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 plain of Ulidia.
Mael-Padraig Ua Sgannuil of the Preaching Order was chosen by the archbishop of Ard-Macha, by advice of Pope Innocent, to the bishopric of Rath-both. And the same archbishop constituted him his Vicar in the Province of Ard-Macha, after he was consecrated in the Monastery of the Friars Minor of Dun Dealgan [Dundalk] on the First Sunday of the Advent of the Lord.
1260 – The archbishop of Armagh consecrated Malachy O'Conor [Bishop of Elphin, died 1262] a bishop at Dundalk.
1263 - Friar Patrick O'Sgannail, archbishop of Ard-Macha, held a General Chapter in Drochet-atha [Drogheda] this year (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week-days after the Feast of All Saints).
1269 – David O'Brogain, bishop of Clogher, died, and was interred in the monastery of Mellifont, for he was one of the monks of that place.
1270 – Patrick O'Scanlan, Archbishop of Armagh, died at St Leonard's Abbey, Dundalk.
1285 - Theobold De Verdon, Lord of Dundalk and Constable of Ireland defeated in Offaley.
1293 - Henry Mag Oirechtaigh, bishop of Conniri [Connor], a Grey Cistercian monk, rested in Christ (and he was buried in the Monastery of Mellifont at Drochaidatha [Drogheda]).
- Cu-Ulad O'Anluain, king of the Oirrthir and his brother and Aenghus Mag-Mathgamna and many of the chiefs of his people were killed by the Foreigners of Dun-delgan, in returning to their houses from the Earl.
1295 - Theobald heavily fined for not sending his chamberlain who had stolen his carbuncle ring, worth 1,000 marks, to the King's gaol, but confining him in his prison in Dundalk.
1297 - Henry Mageraghty, Bishop of Conor, died, and was interred in the monastery of Drogheda. He was a monk.
1299 - .. this year many Irish came to the Castle of Roch, before the Annunciation, to annoy the Lord Theobold Verdon.
1301 - Matilda de Lacy widow of David, baron of Naas, granted the advowson of the church of Carlingford to the priory of Kilmainham.
1305 - Richard de Burgh Earl of Ulster founded a monastery for Dominicans at Carlingford, under the invocation of St. Malachy.
1310 - Theobald junior married daughter of Hugh de Lacy.
1312 - Nicholas De Verdon, nephew of above, tried for resisting the King's authority when at Dundalk.
1313 - Treaty between Lord de Verdon and the O'Hanlons of Co Louth.
1314 - Theobald, then Justiciary of Ireland, charged with carrying off Elizabeth de Burgo from the castle of Bristol and marrying her. He died soon after, leaving no male heir. His lands in Dundalk and Louth were then gradually lost except portions purchased in Richard II's time by Thomas, Baron of Slane, Sir John Cruis and Sir John Bellew.
1315 - Edward Bruce burned Dundalk and all its abbeys, slaughtering all inhabitants. Proclaimed himself King of Ireland. Defeated the Earl of Ulster and army.
… The Lord Edmund le Botiller, Justiciary of Ireland, about the feast of St. Mary Magdalen, drew considerable forces out of Munster, Leinster, and other parts, and joined the Earl of Ulster at Dundalk, who had drawn a mighty army out of Connaught, and those parts, and marched thither to meet him.
… upon St. Nicholas day le Brus (Bruce) left Carrickfergus, and joined by the Earl of Morreff with 500 men; so, they marched together towards Dundalk.
1316 - The Lord Thomas Maundevile marched out of Drogheda with a strong party to Carrickfergus, on Maundy-Thursday, and engaged the Scots and killed thirty of them.
The people of Dundalk sallied out upon O’Hanlon, and killed about two hundred of the Irish; and here, Robert de Verdon, a warlike Squire, was cut off.
.. about St. Laurence’s Day, O’Hanlon came to Dundalk, in order to distrain; but the People of Dundalk fell upon him, and killed many of his men.
1317 - On the Sunday following [the Feast of Ss. Margaret], the Lord Roger Mortimer, Justiciary of Ireland, Marched with his whole army towards Drogheda.
At the same time, the Ulster-men took a great booty at Drogheda, but the Inhabitants sallied out and retook it; in this action, Miles Cogan and his Brother were both slain, and six other Lords of Ulster were taken Prisoners, and brought to the castle of Dublin.
1318 - Lord John Bermingham with many nobles, including Sir Miles Verdon, utterly routed Bruce at Dundalk. Edward Bruce, a man who spoiled Ireland generally, both English and Irish, was slain by the English by force of battle and bravery at Dundalk, and Mac Rory, lord of the Hebrides, MacDonnell, lord of the eastern Gael [in Antrim], and many others of the Albian chiefs, were also slain; and no event occurred in Ireland for a long period from which so much benefit was derived as that, for a general famine prevailed in the country during the three years and a half he had been in it, and the people were almost reduced to the necessity of eating each other.
