Conmaicne

The Conmaicne (Old Irish pronunciation: [ˈkɔnˠˌβ̃ɑkʲːnʲɛ]; Modern Irish: Conmhaicne) were a people of early Ireland, perhaps related to the Laigin, who dispersed to various parts of Ireland. They settled in Connacht and Longford, giving their name to several Conmaicne territories. T. F. O'Rahilly's assertion the Conmaicne were non-Goidelic is not widely accepted.[1]

Etymology

Their name originates from a mythical ancestor known as Conmac(c) (Old Irish: [ˈkɔnˠˌβ̃ɑkː]), meaning "hound-son" (con, prefix form of n-stem cú hound; mac, son). Conmac(c) descended from Fergus mac Róich and Queen Medb of Connacht. However, Walsh stated "Conmac son of Fergus is a genealogical fiction".[2] The word Conmaicne means "progeny of Conmac" (-ne, a progeny). The name in Old Irish spelling contains m (without a following h) and c (or more etymologically, cc), thus Old Irish Conmac(c) and Conmaic(c)ne, but in Modern Irish spelling contains mh (with unetymological h as a sign of lenition) and single c, thus Conmhac and Conmhaicne).

Branches

The Conmaicne split into several branches that dispersed to various places.[3]

The Diocese of Ardagh was established in 1111 as the see for east Connacht. Fourteen years later, at the Synod of Kells-Mellifont, its area was reduced to the territory of the Conmaicne Réin and Muintir Angaile, south county Leitrim and all county Longford.[11] The diocese was commonly called "the Diocese of the Conmaicne".[12][5]

People

John O'Donovan wrote:

The chief families of the Conmacians were the O'Fearralls, princes and lords of Annaly, or Longford; the Mac Rannalls, a name anglicised to Reynolds, who were Lords of Conmaincee of Moy-Rein and Muintir-Eolais, in Leitrim; the Mac Keoghes, who were chiefs in Galway, and also in Lenister; the MacShanleys; O'Rodaghans; MacDorchys; O'Mulveys; O'Morans, and O'Mannings, chiefs and clans in various parts of Longford, Leitrim, and Roscommon.[13]

Notables descended from the Conmhaicne include Cruimthear Mac Carthaigh, St. Jarlath of Tuam and some abbots of Clonmacnoise.

See also

References

  1. ^ MacKillop 2004.
  2. ^ Walsh 1940, p. 6.
  3. ^ "The Line of Ir - Irish Pedigrees". www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ware & Harris 1739.
  5. ^ a b Hogan 2004.
  6. ^ "Conmhaicne Cuile - Irish Names and Surnames". www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  7. ^ Ó Maolconaire 1875, p. 1.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Muintear Chearbhallain - Irish Names and Surnames". www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  10. ^ O'Donovan 1856.
  11. ^ P Galloway, The Cathedrals of Ireland, Belfast, 1992
  12. ^ Farrell 1891.
  13. ^ O'Donovan 1856, p. 417.
  • Some Connacht Population-Groups, Nollaig Ó Muraíle, in Seanchas:Studies in Early and Medieval Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis John Byrne, pp. 176–76, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2000
  • Medieval Ireland: Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions, Paul Mac Cotter, Four Courts Press, 2008, pp. 134–135. ISBN 978-1-84682-098-4

Secondary sources


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