History of Clan O'Mordha/ O'Moore
When the fleet reached Galicia; they brought the fallen to their families, and the sons of Mil sought revenge for his uncle death. They embarked with their warriors and also their families to Ireland with sixty five ships. A bard named Amairgin, who was the son of Mil, led the warriors to invade Ireland against the Dananns. The Dananns decided to avoid confrontations with the Milesians force by using their magic to hide Ireland in a fog. The Danann had also cast another spell of straying on the Milesian's fleet. However Amergin used his own magic to dispel their magic. Another son of Mil, named Ebaer Donn, wanted to exterminate the entire Danann race. The Danann then send a magical storm against the Milesian's fleet, where Eber was thrown overboard and drowned in the raging sea.
The Skirmish of Tailtiu
The Skirmish of Tailtiu may have been more of a skirmish between the Milesians and Dananns. There is not a whole lot of information about this battle between the two forces. One thing we do know, is that all three kings and queens of the Danann forces were killed in this battle, and were forced to retreat. After the skirmish or battle at Tailtiu; the Milesians has finally secure a landing in Ireland. Three days later when the Milesians began to move inland; they were again met by the Danann's forces at the battle of Sliabh Mis. This battle, by research is claimed to be the very first major battle to be fought by the two tribes. This battle will ended up in a bloody battle for both sides.
The Battle of Sliabh Mis
This is an account of the following battle. Three days after the skirmish at Tailiu; the Milesians, which is now refer to as the Gaels by the Dananns were attacked. The Dananns were led by Eriu, wife of Mac Greine son of the sun, and she having a good amount of soldiers that accompany her. They fought a hard battle, and many were killed on both sides. This was the first major battle between the sons of the Gaels and the forces of Dananns for the kingship of Ireland. It was in this battle, that, Fais, wife of Un, was killed in a valley at the foot of the mountain, and it was named after her " The valley of Fais." Scotia, wife of Milesius, was also killed in this battle, and she was buried in a valley on the north side of the mountain near the sea.
The sons of the Gaels had lost no more than three hundred of it's forces, while comparing to the Danann's forces; they have lost a thousands of it's men. Eriu was defeated and driven back to Tailltin, and as many of her soldiers, who can hold together. When she came to Tailltin; there she told the people on how she was defeated in battle against the Gaels, and lost her best men in pitch battle. The Gaels has stopped their advance after the battle was won; collected their dead from the battlefield and gave them a proper burial to honor their fallen. They gave a great burial to two of their Druids, Aer and Eithis; that were killed in the battle.
After the Gaels have rested for awhile, they went on to Inver Colpa in the county of Leinster, and Heremon and his men joined them. Then the Gaels send a messenger to the three kings of Ireland of the tribe of Danann. The three king's sons were Cermait, Honey and Mouth and bade them to come out and fight a final battle to determine the ownership of Ireland once and for all. This upcoming battle will decide the fate of Ireland on who will have complete control and kingship over Ireland. This will be the last and final bloody battle between these two tribes for kingship of Ireland.
The Battle of Tailltin
So, the Danann's forces came out to meet the Gaels, and fight a finally pitch battle for Ireland. The best fighters on both sides has gather on the field of Tailltin, and they began to attack one another. The sons of the Gaels remembered the death of Ith, and there was a great anger towards the Dananns, and they furiously attacked the Danann's lines to avenge Ith, and there was a fierce battle fought. For a while, neither side got the advantage of the other, but at last the Gaels have finally broken thru the lines of the Danann's army and routed their army from the fields with such a great slaughter, and drove them from the battlefield. Their kings were killed in the rout, and also the three queens of Ireland, which their names of the queens were Eriu, Fodhla and Banba.
When the Danann saw their leaders were dead; they began to fall back in great disorder, and the sons of Gaels followed after them. Following the Danann's force; the Gaels have lost two of their best leaders named Cuailgne, son of Breagan at Slieve Cuailgne, and Fuad, his brother, at Slieve Fuad. They were in no way daunted by the lost of their two leaders, but they continue to pursue the fleeing Danann's force, so hotly that they were never able to bring their army together again, but had to admit to themselves that they were defeated by the Gaels. The Dananns had no choice, but to hand over Ireland to the Gaels. The leaders, and the sons of Mileius had divided up the provinces of Ireland between them. The first son, Heber took the provinces of Munster, and he share Amergin with his other brother. The second son, Heremon got Leinster and Connacht for his share, and the third son, Eimhir, son of Ir, son of Miled and some of their chief men of the county of Ulster.
It was one of the sons of Eimhir, that were called the children of Rudraighe, and that he lived in Emain Macha for nine hundred years, and some of the best men of Ireland came from there, which includes the following: 1. Fergus, son of Rogh 2. Conall Cearnach of the Red Branch of Ulster Now, the O' Mordha/ O' Mores were descendants of Conall Cearnach. From the son of Ith, the first Gael to get his death in Ireland. There came in was Fathadh Canaan that got the sway over the whole world from the rising and to the setting sun, and that took hostages of the streams, the birds, and the language.