1321 - Niall O'Hanlon, Lord of Orier, was treacherously slain by the English at Dundalk.
1326 - The king committed the custody of the castle of Carlingford to Geoffry le Blound, to hold during the royal pleasure. And in the same year the bailiffs, &c. of this town had letters patent, conferring certain privileges and allowances for six years as an aid towards walling and otherwise strengthening their town.
1332 - William de Burgh was found seised, amongst other possessions of the castle of Drogheda, the town of Cooley appertaining thereto, the manor of Rath, &c.
1328 - Sir John Mac Feorais Birmingham, Earl of Louth, the most vigorous, puissant, and hospitable of the English of Ireland, was treacherously slain by his own people, namely, by the English of Oriel. With him were also slain many others of the English and Irish, amongst whom was the Blind O'Carroll, i.e. Mulrony, Chief Minstrel of Ireland and Scotland in his time.
1330 - There was such an outflow of the Boyne this year, as was never seen before; which flung down all the bridges upon this river, both wood and stone, except Babebridge. The water also carried away several Mills, and did much damage to the Friers-minor of Trym and Drogheda, by breaking down their houses.
1334 - This year was the Gabhill or window in St. Savior's church [near the present Shop St. Drogheda] made by one Rejnold Harp.
1337 - This same year died David Archbishop of Armagh, to whom succeeded a person of great Parts, M. Richard Fitz-Ralph, Dean of Litchfield, who was born in Dundalk.
1345 - "Richard of Dundalk" made Primate of Armagh.
1346 - The prior of Kilmainham was found seised, and his successors so continued, of the tithes of Carlingford.
1355 - All fish and corn prohibited from exportation from all Irish harbours from Dundalk to Holmpatrick.
1356 - First royal charter to Dundalk.
1357 - The king granted to his son Lionel, Earl of Ulster, licence to hold a weekly market, and one yearly fair in his town of Carlingford. From this Lionel the property descended to Edward de Mortimer.
1358 - Bryan Mac Cathmoil, bishop of Orgiall (Clogher) died.
1360 - In the 35th of his same reign, died Richard Fitz-Raulf, Archbishop of Armagh in Hanault, on the 16th of December. His bones were conveyed into Ireland, by the Reverend Stephen Bishop of Meath, and buried in St. Nicholas Church at Dundalk, where he was born; yet it is a question, whether these were his bones, or some other man’s.
1368 - Rory, the son of Johnock Mageoghegan, the hawk of the nobility and prowess of his tribe, and the most hospitable man from Dublin to Drogheda; and Tiernan, the son of Cathal O'Rourke, died.
1371 - (This is the kalend year on which truly comes the killing of Brian Mor Mag Mathgamna and he was buried in the Monastery of Lughbhaidh on the 3rd of the Nones 3rd of June, namely, A.D. 1371.)
1380 - … the calamity of pestilence, and the superadded infliction of incessant warfare with the Scots and the native septs, had so reduced the Borough of Drogheda, that King Richard II then conferred upon them certain customs and duties for the repair of their walls and fortifications, and for the general improvement of the town.
1387 - Conor, son of Bryan Carach O’Neill, was slain by the English of Dundalk.
1388 - Edmund Loundres was appointed constable of the castle of Carlingford, with certain allowances for its repairs, as it was stated to be then much out of order and unsafe.
1389 - The vicar of Iniscain (in Louth) died.
1392 - Niall O'Neill, King of Tyrone, defeated the English at Dundalk and Traghbally. Seffin White fell by him in the conflict.
1394 - Richard II visited Dundalk.
1399 - The sons of Henry O’Neill having gone to attack the English at Traghbally [Dundalk], the English collected their forces to oppose them, and defeated them, and Donal the son of Henry was taken prisoner, and a great many of his people were slain; Donal was sent to England the year following, after his release had been refused.
1400 - The king granted to Stephen Gernon, constable of the castles of Green Castle and Carlingford, licence to take the corn and tithes within the lordship of Cooley for the victualling of said castles.
1401- Donal, son of Henry O’Neill was released from the English.
1404 - The manor of Carlingford and town of Irish Grange, which had previously belonged to the abbey and convent of Newry, vested by forfeiture in the king, who thereupon granted it in fee to Richard Sedgrave.
1405 - The merchants of Tredagh [Drogheda] entered Scotland and took hostages and booty.
1407 - Thomas Stanyhurst granted much land in Dundalk.
1408 - Lord Thomas of Lancaster, the king's son, landed at Carlingford as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
1412 - ..... [23 Dec] on the Friday before the feast of Christmas then following, the town of Drogheda on both sides of the water with their common consent and assent was united and placed under the rule of 1 Mayor and 2 Sheriffs .... and named by the name of the County of Drogheda.
1421 - Owen O’Neill was apprehended by the son of O’Neill, of Claneboy, while on his journey to hold a conference with the earl of Dundalk. [He was released in 1422].
