Éile (; , ), commonly anglicised as Ely, was a medieval

petty kingdom A petty kingdom is a kingdom described as minor or "petty" (from the French 'petit' meaning small) by contrast to an empire or unified kingdom that either preceded or succeeded it (e.g. the numerous kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England unified into t ...

in the southern part of the modern

county A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...

of Offaly and parts of North Tipperary in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. The historic

barony Barony may refer to: * Barony, the peerage, office of, or territory held by a baron * Barony, the title and land held in fealty by a feudal baron * Barony (county division), a type of administrative or geographical division in parts of the British ...

of Eliogarty was once a significant portion of the kingdom.

Overview

The clan or people of Éile claimed descent from

Cian In Irish mythology, Cian or Cían (), nicknamed Scal Balb, was the son of Dian Cecht, the physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and best known as the father of Lugh Lamhfada. Cían's brothers were Cu, Cethen, and Miach. Cían was slain by th ...

, a younger son of Ailill Aulom and brother of Eógan Mór, and thus had kinship with the

Eóganachta The Eóganachta (Modern , ) were an Irish dynasty centred on Rock of Cashel, Cashel which dominated southern Ireland (namely the Kingdom of Munster) from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of De ...

. It has been suggested that the Éile were actually of

Laigin The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin (), were a Gaelic population group of early Ireland. They gave their name to the Kingdom of Leinster, which in the medieval era was known in Irish as ''Cóiced Laigen'', meaning "Fifth/province of the Leinste ...

origin, and that they may in fact have been the rulers of the Cashel area before the rise of the Eóganachta, as suggested by their role in Eóganachta origin tales, such as the '' Senchas Fagbála Caisil''. Their name is also associated with ''Cruachán Brí Éile'' the original name of Croghan Hill. Historian C. Thomas Cairney, stated that the Ely were from the tribes known as the Laigin who also had a branch known as the Dumnonii and who were the third wave of

Celts The Celts ( , see Names of the Celts#Pronunciation, pronunciation for different usages) or Celtic peoples ( ) were a collection of Indo-European languages, Indo-European peoples. "The Celts, an ancient Indo-European people, reached the apoge ...

to settle in Ireland during the first century BC. By the 12th-century it was much reduced in size, bounded to the north by the Kingdom of Mide, to the south by Cashel, to the east by the Kingdom of Ossory and the Múscraige Tíre to the west in Ormond. It consisted of the baronies of Clonlisk, Ballybritt, Ikerrin and Eliogarty. The area ''then'' known as Éile was divided into two principal regions or lordships, the northern of which, called Éile Uí Chearbhaill (Ely O'Carroll), was ruled by the O'Carroll family. The southern lordship, called Éile Uí Fhogartaigh (Ely O'Fogarty), was ruled by the O'Fogarty family, who may have been of a different imposed lineage, possibly Dalcassian, from the O'Carrolls. Alternatively, they were actually kindred but regional politics influenced later genealogists to associate them with different provincial dynasties at different periods. John O'Hart finds an

Uí Néill The Uí Néill (; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties that claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who is believed to have died around c. 405. They are generally divided ...

descent from Fogartach mac Néill for the O'Fogartys. Ely O'Fogarty included the baronies of Ikerrin and Eliogarty, now in

County Tipperary County Tipperary () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. The county is named after the town of Tipperary (tow ...

, Munster. After the

Norman invasion of Ireland The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland took place during the late 12th century, when Anglo-Normans gradually conquered and acquired large swathes of land in Ireland over which the monarchs of England then claimed sovereignty. The Anglo-Normans ...

, these baronies were added to the Earl of Ormond's

county palatine In England, Wales and Ireland a county palatine or palatinate was an area ruled by a hereditary nobleman enjoying special authority and autonomy from the rest of a kingdom. The name derives from the Latin adjective ''palātīnus'', "relating t ...

. The native lords, O'Meagher and O'Fogarty, were left in possession of their lands, but were obliged to pay tribute to the Earl of Ormond. Ely O'Carroll and the baronies of Clonlisk and Ballybritt were part of Munster until the early 17th-century (1606) but are now located in

County Offaly County Offaly (; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is named after the Ancient Ireland, ancient Kingdom of Uí ...

and Leinster. This was done in the early Stuart period to remove the O'Carroll lands from the claim and control of the Earls of Ormond's County Palantine of Tipperary and from the Presidency of Munster. The former boundary between Ely O'Carroll and the ancient Kingdom of Mide is coterminous with the present boundary between the diocese of Killaloe and the diocese of Meath. That portion of County Offaly which belongs to the diocese of Killaloe was Ely O'Carroll and originally belonged to Munster. It is a sister city of

Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...

