332 



Proceedings of the Hoyal Irish Academy. 



lY. The Tribes. — As the church di visions in Ireland usually 

 stereotype tribal topography, we may briefly examine the tribal 

 arrangements in the Diocese of Limerick.^ In the " Danish " district 

 round the City of Limerick lay some small tribes, roughly classed as 

 Tuath Luimneach ; some were possibly of Korse origin. They were 

 the Caoille, whose name is supposed to be embodied in Templenacally; 

 the L"i Conaing, who gave their name to Carrigogunnell (Carraic ui 

 gConaing), and Castrum Iconing, or Castleconnell ; the Ui Mhaille, long 

 commemorated at Crewally ; the Ui Ciarmhaic (Kerbys, or Kerwicks) ; 

 the Othotocor, near Crecora^; and some others. The Dal Cairbre, or 

 Ui Cairbre Aobhdha, an important group of tribes, of whom the 

 O'Donovans were chiefs, lay along the Maigue basin in Coshmagh 

 and Kenry (Caenraighe), and covered the deanery of Adare. They at 

 one time extended past Kilmallock^ to Ardpatrick,^ but were pressed 

 northward. On their north-west border lay the UiBeagha, orUibhRosa, 

 at Eeagh and Iveross. The great Ui Fidgeinte^ group lay to the south ; a 

 branch of the Pir Tamnaige gave its name to Mahoonagh, or Tawnagh. 

 The strong tribes of Ui Chonaill Gabhra^ extended to the north of the 

 western district, along theDeel andSlieve Luachra; Connelo retains 

 their name. The Corcoithe long gave their name to Tuath Gortcoythe, 

 including Rathcahill and the neighbouring lands in Glenquin.' The 

 name of the Corca muichet still appears on the map as Corcomohide. 

 A number of other tribes (many belonging to the Ui Chonaill, the 



^ Much of our so-called *' knowledge " of the origin and affinities of the tribes 

 is doubtful ; and as the matter does not greatly affect this paper, I avoid all these 

 questions. 



2 Also given as O'Cholchur and Orthorlothor (B. B. L., pp. 44, 96, 100 and 130). 

 O'Huidhrin in 1420 assigned Crecora to 0' Conaing. 



^ Kilmallock is located in Ui Cairbre by the Calendar of Oenghus at 26 March. 

 Hakmys was in Carbry, Plea Roll 34 of xxv Ed. I. 



^ Ardpatraic, however, was " among the southern Deisi," according to the 

 " Tripartite Life." 



5 The Ui Fidgeinte chiefs claimed descent from Fiach Fidgente, grandson of 

 Oilioll Flanbeg, king of Munster, c. 300. The Life of St. Molua," of Clonfert, 

 places them — the "Xepotes Fidgeinte" — " a medio planicie Mumonie usque ad 

 medium mentis Luachrae occidente ad australem plagam fluminis Synna." MSS.^ 

 T.C.D., H. 3-17, says—" From Luachair Briun to Brurigh." 



^ The Ui Chonaill, or Ui Ghabhra, comprised the later families of Ui Coileau 

 (Collins), Ui Flann Abhra (Flannery), and Maclnneirghe, the powerful family of 

 MacEnery, of Castletown. Book of Riglits," p. 77. The latter chiefs were^ 

 however, descendants of the Dalcassian king, Mahon, elder brother of Brian. 



' See Ann. F. M. under 546. 