1423 - An army was led by O'Neill (Donnell), O'Donnell (Niall), Owen, son of Niall, with the Irish of Ulster in general, against the English. They first marched to Traigh-Bhaile [Dundalk], to Machaire-Oirghiall, to [the town of] Louth, and from thence into Meath. They gave battle to the Deputy of the King of England, in which the knight who was the chief commander of the English army was slain (i.e. by Mulmurry Mac Sweeny Connachtach, O'Donnell's Constable, and it was by him the English were routed), and many others of his people besides him (one hundred was the number of the slain). They obtained great spoils on that occasion, and afterwards made peace with the English, and left Traghbhaile, and all the English dwelling in its vicinity under tribute.
1425 - By a record of this date it appears that certain rights in the fishery of the bay appertained to the castle of Carlingford.
1429 - Many husbandmen with their sons & servants were slayne at Duleek by O'Connier.
1430 - Owen O'Neill burned fortress of Dundalk, and having compelled the inhabitants to submit, and pay him tribute, he returned home with triumph and victory.
1432 - Great and frequent depredations were committed on the English, and numbers of them slain, by Manus Mac Mahon (of Monaghan), who raised their heads on the spear-poles of the guards of the town of Lurgan (Lurgan-Green, in the county of Louth)m Manus’s own fortified residence, a disgusting and hateful sight to those who beheld their putrefaction.
1452 - An army was led by O'Neill (Owen) into the Feadha, to make war against the English of Machaire-Oirghiall [in the county of Louth], and was joined by Maguire on that hosting. The son of O'Neill (Owen Oge) and Maguire's people then proceeded to Cloch-an-bhodaigh to plunder the English; and they carried off the prey to their camp. Upon this the English and Mac Mahon's people, and his kinsmen, pursued them to their camp; and here O'Neill, Maguire, and their people, rose up against them; and a battle ensued between them, in which Mac Donnell Galloglagh, i.e. Sorley More, and numbers of others along with him were slain, and others of the forces taken prisoners. O'Neill returned to his camp that night in great wrath; upon hearing of which, Henry, his son, came to meet him; and Mac Mahon afterwards came to O'Neill and his sons, and they made peace with each other; and O'Neill obtained an eric for the dishonour he had received, and also an eric for [the death of] Mac Donnell.
The Earl of Ormond, Lord Justice of Ireland, broke down the castle of Owny upon O'Mulrian, and took the castle of Leix from the O'Dempsys, who permitted him to pass to Airem, to rescue the son of Mac Feorais Bermingham, who was imprisoned there. He then burned Airem, and from thence proceeded to Offaly, whereupon O'Conor came into his house, as an assurance that the son of Mac Feorais should be set at liberty. From thence he proceeded into Annaly, where O'Farrell came into his house, and promised him ninescore beeves, as the price of obtaining peace from him. From thence both proceeded to Magh-Breaghmaine, demolished the castle of Barrcha, and destroyed the greater part of the corn. From thence they marched to Fore, and from thence to Magh-Maine, where the O'Reillys came to his house, and acceded to all his conditions. From thence into Machaire-Oirghiall [in the county of Louth], where Mac Mahon gave him his demands. After this he marched to meet the Clanna-Neill, and caused Henry O'Neill to put away the daughter of Mac William Burke, whom he had taken to wife after the death of her former husband, O'Donnell, and to take back to him again his own wedded wife, the daughter of Mac Murrough, and the Earl's own step sister. And thence he proceeded to Baile-atha-fhirdia-mic-Damain, where he died, between the two feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary (from the 15th of August to the 8th of September), having accomplished these journeys in half a quarter of a year.
1453 - Mac Mahon, i.e. Hugh Roe, the son of Roderick, a man of great piety and hospitality, learned in the arts, and distinguished for this feat of arms and noble deeds, died on Easter eve, in his in house at Lurgan (Lurgan-Green, in Louth), and was interred at Clones and Bryan Mac Mahon, was appointed his successor over the Orgiallians (people of Louth and Monaghan).
1457 - A contest arose between Maguire and the sons of Roderick Mac Mahon, and Mac Guire mustered the forces of his territory to march on Oriel (Monaghan and Louth). When the Mac Mahons received this intelligence, they fled with their cattle into their fastnesses.
1458 - Law passed for two men from every plough land in county to be sent to Dundalk to help to carry the sea water round the town to defend it from the Irish.
1467 – Thomas, Earl of Desmond, succeeded in having an Act of Parliament passed for the setting up of a university at Drogheda. Later that year he was beheaded on a charge of treason and the project was never carried out.
- A mint was established in Carlingford by act of Parliament.
