Battlefield in Killoughy

The Two Battles of Caill na gCrann (Killmore), 1213 - summary by Dr Gavin Hughes. This is a slightly confusing engagement as it appears that there were two battles fought here, a year or so apart, both between the armies of Cormac Mac Art Ó Maoilsheachlainn and the Anglo-Normans. The primary sources for the battles are found in the Annals of Ulster (Mac Carthy 1893, vol. 2, 255), the Annals of Loch Cé (Hennessy 1871, vol. 1, 247-9, 251), the Annals of Clonmacnoise (Murphy 1896, 225-7), the Miscellaneous Irish Annals (Ó hInnse 1947, 91) and the Annals of the Four Masters (O’Donovan 1848-51, vol. 3, 173-5). Following the visit of Prince John in 1185 and his granting of lands in Munster as lord of Ireland, a period of Anglo-Norman expansion began. Similarly, after his second visit, this time as King in 1210, a second expansion occurred into the midlands and further afield. However, in tandem with these new grants of lands and influence, as a guard against the growing power of the Anglo-Norman barons Hugh and Walter de Lacy, the lordships of Meath and Ulster came back into Crown control. At the same time Meilyr FitzHenry was replaced as justiciar by John de Grey (the Bishop of Norwich), whilst Geoffrey de Marisco and Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald led the Anglo-Normans of Munster into Connacht. They were joined by Donnchadh Cairbreach Ó Briain, king of Thomond and newly created Lord of Carrigogunnel. Instead of halting these forces on the battlefield, Cathal Croibhdhearg Ó Conchobhair, king of Connacht, went to Athlone, the seat of the justiciar, to negotiate with John de Grey directly. As a result of the negotiations, which were subsequently officially formalised in the Peace of Athlone treaty in September 1215, Ó Conchobhair agreed to acknowledge King John as overlord and gave his son, Toirdhealbhach, as hostage. As such, the Crown recognised Ó Conchobhair’s authority over all Connacht (with the exception of Athlone) and his right to administer the kingdom as he saw fit. Whilst the treaty suited the great Irish lords such as Ó Conchobhair and Ó Briain, the minor Gaelic lords were deeply aggrieved. Foremost among their number was Cormac Mac Art Ó Maoilsheachlainn (of the lordship of Meath), whose uncle, Maoilsheachlainn Beg, ruled Delvin Mac Coghlan and the baronies of Ballycowan, Ballyboy and Eglish (parts of modern County Offaly). Whilst the treaty seemed to suit his uncle, Cormac was vehemently opposed to any Anglo-Norman interference in their territory and from c. 1211 to 1214 he waged a near-constant campaign against them. Unfortunately, the annals do not agree on the date of the battles at Caill na gCrann and record them for three successive years. However, using diagnostic scholarship, it is thought that there were two separate battles, fought in consecutive years. As three of the four annals concur on a number of vital points, it would strongly suggest that the dates are 1212 and 1213. It seems likely that the Annals of Clonmacnoise (Murphy 1896, 225-7) recorded the two battles one year earlier than they were possibly fought. The location of the engagements (the Wood of the High Trees) is considered to be Killmore in the parish of Killoughy, the barony of Ballyboy, in modern County Offaly. It seems unlikely to be able to clarify the size of either army - in either battle - although the sources certainly imply that both clashes were substantial engagements. In both battles Cormac figures prominently as the main protagonist, beginning the south-west Meath campaign as a result of the concessions in the Peace of Athlone. The later (and sometimes unreliable) Annals of the Four Masters (O’Donovan 1848-51, vol. 3, 173-5) also suggest the participation of another Gaelic lord, ‘Hugh, son of Conor Moinmoy’. With regards to the first battle, in 1212, the Anglo-Norman army was led by the Justiciar John de Grey. According to the Annals of Loch Cé (Hennessy 1871, vol. 1, 247-9, 251) and the Annals of Clonmacnoise (Murphy 1896, 225-7), he led the Leinster Anglo-Norman contingent and was reinforced by another Anglo-Norman force from Munster, supported by Ó Briain, suggesting that de Marisco and FitzMaurice FitzGerald may also have participated in this battle. Despite the presence of the two forces, Cormac was still able to achieve a notable victory and take considerable plunder from the defeated Anglo-Normans. As with army size, the annals do not record the losses sustained during this first engagement. Prior to July 1213 de Grey had gone back to England and he was not replaced by his successor, Henry of London, until August. As such, it is thought that de Marisco acted as temporary justiciar and evidence for his presence at the second battle at Caill na gCrann is provided by the Annals of Clonmacnoise (Murphy 1896, 225-7). This states that 'Jeffrey March' killed Melathlen McCahill Carragh O’Connor and it appears that other knights present in the battle included Perris Messatt (Ferrus Mersey), Walter Dunel and William Howard. Again, this sizable force, described as the ‘greatest force’ of Anglo-Norman Meath, engaged Cormac but suffered a defeat (ibid.) They fled the battlefield and Cormac captured cattle, valuables and even the Anglo-Normans' war-horses and mail-shirts. The casualty list for the second battle is more forthcoming in that a number of named individuals are listed. The annals recorded that Perris Messatt, Walter Dunel (Hennessy 1871, vol. 1, 249), William Howard and two sons of Leyunie Wanie (Murphy 1896, 226-7) were slain, whilst on the Irish side, Domhnall, son of Domhnall Bregach Ó Maoilsheachlainn (of Meath) (Hennessy 1871, vol. 1, 249) and Maoilsheachlainn Mac Cathal Carragh Ó Conchobhair (of Connacht)(Murphy 1896, 226-7) were killed. In the aftermath, Cormac pursued the Anglo-Normans to ‘Kilbefan’ abbey, which the Annals of Clonmacnoise (ibid.) identify as Beallaghmonie ne Sirrhidye. If the battle was fought in Killoughy, then this site is probably the Cistercian abbey (WM038-017007-) at Kilbeggan, in modern County Westmeath. Of the two engagements, the second at Caill na gCrann was probaly the more significant battle, as Cormac inflicted a severe defeat on the Anglo-Normans and carried off much vital plunder and provisions. Indeed, Cormac's campaign against their towns, settlements and castles was to continue apace throughout 1214. Compiled by: Olive Alcock based on summary by Dr Gavin Hughes Date of upload: 14 August 2023