405
Possible year of death of Niall Noígíallach. The Annals of the Four Masters dates his accession to 378 and death to 405. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn broadly agrees, dating his reign from 368-395, and associating his raiding activities in Britain with the kidnapping of Saint Patrick. However, the traditional roll of kings and its chronology is now recognised as artificial. The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's legendary status has been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded. Based on Uí Néill genealogies and the dates given for his supposed sons and grandsons, modern historians believe he is likely to have lived some 50 years later than the traditional dates, dying circa 450.
410
At about this date, with the end of Roman rule in Britain, raiders from Ireland such as the Uí Liatháin and Laigin harry the coasts of Britain. They plunder towns and capture slaves but later colonise large areas of Gwynedd, in particular the Llŷn Peninsula, the coasts of Arllechwedd and Arfon and Anglesey.
431
Palladius sent by Pope Celestine I as bishop to Irish Christians
432
Saint Patrick arrives in Ireland to help convert pagan Gaelic kings to Christianity (traditional date) (but see also 456)
435 or 436
Death of Bressal Belach, King of Leinster
440
Death of Amalgaid mac Fiachrae, king of Connacht whose death led to a long-running dispute over the succession
444
Niall of the Nine Hostages active in Ireland and Britain (but see the year 405 as well)
Armagh founded as the chief church in Ireland.
445
Death of Dathí/Nath Í mac Fiachrae
446
Battle of Femen, in Brega; Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth, King of Leinster, killed
447
Death of Secundinus/St Seachnaill, bishop in Ireland, on 27 November, founder of Dunshaughlin
450
Probable date of fall of Ulaid over-kingdom
Approximate date of the foundation by St Macculin of a monastery at Lusk
Death of Niall Noígíallach (see the entry for 405 for more on this)
451
Probable year of birth of Brigid of Kildare (Saint Brigid)
453
Probable date of death of Niall of the Nine Hostages (but see also the years 405 and 450)
Probable date of the start of the reign of Óengus mac Nad Froích, first Christian king of Munster
454
Lóegaire mac Néill, King of Tara, celebrates Feis Temro (Feast of Tara), pagan inauguration rite.
456
Suggested date - 5 April - for arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland (but see also 432)
457
Probable death of Palladius
459
Death of Auxilius, missionary bishop in Ireland, founder of Killashee, County Kildare
461 or 462
Death of Lóegaire mac Néill, King of Tara, son of Niall Noígiallach, who founded the kingdom of Tír Eógain (modern County Tyrone)
464
The murder of King Conall Gulban of Donegal by the Masraighe at Magh Slécht
465
Death of Iserninus, missionary bishop in Ireland (Epsop Fith), founder of Kilcullen, County Kildare, and Aghade, County Carlow
Death of Eógan mac Néill, son of Niall Noígiallach, who founded the kingdom of Tír Eógain (modern County Tyrone) (but see also 461)
467
Death of St. Benigius, Bishop of Armagh
468
Battle of Bri Ele
469
Ailill Molt mac Nath Í/Dathí celebrates Feis Temro
470
First Battle of Dumha Aichir
476
First Battle of Granard
480
Second Battle of Granard
481
Death of St. Iarliathe mac Treno, third bishop of Armagh
482
Battle of Ochae (in Mide or Leinster). Ailill Molt killed, and the Uí Néill branch of the Connachta monopolise kingship of Tara
483
Assassination of Cremthann mac Endai Chennselaig, King of Leinster
484
Probable year of birth of Saint Brendan "the Navigator"
485
Death of Fincath mac Garrchu (or Findchad mac Garrchon), King of Leinster
485 or 486
Battle of Granard or Grainaret. Coirpre mac Néill, King of Tara, defeats and kills Fincath mac Garrchu or Findchad mac Garrchon: he was a king of Leinster, was defeated and killed by the Uí Néill. (He is not mentioned as king in the Book of Leinster, he is however given this title in the Annals of Innisfallen).
486
Death of Crimthann mac Énnai Cennsalach who was a King of Leinster from the Uí Cheinnselaig sept of the Laigin. He was the son of Énna Cennsalach, the ancestor of this dynasty.
487
Death of Bishop Mel of Ardagh, 6 February
489
Battle of Cell Osnadha: death of Óengus mac Nad Froích, first Christian King of Munster
Battle of Tailtin
Death of St. Cianán of Duleek, a follower of St. Patrick, on 24 November
490
In about this year, the Dál Riata establish a kingdom in Scotland
492
About this year the deaths occur of St. Mac Caill, Bishop of Cruachu Brig Ele (Croghan, County Offaly); and Óengus mac Nad Froích, King of Cashel (but see also 489)
493
The battle of Sruth
The second battle of Granairet
17 March: traditional date for the death of St. Patrick (also entered in Annals of Ulster under A.D. 492). Cath Corp Naomh Padraigh ("Battle for the Body of St. Patrick" fought for possession of his body)
494
Battle of Ceann Ailbhe
495
Second Battle of Granard; Echu mac Coirpri defeats and kills Fráech mac Finchada, King of Leinster (but see also 480)
496
6 September: death of St. Mac Cuilinn, Bishop of Lusk
497
Death of Cormac, Bishop of Armagh, heres Patricii (heir of Patrick)
498
Birth of saint Kevin of Glendalough (died 618 according to his legend), the Abbot of Glendalough in County Wicklow, Ireland
23 June: death of St. Mo Choi of Nendrum; also listed under 497 in Annals of Ulster
499
"Bellum" (war) listed as occurring in Leinster
23 April: death of Bishop Ibar of Bergerin, Wexford Harbour
500
Composition of archaic Leinster genealogical poems by Laidcenn mac Bairchedo and others
Archaic Old Irish period (to c. AD 700)
Warfare continues in Leinster between its kings and the Connachta
5th century in Ireland Wikipedia (Text) CC BY-SA
