O'NeillBrian

O'NeillBrian ( Ó´ Néill Brian), (d. 1260). Perhaps briefly installed as king of Cenél nEógain by Hugh de Lacy in 1238, Brian really reigned from 1241, when with Melaghlin O'Donnell ( Maol Seachlainn Ó Domhnaill, d. 1247) he massacred his dynastic rivals, the Mac Lochlainns of Inishowen, at Caimeirghe, north of Omagh. Subsequently marriage alliance with the MacLochlainns led to war with O'Donnell, and in 1248 Brian supported an Ó Canannáin claimant to Tír Conaill. He sheltered King Fedlimid O'Connor ( Ó Conchobair, d. 1265) from the English in 1249, withheld after 1253 the tribute he owed as a vassal of the earldom of Ulster, and launched repeated raids against Co. Down. In 1258 Brian met Aodh, son of Fedlimid O'Connor, and Tadhg, son of King Conor O'Brien of Thomond, at Caoluisce near Belleek. Aodh recognized O'Neill as king of the Irish of Ireland, gaining support for his own claims over Bréifne in exchange. However, in 1260 O'Neill and O'Connor lost the battle of Down, where Brian was slain.

Katharine Simms