811 - Dunghal, son of Cuana, lord of Feara
812 - Maelduin,
lord of Feara Rois died
lord of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard] died.
820 - Cumascach, son of Tuathal,
lord of Ard Cianachta, was slain by Murchadh.
victory was gained over the men of Ard Cianachta, in the battle of Carn Conain,
by Comascach, son of Conghalach, wherein was slain Eodhos, son of Tighearnach,
and many others along with him.
Spelán son of
Sluagadach, king of Conaille of Muirtheimne, dies.
- Maenach, son of Crunnmhael, Prior of Feara Rois, died.
827 - Robhartach, son of
Cathasach, abbot of Cluain-mor-Arda [Clonmore] 'fell asleep'. [AU]
828 - A great slaughter of
porpoises on the coast of Ard Cianachta by the foreigners. [AU]
mortal wounding of Cinaed son of Cumuscach, king of Ard Cianachta [Ferrard],
by the foreigners; and Lann Léire [Dunleer] and Cluain Mór [Clonmore] were
burned by them. [AU]
833 - Danish raid on coast of Co Louth.
MacScanlon, chief of Ballymascanlon repels them.
841 - A fleet of Norsemen on the Boinn, at
Linn Rois. Another fleet of them at Linn Saileach, in Ulster.
Another fleet of them at Linn Duachaill.
- Ceallach, son of Maelpadraig, Prior of Feara Rois [to the south of the
river, AU], died.
Eochaidh, son of
Cearnach, lord of Feara Rois, was slain by the foreigners.
853 - Muireadhach, lord of Ard
Cianachta [Ferrard], died.
868 - Connla, anchorite of Druim
Caradh [Drumcar] of Ard Cianachta died
876 - Aenghus, son of Cinaedh,
lord of Feara Arda died.
877 – Gregory, King of Scotland captured
886-910 - Constant feud between the tanists
of Connal-Muirthemne and those of Meath.
of Mael Brigte, king of the Conaille of Muirtheimne, dies.
Mael Mórda son
of Gairbíth i.e. king of Conaille of Muirtheimne, was beheaded by Cellach
son of Flannacán.
Cumascach, son of Muireadhach, lord of Feara Arda Cianachta, was slain by
Maeleitigh, son of
Fearadhach, lord of Feara Rois, was slain by the foreigners.
893 - A shower of blood was
rained in Ard Cianachta [Ferrard].
of Congalach, heir designate of Brega, and Innéirge son of Mael Teimin, a
religious layman, were beheaded by the Conaille of Muirtheimne.
921 - The
plundering of Feara-Arda [Ferrard] and Lann-Leire [Dunleer], and of Feara-Rois, in this year.
935 - Gairbhith,
son of Maeleitigh, lord of Feara-Rois, was slain [by his kinsmen, AU].
of Cuilennán, king of Conaille of Muirtheimne, died of a sickness.
939 - Visit of Murtough, King of Ireland to
941 - Muircheartach of the Leather Cloaks,
son of Niall Glundubh, lord of Aileach, the Hector of the west of Europe in
his time, was slain at Ath-Fhirdiadh [Ardee] by Blacaire, son of Godfrey,
lord of the foreigners, on the 26th of March. In lamentation of him was
Vengeance and destruction have descended upon
the race of the Clann-Cuinn for ever,
As Muircheartach does not live; alas, the country of the Gaeidhil
will be always an orphan.
- A victory was
gained by Ruaidhri Ua Canannain, in Meath, over Conghalach, son of
Maelmithigh, where fell Conghalach, son of Ceallach, lord of Feara-Rois, and
a number of others along with him.
950[?] - Battle of Dundalk Bay, when
Failbhe Flon, King of Desmond defeated the Danish fleet under Sitric and
rescued Callaghan, King of Munster.
of Cumasgach, lord of Feara-Rois died
956 - Congalach son of Mael
Mithig, king of Ireland, was killed with his royal household by the
foreigners of Áth Cliath and by the Laigin and Aed son of Aitide, king of
Tebtha, and Matudán son of Aed son of Mael Mithig and Cormac son of Cathalán,
king of Fir Arda. [CS]
985 - The abduction of the shrine of
Patrick, by Maelseachlainn, from Ath-Fhirdiadh to Ath-Sighe, in consequence
of the rebellion of the son of Cairelan. They afterwards made peace; and
Maelseachlainn submitted to the award of [the successor of] Patrick, i e.
the visitation of Meath, both church and state, and a banquet for every fort
from Maelseachlainn himself; besides seven cumhals, and every other demand
986 - A great wind which laid low many
buildings, including the oratory of Louth.
A battle was gained over
the Ui-Meith, at Sruthair, by the son of Donnchadh Finn and the Feara-Rois,
wherein the lord of Ui-Meith and many others were slain.
Kings of Fir Rois (Mid-Louth)
Date of Death
Cú Bretan son of Congus
King of Fir Rois
Dungal mac Cuana
Lord of Feara Rois
Lord of Feara Rois
Eochaidh mac Cearnach
Slain by the foreigners
Maeleitigh mac Fearadhach
Slain by the foreigners
Gairbhith mac Maeleitigh
Slain [by his Kinsmen. AU]
Conghalach mac Ceallach
Lord of Feara-Rois
Eochu son of Cernach
King of Fir Rois, killed by the heathens
Murchadh mac Cumasgach
Lord of Feara-Rois
Maelmordha [Maol Mochta. AU]
Slain by the Conaill-Muirtheimhne
Cuchaille Ua Finn
Lord of Feara-Rois [died in penitence. AU]
Sithfruich mac Mac Sealbhaigh
Slain by the Mughdhorna Maighen
Slain by Murchadh Ua Maeleachlainn, King of Teamhair
The above list
is based on information extracted from The Annals of the Four Masters
on the CELT web site at
William M. Hennessy, The Annals of Ulster [AU], Dublin 1887
[Reprinted by De Burca 1998]. I have retained the dating convention of the
Four Masters. I would be happy to receive any additions/corrections
etc. to the above list.
For the genealogy of Gairbhith mac
Maeleitigh, son of Maeleitigh mac Fearadhach, both kings of the Fir Rois,
back to the time of Miles of Spain (Míl
Easpáninne) and from
there back to the time of Adam, click
1001 - A hosting by Brian and by
MaelSechlainn accompanied by the men of Ireland, both Munster and Leinster
and Foreigners, as far as Dundalk in Conailli. Aed, son of Domnall,
High-king of Ailech, and Eochaigh, son of Ardghal, king of Ulater, with the
Ulaid and the Kindred of Eogan and of Conall, and the AItgeill (met them)
and did not let them past, so they separated under a truce, without hostage,
Brian led an
army into Mag Muirtheimne, and he gave complete immunity to Patrick's
churches on that hosting.
1020 - Gilla Ciaráin son of Oiséne, king of
Mugdorna, was killed by the Fir Rois.