1468 - Thomas, Earl of Desmond, the son of James, son of Garrett, who had been Lord Justice of Ireland, the most illustrious of his tribe in Ireland in his time for his comeliness and stature, for his hospitality and chivalry, his charity and humanity to the poor and the indigent of the Lord, his bounteousness in bestowing jewels and riches on the laity, the clergy, and the poets and his suppression of theft and immorality, went to Drogheda to meet the English Lord Justice, and the other English of Meath. These acted treacherously by him, and, without any crime, they beheaded him; the greater number of the men of Ireland were grieved at the news of it. His body was afterwards conveyed to Traigh-Li, and interred in the burial-place of his predecessors and ancestors with great honour and veneration.
- John o Rely Lo. of Breny, Hugh, his son, mc Cabe & mc Brady 2400 men entered the County of Louth burning and destroying the country above them towards Ardee. Sr John Bole Primate ranne to Drogheda & declared this invasion to the Mayor [possibly Richard Gernon] & Comons who gathered 500 chosen archers of the sd town & 200 polaxes & pans & went strayt to Ardee where met him Sr Robt Taaf with 70 men a horsback & in the Maudlin chappell the sd Primate a solemn mass & gave his benison to all the people: the Mayor mched to Corboly by Malpas bridge where both armys fought. Here O Rely wth Hugh his son mc Cabe Mc Brady were slayne & 400 of their men. 23 of Aprill.
1472 – Richard Bellew built Castletown Castle.
At the Parliament of Naas, it was enacted that the town of Collon, then waste, should be rebuilt … within a given time, and, if not then completed, that the Abbot of Mellifont might then enter thereon, and possess the same as his personal right.
The bridge of the town of Drogheda fell on St. Jerome's day viz., the last day of September.
1483 - Con O'Donnell of Tyrconnell plundered and burned Traghbally of Dundalk.
1484 - Redmond Mac Mahon, lord of Oriel, died while imprisoned at Drogheda.
1486 - A general chapter (or synod) of the province of (Ulster), was held at the beginning of July, at Droicheat-Atha (Drogheda), by the archbishop of Armagh, namely, Octavious Italicus, which was attended by all the bishops and clergy of the North of Ireland.
Twenty-eight towns belonging to the English of the plain of Oriel (county of Louth), were burned by Mac Mahon, namely Hugh Oge, son of Hugh Roe, the son of Roderick.
- O’Neill, i.e. Con, the son of Henry, marched with a force before Samhain (November), into the plain of Oriel, and burned and spoiled a great deal.
- Philip, son of the Coarb Mag Mathgamna, namely, son of James, son of Rughraidhe son of Ardghal Mag Mathgamna, to wit, one that was canon choral in Clochar and successor of St. Tigernach in Cluain-eois and parson in Dartraighe and had for the greater part all the Fourths of the bishop of Oirghialla and the farming of the priors of Lughbadh and Fern-magh, died on the feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Dec. 27.
1489 - The sheep of Meath along the sea coast from Dublin to Drogheda ran into the sea in despite of their shepherds, and never returned.
1492 - John O'Neill killed by the sons of Redmond O'Hanlon at Traghbally.
1495 - It was enacted that only able and sufficient persons of the realm of England should be henceforward constables of the castle of Carlingford.
1496 - O'Donnell (Hugh Roe, the son of Niall Garv) went into Oriel to assist Brian, the son of Redmond Mac Mahon, and from thence they both marched into Breifny-O'Reilly, in pursuit of Mac Mahon; and they burned that part of the country through which they passed as far as Cavan, and O'Reilly's part of Cavan itself. On this occasion great depredations, spoliations, and destructions, were committed, and great booties obtained, by O'Donnell, in the English settlements in Machaire-Oirghiall [County Louth], and on Mac Mahon's adherents on his return back.
1501 - The market Cross in Drogheda in St. Peters parish was made by John Ballard at his own charges.
- In consequence of Carlingford town having been repeatedly burned by the Scots and Irish the king granted to its provost, bailiffs, and commonalty; certain tolls and customs towards enclosing it with a stone wall.
1506 - The bridge at Drogheda was made & finished. John Wyrall Mayor.
1515 - John Wryall 2d time Mayor. He build the gt window in our Ladyes chappell in St. Peters church.
1521 - Rury, the son of Egneghan O'Donnell, was slain at Dun-Dealgan by the English, while he was in company with O'Neill, i.e. Con, the son of Con.
1522 - Master Feidhlimidh O'Corcrain, a cleric eminent in Canon Law and in versifying and in grammar and a distinguished person, died in the end of Spring of this year, as he was returning from Droiched-atha and was buried in Lughbadh.
1535 - The Earl of Kildare, Lord Justice of Ireland (Garrett Oge), the son of Garrett, son of Thomas, the most illustrious of the English and Irish of Ireland in his time, for not only had his name and renown spread through all Ireland, but his fame and exalted character were heard of in distant countries of foreign nations, died in captivity in London. After which his son, Thomas, proceeded to avenge his father upon the English and all who had been instrumental in removing him from Ireland. He resigned the King's sword, and did many injuries to the English. The Archbishop of Dublin came by his death through him, for he had been opposed to his father: many others were slain along with him. He took Dublin from Newgate outwards, and pledges and hostages were given him by the rest of the town through fear of him. The son of the Earl on this occasion totally plundered and devastated Fingall from Slieve Roe to Drogheda, and made all Meath tremble beneath his feet.