It is what the poets of Ireland used to be saying " That every brave man, good at fighting, and every man that could do great deeds and not be making much talking about them, was of the sons of the Gaels, and that every skilled man that had music and that did enchantments secertly, was of the Tuatha de Danann. But they put a bad name on the Firbolgs and the men of Domnand and the Gaileoin, for lies and for big talk and injustice. But for all that, they were good fighters among them, and Ferdiad, that made so good a stand against Cuchulain in the war of the Bull of Cuailgne, was one of them. The Gaileoin fought well in the same war; but the men of Ireland had no great liking for them, and their Druids drove them out of the country afterward.
The Birth of Clan O'Mordha
It all begins with the legendary hero and found of Clan O'Mordha of Ireland. His name is Conall Cernach in which his descendants of Clan Muir. From the time of the Milesians, to the Red Branch of Ulster, to the formation of Clan O'Mordha/ O'More, and all the way to modern day Ireland. The Clan O'Mordha fought in many of Ireland's war, feuds, and against invaders. The bravery, curageous and heroism of clan O'Mordha has play an important role in Ireland history and even stories of tragedy. This is their story of the bitter fighting for freedom between the Native tribes, Clan feuds, The English army, and over sea fighting in Irish battalions and regiments. The Blood and sacrifice that the O'Mores had shed to bring freedom, and defending the clan in Ireland's turbulence history.
The Legendary Founder
Conall is descendants from the Milesians tribe and also of royal blood of the Galician Kings and queens of Galicia, Spain. Conall Cernach is the founder of Clan O'Mordha/ O'Mores, and was part of the most elite knights of the Red Branch. His journey from Ulster, Ireland all the way into Jerusalem. Conall is also known as Conall the Victorious. He became a legendary figure during his services in the Red Branch of Ulster. He has served the Kings of Ulster with much bravery and courage against the king's enemies. The Red branch Knights had a passion for building great forts in Ulster to defend the county from invaders. The red branch of Ulster is consider to be a band of elite warriors to defend Ulster from it's enemies.
This is his story of courage, bravery and loyalty. His father was Amairgin mac Echit and his mother was Findchoem. His parents' marriage was barren, until Findchoem visited a druid and was advised to drink from a certain well. She took a drink from the well, swallowing a worm with it, and became pregnant. Findchoem's brother Cet mac Magach a Connachtman, protected his sister until she gave birth to a son, Conall. Druids came to initiate the child into their religion, and prophesied that he would kill more than half of the men of Connacht, and that he would always have a Connachtman's head on his belt. Cet took the child, put him under his heel and tried to break his neck, but only damaged it, leaving Conall with a crooked neck.
Battle of Howth
Conall Cernach fought at the Battle of Howth. He fought Mes Gedra, king of Leinster, in single combat following a battle provoked by the Ulster poet Athirne. Mes Gedra had lost a hand in an earlier fight, so Conall fought him with one hand tucked into his belt. He won, taking his opponent's head as a trophy. When he put Mes Gedra's head on his shoulder, it straightened his neck. Conall's charioteer couldn't carry the head, so he cut out the brain and preserved it by mixing it with lime. The calcified brain was later stolen by Cet and used to kill Conchobar mac Nessa.
Battle of Da Derga's Hostel
Conall was also a supporter the King named Conaire Mór (Conaire Mor) was the greatest high king during the period. He was one of the warriors defending Conaire Mor, during the Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel. Ingcel and his bandits arrived at the hostel, and they were determined to attack the hostel. He went and spied on those inside the hostel. When Ingcel returned, Conaire's foster-brothers realised that their king was there. The story went into great details, with the foster-brother identified each of the champion in Conaire's retinue, including , Conall of the Victorious son Cromar, and Mac Cecht, the son of Snade Teched. Ingcel ordered his men to attack the hostel. They were repulsed with heavy causalities from Conaire and his followers. Ingcel ordered to burn the hostel to the ground. The warriors inside, put out the fire with all water and wine that can be found in the hostel. After hours of fighting, only less than handful of warriors were left inside the hostel.
Conaire Mór, dying with thirst, ordered Mac Cécht to procure him with drink. Mac Cécht was reluctant to leave his king, but managed to break free from Ingcel's bandits. Outside, Mac Cécht went in search for water, but the Dananns hid all the water sources from the hero, with magic. Lakes and rivers seemed to dry up when Mac Cécht appeared. After hours of searching, Mac Cecht managed to fill the cup with water, and began his trek back to the hostel.
By the time Mac Cécht returned, the other champions were either dead or had fled. Mac Cécht saw two men severed his king's head. Mac Cécht attacked the two men beheading his enemies with his sword. Taking up Conaire's head, Mac Cécht poured water into mouth. Conaire Mór spoke, praising Mac Cécht for his duties to his king, of fetching water for the king. Conall was forced to withdraw from the fighting, when he was severely wounded, leaving his dying king.
Mac Da Thó's Pig
Cet is exulting in his victory over the full warrior contingent of Ulster present, the Ulster hero Conall enters the hostel, and leaps into the middle of the hall to roars of welcome from the Ulaid. Cet and Conall acknowledge each other in an exchange of archaic rhetorical verses, and Cet concedes that Conall is a better warrior than he. Cet adds that his brother Anlúan would best Conall in a contest: "'It is our misfortune that he is not in the house.' 'Oh but he is,' said Conall, and taking Anlúan's head from his wallet he threw it at Cet's breast so that a mouthful of blood spattered over the lips." Conall would have a fierce rivalry with Cet for the rest of his life.