Muireadhach Ua Sleibhene Slevin, chief poet of the north of Ireland, was
slain by the Feara-Rois.
1025 - Termonfeckin was
plundered and burnt on Christmas eve by the Hui Crichain.
Maelmordha, lord of Feara-Rois, was slain by the Conailli-Muirtheimhne.
Gillaseachnaill, son of Gillamochonna, lord of South Breagha, was slain by the
1039 - An army was led by Donnchadh Mac
Gillaphadraig and the Osraighi into Meath; and they burned as far as
Cnoghbha and Droichead-atha [Drogheda].
1044 - Mael Mochta, bishop of Louth died.
- A predatory excursion was made by
Niall, son of Maeleachlainn, lord of Aileach, into Ui-Meith and Cuailgne;
and he carried off twelve hundred cows, and led numbers into captivity, in
revenge of the profanation of Clog-an-Eadhachta.
Domhnall, son of Gillachrist, son of Cucuailgne, was slain by the lord of
of Ualgharg, chief of Ui-Duibhinnreacht; and Cuchaille Ua Finn, lord of
1075 - A hosting of the Meathmen,
Connaughtmen, the foreigners, the Leinstermen, the Osraighi, and the
Munstermen, was made by Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain; and they marched to
Ath-Fhirdia [Ardee], to demand hostages from the Oirghialla and the Ulidians.
The chiefs of the province came to oppose them, and when they were face to
face, a battle was fought at Ard-Monann between the Airghialla and
Muircheartach Ua Briain, i.e. the royal heir of Munster, where Muircheartach
and his forces were defeated, and a bloody slaughter made of his people; and
his chiefs returned to their houses without hostage or pledge on that
1084 - An army was led by Donnsleibhe, King
of Ulidia, to Droicheatata [Drogheda], and gave wages to Donnchadh, the son
of the Caileach Ua Ruairc. A predatory excursion was made in his
Donnsleibhe's absence into Ulidia, by Domhnall Ua Lochlainn, whence he
carried off prisoners and a great spoil of cattle.
1084 - A great pestilence in this year,
which killed a fourth of the men of Ireland. It began in the south, and
spread throughout the four quarters of Ireland. This is the causa causans of
the pestilence, to wit, demons that came out of the northern isles of the
world, to wit, three battalions, and in each battalion there were thirty and
ten hundred and two thousand, as Oengus Oc, the son of Dagda, related to
Gilla Lugan, wjo used to haunt the fairy-mound every year at Halloween. And
he himself beheld at Maistiu one battalion of them which was destroying
Leinster..... For there was a sword of fire out of the gullet of each of
them, and every one of them was as high as the clouds of heaven. So that is
the cause of the pestilence.
Sithfruich, son of Mac Sealbhaigh, lord of Feara-Rois, was slain by the
was made by Muirchertach ua Briain and by Leth Mogha to Mag
Muirtheimhne. An expedition was made by Domnall ua Lochlainn also
with the north of Ireland to Fid Conaill to give them battle, and Domnall,
successor of Patrick, restrained them in a semblance of peace.
Mellifont - founded by Donagh O'Carrol for the Cistercian Order in 1142
1100 - A
great army was led by the Leinstermen till they arrived at Sliabh Fuaid; and
they burned Airghialla, Ui-Meith, and Fir-Rois.
1104 - Murtagh O'Brien devastated Louth and
Cuolad O'Condelan ruler of "Traighbaile" (Dundalk) thrown from his horse and
1109 - A
predatory excursion was made by Murchadh Ua Maeleachlainn, King of Teamhair,
on which he plundered the Feara-Rois, and slew Ua Finn, lord of Feara-Rois,
in violation of the Staff of Jesus and the successor of Patrick; but God
took vengeance of him for this.
1111 - Louth and Kells were burnt.
1113 - An
army was brought by Muirchertach ua Briain and Leth Moga, both laity and
clergy, to Grenóc. Domnall grandson of Lochlainn, however, with the nobles
of the north of Ireland, went to Cluain Caín of the Fir Rois, and they were
confronting one another for a month until Cellach, successor of Patrick,
with the Staff of Jesus, made a year's peace between them.
The Ulaidh and the men of Fearnmhagh [went] beyond Athlone into the territory of
Fir Rois, and Tighearnán Ó Ruairc with the Craobh Fearnmhuighe met them at Muine
Uachtair Imrimhe, where they fought a battle, in which the Ulaidh were defeated,
and Raghnall Ó hEochadha, king of Ulaidh, Cú Midhe Ó Críochain, king of
Fearnmhagh and Oirghialla, Aodh, his son, and Donn Sléibhe Ó hOireachtaigh, king
of Uí Mhéith, were killed, with slaughter of the Ulaidh, [the men of] Fearnmhagh,
and the Uí Mhéith.
1142 – Donogh O'Carrol, prince of Oriel,
erected an abbey [at Mellifont] for monks of the Cistercian Order.
1152 - A synod was convened by the Bishops
of Ireland and the cardinal of S. Peter's successor at Drogheda; and there
they ordained certain regulations. Then he (the Cardinal) left a pallium for
each province of Erin, to wit, a pallium in Armagh, and a pallium in Dublin,
and another in Connaught, and (a fourth) in Munster.
1168 - Donat, King of Uriel, founder of
Mellifont Abbey, departed this life.
1175 - S. Colomb cille's Durrow, the whole
of Meath, from Athlone to Drogheda, was laid waste by the foreigners.
1176 – Louth was devastated by the English.
1178 - John De Courcy defeated near Newry
but defeats the O'Hanlon army near the Fane river.
1180 - Bertram De Verdon granted lands in
Louth. Founded a friary called St. Leonard's.
1181 - Mulmurry O'Dunan, Abbot of
Cnoc-na-Seangan [Louth], died.
1184 - John de Courcy granted the ferry of Carlingford to the Abbey of
1185 - Hugh De Lacy granted Ballymascanlon
to the Cistercians of Mellifont.
1193 – Derforghaill, wife of Tiarnan
O'Rourke, and daughter of Murchadh O'Maoilseachlainn [King of Meath], died
in the monastery of Droicheat Atha [Drogheda], in the 85th year
of her age.
1194 - The relics of St. Malachy, Bishop of
Clareval, were brought into Ireland, and received with great honour, in the
monastery of Mellifont, and the other Monasteries of the Cistercians.
Kings of Ard-Cianachta (South Louth)
Date of Death
Killed at the battle of Imleach Phich
Aenghus, son of Ailell
Muireadhach, son of Aenghus
Ceallach, son of Cormac
Cumascach, son of Tuathal
Slain by Murchadh
Cinaed son of Cumuscach
Mortally wounded by the foreigners
Aenghus, son of Cinaedh
Cumascach, son of Muireadhach
Slain by the Ulidians
Cormac, son of Cathalan
The above list
is based on information extracted from The Annals of the Four Masters
on the CELT web site at
William M. Hennessy, The Annals of Ulster [AU], Dublin 1887
[Reprinted by De Burca 1998].
