Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair

Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht 1224-1228.

Extracts from the Annals of Connacht on Aedh:

"1224:Aed O Conchobair his son reigned after him; for he had been king in effect by the side of his father and already held all the hostages of Connacht. And God granted him this kingdom, for no crime was committed in Connacht at the moment of his accession save one robbery on the road to Cruach, and the hands and feet of the robber were cut off, and the violation of one woman by O Mannachan's son, who was blinded forthwith for the offence."

"The sons of Hugo [de Lacy] came to Ireland in spite of the King of England, and their coming produced assaults of war and dispersion among the Galls of Ireland, until these rose up against them and they were driven to seek the protection of Aed O Neill king of Ailech. Then the Galls and Gaels of Ireland raised an army to attack them: Aed mac Cathail Chrobdeirg king of óConnacht, Donnchad Cairbrech O Briain king of Thomond, Diarmait Cluasach (Long-eared) Mac Carthaig king of Desmond and the leading men of Ireland generally, except the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill. They advanced as far as Muirthemne and Dundalk and from that position demanded hostages and sureties from the sons of Hugo and Aed O Neill. But he moved out with his Galls and Gaels, and they posted themselves in parties on the passes of Sliab Fuaid and the doorways of Emain and Fid Conaille and challenged attack in these positions. But the Galls of Ireland, when they saw they were to have protection, determined to make peace and settlement with William [de Lacy] and the Earls and to accept the award of the King of England as to the conditions of peace: so they disbanded and left their positions without having extracted terms or tribute from Aed O Neill for the nonce."

"Aed mac Cathail Chrobdeirg marched with a great force to the castle of Ard Abla in Tethba. They prevailed against it, burning and slaying every Gall and Gael they found therein."

"1226:A great rebellion was raised by Toirrdelbach and Aed, sons of Ruaidri [O Conchobair] , and Aed O Neill, to wrest the kingship of the province from Aed mac Cathail Chrobdeirg. This was done at the instance of Donn Oc MacAirechtaig, royal chieftain of Sil Murray, who wished to revenge himself for the confiscation of his land and patrimony; and when he revolted the whole of Connacht revolted—Sil Murray and West Connacht with Aed O Flaithbertaig its king—excepting only Mac Diarmata, Cormac son of Tomaltach."

"1228:Aed son of Cathal Crobderg O Conchobair, King of Connacht for the space of four years, as the poet, Donnchad Baccach son of Tanaide O Mailchonaire, says: ‘Rathcroghan of the battles, dwelling of Eochu's daughter, was for four years—here is no deceit—the dwelling of Aed son of Cathal Crobderg’, was killed with one blow of a carpenter's axe in the court of Geoffrey de Mareys while the carpenter's wife was bathing him; and the man who struck him down was hanged by Geoffrey the next day. This deed of treachery was done on this righteous, excellent prince at the instigation of Hugo de Lacy's sons and of William son of the Justiciar. And it was said that the carpenter struck him in jealousy, for there was not in Ireland a man of fairer mould or livelier courage than he."