1538 - The inhabitants of Clontarf, near Dublin, had licence to fish, without charge or toll, within the bay of Carlingford.
1539 - O’Neill, i.e. Con, and O’Donnell, i.e. Manus, marched with mutual accord and consent, with their forces into Meath, and such territories as did not pay them tribute they devastated and burned before them as far as Tara …. Great indeed was the booty, consisting of gold, silver, brass, iron, treasure and every kind of property and goods in general, they took from the towns of Ath-Firdiath (Ardee) and Nua-Chongbhail (Navan), having completely plundered them on that expedition When the Saxon lord justice, Lord Leonard, received intelligence of this he collected all the English forces in Ireland …. And all the fleets on the neighbouring coasts and particularly an immense fleet which lay at Cuan-Cairlinne (Carlingford).
- The vicarage at Carlingford was valued to the First Fruits at £3. 13s. 8d.
1543 – Death of Primate Dowdall, last of the legally acknowledged Roman Catholic Primates. Interred at Termonfeckin.
- Dundalk Harbour described as a "creek" in report to Parliament.
1548 - 27 of January about midnight St Peters steeple of Drogheda was blowne downe by a wonderfull great winde being one of the highest steeples in the world.
- The king granted to Sir Nicholas Bagnal, Knight, the manors of Omee and Carlingford, with the Lordship of Cooley, &c.
1556 - Earl of Sussex, the Lord Deputy, visited Dundalk.
1557 - John O'Neill, i.e. the son of Con, son of Con, assembled and mustered a very numerous army to proceed into Tirconnell, namely, all the people of Oriel, and all the English and Irish from Tragh-Bhaile-mhic-Buain [Dundalk] to the River Fin. All these came to join his muster and army, and marched without halting until they had, in the first place, pitched their spacious and hero-thronged camp at Carraig Liath, between the two rivers, Finn and Mourne.
1558 - Shane burned Haggardstown and again besieged Dundalk. Town was almost a ruin. He was repulsed.
1560 - Sir Henry Radcliffe and John Neill were members for the borough of Carlingford in this year.
1561 - At this time O'Neill was harassing and plundering the territories of Bregia and Meath. Tirconnell was also subjugated and surrounded by him, after having already made a prisoner of Calvagh, and O'Donnell being sick and infirm, so that there was no one ruling Kinel-Connell at this time. O'Neill (John) then assumed the sovereign command of all Ulster, from Drogheda to the Erne, so that at this time he might have been called with propriety the provincial King of Ulster, were it not for the opposition of the English to him.
1566 – Shane O'Neill laid siege to Dundalk but was unsuccessful.
1575 - Great heat and extreme drought happened in the summer of this year, so there was not rain for one hour, either by day or night, from May to Lammas (August). In consequence of this drought loathsome diseases and afflicting maladies, namely a plague, were generated in an excessive degree amongst the English and Irish in Dublin, Naas of Leinster, Ardee, Mullingar, and Athboy. Many a castle between those places was left without a guard, many a flock without a shepherd, and many bodies, even of the nobility, were left unburied, through the effects of that distemper.
1578 - Thomas, the son of Patrick, son of Oliver Plunkett, Lord of Louth, was slain by Mac Mahon, namely, Art, son of Brian-na-Moicheirghe, son of Redmond, son of Glasny.
1584 - The Lord Justice went the next day to Limerick [22 June], and was resolved to destroy and reduce a great number of gentlemen on each side of Limerick, until news overtook him that a Scotch fleet arrived in the north side of Ireland, at the invitation of Sorley Boy, the son of Mac Donnell, and that they were plundering and ravaging the country around them. The cause of their coming was: Sorley Boy, who had had the possession of the Route for thirty years before, having heard that the English Council had issued an order and command to the new Lord Justice to restore the Route to its rightful inheritors, and to banish Sorley to his own original patrimony in Scotland; and not only this, but not to suffer any strangers to settle in Ireland so long as it remained obedient to the sovereign. As for the Lord Justice, he set out from Limerick on his rapid progress, and issued orders that all the men fit for service from the Boyne to Beare should meet him at Drogheda, at the expiration of twenty-four days from that day. The men of Munster, Meath, and Leinster, obeyed this proclamation, for they came numerously and fully-assembled to that place. They all then set out for Ulster. When Sorley heard of the march of the men of Ireland towards him, he left the Route, taking with him his creaghts, his women, and his people, to Gleann-Concadhain, and leaving neither shepherds nor guards in the country, nor warders in any castle in the Route, except only Dun-lis; and although this was the strongest fortress in the province, it was, nevertheless, taken by the Lord Justice, after he had besieged it for two days and nights; and he placed the Queen's warders in it. The Lord Justice, having tarried ten days in the Route, left thirteen companies of soldiers billeted in Ulster, for the purpose of reducing Sorley Boy; and he himself then returned to Dublin, and the men of Ireland dispersed for their several homes.
