochta. AU]
1028
Slain by the Conaill-Muirtheimhne
Cuchaille Ua Finn
1073
Lord of Feara-Rois [died in penitence. AU]
Sithfruich mac Mac Sealbhaigh
1096
Slain by the Mughdhorna Maighen
Ua Finn
1109
Slain by Murchadh Ua Maeleachlainn, King of Teamhair
The above list is based on information extracted from The Annals of the Four Masters on the CELT web site at http://www.ucc.ie/celt/index.html and William M. Hennessy, The Annals of Ulster [AU], Dublin 1887 [Reprinted by De Burca 1998]. I have retained the dating convention of the Four Masters. I would be happy to receive any additions/corrections etc. to the above list.
For the genealogy of Gairbhith mac Maeleitigh, son of Maeleitigh mac Fearadhach, both kings of the Fir Rois, back to the time of Miles of Spain (Míl Easpáninne) and from there back to the time of Adam, click HERE.
1001 - A hosting by Brian and by MaelSechlainn accompanied by the men of Ireland, both Munster and Leinster and Foreigners, as far as Dundalk in Conailli. Aed, son of Domnall, High-king of Ailech, and Eochaigh, son of Ardghal, king of Ulater, with the Ulaid and the Kindred of Eogan and of Conall, and the AItgeill (met them) and did not let them past, so they separated under a truce, without hostage, without pledge.
1012 - Brian led an army into Mag Muirtheimne, and he gave complete immunity to Patrick's churches on that hosting.
1020 - Gilla Ciaráin son of Oiséne, king of Mugdorna, was killed by the Fir Rois.
1022 - Muireadhach Ua Sleibhene Slevin, chief poet of the north of Ireland, was slain by the Feara-Rois.
1025 - Termonfeckin was plundered and burnt on Christmas eve by the Hui Crichain.
1028 - Maelmordha, lord of Feara-Rois, was slain by the Conailli-Muirtheimhne.
1034 - Gillaseachnaill, son of Gillamochonna, lord of South Breagha, was slain by the Feara-Rois.
1039 - An army was led by Donnchadh Mac Gillaphadraig and the Osraighi into Meath; and they burned as far as Cnoghbha and Droichead-atha [Drogheda].
1044 - Mael Mochta, bishop of Louth died.
- A predatory excursion was made by Niall, son of Maeleachlainn, lord of Aileach, into Ui-Meith and Cuailgne; and he carried off twelve hundred cows, and led numbers into captivity, in revenge of the profanation of Clog-an-Eadhachta.
1052 - Domhnall, son of Gillachrist, son of Cucuailgne, was slain by the lord of Feara-Rois.
1073 - Domhnall, son of Ualgharg, chief of Ui-Duibhinnreacht; and Cuchaille Ua Finn, lord of Feara-Rois, died.
1075 - A hosting of the Meathmen, Connaughtmen, the foreigners, the Leinstermen, the Osraighi, and the Munstermen, was made by Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain; and they marched to Ath-Fhirdia [Ardee], to demand hostages from the Oirghialla and the Ulidians. The chiefs of the province came to oppose them, and when they were face to face, a battle was fought at Ard-Monann between the Airghialla and Muircheartach Ua Briain, i.e. the royal heir of Munster, where Muircheartach and his forces were defeated, and a bloody slaughter made of his people; and his chiefs returned to their houses without hostage or pledge on that occasion.
1084 - An army was led by Donnsleibhe, King of Ulidia, to Droicheatata [Drogheda], and gave wages to Donnchadh, the son of the Caileach Ua Ruairc. A predatory excursion was made in his Donnsleibhe's absence into Ulidia, by Domhnall Ua Lochlainn, whence he carried off prisoners and a great spoil of cattle.
1084 - A great pestilence in this year, which killed a fourth of the men of Ireland. It began in the south, and spread throughout the four quarters of Ireland. This is the causa causans of the pestilence, to wit, demons that came out of the northern isles of the world, to wit, three battalions, and in each battalion there were thirty and ten hundred and two thousand, as Oengus Oc, the son of Dagda, related to Gilla Lugan, wjo used to haunt the fairy-mound every year at Halloween. And he himself beheld at Maistiu one battalion of them which was destroying Leinster..... For there was a sword of fire out of the gullet of each of them, and every one of them was as high as the clouds of heaven. So that is the cause of the pestilence.
1096 - Sithfruich, son of Mac Sealbhaigh, lord of Feara-Rois, was slain by the Mughdhorna Maighen.
1097 - An expedition was made by Muirchertach ua Briain and by Leth Mogha to Mag Muirtheimhne. An expedition was made by Domnall ua Lochlainn also with the north of Ireland to Fid Conaill to give them battle, and Domnall, successor of Patrick, restrained them in a semblance of peace.
Mellifont - founded by Donagh O'Carrol for the Cistercian Order in 1142
1100 - A great army was led by the Leinstermen till they arrived at Sliabh Fuaid; and they burned Airghialla, Ui-Meith, and Fir-Rois.
1104 - Murtagh O'Brien devastated Louth and Cuolad O'Condelan ruler of "Traighbaile" (Dundalk) thrown from his horse and killed.
1109 - A predatory excursion was made by Murchadh Ua Maeleachlainn, King of Teamhair, on which he plundered the Feara-Rois, and slew Ua Finn, lord of Feara-Rois, in violation of the Staff of Jesus and the successor of Patrick; but God took vengeance of him for this.
