Died 1998 | ||
Brian Luighneach Ua Conchobhair, Prince of Connacht, died 23 May 1181.
Contents
Family background
Ua Conchobhair was one of at least twenty-three children of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht (reigned 1106-1156). His mother's name is uncertain.
Early life
Brian's nickname, Luighnech, is taken from the territory of Luigne in what is now County Sligo. Its ruling family were the O hEaghra (O'Hara).
In 1156, his father died at Dunmore, County Galway. His brother, Ruaidhri, immediately moved to neutralise any opposition to his succession as king by arresting and imprisoning three of his brothers, including Brian, all considered creditable candidates for succeeding Tairrdelbach. Brian seems to have come to terms with Ruaidhri and was released. One of the brothers, Aedh Dall Ua Conchobair, was not so lucky; Ruaidhri had him blinded.
Crich Coipre
Brian became lord of Cairbre Drom Cliabh (barony of Carbury in what is now County Sligo. During the late 1170s, King Ruaidhri's power as both King and High King of Ireland was under severe strain from both Gaelic-Irish and Anglo-Norman alike.
This encouraged King Flaithbertaigh of Tyrconnell to mount raids into northern Connacht, an area over which the Cineál Chonaill had long claimed jurisdiction. Brian assembled a force and met him in battle on the Saturday before Whitsuntide, joined by his son, Donogh, his brother Maghnus Ua Conchobair, and members of leading Connacht gentry such as Aed Ó Ceallaigh, Eachmarcach Ó Muireadhaigh, Giolla Críst Ó Roduibh, and many others.
The Annals of the Four Masters said of the battle:
Flaherty O'Muldory, Lord of Tirconnell, defeated the sons of the King of Connacht ... Sixteen of the sons and chieftains were slain by the Kinel Connell, as well as many others, both of the nobles and the plebeians. They held the Connacians under subjection for a long time after this battle ... slain by Flaherty ... were Brian and Manus, two sons of Turlough More; and Mulrony; and .... two sons of Hugh O'Connor.
The list of dead included Brian's son, Donogh; Ó Cellaigh, Ó Muireadhaigh, Ó Roduibh, and members of the O'Mulrenin and Mac Giolla Buidhe clans.
Descendants
Brian was of ancestor of the O Connor Sligo dynasty. Only one member of the family ever succeeded to the kingship of Connacht, but they were Lords of Cairbre until the mid-17th century.