The Coleman Lineage
When I visited Ireland in the September of 2002, I spent some time at the Reference Department or Archives of the Thurles Library in County Tipperary studying John O'Hart's Irish Pedigrees or the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. The first edition of this work, which is probably the best known Irish genealogical publication in the world, appeared in 1876 and was followed by several subsequent editions that added greatly to its overall size.
John O'Hart was born in Crossmolina, County Mayo, in 1824. He was both an Irish nationalist and committed Catholic, and both of these factors permeated his work. The principal sources for the information in his book were Gaelic genealogies like those of O'Clery, MacFirbis and O'Farrell. Using the Gaelic annals and especially the Annals of the Four Masters, O'Hart was able to reconstruct many medieval and ancient Irish pedigrees, although it should be noted that he was obviously unaware of the existence of many other equally important Irish vellums. He died in 1902 in Clontarf, County Dublin at the age of 78. The following information is taken from his book which contains over 1000 genealogies and many appendixes of additional information.
ROLL OF THE MONARCHS OF IRELAND
since the Milesian Conquest
NAMES Of the one hundred and eighty-four Kings* or Monarchs Of Ireland, from the conquest thereof by the Milesian Nation, Anno Mundi, 3,500, down to Roderick O'Connor, the Monarch of Ireland, A.D. 1186: a period which embraces two thousand eight hundred and eighty-five years. The date opposite each name tells the year in which the Monarch began to reign:-
Before Christ
| 1.H. Heber and Heremon , jointly, began to reign A.M. 3,500; or .................... 2. E. Heremon, alone ................ 3. E. Muimne........Three Brothers 4. E. Luighne 5. E. Laighean 6. H. Er........ Four brothers 7. H. Orba 8. H. Feron 9. H. Fergua 10. E. Irial Faidh 11. E. Eithrial 12. H. Conmaol 13. E. Tighearnas 14. L. Eochaidh Edghothach 15. 1. Cearmna .......Brothers 16. 1. Sobhrach 17. H. Eochaidh Faobhar-glas 18. E. Fiacha Lamhraein 19. H. Eochaidh Mumha 20. E. Aongus (or Æneas) Ollmucach 21. H. Eanna Airgthach 22. E. Rotheacta 23. 1. Seidnae 24. 1. Fiacha Fionn-Scothach 25. H. Munmoin 26. H. Fualdergoid 27. I. Ollamh Fodhla, A.M. 3882 28. 1. Finachta Fionn-sneachta 29. 1. Slanol |
1699
1680 1492 |
*Kings: As the kings descended from Heber, Ir and Heremon (the three sons of Milesius of Spain who left any issue), as well as those descended from their relative Lughaidh, the son of Ithe, were all eligible for the Monarchy, the letter H, E, I or L, is employed in the foregoing Roll of the Monarchs of Ireland, before the name of each Monarch there given, to distinguish his lineal descent. Thus H, E, and I refer to the three brothers Heber. Heremon, and Ir, respectively. H is placed before the names of the Monarchs who were descended from Heber; E before those descended from Eremon or Heremon: I before those descended from Ir; and L before those descended from Lughaidh.
Before Christ
| 30. I. Gead Ollghohach 31. I. Fiacha (3) 32. I. Bergna 33. 1.Olioll 34. E. Siorghnath Saoghalach lived 250 years and reigned 150 years 35. H. Rotheacta (2) 36. H. Eiliomb 37. E. Gialleadh 38. H. Art Imleach 39. E. Nuadhas Fiotinfail 40. H. Breas Rioghachta 41. L. Eochaidh Apach 42. I. Fionn, 43. H. Seidnae Innaraidh 44. E. Simeon Breac 45. H. Duach Fionn 46. E. Muireadach Bolgach 47. 1-1. Eanna Dearg 48. H. Lughaidh lardhoun 49. 1. Sior lamhach 50. H. Eochaidh Uarceas 51. E. Eochaidh (Brother of No. 53) 52. H. Lughaidh Lamhdearg 53. E. Conang Beag-eaglach 54. H. Art (2) 55. E. Fiacha Tolgrach 56. H. Olioll Fionn 57. H. Eochaidh(7) 58. I. Argethamar 59. E. Duach Ladhrach 60. H. Lughaidh Lagha 61. I. Aodh Ruadh, 62. I. Dithorba 63. I. Cimbath. |
1240 1180 |
These three, Nos. 61, 62, and 63, were grandchildren of Argethamar, No. 58; and they mutually agreed to reign by turns, each of them for seven years. They accordingly ruled until each of them reigned three times seven years; and Aodh Ruadh (No. 61), before it came to his fourth turn to reign, was drowned at Eas Ruadh ( Easroe), now Ballyshannon, in county Donegal (eas..Irish, a cataract; Heb. eshed, a pouring of water) ,leaving issue one daughter named Macha Mongrua, who succeeded to the Monarchy.