The people of Ard-Cianachta were
known as the Feara Arda Cianachta (from where the name of the barony of
Ferrard is derived). The territory of Ard-Cianachta comprised the present
barony of Ferrard and part of the north-east barony of Ardee.
1210 - King John visited Dundalk.
- The castle called King John's was erected in
1213 – Hugh O'Neill defeated the English
with dreadful slaughter, and on the same day burned Carlingford, sparing
neither persons not property.
1216 – Nicholas De Verdon regained his
confiscated lands and castles in Dundalk and Clonmore.
Cainn, candle of championship and liberality of the North of Ireland, royal
chief of Magh Lughad and Sil-Cathusaigh, was killed by the Foreigners on the
same day as Ua Flainn.
1220 - Dundalk made a royal borough.
1221 - Battle of Dundalk, O'Neill and De
Lacy defeat English; The son of Hugo de Lacy came to Ireland, contrary to
the command of the King of England, and having joined Hugh O'Neill against
the English, they first proceeded to Colerain, and dismantled the castle,
and from thence marched to Meath and Leinster, and reduced the country on
that Expedition. The Anglo-Irish collected twenty-four battalions at
Dundalk, but Hugh O'Neill and de Lacy collected four large battalions and
marched against the English, who submitted to O'Neill on his own terms.
1230 - Rosia or Rohesia De Verdon succeeded
1234 - Commencement of the building of
Drogheda town walls.
1242 – A great chapter was held by the
primate of Armagh, and by the abbots of the canons of Ireland, at Lughmadh
[Louth], on which occasion were exhibited the relics which St. Moctheus
[first bishop to the see of Louth] had brought from Rome.
1247 - Death of Rosia. Her son founded the
Grey Friary in Dundalk.
1253 – Bryan O'Neill, prince of Tyrone,
waged war against the English, and, having gone to Moy Coba [Downpatrick],
demolished its castle and many others, burned Stranbhaile [Dundalk], and
cleared (from the English) the entire plain of Ulidia.
Mael-Padraig Ua Sgannuil of the Preaching Order
was chosen by the archbishop of Ard-Macha, by advice of Pope Innocent, to
the bishopric of Rath-both. And the same archbishop constituted him his
Vicar in the Province of Ard-Macha, after he was consecrated in the
Monastery of the Friars Minor of Dun Dealgan [Dundalk] on the First Sunday
of the Advent of the Lord.
1260 – The archbishop of Armagh consecrated
Malachy O'Conor [Bishop of Elphin, died 1262] a bishop at Dundalk.
1263 - Friar Patrick O'Sgannail, archbishop
of Ard-Macha, held a General Chapter in Drochet-atha [Drogheda] this year
(the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week-days after the Feast of All Saints).
1269 – David O'Brogain, bishop of Clogher,
died, and was interred in the monastery of Mellifont, for he was one of the
monks of that place.
1270 – Patrick O'Scanlan, Archbishop of
Armagh, died at St Leonard's Abbey, Dundalk.
1285 - Theobold De Verdon, Lord of Dundalk
and Constable of Ireland defeated in Offaley.
1293 - Henry Mag Oirechtaigh, bishop of
Conniri [Connor], a Grey Cistercian monk, rested in Christ (and he
was buried in the Monastery of Mellifont at Drochaidatha [Drogheda]).
O'Anluain, king of the Oirrthir and his brother and Aenghus Mag-Mathgamna
and many of the chiefs of his people were killed by the Foreigners of Dun-delgan,
in returning to their houses from the Earl.
1295 - Theobald heavily fined for not
sending his chamberlain who had stolen his carbuncle ring, worth 1,000
marks, to the King's gaol, but confining him in his prison in Dundalk.
1297 - Henry Mageraghty, Bishop of Conor,
died, and was interred in the monastery of Drogheda. He was a monk.
1299 - .. this year many Irish came to the
Castle of Roch, before the Annunciation, to annoy the Lord Theobold Verdon.
1301 - Matilda de Lacy widow of David, baron of Naas, granted the advowson
of the church of Carlingford to the priory of Kilmainham.
1305 - Richard de Burgh Earl of Ulster founded a monastery for Dominicans
at Carlingford, under the invocation of St. Malachy.
1310 - Theobald junior married daughter of
Hugh de Lacy.
1312 - Nicholas De Verdon, nephew of above,
tried for resisting the King's authority when at Dundalk.
1313 - Treaty between Lord de Verdon and
the O'Hanlons of Co Louth.
1314 - Theobald, then Justiciary of
Ireland, charged with carrying off Elizabeth de Burgo from the castle of
Bristol and marrying her. He died soon after, leaving no male heir. His
lands in Dundalk and Louth were then gradually lost except portions
purchased in Richard II's time by Thomas, Baron of Slane, Sir John Cruis and
Sir John Bellew.
1315 - Edward Bruce burned Dundalk and all
its abbeys, slaughtering all inhabitants. Proclaimed himself King of
Ireland. Defeated the Earl of Ulster and army.
… The Lord Edmund le Botiller, Justiciary of
Ireland, about the feast of St. Mary Magdalen, drew considerable forces out
of Munster, Leinster, and other parts, and joined the Earl of Ulster at
Dundalk, who had drawn a mighty army out of Connaught, and those parts, and
marched thither to meet him.
… upon St. Nicholas day le Brus (Bruce) left
Carrickfergus, and joined by the Earl of Morreff with 500 men; so, they
marched together towards Dundalk.
1316 - The Lord Thomas Maundevile marched
out of Drogheda with a strong party to Carrickfergus, on Maundy-Thursday,
and engaged the Scots and killed thirty of them.
The people of Dundalk sallied out
O’Hanlon, and killed about two hundred of the Irish; and here, Robert de
Verdon, a warlike Squire, was cut off.
.. about St. Laurence’s Day, O’Hanlon came to
Dundalk, in order to distrain; but the People of Dundalk fell upon him, and
killed many of his men.
1317 - On the Sunday following [the Feast
of Ss. Margaret], the Lord Roger Mortimer, Justiciary of Ireland, Marched
with his whole army towards Drogheda.
At the same time, the Ulster-men took a great
booty at Drogheda, but the Inhabitants sallied out and retook it; in this
action, Miles Cogan and his Brother were both slain, and six other Lords of
Ulster were taken Prisoners, and brought to the castle of Dublin.
1318 - Lord John Bermingham with many
nobles, including Sir Miles Verdon, utterly routed Bruce at Dundalk. Edward
Bruce, a man who spoiled Ireland generally, both English and Irish, was
slain by the English by force of battle and bravery at Dundalk, and Mac
Rory, lord of the Hebrides, MacDonnell, lord of the eastern Gael [in
Antrim], and many others of the Albian chiefs, were also slain; and no event
occurred in Ireland for a long period from which so much benefit was derived
as that, for a general famine prevailed in the country during the three
years and a half he had been in it, and the people were almost reduced to
the necessity of eating each other.
