This article lists the rulers of Tyrone (

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

: ''

Tír Eoghain Tír Eoghain (), also known as Tyrone, was a kingdom and later earldom of Gaelic Ireland, comprising parts of present-day County Tyrone, County Armagh, County Londonderry and County Donegal (Raphoe). The kingdom represented the core homeland of ...

'') from 1185 to 1616. They are listed from their date of accession to date of death, unless otherwise stated. Prior to this, the ruling dynasty - the

Cenél nEógain Cenél is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history *Cenél nEógain (in English, Cenel Eogan) is ...

- were most of the

kings of Ailech The Kings of Ailech were the over-kings of the medieval Irish province of Ailech in north-western Ireland. It encompassed the territories of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill. After the battle of Cloítech in 789 its kings were exclusively ...

. During the tenth and eleventh centuries, two main septs within the dynasty emerged; the

Meic Lochlainn The Meic Lochlann, also spelt as Mic Lochlainn, and Mac Lochlainn, were a leading branch of the Cenél nEógain, who were in turn a segment of the Uí Néill. The Meic Lochlainn descended from Domnall Dabaill (died 915), son of Áed Findliath. Ano ...

and the

O'Neill The O'Neill dynasty (Irish: ''Ó Néill'') are a lineage of Irish Gaelic origin, that held prominent positions and titles in Ireland and elsewhere. As kings of Cenél nEógain, they were historically the most prominent family of the Northern ...

. The latter family pushed aside the Meic Lochlainn, and from 1241 onwards the kingdom was ruled exclusively by members of the O'Neill family. For the offshoot Clandeboye O'Neill kingdom, distinct from Tyrone, that was ruled by the descendants of Hugh Boy O'Neill, see

List of rulers of Clandeboye This article lists the rulers of Clandeboye (Irish: ''Clann Aodha Buídhe''), a Gaelic ''túath'' located in the eastern part of Ulster in the north of Ireland. They are listed from their date of ascension to date of death, unless otherwise stated ...

Kings of Tyrone, 1185—1607

, - , Domhnall mac Aodha Mac Lochlainn
1185–1186
1187–1188
, , , , Son of Aodh Mac Lochlainn, , ''unknown'', , 1188 , - ,

Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh Roderick O'Flaherty ( ga, Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh; 1629–1718 or 1716) was an Irish historian. Biography He was born in County Galway and inherited Moycullen Castle and estate. O'Flaherty was the last ''de jure'' Lord of Iar Connacht, a ...

1186–1187
, , O'Flaherty

, , Son of Aodh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, , ''unknown'', , 1197 , - , Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn
1188–1196
, , , , Son of

Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn Muircheartach Mac Lochlainn (old spelling: Muirchertach mac Lochlainn, IPA: �mˠɪɾʲəçəɾˠt̪ˠəxmˠəkˈlɔxlən̪ʲ was king of Tír Eoghain, and High King of Ireland from around 1156 until his death in 1166. He succeeded Toirdhealbha ...

, , ''unknown'', , 1196 , - , Aodh Méith mac Aodha O'Neill
1196–1201
1201–1230
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Aodh an Macaoimh Tóinleasg O'Neill, , Bean-Midhe, , 1230 , - , Conchobhar Beg mac Conchobhair Mac Lochlainn
1201
, , , , Son of Conchobar mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn son of

, , ''unknown'', , 1201 , - , Niall Ruadh mac Aodha O'Neill
1230
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Aodh an Macaoimh Tóinleasg O'Neill, , Nuala O'Connor, , 1235 , - , Domhnall mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn
1230–1232
1235–1238
1239–1241
, , , , Son of Muirchertach Mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn son of

, , ''unknown'', , 1241 , - , Domhnall Óg mac Aodha Méith O'Neill
1232–1235
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Aodh Méith mac Aodha O'Neill, , ''unknown'', , 1235 , - , Brian Chatha an Dúna O'Neill
1238–1239
1241–1260
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Niall Ruadh mac Aodha O'Neill and Nuala O'Connor, , ''unknown'', , 16 May 1260 , - ,

Hugh Boy O'Neill Hugh Boy O'Neill (Irish: ''Aed Buide Ó Néill'') was the last ruler of the Cenél nEógain to be styled as king of Ailech and was the eponymous ancestor of the Clandeboye O'Neill's in medieval Ireland. The son of Donnell Og O'Neill, he succeede ...