| 64. I. Macha Mongrua (that daughter) 65. H. Reacht Righ-dearg 66. E. Ugaine Mor (Hugony the Great) 67. E. Bancadh (survivid his elevation to the Monarchy only one day) 68. R Laeghaire Lore 69. E. Cobthach Caoil-bhreagb 70. E. Labhra Longseach 71. R Melg Molbhthach 72. H. Mo,ghcorb 73. E. Æneas Ollamh 74. E. larn Gleofathach 75. H. Feareorb 76. E. Coula Caomb 77. E. Olioll Casfiacalach 78. H. Adhamhair Foltchaion 79. E. Eochaidh Altleathan 80. E. Fergus Fortamhai 81. E. Æneas Turmeach-Teamreach 82. E. Conall Collaimrach 83. H. Niadhsedhaman 84. E. Eanna Aigneach 85. E. Crimthann Cosgrach 86. 1. Ruadhri Mor 87. H. Ionadmaor 88. 1. Bresal Bodhiobha 89. H. Lughaidh Luaighne 90. I. Congall Clareineach 91.11. Duach Dalladh-Deadha 92. I. Fachna Fathach 93. E. Eochaidh Feidlioch 94. E. Eochaidh Aireamh 95. E. Edersceal 96. E. Nuadhas Neach 97. E. Conaire Mor |
667 653 633 593 593 591 541 522 505 498 480 473 462 442 417 412 397 384 324 319 312 292 288 218 209 198 183 168 158 142 130 115 110 109 |
After the death of Conaire Mor, there was an Interregnum of five years.
| 98. E. Lughaidh Sriabh n-Dearg34 99. E. Conchobhair 8 100. E. Crimthann Niadh-Nar, 7 |
34 8 7 |
In the seventh year of this Crimthann's reign, our Lord Jesus Christ was born.
Anno Domini
| 101. - Cairbre Cean -cait* (of the Firbolg race) 102. E. Feareadach Fionnfeachtnach 103. E. Fiatach Fionn (a quo. 11 Dal Fiatach 104. E. Fiacha Fionn-Ola 105. 1. Eiliomh MacConrach 106. E. Tuathal Teachtmar 107. I. Mal MacRochraidhe |
9 14 36 39 56 76 106 |
Coan-cail : This word cean-cait (" cat," gen. " cait :" Irish, a cat ;'Gr. Vulg! kat-is," "gat-as," and "kat-a"; Lat. ,"cat-us;" It. and Span. "gat-o ;" Pr. "chat ." BeL " kat-te "; Russ. " kot-e ; Arm, " kas;" WeL and Cor. " kath ;" and Turk. " ket.i " means cat-headed Anno Domini.
| 108. E. Felim Rachtmar, 109. R Cathair Mor, 110. E Conn Ceadcatha 111. E. Conaire MacMogha Laine 112. E. Art Eanfhear* (ancestor of O'Haro) 113. L. Lughaidh Maccon 114. E. Fergus Dubh-Dheadach 115. E. Cormac Mac Art (or Cormac Ulfada) 116. E. Eoctiaidh Gunta 117. E. Cairbre Liffechar 118. L .Fothadh Airgtheach) Brothers 119. L Fothadh Cairpeach ) 120. K Fiacha Srabhteine(ancestor of O'Neill) 121. K Colla Uais (ancestor of MacUais) 122. F. Muireadach Tireach 123. 1. Caolbadh 124. E. Eochaidh Muigh Meadhoin 125. H. Crimthann (3) 126. E. Niall Mor ( Nial of the Nine Hostages) 127. F. Dathi |
110 |
All the foregoing Monarchs were Pagans; but some authors are of opinion that Nos. 112, 115, and 126 were enlightened by the Holy Spirit in the truths of Christianity. Others are of opinion that the Monarch Laeghaire, son of Niall Mor, and who is No. 128 on this Roll, died a Pagan, although reigning at the time of the advent of St. Patrick, in Ireland.