He shamed Cet at a feast at the house of Mac Dá Thó, a hospitaller of Leinster, when the warriors of Connacht and Ulster competed for the champion's portion by boasting of their deeds. Cet reminded all comers how he had bested them in combat, including emasculating Celtchar with his spear. However, just as Cet was about to carve, Conall arrived, and his boasts topped even Cet's. Cet admitted defeat, but claimed that if his brother Anlúan were present, his feats would top even Conall's. Conall responded by tossing him Anlúan's freshly severed head.
The Bricriu's Feast
He also competed for the champion's portion at a feast held by the troublemaker Bricriu, albeit with less success. Bricriu went in turn to Conall, Loegaire Budadach and , and promised each of them the champion's portion. When the feast started each of the three warriors' charioteers stood up and claimed the champion's portion for his master. A fight broke out between Conall, Láegare and Cúchulainn, until King Conchobar, Fergus, and Sencha, intervened to separate them. Meanwhile, Bricriu went to each of the three heroes' wives - Conall's wife Lendabair, Lóegaire's wife Fedelm, and Cúchulainn's wife Emer - and promised them precedence at the feast, and when the women approached, Conall, Lóegaire and Cúchulainn were almost set to violence again.
Emer was the first to enter, as Cúchulainn lifted the side of the house up to let her in, tipping Bricriu into a ditch. The Ulstermen asked first Ailill and Medb, king and queen of Connacht, then Rio Cu , king of Munster, to adjudicate the dispute. In every test set, Cúchulainn came out on top, but neither Conall nor Lóegaire would accept the result.
Finally, a hideous, giant churl, carrying a huge axe, appeared at Emain Macha . He challenged each of the three heroes to cut off his head, and then allow him to return the next day to cut off the hero's head. Lóegaire accepted the challenge and cut off the churl's head, and the churl picked up his head and left. He returned the next day, but Lóegaire was nowhere to be seen. Conall was the next to take up the challenge, but he too did not fulfil his side of the bargain. Finally Cúchulainn cut off the churl's head, and submitted himself to the churl's axe the following day as promised. The churl spared him, revealed himself as Cú Roí, and declared that Cúchulainn should have the champion's portion undisputed at any feast held by the Ulstermen.
The death of Cúchulainn
Conall and Cúchulainn had sworn to each other that whoever was killed first, the other would avenge him before nightfall. When Lugaid mac Con Roi and Erc mac Cairpri killed Cúchulainn, Conall pursued them. Lugaid had also lost a hand, and Conall again fought one-handed, but this time he only won after his horse took a bite out of Lugaid's side. He took both their heads, and when he took Erc's head back to Tara his sister, Achall, died of grief.
Final Showdown with Cet
Conall pursued Cet after he had made a raid on Ulster, killing twenty-seven men and taking their heads. It had snowed, so he was able to follow his trail. He caught up with him, but was reluctant to face him until his charioteer chided him for cowardice. They met at a ford, and Conall killed Cet in a ferocious combat that left Conall near to death himself. He was found by Belchu of Breifne , a Connachtman, who took him home, tended to his wounds, and planned to fight him when he was fit. But Bélchú soon regretted his honourable behaviour and asked his three sons to kill Conall as he lay in his sickbed. Conall overheard and forced Bélchú to take his place in the bed, and when his sons arrived they killed him instead. Conall then killed the three of them and took all four heads home.
Fráech's Cattle Raid
He told of how his friend Cúchulainn had made him a copy of his own Gáe Bolg, the magical
spear of death, made by the warrior princess Scáthach from the bones of great Coinchenn the sea monster. He told of how he and Fráech has followed the pirates to Scotland where Fráech’s family had been sold to slavers from the south. Down through Britain and into Gaul they raced, eventually finding the family sold to a rich merchant that lived on the southern slopes of the Alps. Great were the cheers in the hall when he recounted how Fráech slew 100 guards and he 200, their battle hardened skills with sword, spear and shield were no match for the men the merchant had hired.
To allow Fráech and his family to escape, Conall had taken a stand in a narrow ravine leading north into the mountains. Conall stood alone and met all challenges with sword and spear. Eventually a Roman general was summoned and asked Conall for a parley. The Roman general amazed by the prowess of this tall red haired warrior from the north offered him terms. Where he to give the Roman army 5 years of his time and expertise no action would be taken against him, Fráech or his family who would be allowed free passage back to Ireland. Conall a man known for his foresight and wisdom accepted the offer and was duly enrolled in the General’s army as a foot soldier and took the name Longinus.
Roman Army Stationed in Jerusalem
As time passed Conall’s skill at arms meant he soon was promoted and in a remarkably short time was made a centurion and was sent by order of Emperor Tiberius into the cities of the east to put down revolt and sedition. Which is how Conall found himself arriving in Jerusalem, the city of the Jews, on a hot and sultry Friday. It was shortly before noon when they reached Jerusalem, the city of the Jews. It was a strange day, the sun hung a ball of raw fire in the heavens. Like all the cities he had seen the air was filled with the noise of shouting men, wailing of women and screaming children, as always it hurt the ears of chieftain of Dunservick and he was ill at ease when he reported to his cohort commander. “No time for rest” the commander told him, “Take your men up the hill to the east to a place these local heathens call Golgotha. We use it for executions, it is easy to find, just follow the crowds and your nose.