1111 - Louth and Kells were burnt.
1113 - An army was brought by Muirchertach ua Briain and Leth Moga, both laity and clergy, to Grenóc. Domnall grandson of Lochlainn, however, with the nobles of the north of Ireland, went to Cluain Caín of the Fir Rois, and they were confronting one another for a month until Cellach, successor of Patrick, with the Staff of Jesus, made a year's peace between them.
1130 - The Ulaidh and the men of Fearnmhagh [went] beyond Athlone into the territory of Fir Rois, and Tighearnán Ó Ruairc with the Craobh Fearnmhuighe met them at Muine Uachtair Imrimhe, where they fought a battle, in which the Ulaidh were defeated, and Raghnall Ó hEochadha, king of Ulaidh, Cú Midhe Ó Críochain, king of Fearnmhagh and Oirghialla, Aodh, his son, and Donn Sléibhe Ó hOireachtaigh, king of Uí Mhéith, were killed, with slaughter of the Ulaidh, [the men of] Fearnmhagh, and the Uí Mhéith.
1142 – Donogh O'Carrol, prince of Oriel, erected an abbey [at Mellifont] for monks of the Cistercian Order.
1152 - A synod was convened by the Bishops of Ireland and the cardinal of S. Peter's successor at Drogheda; and there they ordained certain regulations. Then he (the Cardinal) left a pallium for each province of Erin, to wit, a pallium in Armagh, and a pallium in Dublin, and another in Connaught, and (a fourth) in Munster.
1168 - Donat, King of Uriel, founder of Mellifont Abbey, departed this life.
1175 - S. Colomb cille's Durrow, the whole of Meath, from Athlone to Drogheda, was laid waste by the foreigners.
1176 – Louth was devastated by the English.
1178 - John De Courcy defeated near Newry but defeats the O'Hanlon army near the Fane river.
1180 - Bertram De Verdon granted lands in Louth. Founded a friary called St. Leonard's.
1181 - Mulmurry O'Dunan, Abbot of Cnoc-na-Seangan [Louth], died.
1184 - John de Courcy granted the ferry of Carlingford to the Abbey of Downpatrick.
1185 - Hugh De Lacy granted Ballymascanlon to the Cistercians of Mellifont.
1193 – Derforghaill, wife of Tiarnan O'Rourke, and daughter of Murchadh O'Maoilseachlainn [King of Meath], died in the monastery of Droicheat Atha [Drogheda], in the 85th year of her age.
1194 - The relics of St. Malachy, Bishop of Clareval, were brought into Ireland, and received with great honour, in the monastery of Mellifont, and the other Monasteries of the Cistercians.
The Kings of Ard-Cianachta (South Louth)
Name
Date of Death
Comment
Dubhdainbher
686
Killed at the battle of Imleach Phich
Aenghus, son of Ailell
732
Muireadhach, son of Aenghus
774
Slain
Ceallach, son of Cormac
781
Dunghal
812
Cumascach, son of Tuathal
820
Slain by Murchadh
Cinaed son of Cumuscach
828
Mortally wounded by the foreigners
Muireadhach
853
Aenghus, son of Cinaedh
876
Cumascach, son of Muireadhach
891
Slain by the Ulidians
Cormac, son of Cathalan
954
Slain
The above list is based on information extracted from The Annals of the Four Masters on the CELT web site at http://www.ucc.ie/celt/index.html and William M. Hennessy, The Annals of Ulster [AU], Dublin 1887 [Reprinted by De Burca 1998].
The people of Ard-Cianachta were known as the Feara Arda Cianachta (from where the name of the barony of Ferrard is derived). The territory of Ard-Cianachta comprised the present barony of Ferrard and part of the north-east barony of Ardee.
1210 - King John visited Dundalk.
- The castle called King John's was erected in Carlingford.
1213 – Hugh O'Neill defeated the English with dreadful slaughter, and on the same day burned Carlingford, sparing neither persons not property.
1216 – Nicholas De Verdon regained his confiscated lands and castles in Dundalk and Clonmore.
1219 - Congalach Ua Cainn, candle of championship and liberality of the North of Ireland, royal chief of Magh Lughad and Sil-Cathusaigh, was killed by the Foreigners on the same day as Ua Flainn.
1220 - Dundalk made a royal borough.
1221 - Battle of Dundalk, O'Neill and De Lacy defeat English; The son of Hugo de Lacy came to Ireland, contrary to the command of the King of England, and having joined Hugh O'Neill against the English, they first proceeded to Colerain, and dismantled the castle, and from thence marched to Meath and Leinster, and reduced the country on that Expedition. The Anglo-Irish collected twenty-four battalions at Dundalk, but Hugh O'Neill and de Lacy collected four large battalions and marched against the English, who submitted to O'Neill on his own terms.
1230 - Rosia or Rohesia De Verdon succeeded Nicholas.
1234 - Commencement of the building of Drogheda town walls.
1242 – A great chapter was held by the primate of Armagh, and by the abbots of the canons of Ireland, at Lughmadh [Louth], on which occasion were exhibited the relics which St. Moctheus [first bishop to the see of Louth] had brought from Rome.
1247 - Death of Rosia. Her son founded the Grey Friary in Dundalk.
1253 – Bryan O'Neill, prince of Tyrone, waged war against the English, and, having gone to Moy Coba [Downpatrick], demolished its castle and many others, burned Stranbhaile [Dundalk], and cleared (from the English) the entire