1591 - After Michaelmas many Gent were apprehended for treason & put in the Castle of Dublin & some of them drawn hanged & qrtred as Georg Nettervill & Scurlock hanged.
1595 - O'Neill, and O'Donnell join forces at Faughart, "When the Lord Justice received intelligence that they were both at that place prepared for him; he remained in Dublin on that occasion".
1596 - Important conference at Dundalk between O'Neill and Earl of Ormonde, first Lord Lieutenant.
When the Lord Justice and the Council of Ireland saw the bravery and power of the Irish against them, and that all those who had previously been obedient to themselves were now joining the aforesaid Irish against them, they came to the resolution of sending ambassadors to O'Neill and O'Donnell, to request peace and tranquillity from them. The persons selected for negotiating between them were Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, and Mulmurry Magrath, Archbishop of Cashel. The Earl of Ormond repaired to Traigh-Bhaile [Dundalk], and there halted; and he sent his messengers to O'Neill, to inform him of the purport of his coming; upon which O'Neill sent the same intelligence to O'Donnell; and O'Donnell came to the place where O'Neill was, with a body of cavalry, and both set out for Faughard-Muirtheimne.
- Henry Oge, the son-in-law of Tyrone, made incursions into the English pale, and endeavoured to surprise the castle of Carlingford.
1597 - A new Lord Justice, Lord Borough, Thomas by name, arrived in Ireland in the beginning of the month of June, with much arms and many soldiers. After receiving the sword from Sir William Russell, who had been Lord Justice for three years before, he deprived Sir John Norris of the office which he held from his Sovereign, namely, the generalship of the war, and took that office to himself. After this he issued a proclamation to the men of Leinster and Meath, and to all those who were obedient to the Queen, from the Meeting of the three Waters to Dundalk, to meet him with all their forces, fully mustered, at Drogheda, on the twentieth day of the month of July. These orders were responded to by the Earl of Kildare, and by the English of Meath and Leinster. The Lord Justice came to the same place with as many men as he had been able to muster. After these forces had met together, they marched to Tyrone, and arrived at Abhainn-mhor without opposition or delay; and, what was seldom the case with O'Neill, an advantage was got of his vigilance, having, contrary to his wont, neglected to guard the pass, and the Lord Justice crossed the river without receiving battle or opposition, and landed at the other side of it. He then razed and demolished a watching-fort which O'Neill had on the bank of the river, and erected a new fort for himself on the opposite bank of the same river. But though this advantage was taken of O'Neill, through the guidance and instruction of Turlough, the son of Henry, son of Felim Roe O'Neill, neither the Lord Justice nor any of his forces dared to advance the distance of one mile further into Tyrone; for they were not allowed rest or ease, sleep or quiet, but a succession of skirmishes and firing was kept up on them, both by day and night. It would be impossible to calculate or describe the number of the Lord Justice's men who were killed and disabled, and the number of horses and other spoils that were taken from them, on this occasion.
On a certain day the Justice went upon a hill which was near the camp, to reconnoitre and survey the country around; but it would have been better for him that he had not gone thither, for a great number of his chief men were slain by O'Neill and his people. Among these were the brother of the Lord Justice's wife, and the chief officer of his army, together with a great number of captains and other gentlemen besides. Some of the Earl of Kildare's people were also slain there; and had not the camp of the Lord Justice been so near at hand, the number that escaped would have survived this engagement. The Earl of Kildare (Henry, the son of Garret), in consequence either of a wound or a fever, was obliged to set out on his return home; but when he had gone as far as Drogheda he died in that town. His body was carried to Kildare, and interred with great honour and reverence in the burial-place of his ancestors. His brother, William, was installed in his place.
1599 - The Earl of Essex (Robert) came to Ireland, as had been promised, about May this year, with much wealth, arms, munition, powder, lead, food, and drink; and the beholders said that so great an army had never till that time come to Ireland since the Earl Strongbow and Robert Fitz-Stephen came in former times with Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster. When the Earl had arrived in Dublin he published many proclamations, among which the first was, that every one of the Irish, who was sorry for having opposed the Queen, should receive forgiveness and pardon in every crime they had till then committed. Among the same proclamations was this, that every one of the Irish who would assert that they had been deprived by the Englishmen of their mansions or patrimonies, by force or violence, should be heard and attended to, and obtain a restoration of such property as he was unlawfully deprived of. Not many of the Irish, however, responded to these proclamations.
Garrisons of soldiers, with all necessaries, were sent by this Earl to Carrickfergus, to Newry, to Dundalk, to Drogheda, to Kilmantan, to Naas of Leinster, and to other towns besides.
Moira Pass, the scene of the defeat of O'Neill in 1600
1600 - O'Neill defeated in Moyry Pass on May 20th and again on Oct 9th.