The Prefect Pilate is playing politics with the Jewish Sanhedrin, tomorrow is one of their 100’s of holy days and these criminals MUST be executed band off their crosses before sundown of there will be hell to pay. So off you go and break their legs, that will speed up the dying and then we can all relax. Oh .. one of the men is a special Jew … some business with calling himself King of the Jews, he has followers … they may cause problems, make sure they do not!” Conall nodded and left. This was not a duty he liked . He was a warrior of the Red Branch, duty bound to be honorable and fair in all things and the way the Romans dealt with problems was not to his taste.
When there was a dispute or a crime it was best solved by single combat, winner takes all that was the Red Branch Way. The torturous deaths these Romans had thought up had no honor and it sickened the Irish warrior’s heart when he rode down avenues lined with small forests of crosses hung with the corpses of offenders. Up past the bare brown synagogues and closely packed houses Conall and his troops marched following the hurrying crowds. Here and there groups of women talked in whispers, pausing at sight of the Romans and the tall red haired chieftain of Ulster.
Conall Cearnach wore his wide-spreading scarlet cloak, fastened with a large brooch of Irish gold in the shape of a deer across his breast, and his red hair fell down in many plaits to his broad shoulders, each plait being tied at the end by a red string and tiny ball of gold. His short trimmed beard was red as his hair, his cheeks were like an apple when the sun had kissed it, and his blue bright eyes, keen-glancing, drew the eyes of all to look at him. On the way up the hill Conall noted the splashes of bright red blood and the score marks made by the heavy crosses as they were pulled by those being executed. This was the final straw and into the soul of Conall a hot anger came a-rushing as he broke away from his troops and sped like a blast of wind towards the place where the people were thickest. One thought filled his mind, “I will not let this happen. If this special man needs a champion then his champion I will be! It was not to be, pushing his way through the crowd it was a bleeding and dying man that hung on the center cross below a sign that read “Jesus Of Nazareth, King of the Jews”.
Another two men hung on similar crosses, one on the left the other on the right. The chieftain of Dunservick’s eyes clouded in anger at the sight. As Conall drew close to the center cross the man’s dry and bloodied lips opened and in a hoarse whisper he said “I am thirsty. Conall took a sponge from his pack and dipped it in a jar of rough sour wine mixed with numbing herb wormwood, placed it on the butt end of his spear and held it to the man’s lips. The man weakly sucked it for a minute and looking down directly into the eyes of Conall he whispered “It is finished” and he died. It was as if in that last flash of life something had passed between the two men. Something strange yet wonderful had filled Conall’s heart.
Conall’s soldiers arrived and used a hammer to break the legs of the man crucified on the left. The man screamed once and died. The soldiers moved to Conall and looked at him for permission to carry out their orders. “Hold” said Conall, “He is gone” and to prove it he took his spear, the very one given him by Cúchulainn and thrust it deep into the man’s side, blood flowed weakly but did not pulse as it would with a beating heart, the man was indeed dead. The soldiers moved to the third man and dispatched him with the hammer as they had the first. The skies darkened with boiling clouds until the sun itself disappeared and it was as if night had fallen. The sky was rent with a furious chachophny of thunder, the ground shook as if a giant stamped his feet and all around Golgotha long dead corpses rose from their graves and walked amongst the living. Conall took the arm of a woman weeping near the foot of the cross.
It was the man’s mother, he told her sadly and slowly “It was wrong your son died this cruel and untimely death. I share your grief little mother and were my brothers of the Red Branch not so far away, there would be a reckoning both fierce and swift.” The woman’s eyes met Conall’s and he knew in his heart that revenge was not proper here and his anger had no place in the grief of this mother. He knelt beside her and said “I know little of your religion and I did not know your son or if his crimes deserved this punishment but it seems to me in my heart, he was the true son of God” He helped her to her feet and onto the arm of one of her friends silently weeping behind her.
Conall felt a sharp tug on his cloak, behind him stood a well dressed man, “Centurion” he asked “although I can see by your looks you are not Roman can I ask you a favor citizen to citizen?”. Conall nodded and the man continued “I am Joseph from Arimathea a Jew like this man Jesus, I have asked Pilate if I may take his body to my tomb not far from here and bury him before the day is done and he has agreed … but I cannot do this by myself and I fear that we may be delayed by his enemies” The red haired warrior considered this and without a word set to assisting Joseph in moving the body to a tomb in a cave some half a mile away. Once the body of the man had been laid in the tomb the women cleaned and dressed the body as was set in their customs. When they finished the body was left alone in the tomb.
A large stone had been cut for the purpose of sealing the tomb but was so large that no normal man could move it. Conall took the butt of his spear and jammed it under the stone and flexing his broad shoulders he levered the stone inch by inch until it sealed the tomb tight. As the stone fell into place the unbreakable shaft of the spear made by Cúchulainn shattered into two pieces. Joseph was a rich man and he offered to have the spear head re-shafted, but Conall refused saying “This spear has done all it’s work and I swear on my honor it will never be used in anger again. I will keep the head as it is now stained with this innocent blood as a remembrance of the evil done this day”.