1260–1261
1263–1283
, , O'Neill of Clanaboy

, , Son of Domhnall Óg mac Aodha Méith O'Neill , , ''unknown'', , 1283 , - ,

Niall Culanach O'Neill Niall Culanach O'Neill (Irish: ''Niall Cúlánach Ó Néill'') () was a king of Tyrone in medieval Ireland on three occasions between 1261 and 1291. His nickname ''Culánach'', also anglicised as Culanagh, meant "of the long back hair". The son ...

1261–1263
1286–1290
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Domhnall Óg mac Aodha Méith O'Neill , , ''unknown'', , 1290 , - , Domhnall O'Neill
1283–1286
1290–1291
1295–1325
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Brian O'Neill , , Gormhflaith O'Donnell, , 1325 , - , Brian O'Neill
1291–1295
, , O'Neill of Clanaboy

, , Son of

and Eleanor de Angulo , , ''unknown'', , 1295 , - ,

Henry O'Neill Henry O'Neill (August 10, 1891 – May 18, 1961) was an American film actor known for playing gray-haired fathers, lawyers, and similarly dignified roles during the 1930s and 1940s. Early years He was born in Orange, New Jersey. Career ...

Also King of Clandeboye.
1325–1345
, , O'Neill of Clanaboy

, , Son of Brian O'Neill, , ''unknown'', , 1347 , - , Aodh Reamhair O'Neill
1345–1364
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Domhnall O'Neill and Gormflaith O'Donnell, , ''unknown'', , 1364 , - , Niall Mór mac Aodha Reamhair O'NeillAlso styled as

King of Ulster The King of Ulster (Old Irish: ''Rí Ulad'', Modern Irish: ''Rí Uladh'') also known as the King of Ulaid and King of the Ulaid, was any of the kings of the Irish provincial over-kingdom of Ulaid. The title rí in Chóicid, which means "king of ...

1364.
1364–1397
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Aodh Reamhair O'Neill, , ''unknown'', , 1398 , - , Niall Óg mac Néill O'Neill
1397–1402
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Niall Mór mac Aodha Reamhair O'Neill , , Una O'Neil, , 1403 , - , Brian Óg mac Néill Óg O'Neill
1402–1403
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Niall Óg mac Néill O'Neill and Una O'Neill, , ''unknown'', , 1403 , - , Domhnall mac Éinri Aimhreidh O'Neill
1404–1410
1414–1419
1421–1432
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Éinri Aimhreidh O'Neill son of Niall Mór O'Neill, , ''unknown'' , , 1410 , - , Eoghan mac Néill Óg O'Neill
1410–1414
1419–1421
1432–1455
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Niall Óg mac Néill O'Neill and Una O'Neill, , Catherine MacMahon , , 1456 , - , Éinri mac Eoghain O'Neill
1455–1483
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Eoghan mac Néill Óg O'Neill, , Gormhflaith MacMurrough-Kavanagh , , 1484 , - , Conn Mór mac Éinri O'Neill
1483–1493
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Éinri mac Eoghain O'Neill and Gormhflaith MacMurrough-Kavanagh, , Cumach O'Cahan
Eleanor FitzGerald , , 8 January 1493 , - , Éinri Óg mac Éinri O'Neill
1493–1498
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Éinri mac Eoghain O'Neill and Gormhflaith MacMurrough-Kavanagh, , ''unknown'' , , 21 August 1498 , - , Domhnall Clarach O'Neill
1498–1509
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , Son of Éinri mac Eoghain O'Neill and Gormhflaith MacMurrough-Kavanagh, , ''unknown'' , , 6 August 1509 , - , Art mac Aodh O'Neill
1509–1513
, , O'Neill_Coat_of_arms

, , Son of Aodh O'Neill of the Fews son of Eoghan mac Néill Óg O'Neill, , ''unknown'' , , 1513 , - ,

Art Oge O'Neill Art Oge O'Neill (Irish: ''Art Óg Ó Néill'') was a member of the O'Neill Dynasty of Tír Eoghain, Ulster, in medieval Ireland during the early Tudor era. In 1513 he became head of the O'Neills, holding the position until 1519 when he was succe ...

1513–1519
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , 1470
Son of Conn Mór mac Éinri O'Neill and Cumach O'Cahan, , ''unknown'' , , 1519 , - ,

Conn Bacagh O'Neill Conn Bacagh O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone (Irish: ''Conn Bacach mac Cuinn Ó Néill'') (c. 1480–1559), was king of Tyrone. In 1541 O'Neill travelled to England to submit to Henry VIII as part of the surrender and regrant policy that coincided ...

