Ulster
The History of Ulster, Ireland
Sections:
1. Three Family Rumors………………………………………………………p. 1
2. Brief History of Ulster to 1177…………………………………………..p. 2
3. Brief History Northern Ui Neill………………………………….....…p. 6
4. Descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages-Tadg…..…………….p.10
5. Taidg in Connacht Province…………..………………………………….p. 16
6. The Name Tadgh…………………………………….…………………....…p. 17
7. Norman Conquest of Ulster 1177………………………………………..p. 19
8. Earls of Ulster……………………………………………………………......p. 21
9. Nine Years’ War 1594-1603……………………………………………..p. 25
10. Plantation of Ulster….….……………………………………………..…p. 27
11. Gaels and Celts………….……………………………………………....…p. 37
12. Gaels in Ireland….…….……………………………………………...…..p. 43
13. Gaels in Scotland…….….…………………………………………..……p. 45
14. Gallowglass We Were One! ………..……………………………..……p. 49
15. Irish Uprising Irish Wars and Rebellions…………………………p. 51
16. Irish Rebellion of …………………............................................p.53
17. Revolt of 1857…….…………………………………………………….....p. 55
18. Conclusions………………………….………………………………….....p. 58
Section 1. Three Family Rumors
We have conclusive proof we are from the Province of Ulster, County of Derry (Londonderry) and Fermanagh. We can trace this back to 1795 when 2 brothers were born in County Femanagh and came to County Derry in the 1820’s where one became a famer and one a shoemaker. Both lived in Magerafelt in County Derry near Draperstown. Magherafelt meaning 'plain of Fíolta', is a town and civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,805 at the 2011 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of the county and is the social, economic and political hub of the area. It is part of Mid-Ulster District. In early and medieval maps that would be the territory designated as the Northern Ui Neill. We again caution, our interest here is genealogical. There are many texts available on these subjects and we refer you to them for more historical information.
What are the family rumors?
1. The Montagues originally came from Harfluer in Normandy France. Insisting that we are Norman not French. They came to England in 1066 with William the Conqueror. Settled in Somerset and we still have family there. Some ended up in Ireland.
2. We came from Brittany France to Ireland.
3. We have been in Ireland for hundreds of years and are descendants from the Gallowglass.
Those are the rumors we have been trying to verify. We have not been able to prove or disprove any of the above. Surnames as we currently know them were just beginning to be used in the 11th century. Until then “by names” were used where a person would be known via trade, physical characteristic or place of origin. All of which makes it very difficult to trace not to mention the lack of records as we know them today. All 3 of the family rumors could be true. One does not disprove the other. In previous chapters where we discus Rollo becoming a Norman-the age of Vikings and settling in Normandy France and the Montague’s in England-accompanying William the Conqueror and living in Somerset England.We cannot conclusively determine if we are related to anyone in Normandy or Brittany France; nor could we conclusively prove we are related to anyone in Somerset England. Still, the rumor may be true. We know William the Conqueror recruited large portions of his Army from Brittany and all over Normandy and Flanders which allows the possibility that both rumors might be true…or not. We are now going to look at Ulster Province to see if we can find any more information. Again this is a genealogical search not a history. There are many texts available for you to find additional information. The lines between Ireland and Scotland are blurred as this history shows.
Section 2. Brief History of Ulster to 1177
Shown to the left is a map of Ireland during the Middle Ages.(We appreciate the difficulty of this reading but it underscores that there was plenty of work for mercenary soldiers like Gallowglass and that the distinction between Ireland and Scotland was not very distinct. Clans were more important than geography and geography certainly changed hands-often. Areas of particular interest in our genealogical search are Lough Neagh, St. Columba and the Northern Ui Neill.) Ulaid was a Gaelic over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include Ulidia, which is the Latin form of Ulaid, and in Cóiced, Irish for "the Fifth". The king of Ulaid was called the rí Ulad or rí in Chóicid.The Ulaid feature prominently in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. According to legend, the ancient territory of Ulaid spanned the whole of the modern province of Ulster, excluding County Cavan, but including County Louth. Its southern border was said to stretch from the River Drowes in the west to the River Boyne in the east. At the onset of the historic period of Irish history in the 6th century, the territory of Ulaid was largely confined to east of the River Bann, as it is said to have lost land to the Airgíalla and the Northern Uí Néill.