Joseph in return passed him scrolls on which he had written the story of Jesus from his birth to the last supper he had with his 12 friends. With that Conall returned to the barracks resigned his commission and started his long journey home. As Conall finished his tale, silence fell in the great hall for they all could see in the eyes of their chieftain the pain he carried in his heart from being even a minor a part of this evil deed. This was a pain that he would carry for the rest of his days. All eyes were downcast as the chieftain reached into his bag and took the broken spear head. He wrapped it in the fine linen napkin from the table and strode from the hall into the storm and out through the great castle gates and up onto the cliff path. He returned the following morning empty handed.
No one followed him and he never spoke of where he hid the spear that pierced the side of Jesus. That secret he took to his grave. In pagan Ireland news of strange Gods from far off countries were soon forgotten by all but Conall himself. He tried his best to follow the teachings of the rabbi from far away Nazareth written on the scrolls. And so it was nearly 400 years later after Saint Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland and the new religion slowly replaced the old that the story of the hidden spear surfaced again when Saint Gobhain was lead by a mysterious holy flame to build his church on the edge of a cliff above a cave half way between Dunseverick castle and White Park Bay a church that still stands to this day.
Conall, the founder of clan O'Mordha and eventually Muir. He has became a great legendary hero who fought for the Knights of the Red Branch with much victories and ending his career in the Roman Army, which eventually made him become Christianity after seeing Jesus dying on the cross. Something inside of Conall has change forever.
“As we record our history we move into the future. We the Irish O'Mores have not a reason to hide our past for we fought the good battle.” by The Clan O'More Website
The ancient Irish family of the name descends from O'Mordha (meaning majestic). The ancestor from whence they sprung was Conal Cearnach one of the Red Branch knights of Irish history. Under various spellings of the name in Ireland, the More, O'More or O'Moore family can be traced to Ireland and Moore can be traced to English and French origins. 'Moore' is an English spelling for which the Irish O'Mores were forced to take. It can well be said that the name Moore was given to English families to confuse the Clan O'More in Ireland.
The Chieftians of Clan O'Mordha:
the Chieftians of Leix: (Note:mac means son of..) Year:
Chief: 1016 Gahan O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain. 1017
Cearnach O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1026
Aimergin mac Kenny mac Cearnach O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1041
Faelan mac Aimergin O’More, lord of Leix, blinded; died in 1069. 1042
Cucogry O’More, lord of Leix, living. 1063
Lisagh mac Faelan O’More, lord of Leix, slain 1069
Macraith O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain. 1091
Kenny O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1097
Aimergin O’More, lord of Leix died. 1098
The son of Gahan O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1149
Lisagh mac Aimergin mac Faelan O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1153
Neill O’More, lord of Leix, blinded. 1158
Macraith O’More, lord of Leix, living. 1183
Cucogry mac Lisagh O’More, lord of Leix, living. 1196
Donnell O’More, lord of Leix, slain.[It is a remarkable fact the “The Irish Annals” make no mention of an O’More, Chief of his name, during the thirteenth century] 1319
Shane mac Donough O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain. 1342
Lisagh O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1348
Connell O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1354
Rory mac Connell O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1368
Lisagh mac David O’More, (?) lord of Leix, died. 1370
Murtough O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain. 1394
Donnell O’More, lord of Leix, living. 1398
Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1404
Gillpatrick O’More, lord of Leix, living. 1464
Kedagh O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1467
Donnell O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1477
The son of Owny O’More, (?) lord of Leix, slain. 1493
Connell mac David O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1493
Neill mac Donnell O’More inaugurated lord of Leix. 1502
Melaghlin mac Owny mac Gillpatrick O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1523
Kedagh mac Lisagh O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1537
Connell mac Melaghlin mac Owny O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1538
Peirce mac Melaghlin mac Owny O’More, lord of Leix, (?) died. 1542
Kedagh roe mac Connell mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1545
Rory coach mac Connel mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1548
Gillpatrick mac Connell mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, died. 1557
Connell og mac Connell mac Melaghlin O’More, lord of Leix, hanged. 1578
Rory og mac Rory coach mac Connell O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1584 (circa)
.James mac Kedagh O’More, alias Meaghe, lord of Leix, died. 1600
Owny mac Rory og mac Rory coach O’More, lord of Leix, slain. 1600
Owny mac Shane O’More, appointed lord of Leix.
Clan O' Mordha/ O'Moore's Septs:
This is an official list of Septs belonging to Clan O' Moore in Ireland: Mordha, O' Mordha, McMoore , O'Moore, O'Moire, O'More Mac Gaethin (GAHAN, MacGEEHAN, MAGEEHAN), Mac Ceadach (KEADY, KEADIE, KEDDY, KEEDIE, KEEDY, MACKEADY), Ó Leathlobhar (LALOR, LAWLOR), Ó hArraghain (HARRIGAN, HARAGHAN, HARAHAN), Ó Liathain, Mac Laoidhigh (LEE, MacLEA, MacLEE), Ó Suaird (SWORDS SORD, SOURDES, SUARD), Ó Broithe (BROPHY, BROFIE), Ó Casain (CASHIN, KISSANE), Ó Deoradhain (DORAN, DORRIAN), Ó Dunlaing (DOWLING), and Ó Duibhgainn (Deegan)
The O' Mordha/ Moore/ O'More lands in Ireland belong to the family at one point.
