About the McConvilles
The Annals of Ulster were compiled and written by Ruaidhri O'Luinin for Cathal MacMaghnusa from sometime in the late 15th century until 1489. Work on the Annals, for Cathal MacMaghnusa, was continued by two other scribes until 1510. The text was supplemented until 1588.
Portions of the text are attributed to various sources. The 1st part of the "post Patrician" portion is considered to have been written by an "Ionain source". Other portions of the text have less clear origins.
The Annals have been cross-referenced to a number of Irish and other histories and chronicles. Although the actual years are off by 1, the Annals are considered to be historically accurate. The Annals have also been used as the basis of studies of the Irish language. The earlier parts have show the aspects of the transition from Old Irish to Middle Irish and the later parts show the transition from Middle Irish to Modern Irish. Note: This perhaps explains a completely new spelling for Conmhaoil which we discover by cross-referencing to entries in the Annals of the Four Masters.
The translation that we have used here was done by Sean MacAirt and Gearoid MacNiocaill and only covers Volume I, from 431 to 1131. There is another earlier and complete translation that was done Hennessy and McCarthy. The Hennessy version has been criticized for a lack of scholarship.
The use of square brackets [ ] is the work of the translators to indicate blanks in the manuscripts or for editorial interpolations. The use of parentheses () is ours to indicate text from a footnote and when empty to indicate a footnote exists that references other works. The lone question mark is the translators.
1. Kalends of January second feria, nineteenth or twentieth of the moon. AD 646. ,,,
2. ...
3. The battle of Colgu [by Congal Cendfada son of Dunchad] son of
Crunnmael Bolg Luatha, king of Ui Chennselaigh.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 655. The battle (of Flescach) of
Cumascach (king of the Ui Crimthann) son of Ailil, in which he
fell. Crunnmael (king of Cenel Eogain) son of Suibne was victor.
2. ...
3. ...
4. Death of Crunnmael (king of Laigin Desgabair) Erbolg son of
Ronan, king of Laigin.
1. Kalends of January sixth feria, first of the moon. AD 667.
The plague still in Ireland.
2. The battle of Aine between the Araid and the Ui Fhidgeinti, in
which Eogan () son of Crunnmael, fell.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 670. ...
2. Fergus son of Crunnmael dies.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 672. ...
2. ...
3. The capture of Elen son of Corp, and of {?} Conamail son of
Cano; and Cormac [son] of Mael Fothartaig, dies.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 699. ...
2. ...
5. Aurthuile, grandson of Crunnmael, was expelled from the kingship,
and proceeds, to Britain.
6. ...
7. Flann the Fair (king) of the Cenel Eogain, son of Mael Tuile
grandson of Crunnmael i.e. son of Suibne Menn, dies.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 704. ...
2. ...
4. The killing of Conamail son of Canu.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 709. Conamail (Oct. 8, Sept 11) son of Failbe, abbot of I, rests.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 729. ...
2. ...
5. Suibne () alais son of Crunnmael, grandson of Mruichesach, bishop
of Ard Macha, Mac Onchon, scribe of Cell Dara, the Gaul () from
Lilach, and the son of Cu Chumba, scribe of Cluian Moccu Nois,
fell asleep.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 736. ...
2. ...
3. Death of Fianamail son of Gerthine (), abbot of Cluain Iraird,
and the death of Crunnmael () son of Colgu, abbot of Lusca.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 737. ...
2. ...
3. Conmal () grandson of Lochene, abbot of Cluain Moccu Nois, rests.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 737. ...
2. ...
6. Flann son of Cellach son of Crunnmael, bishop of Rechrann, dies.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 769. ...
2. ...
12. Bishop Crunnmael, abbot of Cell Mor Einir, rested.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 782. ...
2. Aengus son of Crunnmael, (above 736) abbot of Dam Liac, and Aillil
grandson of Tipraite, and ... all died.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 783. ...
2. ... and Conall son of Crunnmael, (above 736) abbot of Lusca, and
Cu Gammna () son of Naenennnach, king of Cenel Cairpri - all died.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 792. Dub da Leithe (Seanchas Ardmhacha) son of Sinach, abbot of Ard Macha, Crunnmael of Druim Inasclan, abbot of Cluain Iraird, ... died.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 796. ...
2. ... and Crunnmael son of Fer da Crich and ... all died.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 799. ...
2. ...
7. An overthrow in a battle in the Mag Lingsen between the Airthir
themselves, in which Mael Ochtraig, abbot of Daire Eidnech, and
Conmal son of Cernach fell.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 818. ...
2. ...
6. Crunnmael son of Ailill, superior of Dam Liac, and Muiredach son
of Crunnmael, abbot of Disert Teornoc, died.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 820. Crunnmael son of Odran, abbot of Cluain Iraird, died
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 826. ...
2. ...
7. Maenach son of Crunnmael, prior of Fir Rios, dies
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 864. A solar eclipse on the Kalends [1st]
of January, (of magnitude 1.00) and a lunar eclipse in the same month.
2. ...
6. Conmal, steward of Tamlacht, and Tuathal son of Artgus, chief bishop of
Foirtriu and abbot of Dun Caillen, fell asleep.
1. Kalends of January [ ]. AD 932 alias 933. Fergal son of Domnall son of Aed and Sicfrith son of Uathmaran, i.e. the son of Domnall's daughter, inflicted a rout on Muirchertach son of Niall and on Conaing in Mag Uatha, where fell Maelgarb, (son of Gairbith) king of Derlas, and Conmal, (son of Bruatturan) king of Tuath Achaidh, and two hundred [others].