By the 11th century, Bréifne was ruled by the Ua Ruairc (O'Rourke) dynasty. The kingdom reached the height of its power in the 12th century, under Tigernán Ua Ruairc. During the latter part of his reign, Bréifne took part in campaigns against the Norman invasion of Ireland. His assassination by the Anglo-Normans in 1172 was followed by a succession dispute, and a conflict between the Ua Ruairc and Ua Raghallaigh (O'Reilly) dynasties.
Bréifne was part of the province of Connacht until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. In that time it was shired into the modern counties Cavan and Leitrim, Leitrim remaining a part of the province of Connacht while Cavan became part of Ulster.
History
Septs of Breifne c. AD 700
Breifne is said[1] to derive from an obsolete Irish word meaning "hilly", a description which describes the topography of this part of Ireland.[2] But this derivation is opposed by the likes of O'Connell[3] and MacEoin.[4] It was referred to as the rough third of Connacht. Alternatively, the Metrical Dindshenchas states the name is derived from Brefne, daughter of Beoan mac Bethaig, the grandson of Nemed, a brave soldier-woman. She was slain by Regan after whom Tomregan is supposedly named.[5][6]
In ancient times the area that became known as Bréifne was said to be occupied by the Erdini, called in Irish 'Ernaigh', who possessed the entire country bordering Lough Erne.
At the time of the Christianization of Ireland (c. 5th–6th century), groups believed to be in or near Breifne included the Glasraighe, Masraige, Dartraige, Armhaighe, Gallraighe, the Fir Manach, and the Gailenga.
Around the 6th century, a people known as the Conmaicne Rein are thought to have moved north from around the present Dunmore in County Galway and settled in Magh Rein (the area around Fenagh). From here they peopled what is now South Leitrim, which became known as Magh Rein, and its inhabitants as the Conmaicne Magh Rein.
They consisted of different family groupings – Muintir Eolais, Muintir Cearbhallain (O Mulvey), and Cinel Luachain, among others.
About the 8th century, the area since known as Breifne was conquered and settled by the Uí Briúin Bréifne who were a branch of the royal family of Connacht. The Uí Briúin established themselves first in modern county Leitrim and then into what is now County Cavan. It can be argued that there is no contemporary evidence to support these speculations.[citation needed]
By the 9th century, the Ó Ruaircs had established themselves as kings of Breifne.
In the 10th and 11th centuries, the Ó Ruairc kings of Breifne fought some battles for the title of king of Connacht, with four different kings of Breifne gaining the title.
During the 12th century the reign of Tighearnán Ua Ruairc, the kingdom of Breifne was said to comprise most of the modern counties of Leitrim and Cavan, and parts of Longford, Meath, Fermanagh and Sligo.
In the 16th century Breifne O'Rourke eventually became County Leitrim and Breifne O'Reilly became County Cavan.
Territories
The following territories were at one stage part of Breifne.
Duncarbry (Dun Chairbre) marks the border of Cairbre's territory on the Drowes, while the Barony of Carbury in North Sligo still reminds us also today.
Noted chiefs of Cenél Cairpre included Ó Maolchloiche (O'Mulclohy).
Cenél Laegaire – County Fermanagh. The Fir Manach, the Cinéal Eanna and the Cenél Laegaire were early indigenous tribes in the County Fermanagh area. The Cenél Laegairi mic Neill were noted west of Loch Erne (Book of Lecan). The Cenél Laegairi mic Neill were also noted in central Ireland (Mide, Meath).
Kings of Breifne
Note: Where mentioned spelling used in the document is used here.
Tadhg Ó Ruairc, lord of Breifne: 1600–1605 – son of Brian na múrtha
Lords of Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh (Muintir Maelmordha)
Godfrey Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1161
Cathal Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1161–1162 – son of Godfrey
Fergal son of Cu Chonnacht O'Raigillig, King of Dartry and Clann Fermaige: 1239
Cathal Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1256
Con Ua Raghallaigh, chief of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1256–1257
Matha Ua Raghallaigh, lord of Muintir-Maelmordha: 1282
Ferghal O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1282–1293
Gilla-Isa Ruaid O'Raigillig, East Breifne: ↑1327 or 1330
Matha son of Gilla-Isa O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1304
Mael Sechlainn O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1328
Richard [Risderd] O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1349–1346 or 1349
Cu Chonnacht O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1362 or 1365 (resigned) – son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
Philip O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1365–1366/69 (deposed) – son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
Magnus O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1366/69–1366/69 (deposed)
Philip O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1366/69–1384 – son of Gilla-Isu Ruaid
Thomas, son of Mathgamain Ua Raighillaigh, king of Muinter-Mailmordha: 1384–1390
John, son of Philip O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1390–1400 – son of Philip, son of Gilla-Isa-Ruaid
Gilla-Isa son of Anrig O'Raigillig, East Breifne: 1400–1400
Maelmordha, son of Cuconnaught O'Reilly, Muintir Reilly: 1403–1411 – son of Cu Chonnacht, son of Gilla-Isa Ruaid
Richard, son of Thomas O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1411–1418
Owen, son of John O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1418–1449
Farrell, son of Thomas O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450 (deposed) – (AM1450)
John, son of Owen O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1450–1460 – son of Owen, son of John, son of Philip, son of Gilla-Isa-Roe
Cathal O'Reilly, Muintir-Maelmordha: 1467
Turlough, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1468–1487 – son of John, son of Owen
John, son of Turlough O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1487–1491
John, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1491–1510 – son of Cathal, son of Owen son of John
Hugh, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1514
Owen, son of Cathal O'Reilly, East Breifne:1526
Farrell, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifne & Conmaicne: 1526–1536 – son of John, son of Cathal
Maelmordha, son of John O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1537–1565 – son of John, son of Cathal
Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1583 – son of Maelmordha, son of John
John Roe, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1583–1596
Philip, son of Hugh O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1596–1596
Edmond, son of Maelmordha O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1596–1601 – son of Maelmordha, son of John, son of Cathal
Owen, son of Hugh Conallagh O'Reilly, East Breifne: 1601–1609
Modern Breifne
The Prince of Breifne is a courtesy title given to the Chieftain O'Rourke in 1994 by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland. In 2003, however, the Chief Herald stopped giving out courtesy titles due to a scandal over the MacCarthy Mór.
Princes of Breifne
Geoffrey Philip Colmb O'Rorke, Chieftain O'Rourke, Prince from 1994 to the current.
Joseph Martin O'Reilly, Chieftain O'Reilly, Self appointed prince from 2017 to the current as Lord of East Breifne. Mr Martin comes from the line of Breifne O’Reilly, from the specific place (in Cavan) of that Royal House. He is a senior member of the noble/royal family O’Reilly of Breifne (Breifne Ua Raighaillaigh) and is an approved member of several royal/noble courts around the world.
^Tristram, Hildegard L.C., ed. (26–27 July 2007). "The Celtic Languages in Contact"(PDF). Potsdam University Press. Retrieved 10 December 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Martin; Moody (1984). A New History of Ireland. Vol. IX.
O'Reillys of East Breifne: O Raghalliagh, Kings of Muintir Maoilmhordha, a.1161–1607. pp. 229–230. in Martin; Moody (1984)
O Ruairc, Kings of Breifne, a.1128–1605. pp. 228–229. in Martin; Moody (1984)
O'Duignan, Manus. (late 14th century). Book of Ballymote. On microfilm in Irish national archives.
Keating, Geoffrey (1632). Forus Feasa ar Erinn [The History of Ireland] (PDF). Comyn, Edward and Dinneen, Patrick S. (trans.). Ex-Classics Project. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