Clan O'Mordha Historic Seat Conall Cearnach of Ulster- The Branch of the red knights
O'Mordha of Laois- Leinster Province
Moore of Drogheda
Moore of Mooresfort, Co. Tipperary
Moore of Mountcashel
Moore of Ballina Co. Mayo
Moore of Rosscarberry Co. Cork, Ireland
Moore of Ballymacrue, Co. Cavan
Moore of Carra, County Mayo
Moore of Antrim
Moore of Barmeath
Moore of Favor Royal
Clan O'More was a very powerful Irish clan, a clan the English hated. English families with the name Moore began to settle in the province of Munster in the 12th century. Their name is said to stem from the word 'moor', meaning "strong mountain". The O'Mores were the leading tribe of the "7 Septs of Leix". They fought hard to keep Ireland free from invaders and many died. In 1609 the English transplanted the remnant of the clan to Co. Kerry, around Tarbert in hopes they would die. Still many returned to their ole grounds in Co' Leix. Keatings History says that St.Fintan is our patron saint. As we record our history we move into the future. We the Irish O'Mores have not a reason to hide our past for we fought the good battle.
Maol Mordha Rises Against Brain
Murchadh dragged Maol Mórdha from hiding in a yew tree. Maol Mórdha’s life was spared and he was allowed to remain king of Leinster. To cow any potential challengers, Brian built fortresses, strengthened the fortifications of Cashel, took hostages, and sent Murchadh on punitive raids. Although Cashel was his capital, Brian preferred to rule from his boyhood home, Kincora. He was fortunate that his sons proved loyal and did not turn on each other—or on him. In the subjugated Norse towns, trade with Europe flourished in slaves, wine, walrus tusks, spices, furs, and silks. From Brian’s vassal kingdoms, a ceaseless tribute of cows, hogs, cloaks, iron, and wine flowed into Munster.
Decades of raids by Vikings, by Irish lords, and even by Irish abbots had caused much damage to the land. Brian used his growing wealth to improve roads, build bridges, restore old churches and monasteries, and build new ones alongside schools. For nearly a decade, minor feuds aside, Ireland enjoyed untypical peace and a cultural renaissance. Trouble brewed when Brian became estranged from Gormfhlaith, who left Kincora to return to Dublin. Consumed by hatred for Brian, she egged on her son, Sigtrygg, and King Maol Mórdha to rise against Brian. Brian responded with a severe new tribute that sent Leinster into near-starvation and summoned Maol Mórdha to Kincora for a show of obedience. Coaxed into an argument by Murchadh, Maol Mórdha stormed out of the castle before consulting with Brian.
A messenger sent after him by Brian was later found with his skull smashed in. Whether the threat was real or imagined, Maol Mórdha reformed his alliance with Sigtrygg. Maol-Seachlainn, however, stayed loyal to Brian. He even sent his army against Dublin, but suffered a crippling defeat. In 1013, Brian and Murchadh arrived to plunder Osraighe and southern Leinster before heading on to Dublin. Early in September, Sigtrygg watched as Brian and Murchadh’s army set up camp outside the city’s landward walls. This time, however, Sigtrygg wisely did not sally forth. The fortifications of the Viking strongholds were more formidable than those of the Irish forts and, when resolutely defended, were beyond Brian’s or any other Irish king’s power to overcome. After more than three months of blockade, Brian’s forces stirred with mutiny because supplies were running low and the foul winter weather was on the way.
Sigtrygg jeered as Brian’s humbled army broke camp, but he knew that Brian would return. In search of allies, Sigtrygg set off to the hall of Sigurd Hlodvirsson the Stout, the Norse earl of the Orkneys. In return for bringing a few hundred half-heathen, half-Christian men as reinforcements, Sigurd demanded Gormfhlaith’s hand in marriage and an Irish kingdom to rule. Gormfhlaith was pleased with her son, but counseled Sigtrygg to gather an even greater force. He found more help in the pirates of the pagan Dane, Brodar of the Isle of Man. The cunning Sigtrygg promised Brodar the same reward he had promised Sigurd. Brodar and Sigtrygg reckoned that, at the comparatively advanced age of 54, Sigurd could well die in battle. In the coming conflict, Brian depended on his loyal Munster warriors, as well as the Danish stewards of Waterford and Limerick.
Only a few reinforcements strode forth from Connacht, and none came from Ulster. Fortunately for Brian, Maol-Seachlainn promised to help, and a new ally was found in Brian’s son-in-law, King Malcolm II of Scotland, who sent a small force commanded by Domhnall, the great steward of Mar. It was also heartening to hear that southern Leinster had refused to aid Sigtrygg and Maol Mórdha. With his 5,000 warriors, Brian still held numerical superiority over Maol Mórdha and Sigtrygg, who barely commanded more than 3,000 Vikings and Irishmen between them. Nevertheless, Brian had to act quickly to wipe out Dublin’s and Leinster’s newfound independence before the neutral Irish kings could turn against him.