1601 - The Lord Justice returned back to the camp, in despite of all the overwhelming opposition which he met; but, during the period of about a month and a half that he remained in that fortress, not one of his forces advanced the distance of one mile beyond that place into Tyrone; so that he returned to Fingal and to Dublin in the month of August, having left garrisons at Portmore, Armagh, Machaire-na-Cranncha Magheracranagh, Bealach-an-Mhaighre, Carrickfergus, Newry, Carlingford, Dundalk, Drogheda, &c. It was an exaltation of the name and renown of the Lord Justice to have gone that length and distance into Tyrone on this occasion, such as his predecessors had not been able to do for the three or four years before.
1607 - Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy, with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice, Attorney General and others, held inquisition into ecclesiastical and civil affairs at Dundalk.
1626 - John Bellew of Roche died, seized of five messuages and 160 tenements in Dundalk.
1639 - John Draycot, knight, died, seized of the site etc of the lately dissolved priory of St. Leonard's of Dundalk and of 20 messuages and 240 acres of land in Dundalk and also of the Rath near Ballybalricke, called the Maudlins, Little Lurgan, and Prior's Land of Dundalk, also of the Rectory of St. Nicholas' Church, tithes and altarages of Haggardstown, tithes of the Lurgan and land beyond the Bridge of Dundalk, of divers closes and of messuages etc in Dromeskin, all of which were parcels of the possessions of the lately dissolved Priory of Dundalk.
1640 - The following held lands in Dundalk which were confiscated: Patrick Cashell, Oliver Cashell, Stephen Dowdall, William Sharkey, Thomas Brandon, Bartholomew Moor, Bartholomew Thunder, Nicholas Cashell, Michael Skoyne, Alexander Mapas, James Brandon, John Mortimer, Isaac Doo, Patrick Dardis, Sir Chris Bellew, Bartholomew Cashell, Nicholas Gosling.
1641 - Sir Phelim O'Neill occupied Dundalk.
1642 - Sir Henry Tichbourne captured Dundalk from Sir Phelim O'Neill after very hard fighting. The town was defended by a double wall, a double ditch, a marsh on one side and the sea on the other.
- Sir Henry Fishburn took possession of the town of Carlingford, not however till it had suffered considerable injury by fire from the adherents of Sir Phelim O'Neill.
1643 - Oliver Cashell, representative for the Borough of Dundalk, was expelled from the Irish House of Commons for rebellion.
1646 - Perfect freedom of trade granted to Dundalk.
- Perfect freedom of trade conferred on Carlingford.
1649 – Under his leadership, Cromwell’s army attacks Drogheda. Around 3,000 local defenders killed. Garrison of Dundalk, on hearing of the sack of Drogheda, and being threatened by Cromwell with a like fate, evacuated the town in haste.
- The castle at Carlingford surrendered to Lord Inchiquin.
1650 - Colonel Monck, Commander in Dundalk for the Parliament, besieged by the Irish army under Lord Inchiquin, and surrendered from famine.
- The castle at Carlingford was delivered to Sir Charles Coote and Colonel Venables.
1660-65 - The Duke of York, afterwards James II, was granted the Mill of Grange and one acre of land situate in the Barony of Dundalk.
1667 - Marcus Trevor viscount Dungannon, obtained grants of all of Dundalk and its lands not granted already to the Bellews and Draycots.
Castlenyrooty or Hyndes Castle, Dundalk, bought from Viscount Dungannon by Henry Bellingham of Gernonstown, in the County of Louth, Esq. and Wm Toxteth of Drogheda, Esq. for £70 to be made into a gaol.
Sir Robert Reynolds, a Parliamentarian, received grants of almost all the Corporation lands of Dundalk.
1669 - The tithes of Carlingford parish, which had been vested in the crown, were granted to the incumbent and his successors forever.
1673 - Chief Magistrate, Recorder, and Town Clerk of Dundalk to be approved by Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council.
Governing Charter granted by Charles II to Dundalk. A Recorder, a Bailiff, and 16 Burgesses. A Guild-hall. Mr W. Cox was appointed first Bailiff. Yearly assembly day was June 29th. Abraham Wood appointed first Recorder, and Thomas Long first Town Clerk. The Borough Court was to be held on Thursday every week.
1679 - Oliver Plunkett Arrested
1680 - Oliver Plunkett acquitted by an all-Protestant jury at Dundalk
1681 - Oliver Plunkett executed for treason at Tyburn, in London, on 11 July
1685 - James II seized the Charter of Dundalk, among many other towns, but it was afterwards restored.
1689 - Marshal the Duke of Schomberg encamped with his army between Strandtown and Dowdallshill. Made a large entrenched camp. James advanced from Ardee and camped for a short while on Ballybarrack Hill. So many of Schomberg's troops died from disease that he retreated northwards and James' troops occupied the town.