1519–1558
, , O'Neill Tyrone

, , 1484
Son of Conn Mór mac Éinri O'Neill and Eleanor FitzGerald , , Alice FitzGerald
Sorcha O'Neill , , 16 July 1559 , - , Shane O'Neill
1559–1567
, , MacShane

, , 1530
Son of

Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone Conn Bacagh O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone (Irish: ''Conn Bacach mac Cuinn Ó Néill'') (c. 1480–1559), was king of Tyrone. In 1541 O'Neill travelled to England to submit to Henry VIII as part of the surrender and regrant policy that coincided ...

and Alice FitzGerald , , Catherine McDonnell
Margaret O'Donnell
Catherine MacLean , , 2 June 1567

Cushendun Cushendun () is a small coastal village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It sits off the A2 coast road between Cushendall and Ballycastle. It has a sheltered harbour and lies at the mouth of the River Dun and Glendun, one of the nine Glens ...

, - ,

Turlough Luineach O'Neill Sir Turlough Lynagh O'Neill (Irish: ''Sir Toirdhealbhach Luineach mac Néill Chonnalaigh Ó Néill''; 1532 – September, 1595) was an Irish Gaelic lord of Tír Eoghain in early modern Ireland. He was inaugurated upon Shane O’Neill’s death, ...

1567–1593
, , 2052 O'Neill 1574

, , 1532
Son of Niall Connellagh O'Neill son of

, ,

Agnes Campbell Lady Agnes Campbell (1526–1601) was the daughter of The 3rd Earl of Argyll and his wife, Lady Jean Gordon, daughter of The 3rd Earl of Huntly. She was likely born at Inveraray Castle. Her sister, Elizabeth, married The 1st Earl of Moray, an ...

, , 10 September 1595 , - , Hugh O'Neill
1593–1607
, , Hugh O'Neill, 1608

, , 1550
Son of

Matthew O'Neill, 1st Baron Dungannon Matthew O'Neill, 1st Baron Dungannon (alias ''Matthew Kelly'', alias ''Feardorcha Ó Néill''; 1520–1558), was an Irish aristocrat. He was accepted by Conn O'Neill as his natural son. Matthew was challenged by his half-brother Shane O'Neill ...

and Alison Roth (legitimised son of

) , , Katherine O'Neill
Siobhán O'Donnell

Mabel Bagenal Mabel Bagenal ( – December 1595) was an Anglo-Irish noblewoman and Countess of Tyrone, often referred to simplistically as the " Helen of the Elizabethan Wars". Life Mabel Bagenal was born around 1571 in Newry. She was the youngest child o ...

Katherine Magennis , , 20 July 1616

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, - It could also be argued that Conn Bacach had taken the title

Earl of Tyrone The Earl of Tyrone is a title created three times in the Peerage of Ireland. It was first created as part of the Tudor attempt to establish a uniform social structure in Ireland by converting the Gaelic kings and chiefs into hereditary nobles of t ...

in 1542, as part of the process of

surrender and regrant During the Tudor conquest of Ireland (c.1540–1603), "surrender and regrant" was the legal mechanism by which Irish clans were to be converted from a power structure rooted in clan and kin loyalties, to a late-feudal system under the English l ...

, and in the process had waived his title. Whether he could waive it without consulting his clan ''

derbfine The derbfine ( ; ga, dearbhfhine , from ''derb'' 'real' + ''fine'' 'group of persons of the same family or kindred', thus literally 'true kin'electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language s.vderbḟine/ref>) was a term for patrilineal groups and po ...

'' is part of this debate. Conn Bacach's grandson Hugh was not proclaimed king at Tullyhogue in 1593, but assumed the title after arranging to pay Turlough Luineach an annuity.

References

Bibliography

* "Kings of Tír Eógain and Earls of Tyrone, 1185-1616", pages 211-213, "A New History of Ireland", Volume 9: Maps, Genealogies, Lists; A Companion to Irish History Part II", edited by

T. W. Moody Theodore William Moody (26 November 1907 – 11 February 1984) was a historian from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Background Early life Moody was born in Belfast, to a poor family who made their living from dressmaking and iron turning and wa ...

, F.X. Martin, F.J. Byrne, Oxford, 1984. {{DEFAULTSORT:Kings Of Tyrone Tyrone Meic Lochlainn O'Neill dynasty

Kings of Tyrone, 1185—1607

See also

References

Bibliography