Christianity

Several early Christian monasteries existed within the boundaries of the kingdom. This includes Birr established by St.

Brendan of Birr Brendan of Birr (died c. 572) was one of the early Irish monastic saints. He was a monk and later an abbot, of the 6th century. He is known as "Saint Brendan the Elder" to distinguish him from his contemporary and friend Brendan the Navigator o ...

(which held the Synod of Birr in 697) and Liathmore, which was established by St. Mochoemoc (a nephew of St.

Íte of Killeedy Íte ingen Chinn Fhalad (died 570–577), also known as Íde, Ita, Ida or Ides, was an early Irish nun and patron saint of Killeedy (Cluain Creadhail). She was known as the "foster mother of the saints of Erin". The name "Ita" ("thirst for ho ...

). St. Crónán of Roscrea, who was born in the kingdom, established

Roscrea Roscrea () is a market town in County Tipperary, Ireland. In 2022 it had a population of 5,542. Roscrea is one of the oldest towns in Ireland, having developed around the 7th century monastery of Crónán of Roscrea, Saint Crónán of Roscrea, p ...

in the 7th century. One of his monks created the Book of Dimma, which had a richly decorated '' cumdach'' created for it on order of the O'Carroll kings.

United States

The O'Carroll princes are survived to this day by the prominent Carroll family of

in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

.Hoffman and Mason Charles Carroll of Carrollton was a signatory of the

United States Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States. On July 4, 1776, it was adopted unanimously by the Second Continen ...

. His branch of the family has been seated at Doughoregan Manor for over two centuries. Charles Carroll the Barrister, a cousin, descended from among the very last lords of Éile. Mount Clare was his home in Maryland.

Annalistic references

AI=

Annals of Inisfallen The ''Annals of Inisfallen'' () are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. Overview There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between 433 and 1450. The manuscript is thought to have been compiled in 1092, as the chronic ...

. LC= Annals of Lough Ce. M=

Annals of the Four Masters The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' () or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' () are chronicles of Middle Ages, medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Genesis flood narrative, Deluge, dated as 2,242 Anno Mundi, years after crea ...