1321 - Niall O'Hanlon, Lord of Orier, was
treacherously slain by the English at Dundalk.
1326 - The king committed the custody of the castle of Carlingford to Geoffry le Blound, to hold during the royal pleasure. And in the same year the
bailiffs, &c. of this town had letters patent, conferring certain privileges
and allowances for six years as an aid towards walling and otherwise
strengthening their town.
1332 - William de Burgh was found seised, amongst other possessions of the
castle of Drogheda, the town of Cooley appertaining thereto, the manor of
1328 - Sir John Mac Feorais Birmingham,
Earl of Louth, the most vigorous, puissant, and hospitable of the English of
Ireland, was treacherously slain by his own people, namely, by the English
of Oriel. With him were also slain many others of the English and Irish,
amongst whom was the Blind O'Carroll, i.e. Mulrony, Chief Minstrel of
Ireland and Scotland in his time.
1330 - There was such an outflow of the
Boyne this year, as was never seen before; which flung down all the bridges
upon this river, both wood and stone, except Babebridge. The water also
carried away several Mills, and did much damage to the Friers-minor of Trym
and Drogheda, by breaking down their houses.
This year was the Gabhill or window in St. Savior's church [near the present
Shop St. Drogheda] made by one Rejnold Harp.
1337 - This same year died David Archbishop
of Armagh, to whom succeeded a person of great Parts, M. Richard Fitz-Ralph,
Dean of Litchfield, who was born in Dundalk.
1345 - "Richard of Dundalk" made Primate of
1346 - The prior of Kilmainham was found seised, and his successors so
continued, of the tithes of Carlingford.
1355 - All fish and corn prohibited from
exportation from all Irish harbours from Dundalk to Holmpatrick.
1356 - First royal charter to Dundalk.
1357 - The king granted to his son Lionel, Earl of Ulster, licence to hold
a weekly market, and one yearly fair in his town of Carlingford. From this
Lionel the property descended to Edward de Mortimer.
1358 - Bryan Mac Cathmoil, bishop of
Orgiall (Clogher) died.
1360 - In the 35th of his same
reign, died Richard Fitz-Raulf, Archbishop of Armagh in Hanault, on the 16th
of December. His bones were conveyed into Ireland, by the Reverend Stephen
Bishop of Meath, and buried in St. Nicholas Church at Dundalk, where he was
born; yet it is a question, whether these were his bones, or some other
1368 - Rory, the son of Johnock Mageoghegan,
the hawk of the nobility and prowess of his tribe, and the most hospitable
man from Dublin to Drogheda; and Tiernan, the son of Cathal O'Rourke, died.
(This is the
kalend year on which truly comes the killing of Brian Mor Mag
Mathgamna and he was buried in the Monastery of Lughbhaidh on the 3rd of the
Nones 3rd of June, namely, A.D. 1371.)
1380 - … the calamity of pestilence, and
the superadded infliction of incessant warfare with the Scots and the native
septs, had so reduced the Borough of Drogheda, that King Richard II then
conferred upon them certain customs and duties for the repair of their walls
and fortifications, and for the general improvement of the town.
1387 - Conor, son of Bryan Carach O’Neill,
was slain by the English of Dundalk.
1388 - Edmund Loundres was appointed constable of the castle of
Carlingford, with certain allowances for its repairs, as it was stated to be
then much out of order and unsafe.
1389 - The vicar of Iniscain (in Louth)
1392 - Niall O'Neill, King of Tyrone,
defeated the English at Dundalk and Traghbally. Seffin White fell by him in
1394 - Richard II visited Dundalk.
1399 - The sons of Henry O’Neill having
gone to attack the English at Traghbally [Dundalk], the English collected
their forces to oppose them, and defeated them, and Donal the son of Henry
was taken prisoner, and a great many of his people were slain; Donal was
sent to England the year following, after his release had been refused.
1400 - The king granted to Stephen Gernon, constable of the castles of
Green Castle and Carlingford, licence to take the corn and tithes within the
lordship of Cooley for the victualling of said castles.
1401- Donal, son of Henry O’Neill was
released from the English.
1404 - The manor of Carlingford and town of Irish Grange, which had
previously belonged to the abbey and convent of Newry, vested by forfeiture in
the king, who thereupon granted it in fee to Richard Sedgrave.
1405 - The merchants of Tredagh [Drogheda]
entered Scotland and took hostages and booty.
1407 - Thomas Stanyhurst granted much land
1408 - Lord Thomas of Lancaster, the king's son, landed at Carlingford as Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland.
..... [23 Dec] on the Friday before the feast of Christmas then following,
the town of Drogheda on both sides of the water with their common consent
and assent was united and placed under the rule of 1 Mayor and 2 Sheriffs
.... and named by the name of the County of Drogheda.
1421 - Owen O’Neill was apprehended by the
son of O’Neill, of Claneboy, while on his journey to hold a conference with
the earl of Dundalk. [He was released in 1422].
1423 - An army was led by O'Neill
(Donnell), O'Donnell (Niall), Owen, son of Niall, with the Irish of Ulster
in general, against the English. They first marched to Traigh-Bhaile
[Dundalk], to Machaire-Oirghiall, to [the town of] Louth, and from thence
into Meath. They gave battle to the Deputy of the King of England, in which
the knight who was the chief commander of the English army was slain (i.e.
by Mulmurry Mac Sweeny Connachtach, O'Donnell's Constable, and it was by him
the English were routed), and many others of his people besides him (one
hundred was the number of the slain). They obtained great spoils on that
occasion, and afterwards made peace with the English, and left Traghbhaile,
and all the English dwelling in its vicinity under tribute.
1425 - By a record of this date it appears that certain rights in the
fishery of the bay appertained to the castle of Carlingford.
Many husbandmen with their sons & servants were slayne at Duleek by
1430 - Owen O'Neill burned fortress of
Dundalk, and having compelled the inhabitants to submit, and pay him
tribute, he returned home with triumph and victory.
1432 - Great and frequent depredations were
committed on the English, and numbers of them slain, by Manus Mac Mahon (of
Monaghan), who raised their heads on the spear-poles of the guards of the
town of Lurgan (Lurgan-Green, in the county of Louth)m Manus’s own fortified
residence, a disgusting and hateful sight to those who beheld their
1452 - An army was led by O'Neill (Owen)
into the Feadha, to make war against the English of Machaire-Oirghiall [in
the county of Louth], and was joined by Maguire on that hosting. The son of
O'Neill (Owen Oge) and Maguire's people then proceeded to Cloch-an-bhodaigh
to plunder the English; and they carried off the prey to their camp. Upon
this the English and Mac Mahon's people, and his kinsmen, pursued them to
their camp; and here O'Neill, Maguire, and their people, rose up against
them; and a battle ensued between them, in which Mac Donnell Galloglagh,
i.e. Sorley More, and numbers of others along with him were slain, and
others of the forces taken prisoners. O'Neill returned to his camp that
night in great wrath; upon hearing of which, Henry, his son, came to meet
him; and Mac Mahon afterwards came to O'Neill and his sons, and they made
peace with each other; and O'Neill obtained an eric for the dishonour he had
received, and also an eric for [the death of] Mac Donnell.
