Muirchertach Ceannfada O'Neill (
Irish: ''Muirchertach Ceannfada Ó Néill''), also known as Murtagh O'Neill and Maurice O'Neill, was a
lord of Clandeboye in
medieval Ireland
Ireland in the Middle Ages may refer to:
* History of Ireland (400–800), Ireland in the early Middle Ages
*History of Ireland (800–1169), Ireland in the high Middle Ages
*History of Ireland (1169–1536), Ireland in the late Middle Ages
See a ...
. He succeeded his father,
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 ...
, to the kingship of Clandeboye after his death in 1347. In 1354 his forces along with the English inflicted a heavy defeat on
Áed Remar O'Neill
Aodh ( , , ; sga, Áed) is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic male given name, originally meaning "fire".The modern word ''aodh'' meaning 'inflammation' or as a phrase with the Irish word for 'itch' (''tochas''), giving ''aodh thochais'', 'burning itc ...
, king of Tyrone.
It was during Muirchertach's reign that the Clandeboye O'Neills seem to have come into possession of large tracts of land in modern-day
County Antrim
County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, ) is one of six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of and has a population o ...
,
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
. These lands primarily belonged to the O'Lynn kingdom of
Uí Tuirtre. In 1359 O'Neill's uncle Hugh killed the
tanist of Uí Tuirtre, Murtagh O'Lynn.
In 1368 the king of Uí Tuirtre, Thomas O'Lynn, died.
After this the O'Lynn's appear to have been removed from the kingship.
O'Neill reigned until his own death in 1395 and was succeeded by his son
Brian Ballagh O'Neill. Another son,
Henry Caoach O'Neill, would unsuccessfully contend for the lordship after Brian's death in 1425.
O'Neill's nickname ''ceannfada'' (English: "Kennedy") meant long-headed or prudent.
References
Clandeboye
14th-century Irish monarchs
O'Neill dynasty
1395 deaths
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