Brian’s youngest son, Donnach, took a few hundred men to keep an eye on southern Leinster. Brian set up his own camp north of Dublin on a hillock in the Wood of Tomar. From there he could see the city to the south, its harbor thick with Norse longboats, and between Brian’s camp and the city, the sprawling tents and campfires of his enemies. Maol Mórdha, Sigurd, Brodar, and Dubhgall, Sigtrygg’s brother, had set up their camps near the little fishing weir of Clontarf. Sigtrygg remained in Dublin with a reserve force. On Thursday, April 22, 1014, Brian sat down to take council with his lords. Tempers flared, and as a result Maol-Seachlainn withdrew his forces to Meath. The hot-headed Murchad might well have been to blame. Brian now no longer held the numerical advantage. He immediately sent word for Donnach to hurry back, but there was little chance his son would arrive in time.
Brian’s hair was now silver, and he was73 years old. Too old to personally lead his warriors in battle, Brian would have to depend on Murchadh, who was unquestionably brave but also reckless. That night, Brian’s mind was haunted by worries. According to legend, a banshee visited Brian and warned him that he would fall in battle, and that “this plain shall be red tomorrow with your proud blood.” On the Viking side, Brodar, who was widely believed to be a sorcerer, prophesied that should they fight on Good Friday, Brian would die, but his army would be victorious. Whatever the truth behind such tales, Maol Mórdha, Sigtrygg, Sigurd, and Brodar all knew that they had to strike before Donnach returned. Brian had lost none of his regal bearing as he reviewed his army at dawn of Good Friday.
He looked to his brave Dalcassians, who Murchadh would use to spearhead the attack. Ready to fight beside Murchadh was his 15-year-old son, the crown prince Tordhelbach, and Murchadh’s brothers, Conchobhar and Flann. Behind them fluttered the banner of Brian’s nephew, Conaing, king of Desmond. Also present that day were the Eoganacht lords Cian and Domhnall, Domhnall, the great steward of Mar, King Tadhg of Connacht, and an array of lesser kings and princes. On his wings, Brian stationed his 10 Danish stewards and their troops Brian’s army followed Murchadh’s blue banner to meet the oncoming Dublin-Leinster coalition at Clontarf. The latter advanced with Sigurd and Brodar’s Vikings in the lead, followed by the Danes from Dublin and, behind them, Maol Mórdha and his Leinster men. Murchadh recklessly initiated the attack by bolting ahead of the main army.
Alarmed, Brian called for him to fall back into line. Murchadh replied that he would not retreat one step backward. Inspired by Murchadh’s valor, the rest of Brian’s army surged forward. Meanwhile, Brian knelt down before his pavilion to pray for victory. Below him the two armies collided in a deafening crescendo of clashing arms and battle cries. From behind their large round shields, protected by leather and ring-mail byrnies, the Danes slashed and thrust their axes, spears, and swords. Their Irish foes lacked armor but not spirit, and fought back with unbridled fury. There were few lulls in the fighting. Engulfed in a semicircle, the Dublin and Leinster men slowly gave way to Brian’s battle-crazed Irish and Danish troops. Although their army fled around them, Sigurd and his guard stood like an unbroken bastion, the legend-shrouded Raven banner of the Orkneys fluttering at Sigurd’s side.
One Viking warrior after another took up the banner, only to be cut down again by Murchadh’s relentless assault. The last hands to grasp the fateful Raven banner were those of its lord. Sigurd wrapped the banner around himself before he was decapitated by Murchadh with two powerful blows to the neck. Scarcely had Murchadh caught his breath from slaying Sigurd than there appeared the fierce Norse champion, Amrud, who had carved a bloody path through the Dalcassians. Murchadh grappled Amrud to the ground and tore away his sword. Murchadh leaned the pommel of the sword against his own breast and drove it three times into Amrud, piercing the earth beneath him. Gurgling blood, Amrud plunged his own blade into Murchadh, killing him simultaneously. Panicked Norsemen and Leinstermen threw themselves into the ocean, hoping to reach their longboats. Heedless of their own safety and hungry for blood, their pursuers followed them into the waves.
The high tide carried both to their doom. His hands locked upon the hair of a Dane, Murchadh’s son Tordhelbach was washed upon the Weir of Clontarf. A stake shot through his body, and he drowned. The number of men killed on both sides was great. Conchobhar and Flann, King Tadhag of Connacht and Domhnall of the Eoganacht were among the 30 Irish chiefs and kings who died that day. Except for Sigtrygg and Brodar, all the Norse-Leinster leaders were slain among their annihilated army. Maol Mórdha and Conaing, king of Desmond, fell by each other’s hand.
From Dublin’s ramparts, the Danish women anxiously watched the battle. Brian’s proud daughter stood there too, and at sight of the Norsemen rout she mocked her husband Sigtrygg. “It appears that the foreigners have gained their their natural inheritance—the sea,” she scoffed. In anger, Sigtrygg hit her in the face, knocking out one of her teeth. Sigtrygg rode forth too late to rally his men and was lucky to flee back into Dublin alive.