| 128. K Laeghaire MacNiall 129. E. Olioll Molt, son of Dathi 130. F- Lugbaidh; son of Laeghaire 131. E. Muirceartach Mor MacEarea, brother of Fergus Mor MacEarca, the Founder of the Milesian Monarchy in Scotland 132. E. Tuathal Maolgharbh 133. E. Dairmid, son of Fergus Cearrbheoil 134. E. Donall (1) 1 Brothers-both died of the Plague 135. E. Fergus (3) in one day 136. E. Eochaidh (13) 137. E. Boitean (1) Nephew and Uncle, 561 138. E. Anmire, 563 139. F. Boitean (2) 5 |
428 |
Art Eanfhear : It is stated in the "History of the Cemeteries," that this Monarch believed in the Faith, the day before the battle (of Magh Mucroimhe, near Athenry, where he was slain by Lughaidh Maccon, A.D. 195), and predicted the spread of Christianity. It would appear also that he had some presentiment of his death for, he directed that he should not be buried at Brugh on the (river) Boyne, the pagan cemetery of his forefathers, but at a place then called.Dumha Dergluachra (the burial mound of the red rushy place), " where Trevait (Trevet, in the county Meath) is at this day," (see Petrie's " Round Towers," page 100).-Irish Names of Places.
Anno Domini
| 140. E. Aodh (2) 567 141. R Aodh Slaine 594 |
567 594 |
Some annalists state that this Aodh Slaine was a brother of Lochan Dilmhain, who, according to the "Book of Armagh," was ancestor of Dillon; but (see the "Dillon" pedigree) Lochan Dilmhain was brother of Colman Rimidh, the next Monarch on this Roll, who reigned jointly with Aodh Slaine, for six years.
| 142. E. Colman Rimidh. 143. E. Aodh Uar-iodhnach J44. E. Mallcobh 145. E. Suimneach Meann 146. K Donall (2) 147. E. CeaIlach 148. E. Congall (3) 149. E. Diarmid (2) Reigned jointly 150. E. Bladhmhac 151. K Seachnasacb, 152. E. Ceanfail 153. E. Finachta Fleadhach 154. R Longseach 155. E. Congall (4) 156. E. Fergall 157. E. Foghartach 158. F. Ceneth 159. E. Flaithertach 160. E. Aodh Olann 161. E. Donall (3) 162. R Niall Frassach 163. E. Doncha (1) 164. F- Aodh Ornigh In this Monarch's reign the Danes* invaded Ireland. |
600 664 |
* The Danes: " Ten years with four score and seven hundred was the age of Christ when the pagans went to Ireland." The Vikings (or Danes) having been defeated in Glamorganshire in Wales, invaded Ireland, in the reign of the monarch Aodh Ornigh. In A.D. 798, they ravaged the Isle of Man, and the Hebrides in Scotland ; in 802 they burned "Hi Colum Cille ;" in 807, for the first time in Ireland, they marched inland ; in 812 and 813, they made raids in Connaught and Munster. After thirty years of this predatory warfare had continued, Turgesius, a Norwegian Prince. established himself as sovereign of the Vikings, and made Armagh his head quarters, A.D. 830. Sometimes the Danish Chiefs mustered all their forces and left the island for a brief period, to ravage the shores of England, or Scotland; but, wild, brave, and cruel, they soon returned io inflict new barbarities on the unfortunate Irish. Turgesius appropriated the abbeys and churches of the country; and placed an abbot of his own in every monastery. A Danish captain was placed in charge of each village ; and each family was obliged to maintain a soldier of that nation, who made himself master of the house, using and wasting the food, for lack of which the children of the lawful owners were often dying of hunger. All education was strictly forbidden: books and manuscripts were burned and "drowned"; and the poets , historians, and musicians, imprisoned and driven to the woods and mountains. Martial sports were interdicted, from the lowest to the highest rank; even nobles and princes were forbidden to wear. By A.D. 948, the Danes were converted to Christianity; and at that time possessed many of the sea-coast towns of Ireland-including Dublin, Limerick, Wexford, and Waterford.