The Earl of Ormond, Lord Justice of Ireland,
broke down the castle of Owny upon O'Mulrian, and took the castle of Leix
from the O'Dempsys, who permitted him to pass to Airem, to rescue the son of
Mac Feorais Bermingham, who was imprisoned there. He then burned
Airem, and from thence proceeded to Offaly, whereupon O'Conor came into his
house, as an assurance that the son of Mac Feorais should be set at liberty.
From thence he proceeded into Annaly, where O'Farrell came into his house,
and promised him ninescore beeves, as the price of obtaining peace from him.
From thence both proceeded to Magh-Breaghmaine, demolished the castle of
Barrcha, and destroyed the greater part of the corn. From thence they
marched to Fore, and from thence to Magh-Maine, where the O'Reillys came to
his house, and acceded to all his conditions. From thence into
Machaire-Oirghiall [in the county of Louth], where Mac Mahon gave him his
demands. After this he marched to meet the Clanna-Neill, and caused Henry
O'Neill to put away the daughter of Mac William Burke, whom he had taken to
wife after the death of her former husband, O'Donnell, and to take back to
him again his own wedded wife, the daughter of Mac Murrough, and the Earl's
own step sister. And thence he proceeded to
Baile-atha-fhirdia-mic-Damain, where he died, between the two feasts of the
Blessed Virgin Mary (from the 15th of August to the 8th of September),
having accomplished these journeys in half a quarter of a year.
1453 - Mac Mahon, i.e. Hugh Roe, the son of
Roderick, a man of great piety and hospitality, learned in the arts, and
distinguished for this feat of arms and noble deeds, died on Easter eve, in
his in house at Lurgan (Lurgan-Green, in Louth), and was interred at Clones
and Bryan Mac Mahon, was appointed his successor over the Orgiallians
(people of Louth and Monaghan).
1457 - A contest arose between Maguire and
the sons of Roderick Mac Mahon, and Mac Guire mustered the forces of his
territory to march on Oriel (Monaghan and Louth). When the Mac Mahons
received this intelligence, they fled with their cattle into their
1458 - Law passed for two men from every
plough land in county to be sent to Dundalk to help to carry the sea water
round the town to defend it from the Irish.
1467 – Thomas, Earl of Desmond, succeeded
in having an Act of Parliament passed for the setting up of a university at
Drogheda. Later that year he was beheaded on a charge of treason and the
project was never carried out.
- A mint was established
in Carlingford by act of Parliament.
1468 - Thomas, Earl of Desmond, the son of
James, son of Garrett, who had been Lord Justice of Ireland, the most
illustrious of his tribe in Ireland in his time for his comeliness and
stature, for his hospitality and chivalry, his charity and humanity to the
poor and the indigent of the Lord, his bounteousness in bestowing jewels and
riches on the laity, the clergy, and the poets and his suppression of theft
and immorality, went to Drogheda to meet the English Lord Justice, and the
other English of Meath. These acted treacherously by him, and, without any
crime, they beheaded him; the greater number of the men of Ireland were
grieved at the news of it. His body was afterwards conveyed to Traigh-Li,
and interred in the burial-place of his predecessors and ancestors with
great honour and veneration.
- John o Rely Lo. of Breny, Hugh, his son, mc Cabe & mc Brady 2400 men
entered the County of Louth burning and destroying the country above them
towards Ardee. Sr John Bole Primate ranne to Drogheda & declared this
invasion to the Mayor [possibly Richard Gernon] & Comons who gathered 500
chosen archers of the sd town & 200 polaxes & pans & went strayt to Ardee
where met him Sr Robt Taaf with 70 men a horsback & in the Maudlin chappell
the sd Primate a solemn mass & gave his benison to all the people: the Mayor
mched to Corboly by Malpas bridge where both armys fought. Here O Rely wth
Hugh his son mc Cabe Mc Brady were slayne & 400 of their men. 23 of Aprill.
1472 – Richard Bellew built Castletown
Castle.At the Parliament of Naas, it was enacted that
the town of Collon, then waste, should be rebuilt … within a given time,
and, if not then completed, that the Abbot of Mellifont might then enter
thereon, and possess the same as his personal right.
The bridge of
the town of Drogheda fell on St. Jerome's day viz., the last day of
1483 - Con O'Donnell of Tyrconnell
plundered and burned Traghbally of Dundalk.
1484 - Redmond Mac Mahon, lord of Oriel,
died while imprisoned at Drogheda.
1486 - A general chapter (or synod) of the
province of (Ulster), was held at the beginning of July, at Droicheat-Atha
(Drogheda), by the archbishop of Armagh, namely, Octavious Italicus, which
was attended by all the bishops and clergy of the North of Ireland.
Twenty-eight towns belonging to the English of
the plain of Oriel (county of Louth), were burned by Mac Mahon, namely Hugh
Oge, son of Hugh Roe, the son of Roderick.
- O’Neill, i.e. Con, the son of Henry, marched
with a force before Samhain (November), into the plain of Oriel, and burned
and spoiled a great deal.
- Philip, son of the Coarb Mag Mathgamna, namely, son of James, son of
Rughraidhe son of Ardghal Mag Mathgamna, to wit, one that was canon choral
in Clochar and successor of St. Tigernach in Cluain-eois and parson
in Dartraighe and
had for the
greater part all the Fourths of the bishop of Oirghialla and the farming of
the priors of Lughbadh and Fern-magh, died on the feast of St. John, Apostle
and Evangelist Dec. 27.
1489 - The sheep of Meath along the sea
coast from Dublin to Drogheda ran into the sea in despite of their
shepherds, and never returned.
1492 - John O'Neill killed by the sons of
Redmond O'Hanlon at Traghbally.
1495 - It was enacted that only able and sufficient persons of the realm of
England should be henceforward constables of the castle of Carlingford.
1496 - O'Donnell (Hugh Roe, the son of
Niall Garv) went into Oriel to assist Brian, the son of Redmond Mac Mahon,
and from thence they both marched into Breifny-O'Reilly, in pursuit
of Mac Mahon; and they burned that part of the country through which they
passed as far as Cavan, and O'Reilly's part of Cavan itself. On this
occasion great depredations, spoliations, and destructions, were committed,
and great booties obtained, by O'Donnell, in the English settlements in
Machaire-Oirghiall [County Louth], and on Mac Mahon's adherents on his
The market Cross in Drogheda in St. Peters parish was made by John Ballard
at his own charges.
- In consequence of
Carlingford town having been repeatedly burned by the
Scots and Irish the king granted to its provost, bailiffs, and commonalty;
certain tolls and customs towards enclosing it with a stone wall.
The bridge at Drogheda was made & finished. John Wyrall Mayor.