The Norman Invasion
In 1152, we learn that Diarmuid Mac Morrough, Diarmuid na Ngall, brought Devorgille, wife of O’Rourke of Breifne, to his castle of Dunamase. (This information is still preserved in the traditions of the locality).Diarmuid had to fly the country on account of his many crimes, for all Ireland was leagued against him. He sought the help of Henry II of England to reinstate him to his kingdom. This led to the Norman Invasion. When Diramuid died, he left his kingdom of Leinster to Strong bow, who had married his daughter, Eva. They had one daughter Isabel who married William Marshall.
They had five sons and five daughters. Marshall was murdered by his fellow-Normans envious of his vast possessions. His sons died and his daughters married English Earls among whom the land was divided, with Eva as the youngest daughter, getting Dunamase. They lived on the Rock, which they erected into a manor, a feudal court, where their tenants came to render aid and service.Their daughter Maud, married Robert Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore. Thus, Dunamase passed from the hands of the O’Mores into those of an English Earl. Some of you may be interested to learn that from this marriage sprang the imperial house of Austria and the royal families of England, France, Prussia, Denmark, Holland, and Sardinia.
Mortimer fortified Dunamase, but as he preferred to live in England, he employed the Chief of the O’Mores to look after his possessions in Ireland. There are many references in the State papers of this period to Dunamase, but as they relate to Anglonorman succession only, they have not great interest in us. In the war between the Geraldines and the Red Earl of Ulster, great havoc was wrought throughout the country. In the reprisals which followed, Maurice Fitzgerald, son of the more famous Maurice, took John de Cogan and Theobald Butler from the sanctuary of Castle Dermot Church and imprisoned them in the dungeons of Dunamase. From this it would appear that Dunamase was then in the hands of the Geraldines in 1264.
The Bruce Invasion
Dunamase must have played no small part in the Bruce Invasion, for Sir Roger Mortimer, its then lord and master, acted as Deputy for the English King. In the large army, which he gathered to oppose the Bruce, there must have been many nobles of the O’More family. As a result of the Bruce invasion, many Irish families, among them the O’Mores and the O’Connors, threw off their allegiance to the English Crown and harassed the Pale. In 1325, Laoiseach O’More, who acted for the absent Mortimer as his captain of war in Laoighis, seized the castle of Dunamase and recovered for his family all the lands held by his ancestors, viz., all that extent of country lying between the Barrow and the Nore, and extending westwards towards the Slieve Bloom mountains, and portions of the present Counties of Kildare and Kilkenny.
Laoiseach was a powerful and wealthy prince, and he was a man held in much esteem by his own people. At 1342 he was killed by one of his own retainers. O’Mores were attacked from all sides by the indignant Normans, but despite a protracted and exhausting war, they maintained their independence for the next two centuries. After Laoiseach’s death, Mortiner recovered procession of Dunamase. He fortified it strongly and made it his chief residence. The more firmly to secure it, he build other castles in the vicinity to replace those destroyed by Laoiseach. From now on, Dunamase was for many years the seat of the English civil and military jurisdiction.
Though Dunamase had passed from their hands for the time being, the O’Mores were not inactive. They harassed the Pale on all occasions, so much so that in 1358, according to the annuals of Ulster, a large force marched from Dublin to invade and lay waste Laoighis. It was defeated by the then chief, and many English fell on the field of battle. In conjunction with Art MacMurrough Kavanagh, the O’Mores ravaged and laid waste the town and county of Carlow. In 1404, Gillapatrick O’More, Lord of Laoighis, defeated the English at Ath Dubh-now Blackford-a few miles from Stradbally, and took great spoil in horses, clothing and arms. In 1421, they defeated the Earl of Ormond at Old AbbyleixOn this occasion, the defeated enemy sought sanctuary in the Cistercian monastery.
To avenge this defeat, the Lord Lieutenant invaded Laoighis, and defeated the O’Mores at Red Bog of Athy, and laid waste their territory. The O’Mores had to sue for peace. About 1444, the O’Mores adopted the English system of primogeniture. The system of tanistry had its faults, the chief being that it led in those turbulent times to quarrels over the right of succession. Malachy O’More appears to have been the chief ruler of Laoighis in those days. His tomb may still be seen in the old Cistercian monastery of Abbyleix, which was build and endowed by his family. In 1480, Gerald More, Earl of Kildare, invaded Laoighis to punish the O’Mores for their depredations on the Pale. In 1513, the Great Earl was wounded by one of the O’Mores and died as a result of his would in Ley Castle. In the following year, Gerald Og, Earl of Kildare, defeated the O’Mores in their own territory. To avenge this defeat, the O’Mores slew the son of the Earl and many others some time after.
1358 - Hugh O Neill defeats the Fer Managh and Orial. O More defeats the English of Dublin in battle
1404- O' Mores fought at the Battle of Ath Dubh- Clan O' More Victory
1421- Battle of Old Abbyleix- Victory
O'more were defeated at the battle of the Red Bog of Athy which lead the O'Mores to sue for peace. Now I be talking about the Cosby and the O'More clan battles, which started with the O'More being massacre at Mullaghmast.