Anno Domini
| 165. E. Conchobhair (2) 166. E. Niall Caille 167. E. Malachi I 168. E. Aodh Fionnliath 169. E. Flann Sionnach (ancestor of Fox) 170. E. Niall Glundubh (aquo O'Neill) 171. E. Doncha (2) 172. E. Congall 173. E. Donall (4) 174. E. Malachi I1. (ancestor of 0'Melaghlin) |
817 831 844 860 876 914 917 942 954 978 |
Malachi the Second was the last absolute Monarch of Ireland. He reigned as Monarch twenty-four years before the accession to the Monarchy of Brian Boroimhe [Boru], and again after Brian's death, which took place A.D. 1014, at the Battle of Clontarf.
| 175. H. Brian Boroimhe (ancestor of and aquo O'Brien) | 1001 |
After Brian's death, Malachi II was restored to the Monarchy in 1014. After nine years' reign, Malachi died a penitent at Cro Inis (or the " Cell on the Island"), upon Loch Annin in Westmeath, A.D. 1023 ; being the forty-eighth Christian King of Ireland, and accounted the last absolute Monarch of the Milesian or Scottish (Irish) line: the provincial Kings and Princes always after contesting, fighting, and quarrelling for the sovereignty, until they put all into confusion, and that the King of Leinster brought in King Henry the Second to assist him against his enemies.
Those and such as our histories mention to have assumed the name and title of Monarchs of Ireland, without the general consent of the major part of the Kingdom, are as follows.-
| 176. H. Doncha (or Donough) | 1022 |
| 177. E. Diarmid (3), or Dermod |
| 178. H. Tirloch O'Brien | 1074 |
| 179. E. Donall MacLoghlin, son of Ardgal, King Aileach, was styled Monarch, and ruled alone for twelve years; began to reign. 180. H. Muirceartach O'Brien, King of Munster, was, from 1098 up to his death, A.D. 1119, jointly in the Monarchy with Donall MacLoghlin Donll reigned alone, after the death of Muirceartach O'Brien, to his own death, A.D. 1121; began to reign alone the second time, and reigned two years. From Donall's death, A.D. 1121, to A.D. 1136, though many contested, yet, for fifteen years, none assumed the title of Monarch. |
1086
|
| 181. E. Tirloch Mor O'Connor, King of Connaught for fifty years, and Monarch from A.D 182. E. Muircearth MacLoghlin, grandson of Donal (No. 179, above), was styled Monarch from A.D 183. E. Roderick O'Connor,* 184. (E. Brian O'Neill ** No. 113 on the O'Neill" pedigree 1258) |
1136 1156 1166 |
** Brian O'Neill: It is worthy of remark that at A.D. 1258, the Four Masters mention that " Hugh, the son of Felim O'Connor, and Teige O'Brien, marched with a great force to Caol Uisge (near Newry), to hold a conference with Brian O'Neill where the foregoing chiefs, after making peace with each other, granted him the sovereignty over the Irish." And, two years later, at the Battle of Down, this Brian gallantly laid down his life in defence of the Kingdom of Ireland, which he claimed to govern. (See D'Arcy MeGeel's History of Ireland, Vol. I., p. 208.) Again, the Four Masters, at A.D. 1260, in giving the names of the killed at the Battle of Drom Deirg, mention Brian O'Neill as " Chief Ruler of Ireland.". In his letter to Pope John XXI1, Donal, the son of the said Brian, says he is " Donald O'Neill King of Ulster, and by hereditary right lawful heir to the throne of Ireland." — See Connellan's " Four Masters", p. 722.