John Wryall 2d time Mayor. He build the gt window in our Ladyes chappell in
St. Peters church.
1521 - Rury, the son of Egneghan O'Donnell,
was slain at Dun-Dealgan by the English, while he was in company with
O'Neill, i.e. Con, the son of Con.
Feidhlimidh O'Corcrain, a cleric eminent in Canon Law and in
versifying and in grammar and a distinguished person, died in the end of
Spring of this year, as he was returning from Droiched-atha and was buried
1535 - The Earl of Kildare, Lord Justice of
Ireland (Garrett Oge), the son of Garrett, son of Thomas, the most
illustrious of the English and Irish of Ireland in his time, for not only
had his name and renown spread through all Ireland, but his fame and exalted
character were heard of in distant countries of foreign nations, died in
captivity in London. After which his son, Thomas, proceeded to avenge his
father upon the English and all who had been instrumental in removing him
from Ireland. He resigned the King's sword, and did many injuries to the
English. The Archbishop of Dublin came by his death through him, for he had
been opposed to his father: many others were slain along with him. He took
Dublin from Newgate outwards, and pledges and hostages were given him by the
rest of the town through fear of him. The son of the Earl on this occasion
totally plundered and devastated Fingall from Slieve Roe to Drogheda, and
made all Meath tremble beneath his feet.
1538 - The inhabitants of Clontarf, near Dublin, had licence to fish,
without charge or toll, within the bay of Carlingford.
1539 - O’Neill, i.e. Con, and O’Donnell,
i.e. Manus, marched with mutual accord and consent, with their forces into
Meath, and such territories as did not pay them tribute they devastated and
burned before them as far as Tara …. Great indeed was the booty, consisting
of gold, silver, brass, iron, treasure and every kind of property and goods
in general, they took from the towns of Ath-Firdiath (Ardee) and
Nua-Chongbhail (Navan), having completely plundered them on that expedition
When the Saxon lord justice, Lord Leonard, received intelligence of this he
collected all the English forces in Ireland …. And all the fleets on the
neighbouring coasts and particularly an immense fleet which lay at
- The vicarage
at Carlingford was valued to the First Fruits at £3. 13s. 8d.
1543 – Death of Primate Dowdall, last of
the legally acknowledged Roman Catholic Primates. Interred at Termonfeckin.
- Dundalk Harbour
described as a "creek" in report to Parliament.
1548 - 27
of January about midnight St Peters steeple of Drogheda was blowne downe by
a wonderfull great winde being one of the highest steeples in the world.
- The king granted to Sir Nicholas Bagnal, Knight, the manors of Omee
and Carlingford, with the Lordship of Cooley, &c.
1556 - Earl of Sussex, the Lord Deputy,
1557 - John O'Neill, i.e. the son of Con,
son of Con, assembled and mustered a very numerous army to proceed into
Tirconnell, namely, all the people of Oriel, and all the English and Irish
from Tragh-Bhaile-mhic-Buain [Dundalk] to the River Fin. All these
came to join his muster and army, and marched without halting until they
had, in the first place, pitched their spacious and hero-thronged camp at
Carraig Liath, between the two rivers, Finn and Mourne.
1558 - Shane burned Haggardstown and again
besieged Dundalk. Town was almost a ruin. He was repulsed.
1560 - Sir Henry Radcliffe and John Neill were members for the borough of
Carlingford in this year.
1561 - At this time O'Neill was harassing
and plundering the territories of Bregia and Meath. Tirconnell was also
subjugated and surrounded by him, after having already made a prisoner of
Calvagh, and O'Donnell being sick and infirm, so that there was no one
ruling Kinel-Connell at this time. O'Neill (John) then assumed the sovereign
command of all Ulster, from Drogheda to the Erne, so that at this time he
might have been called with propriety the provincial King of Ulster, were it
not for the opposition of the English to him.
1566 – Shane O'Neill laid siege to Dundalk
but was unsuccessful.
1575 - Great heat and extreme drought
happened in the summer of this year, so there was not rain for one hour,
either by day or night, from May to Lammas (August). In consequence of this
drought loathsome diseases and afflicting maladies, namely a plague, were
generated in an excessive degree amongst the English and Irish in Dublin,
Naas of Leinster, Ardee, Mullingar, and Athboy. Many a castle between those
places was left without a guard, many a flock without a shepherd, and many
bodies, even of the nobility, were left unburied, through the effects of
1578 - Thomas, the son of Patrick, son of
Oliver Plunkett, Lord of Louth, was slain by Mac Mahon, namely, Art, son of
Brian-na-Moicheirghe, son of Redmond, son of Glasny.
1584 - The Lord Justice went the next day
to Limerick [22 June], and was resolved to destroy and reduce a great number
of gentlemen on each side of Limerick, until news overtook him that a Scotch
fleet arrived in the north side of Ireland, at the invitation of Sorley Boy,
the son of Mac Donnell, and that they were plundering and ravaging the
country around them. The cause of their coming was: Sorley Boy, who had had
the possession of the Route for thirty years before, having heard that the
English Council had issued an order and command to the new Lord Justice to
restore the Route to its rightful inheritors, and to banish Sorley to his
own original patrimony in Scotland; and not only this, but not to suffer any
strangers to settle in Ireland so long as it remained obedient to the
sovereign. As for the Lord Justice, he set out from Limerick on his rapid
progress, and issued orders that all the men fit for service from the Boyne
to Beare should meet him at Drogheda, at the expiration of twenty-four days
from that day. The men of Munster, Meath, and Leinster, obeyed this
proclamation, for they came numerously and fully-assembled to that place.
They all then set out for Ulster. When Sorley heard of the march of the men
of Ireland towards him, he left the Route, taking with him his creaghts, his
women, and his people, to Gleann-Concadhain, and leaving neither shepherds
nor guards in the country, nor warders in any castle in the Route, except
only Dun-lis; and although this was the strongest fortress in the province,
it was, nevertheless, taken by the Lord Justice, after he had besieged it
for two days and nights; and he placed the Queen's warders in it. The Lord
Justice, having tarried ten days in the Route, left thirteen companies of
soldiers billeted in Ulster, for the purpose of reducing Sorley Boy; and he
himself then returned to Dublin, and the men of Ireland dispersed for their
After Michaelmas many Gent were apprehended for treason & put in the Castle
of Dublin & some of them drawn hanged & qrtred as Georg Nettervill &
1595 - O'Neill, and O'Donnell join forces
at Faughart, "When the Lord Justice received intelligence that they were
both at that place prepared for him; he remained in Dublin on that
1596 - Important conference at Dundalk
between O'Neill and Earl of Ormonde, first Lord Lieutenant.
