Delbhna Tír Dhá Locha

Early peoples and kingdoms of Ireland, c.800

Dealbhne Thíre Dhá Loch(a) ("The Dealbhne of the Two Lochs") was a tuath of Gaelic Ireland, located in the west of what is now Co. Galway, Ireland. It is now called Connemara

Overview

It was ruled by the Mac Conraoi clann. The two lochs concerned were Loch nOirbsean, and Loch Lurgain.

Mac Conraoi was chief of the Delbhna Thira Dha Locha and ruler of Gnó Mhór, while his senior cadet was Ó hÉanaí (Heeney), ruler of Gnó Beag.

In the 12th and 13th centuries the Ó Flaithbertaigh fmaily were expelled into the area, first by the Kings of Connacht, and later by the de Burgh Lord of Connacht. The Ó Flaithbertaighs ruled what is now called Connemara until the upheavals of the mid 17th century.

Tribal origins

The Delbhna (also Dealbhne or Dealbhnaí) were any early tribal grouping with a number of different branches in Ireland.

Nomenclature

Dealbhne Thíre Dhá Locha was also known as Dealbhna Fiodh/Feadha ("The Delbhna of the Fews) "Fiodh", anglicised the Fews, literally means "heather", denoting a rough, unfertile area.

Area

Dealbhne Thíre Dhá Locha comprises the civil parishes (which are coextensive with the medieval parishes of the same names) of Kilcummin, Killannin, Moycullen and Rahoon. Conmaicne Mara / Connemara bordered the territory on the west while Joyce Country lies to the north of the territory. The entire territory west of Galway City is now referred to as Connemara.

Sub-divisions

Tír Dhá Locha was divided into two sub-sections, Gnó Mór and

Gnó Mhór/Gnó Mór denoted the civil parish of Kilcummin and most of the civil parish of Killannin.

Gnó Beg denoted the civil parishes of Moycullen and Rahoon and part of the parish of Killannin.

Loch Lonáin north of the village of Maigh Cuilin and the Aille river between the villages of An Spidéal and Indreabháin are the principal features which mark the border between Gnó Mór and Gnó Beag.

See also

• Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
• Clann Fhergail
• Clann Taidg
• Muintir Murchada
• Senchineoil
• Uí Maine
• Soghain
• Trícha Máenmaige
• Uí Díarmata
• Cóiced Ol nEchmacht
• Síol Anmchadha
• Iar Connacht
• Maigh Seola
• Cenél Áeda na hEchtge
• Cenél Guaire
• Muintir Máelfináin
• Conmaícne Cenéoil Dubáin
• Conmaícne Cúile Toland
• Bunrath
• Uí Briúin Rátha
• Tír Maine
• Uí Briúin Seola
• Machaire Riabhach
• Maigh Mucruimhe
• Airthir Connacht
• Meadraige
• Corca Moga
• Óic Bethra

References

• Medieval Ireland: Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions, Paul MacCotter, Four Courts Press, 2008, pp. 140–141. ISBN978 1 84682 098 4