. C= Chronicon Scotorum. * ''571 - The battle of Tola, by Fiachna, son of Baedan, son of Cairell, against the people of Osraighe and Eile; and they were defeated. Tola is the name of a plain situated between Cluain Fearta Molua and Saighir.'' * ''AI669 - Death of Forchellach, king of Éile.'' * ''707, The battle of Dola, in Magh Ele, where Leathlobhar, son of Eochaidh, Cu Allaidh, and Cu Dinaisc, were slain.'' * ''AI744, Death of Ardgal, king of Éile.'' * ''M757/T762, Fogartach, son of Eochaidh, lord of Eile died.'' * ''M847, Tuathal, son of Ceallach, lord of Eile, died.'' * ''874 Donnchadh, son of Maelseachlainn, was mortally wounded by the Eili.'' * ''888, A battle was gained over the Eili by Maelguala and the men of Munster, at Caiseal, in which many noble youths were slain.'' * ''900 - A battle was gained by Ceallach, son of Cearbhall, and by the Osraighi, over the Eili and the Muscraighi, in which fell one hundred and ten persons, among whom was Techtegan, son of Uamnachan, lord of Eili, and many others of distinction.'' * ''M903, Cnáimheini, mac Maenaigh, tighearna Ele, d'ég.'' * ''M975 - Seachnasach mac h-Iruaidh tigherna Eile do mharbhadh.'' * ''c. 1000 - Cearball mac Dublaidhe Duind appears king of Éile in MacLiacc poem'' * ''AI1022 - Death of Gilla Pátraic son of Cerball, king of Éile.'' * * ''AI1028 - Death of Ua Dubchróin, king of Éile.'' * ''LC1033 - Aimhergin Ua Cerbhaill, king of Eile, died.'' * ''LC1033 - A victory was gained by the Eile, in which Braen Ua Clerigh, and Muiredhach, son of Mac Gillapatraic, et alii multi, were slain.'' * ''U1033 - A rout was inflicted among the Éile in which Braen ua Cléirig and Muiredach grandson of Gilla Pátraic and many others fell.'' * ''AI1033 - Braen Ua Cléirig, king of Éile, was killed.'' * ''M1050 - Maelruanaidh, son of Cucoirne, lord of Eile, was killed by his own people.'' * ''LC1050 - Maelruanaidh, grandson of Cucoirne, king of Eile, died.'' * ''U1050 - Mael Ruanaid son of Cú Choirne, king of Éile, was killed (by his own people).'' * ''LC1058 - Ribhardan, son of Cucoirne, king of Eile, fell.'' * ''M1071 - The son of Righbhardan, son of Cucoirne, lord of Eile, was slain in a battle.'' * ''M1072 - Ua Fogarta, lord of Eile, was killed by Ua Briain.'' * ''AI1071 - Rígbardán's son, king of Éile, was slain.'' * ''M1121 - Ríghbhardán, mac Con Choirne, tighearna Ele do écc.'' * ''M1145 - Finn Ua Cearbhaill, Tanist of Eile, was killed.'' * ''M1152 - Domhnall, son of Righbhardan, lord of Eile, was slain by the son of the Long-legged (An Chos Fhada) Ua Cearbhaill.'' * ''AI1058.4 Tairdelbach Ua Briain brought the son of Mael na mBó, and the Laigin, Osraige, and foreigners with him to attack Brian's son, and they burned the greater part of In Machaire as far as Luimnech. And the Munstermen themselves burned Luunnech lest the other party should burn it, and they were engaged as they were turning out of it, and a few of the others and a good many of the Munstermen were slain, including Ua Lígda, erenagh of Imlech Ibuir, the son of Cú Choirne, king of Éile, and Ua Gébennaig, king of In Déis Bec.'' * ''M1163 - The son of Finn Ua Cearbhaill, lord of North Eile, was slain by Domhnall, son of Toirdhealbhach.'' * ''M1174, Ruaidri h-Úa Cerbaill ory O'Carroll Lord of Ely, was slain in the middle of the island of Inish-cloghran.'' * ''AI1174 - A hosting by the grey foreigners, and they came into Éile. Domnall Ua Briain and the Tuadmumu assembled gainst themat Durlas Ua Fócarta, and a battle was fought between them, in which the grey foreigners were defeated, seven hundred or somewhat more being slain.'' * ''M1205 - The son of Guill-bhealach O'Carroll, Lord of Ely, was slain by the English.'' * ''C1318 - A great victory was gained over the English in Ely, by O'Carroll; and Adam Mares and many other Englishmen were slain.'' * ''C1399 - Tadc O Cerbaill, king of Ely, was captured by the Earl of Ormond this year.'' * ''M1432 - A great war broke out between O'Carroll, Lord of Ely, and the Earl of Ormond; and the Earl marched at the head of a great army into Ely, ravaged the country, and demolished O'Carroll's two castles.'' * ''M1443 - Maelruanaid O Cerbaill, king of Ely, died this year.''

Notes

References

Francis John Byrne Francis John Byrne (1934 – 30 December 2017) was an Irish historian. Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II. A ...

. ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''.

Four Courts Press Four Courts Press is an independent Irish academic publishing house, with its office at Malpas Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Founded in 1970 by Michael Adams, who died in February 2009, its early publications were primarily theological, notably ...

. 2nd revised edition, 2001. * Thomas Charles-Edwards. ''Early Christian Ireland''. Cambridge. 2000. * Ronald Hoffman and Sally D. Mason. ''Princes of Ireland, Planters of Maryland: A Carroll Saga, 1500–1782''. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 2000. * John Gleeson. ''History of the Ely O'Carroll Territory of Ancient Ormond''. Dublin. 1915. * Paul MacCotter. ''Medieval Ireland: Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions''. Four Courts Press. 2008. *

Donnchadh Ó Corráin Donnchadh Ó Corráin (28 February 1942 – 25 October 2017) was an Republic of Ireland, Irish historian and professor emeritus of medieval history at University College Cork. He earned his BA in history and Irish from UCC, graduating in 1964. ...