When the Lord Justice and the Council of
Ireland saw the bravery and power of the Irish against them, and that all
those who had previously been obedient to themselves were now joining the
aforesaid Irish against them, they came to the resolution of sending
ambassadors to O'Neill and O'Donnell, to request peace and tranquillity from
them. The persons selected for negotiating between them were Thomas Butler,
Earl of Ormond, and Mulmurry Magrath, Archbishop of Cashel. The Earl of
Ormond repaired to Traigh-Bhaile [Dundalk], and there halted; and he sent
his messengers to O'Neill, to inform him of the purport of his coming; upon
which O'Neill sent the same intelligence to O'Donnell; and O'Donnell came to
the place where O'Neill was, with a body of cavalry, and both set out
- Henry Oge, the son-in-law of Tyrone, made incursions into the
English pale, and endeavoured to surprise the castle of Carlingford.
1597 - A new Lord Justice, Lord Borough,
Thomas by name, arrived in Ireland in the beginning of the month of June,
with much arms and many soldiers. After receiving the sword from Sir William
Russell, who had been Lord Justice for three years before, he deprived Sir
John Norris of the office which he held from his Sovereign, namely, the
generalship of the war, and took that office to himself. After this he
issued a proclamation to the men of Leinster and Meath, and to all those who
were obedient to the Queen, from the Meeting of the three Waters to Dundalk,
to meet him with all their forces, fully mustered, at Drogheda, on the
twentieth day of the month of July. These orders were responded to by the
Earl of Kildare, and by the English of Meath and Leinster. The Lord Justice
came to the same place with as many men as he had been able to muster. After
these forces had met together, they marched to Tyrone, and arrived at
Abhainn-mhor without opposition or delay; and, what was seldom the case with O'Neill, an advantage was got of
his vigilance, having, contrary to his wont, neglected to guard the pass,
and the Lord Justice crossed the river without receiving battle or
opposition, and landed at the other side of it. He then razed and demolished
a watching-fort which O'Neill had on the bank of the river, and erected a
new fort for himself on the opposite bank of the same river. But though this
advantage was taken of O'Neill, through the guidance and instruction of
Turlough, the son of Henry, son of Felim Roe O'Neill, neither the Lord
Justice nor any of his forces dared to advance the distance of one mile
further into Tyrone; for they were not allowed rest or ease, sleep or quiet,
but a succession of skirmishes and firing was kept up on them, both by day
and night. It would be impossible to calculate or describe the number of the
Lord Justice's men who were killed and disabled, and the number of horses
and other spoils that were taken from them, on this occasion.
On a certain day the Justice went upon a hill
which was near the camp, to reconnoitre and survey the country around; but
it would have been better for him that he had not gone thither, for a great
number of his chief men were slain by O'Neill and his people. Among these
were the brother of the Lord Justice's wife, and the chief officer of his
army, together with a great number of captains and other gentlemen besides.
Some of the Earl of Kildare's people were also slain there; and had not the
camp of the Lord Justice been so near at hand, the number that escaped would
have survived this engagement. The Earl of Kildare (Henry, the son of
Garret), in consequence either of a wound or a fever, was obliged to set out
on his return home; but when he had gone as far as Drogheda he died in that
town. His body was carried to Kildare, and interred with great honour and
reverence in the burial-place of his ancestors. His brother, William, was
installed in his place.
1599 - The Earl of Essex (Robert) came to
Ireland, as had been promised, about May this year, with much wealth, arms,
munition, powder, lead, food, and drink; and the beholders said that so
great an army had never till that time come to Ireland since the Earl
Strongbow and Robert Fitz-Stephen came in former times with Dermot Mac
Murrough, King of Leinster. When the Earl had arrived in Dublin he published
many proclamations, among which the first was, that every one of the Irish,
who was sorry for having opposed the Queen, should receive forgiveness and
pardon in every crime they had till then committed. Among the same
proclamations was this, that every one of the Irish who would assert that
they had been deprived by the Englishmen of their mansions or patrimonies,
by force or violence, should be heard and attended to, and obtain a
restoration of such property as he was unlawfully deprived of. Not many of
the Irish, however, responded to these proclamations.
Garrisons of soldiers, with all necessaries,
were sent by this Earl to Carrickfergus, to Newry, to Dundalk, to Drogheda,
to Kilmantan, to Naas of Leinster, and to other towns besides.
Moira Pass, the scene of the defeat of O'Neill in 1600
1600 - O'Neill defeated in Moyry Pass on
May 20th and again on Oct 9th.
1601 - The Lord Justice returned back to
the camp, in despite of all the overwhelming opposition which he met; but,
during the period of about a month and a half that he remained in that
fortress, not one of his forces advanced the distance of one mile beyond
that place into Tyrone; so that he returned to Fingal and to Dublin in the
month of August, having left garrisons at Portmore, Armagh,
Machaire-na-Cranncha Magheracranagh, Bealach-an-Mhaighre,
Carrickfergus, Newry, Carlingford, Dundalk, Drogheda, &c. It was an
exaltation of the name and renown of the Lord Justice to have gone that
length and distance into Tyrone on this occasion, such as his predecessors
had not been able to do for the three or four years before.
1607 - Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy, with
the Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice, Attorney General and others, held
inquisition into ecclesiastical and civil affairs at Dundalk.
1626 - John Bellew of Roche died, seized of
five messuages and 160 tenements in Dundalk.
1639 - John Draycot, knight, died, seized
of the site etc of the lately dissolved priory of St. Leonard's of Dundalk
and of 20 messuages and 240 acres of land in Dundalk and also of the Rath
near Ballybalricke, called the Maudlins, Little Lurgan, and Prior's Land of Dundalk, also of the Rectory of St.
Nicholas' Church, tithes and altarages of Haggardstown, tithes of the Lurgan
and land beyond the Bridge of Dundalk, of divers closes and of messuages etc
in Dromeskin, all of which were parcels of the possessions of the lately
dissolved Priory of Dundalk.
1640 - The following held lands in Dundalk
which were confiscated: Patrick Cashell, Oliver Cashell, Stephen Dowdall,
William Sharkey, Thomas Brandon, Bartholomew Moor, Bartholomew Thunder,
Nicholas Cashell, Michael Skoyne, Alexander Mapas, James Brandon, John
Mortimer, Isaac Doo, Patrick Dardis, Sir Chris Bellew, Bartholomew Cashell,
1641 - Sir Phelim O'Neill occupied Dundalk.
1642 - Sir Henry Tichbourne captured
Dundalk from Sir Phelim O'Neill after very hard fighting. The town was
defended by a double wall, a double ditch, a marsh on one side and the sea
on the other.
- Sir Henry Fishburn took possession of the town
of Carlingford, not however till it
had suffered considerable injury by fire from the adherents of Sir Phelim
1643 - Oliver Cashell, representative for
the Borough of Dundalk, was expelled from the Irish House of Commons for
1646 - Perfect freedom of trade granted to
- Perfect freedom of trade conferred on Carlingford.
1649 – Under his leadership, Cromwell’s
army attacks Drogheda. Around 3,000 local defenders killed. Garrison of
Dundalk, on hearing of the sack of Drogheda, and being threatened by
Cromwell with a like fate, evacuated the town in haste.