1689 - Some of the Duke of Berwick's party set fire to Carlingford town, soon after which the sick soldiers of Schomberg's army were removed thither. In king James's parliament of this year, Christopher Peppard and Bryan Dermod, Esq. were the sitting members for Carlingford.
1690 - James hearing of William’s arrival at Carrickfergus advanced to Dundalk and round "Bedloe's Castle" - i.e., Castletown Castle. William prepared to advance south to Dundalk, from which James retreated to Ardee, and over the Boyne. William marched from Newry through Moyra Pass to Dundalk, crossed the river at Castletown Castle and encamped on Ballybarrack Hill. Dundalk was deserted. William is supposed to have stayed the night in the Demesne House, and went on the next day to Ardee and afterwards defeated James at the Battle of the Boyne.
1737 – Dr. Boulter, Primate of Armagh, was instrumental in establishing a cambric manufactory in Dundalk, and advanced money to the manufacturers, who brought over French workers to start the industry.
1745 - County Louth Commission of Array.
1746 - John Hamilton, Viscount Limerick, who had acquired Lord Dungannon's interest in Dundalk, was made Governor of County Louth and Earl of Clanbrassil.
1748 - Louthiana published
1750 - Lady Anne Hamilton, daughter of Earl of Clanbrassil married Jocelyn, afterwards Earl of Roden.
- The celebrated Francois Thurot, smuggler and adventurer, spent a year in Carlingford during which time he acquired his knowledge of the English language.
1756 - County Louth Commission of Array.
1777 - Riot in Drogheda in consequence of a mob rising to prevent the exportation of cattle to England.
1779 - The Dundalk Volunteers consisted of two troops of cavalry, a corp. of infantry, and one of artillery. Uniform - scarlet, faced with green. Dundalk Light Dragoons, Ballymascanlon Rangers, Ardee Rangers, and Dundalk Train of Artillery, met together and agreed to consolidation.
1780 – In Drogheda five people were killed and three wounded by soldiers of the local corps of Volunteers, during a riot.
1783 - Trial and acquittal in Dundalk of Thomas Read, at one time Bailiff of the town and a magistrate on the charge of feloniously, wickedly and maliciously setting fire to the house of Mr James Forde, agent of Lord Clanbrassil.
1785 - Bill for forming a national militia was passed, and killed the decayed volunteers.
1789 - County Louth Commission of Array.
1793 – Louth Militia formed. Catholics can legally bear arms.
Trial and conviction of Patrick Byrne, jun, of Castletown for addressing a letter to the Presbyterians of Ulster, in which he censured the actions of various public men.
1795 - James Napper Tandy escape arrest by fleeing from Dundalk.
1798 - November 27: Two ships [West Indiamen], bound from Liverpool to Africa with slaves, and thence to Jamaica, were driven ashore between Dunsany and Dundalk.
- Insurrection throughout Ireland
1811 - Butter Crane and stores built by public subscription in Dundalk.
1817 - Burning of Wild Goose Lodge, and subsequent trial and conviction in Dundalk of the murderers; Famine and Fever in Dundalk.
1818 - Gerard Callaghan elected Member of Parliament for Dundalk.
1825 - Sir Walter Scott passed through Dundalk; and wrote: - "A poor little town by the shore but with a magnificent Justice Hall, a public building superior, I think, to any in Edinburgh".
1826 - Alexander Dawson and Leslie Foster returned Members of Parliament in Dundalk after a most hotly contested election.
1832 - Cholera epidemic in Drogheda and Dundalk. The old Charter School in Dundalk was converted into a hospital for the reception of patients suffering from the disease. Dundalk was then relieved from its pestilential effects in about three weeks, but Drogheda suffered much more severely.
1833 - Extinction of the old Corporation of Dundalk, their place being taken by Town Commissioners.
1834 - Cholera outbreak in Dundalk.
1837 - Cholera again visited the town of Dundalk, Dr. Fitzpatrick caught the disease while fighting for the lives of his patients, and succumbed.
1839 – The night of the big wind. Considerable damage caused throughout the county.
1842 - Daniel O'Connell addressed sixty thousand people in Dundalk.
1843 - Three hundred thousand people are said to have assembled at Castletown to hear O'Connell.
1844 - First train journey from Malahide to Drogheda.
1845 - The Famine Year. Dr. Laurence Martin fell a victim to fever while attending the sick; Opening of the Dundalk and Enniskillen Railway and the Dundalk to Drogheda Line.
1850 - Drogheda to Navan railway opened.
1852 - Great Election Contest between Chichester Fortescue and Tristram Kennedy, Liberals and John McClintock, Conservative.
1854 - Death of Viscount Jocelyn, eldest son of Lord Roden.
1855 - The Boyne viaduct opened.
1858 - Cardinal Wiseman visited Dundalk - Great enthusiasm.
1859 - Royal Agricultural Society's Cattle Show held in Dundalk Demesne. Opened by the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Carlisle.
1859 - Dundalk Town Hall built.
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27 January 2010