Second Battle of Athenry

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Second Battle of Athenry


caption=
result=Irish are decimated leading to the height of Norman rule in the area.
partof=the Irish Bruce Wars 1315-1318
date=10 August 1316
place=Athenry near Galway, Ireland
combatant1=Kings of Connacht, Thomond, Brefine, Moylurg, Hy-Many, and others
combatant2=De Bermingham of Athenry, Bourke of Mayo, Muirchertach O Brien of Thomond
commander1=King Felim mac Aedh Ua Conchobair†, King Teig O Kelly†, King Donough O Brien, and others
commander2=Lord Rickard de Bermingham, Sir William Liath Bourke, Muirchertach O Brian, and others
strength1=unknown
strength2=unknown
casualties1=1,100+
casualties2=unknown

The Second Battle of Athenry took place in Ireland on 10 August 1316 and was one of the most decisive battles of the Bruce Wars.

The collective number of both armies are unknown, and can only be estimated; while it is doubtful that the numbers were any higher than seven thousand (and even this figure should be treated with caution) the list of participants on the Irish side alone indicates that an overall figure of at least three to four thousand were involved.

Outcome

Rickard de Bermingham and William Liath de Burgh led an Anglo-Irish force to victory. The battle was a devastating defeat for the O'Connors and O'Kellys, who were allied with the Scotsman Edward Bruce. Among those killed were chief Felim O'Connor and Teig O'Kelly King of Uí Maine. [British History. A Dictionary of British History. 2001, 2004 by Oxford University Press. Retrieved Mar. 12, 2008.]

As a result, the Anglo-Normans secured their power in the west of Ireland. Galway city became their powerbase and the victorious de Burgos were deemed Lords of the region. It would not be until forty years later that the chieftain William Boy O'Kelly recaptured much of the land and restored O'Kelly castles throughout Roscommon. [ [http://www.okelly.net/okelly/page44.php] Battle of Athenry at O'Kelly.net. 2007. Retrieved Mar. 12, 2008.]

ee also

*History of Ireland
*Irish battles

References