- The castle
at Carlingford surrendered to Lord Inchiquin.
1650 - Colonel Monck, Commander in Dundalk
for the Parliament, besieged by the Irish army under Lord Inchiquin, and
surrendered from famine.
- The castle
at Carlingford was delivered to Sir Charles Coote and Colonel Venables.
1660-65 - The Duke of York, afterwards
James II, was granted the Mill of Grange and one acre of land situate in the
Barony of Dundalk.
1667 - Marcus Trevor viscount Dungannon,
obtained grants of all of Dundalk and its lands not granted already to the
Bellews and Draycots.
Castlenyrooty or Hyndes Castle, Dundalk, bought from Viscount Dungannon by
Henry Bellingham of Gernonstown, in the County of Louth, Esq. and Wm Toxteth
of Drogheda, Esq. for £70 to be made into a gaol.
Robert Reynolds, a Parliamentarian, received grants of almost all the
Corporation lands of Dundalk.
1669 - The tithes of Carlingford parish, which had been vested in the crown, were
granted to the incumbent and his successors forever.
1673 - Chief Magistrate, Recorder, and Town
Clerk of Dundalk to be approved by Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council.
Governing Charter granted by Charles II to Dundalk. A Recorder, a Bailiff,
and 16 Burgesses. A Guild-hall. Mr W. Cox was appointed first Bailiff.
Yearly assembly day was June 29th. Abraham Wood appointed first
Recorder, and Thomas Long first Town Clerk. The Borough Court was to be held
on Thursday every week.
Oliver Plunkett Arrested
Oliver Plunkett acquitted by an all-Protestant jury at Dundalk
Oliver Plunkett executed for treason at Tyburn, in London, on 11 July
1685 - James II seized the Charter of
Dundalk, among many other towns, but it was afterwards restored.
1689 - Marshal the Duke of Schomberg
encamped with his army between Strandtown and Dowdallshill. Made a large
entrenched camp. James advanced from Ardee and camped for a short while on
Ballybarrack Hill. So many of Schomberg's troops died from disease that he
retreated northwards and James' troops occupied the town.
1689 - Some of the Duke of Berwick's party set fire to Carlingford town, soon
after which the sick soldiers of Schomberg's army were removed thither. In
king James's parliament of this year, Christopher Peppard and Bryan Dermod,
Esq. were the sitting members for Carlingford.
1690 - James hearing of William’s arrival
at Carrickfergus advanced to Dundalk and round "Bedloe's Castle" - i.e.,
Castletown Castle. William prepared to advance south to Dundalk, from which
James retreated to Ardee, and over the Boyne. William marched from Newry
through Moyra Pass to Dundalk, crossed the river at Castletown Castle and
encamped on Ballybarrack Hill. Dundalk was deserted. William is supposed to
have stayed the night in the Demesne House, and went on the next day to
Ardee and afterwards defeated James at the Battle of the Boyne.
1737 – Dr. Boulter, Primate of Armagh, was
instrumental in establishing a cambric manufactory in Dundalk, and advanced
money to the manufacturers, who brought over French workers to start the
1745 - County Louth Commission of Array.
1746 - John Hamilton, Viscount Limerick,
who had acquired Lord Dungannon's interest in Dundalk, was made Governor of
County Louth and Earl of Clanbrassil.
1750 - Lady Anne Hamilton, daughter of Earl
of Clanbrassil married Jocelyn, afterwards Earl of Roden.
- The celebrated Francois Thurot, smuggler and adventurer, spent a year in Carlingford
during which time he
acquired his knowledge of the English language.
1756 - County Louth Commission of Array.
1777 - Riot in Drogheda in consequence of a
mob rising to prevent the exportation of cattle to England.
1779 - The Dundalk Volunteers consisted of
two troops of cavalry, a corp. of infantry, and one of artillery. Uniform -
scarlet, faced with green. Dundalk Light Dragoons, Ballymascanlon Rangers,
Ardee Rangers, and Dundalk Train of Artillery, met together and agreed to
1780 – In Drogheda five people were killed
and three wounded by soldiers of the local corps of Volunteers, during a
1783 - Trial and acquittal in Dundalk of
Thomas Read, at one time Bailiff of the town and a magistrate on the charge
of feloniously, wickedly and maliciously setting fire to the house of Mr
James Forde, agent of Lord Clanbrassil.
1785 - Bill for forming a national militia
was passed, and killed the decayed volunteers.
County Louth Commission of Array.
1793 – Louth Militia formed.
Catholics can legally bear arms.
Trial and conviction of Patrick Byrne, jun, of Castletown for addressing a
letter to the Presbyterians of Ulster, in which he censured the actions of
various public men.
1795 - James Napper Tandy escape arrest by
fleeing from Dundalk.
November 27: Two ships [West Indiamen], bound from Liverpool to Africa with
slaves, and thence to Jamaica, were driven ashore between Dunsany and
Insurrection throughout Ireland
1811 - Butter Crane and stores built by
public subscription in Dundalk.
1817 - Burning of Wild Goose Lodge, and
subsequent trial and conviction in Dundalk of the murderers; Famine and
Fever in Dundalk.
1818 - Gerard Callaghan elected Member of
Parliament for Dundalk.
1825 - Sir Walter Scott passed through
Dundalk; and wrote: - "A poor little town by the shore but with a
magnificent Justice Hall, a public building superior, I think, to any in
1826 - Alexander Dawson and Leslie Foster
returned Members of Parliament in Dundalk after a most hotly contested
1832 - Cholera epidemic in Drogheda and
Dundalk. The old Charter School in Dundalk was converted into a hospital for
the reception of patients suffering from the disease. Dundalk was then
relieved from its pestilential effects in about three weeks, but Drogheda
suffered much more severely.
1833 - Extinction of the old Corporation of
Dundalk, their place being taken by Town Commissioners.
1834 - Cholera outbreak in Dundalk.
1837 - Cholera again visited the town of
Dundalk, Dr. Fitzpatrick caught the disease while fighting for the lives of
his patients, and succumbed.
1839 – The night of the big wind.
Considerable damage caused throughout the county.
1842 - Daniel O'Connell addressed sixty
thousand people in Dundalk.
1843 - Three hundred thousand people are
said to have assembled at Castletown to hear O'Connell.
1844 - First train journey from Malahide to
1845 - The Famine Year. Dr. Laurence Martin
fell a victim to fever while attending the sick; Opening of the Dundalk and
Enniskillen Railway and the Dundalk to Drogheda Line.
1850 - Drogheda to Navan railway opened.
1852 - Great Election Contest between
Chichester Fortescue and Tristram Kennedy, Liberals and John McClintock,
1854 - Death of Viscount Jocelyn, eldest
son of Lord Roden.
1855 - The Boyne viaduct opened.
1858 - Cardinal Wiseman visited Dundalk -
1859 - Royal Agricultural Society's Cattle
Show held in Dundalk Demesne. Opened by the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of
1859 - Dundalk Town Hall built.