O'Reilly (Ó Raghallaigh), Eóghan

by Emmett O'Byrne

O'Reilly (Ó Raghallaigh), Eóghan (d. 1449), king of East Breifne, was eldest son of Seoán O'Reilly (qv). After the death of Seoán from a fit at Tullymangan castle in November 1400/1401, he was succeeded by his brother Giolla Íosa (qv), who was clearly an elderly man and infirm, as he died within a month of his election. The kingship then passed to Eóghan, then little more than a baby. The young king's reign was quickly ended by the ambition of an older relative, Maolmórdha O'Reilly (qv), who in 1403 seized his chance and banished Eóghan, probably into the O'Rourke kingdom of West Breifne. The supporters of the exiled young king then appealed to Tighearnán Mór O'Rourke (qv) (d. 1418), who led an attempt to restore Eóghan to his kingship. This alliance may have been sealed by Eóghan's marriage to Barrdubh (d. 1431), Tighearnán Mór's daughter. But Maolmórdha stood his ground and beat off Eóghan and the O'Rourkes. This defeat ensured that Eóghan was to remain in the political wilderness for the duration of Maolmórdha's reign. And after Maolmórdha's death (1411), Eóghan was sidelined yet again, as Risdeárd O'Reilly (qv) (d. 1418) was elected king of East Breifne. It was not till 1418 that Eóghan was returned to his kingship. His restoration was caused by the drowning of Risdeárd and his heir in Lough Sheelin, Co. Cavan.

He quickly began to reassert himself by being generous to Risdeárd's son Ruaidhrí Óg O'Reilly, giving him much of the barony of Clanmahon, including the castles of Kilmore and Baile Fobhair. He also interfered in O'Rourke politics after the death of Aodh Buidhe O'Rourke in 1419. Then Eóghan, the MacReynolds of north Leitrim, the MacTiernans, and the English supported Art O'Rourke (qv) in opposition to Tadhg O'Rourke (qv), causing serious uproar in the region. Eóghan then turned on the English of Meath, attacking them and burning their lands. This led to a devastating counter-attack by James Butler (qv), justiciar of Ireland and 4th earl of Ormond. It seems also that Eóghan agreed to share his kingship with his brother Feidhlimidh, who won a great victory over the English of Meath in 1422. By 1424 it seems that Eóghan had established his overlordship over the O'Rourkes, taking the submission of Tadhg O'Rourke. He confirmed kingship of West Breifne to Tadhg, forcing Art to submit. His hostility to the English continued, earning him the unwelcome attentions of Ormond, culminating in the burning of Eóghan's castle in 1427. This did not deter him from consistently interfering in the politics of the O'Rourkes. In 1429, however, this struggle came to a head when Tadhg O'Rourke, with the sons of Mathghamhain O'Reilly and the English of Meath, attacked East Breifne, burned Eóghan's town, and attempted to depose him. Seeing his house in flames, Eóghan dispatched messengers to seek the help of Eóghan O'Neill (qv) (d. 1456), king of Tír Eógain, who in addition to his own forces brought the MacMahons of Oirghialla and the Maguires of Fir Manach to aid Eóghan. Together these forces advanced to Achadh Cille Móir, near Ballymachugh in the south of Co. Cavan. There they were confronted by the O'Rourkes, a collection of O'Reilly dissidents, the McCabes, and the baron of Delvin. In a tremendous struggle, Eóghan and his allies routed the O'Rourkes and their cohorts, strengthening his kingship. Eóghan demonstrated his gratitude to O'Neill and Maguire, campaigning in 1430 and 1431 against O'Farrell of Anghaile (Annaly; in Co. Longford) and MacQuillin of the Route (in Co. Antrim) respectively. Thereafter the O'Reillys enjoyed a long period of peace lasting into the 1440s. In 1441 Eóghan and O'Neill submitted before the Irish council and promised to obey the archbishop of Armagh and desist from raiding his lands. Later in 1447 Eóghan seemingly dispatched his brother Feidhlimidh to Trim to meet John Talbot (qv), lord lieutenant of Ireland. There he was taken prisoner and confined in Trim castle before he caught the plague and died. Before his own death Eóghan seems to have brought about several reforms within the O'Reilly kingdom, minting coins and giving a series of laws (which may have been an adaption of English law) to his kingdom. This remarkable man died in 1449, leaving the succession to his son Seaán an Einigh O'Reilly (c.1425–1460). Seaán's candidature was bolstered when O'Neill and MacMahon came south to preside over his inauguration ceremony. However, his succession was disputed by Fearghal O'Reilly (qv) (d. 1459), son of Tomás Mór O'Reilly (qv) (d. 1390). Fearghal was also able to draw on the support of the English and Eóghan's brother, Domhnall Bán O'Reilly. But Seaán proved too strong, beating them off. He further strengthened his position by submitting to the lord lieutenant, Richard (qv), duke of York, and sealed a pact with Domhnall Bán. Boosted by these successes, Seaán deposed Fearghal but placated him with compensation. In 1452 Seaán again displayed his pragmatic side by quickly submitting to Ormond.

During 1460 Seaán and his brother Aodh invaded Co. Louth to destroy the English of that county. However, they were both killed at the battle of Corbally near Malpas bridge by the local levies under Sir Robert Taafe, mayor of Drogheda, and the archbishop of Armagh. Seaán an Einigh was succeeded by his brother Cathal O'Reilly (qv). In 1467 Cathal died and the kingship passed to Seaán's son Toirdhealbhach O'Reilly (c.1445–1487). Toirdhealbhach was married to Catherine (d. 1493), daughter of Aodh Ruadh MacMahon (qv). He was ambitious and eager to make a name for himself. His first chance came in 1468, when he exploited the turmoil caused by the execution of Thomas FitzGerald (qv), 8th earl of Desmond. In response, the lord deputy, John Tiptoft (qv), campaigned into East Breifne and burned Toirdhealbhach's residence. In 1470 Toirdhealbhach was threatened by the interference of Aodh Ruadh O'Donnell (qv) (d. 1505) of Donegal in the neighbouring O'Rourke kingdom. He called on the English to aid his resistance to O'Donnell's intention to install Domhnall O'Rourke as king of the two Breifnes. However, Toirdhealbhach, with the MacTiernans and the English, forced O'Donnell and his O'Rourke protégé to reconsider their options. But O'Donnell continued to promote the ambitions of Toirdhealbhach's rival, Brian son of Feidhlimidh O'Reilly. Indeed, Toirdhealbhach's son Seaán O'Reilly (c.1460–1491) captured Brian in 1474. But in 1475 Toirdhealbhach finally submitted to O'Donnell and handed over Pilib O'Reilly as a hostage. Moreover, he allowed O'Donnell to make a peace between him and O'Rourke. Such an action was to preserve his kingship by depriving his rivals of O'Donnell's support. The next reference to Toirdhealbhach comes in 1485, when he attacked the Magaurans. Toirdhealbhach died at Tullymangan castle on 1 September 1487, while his son Seaán was elected to replace him on 13 September. The only action of note that is recorded of Seaán's kingship was in 1489, when he joined Cormac O'Farrell to attack the English in Longford. Seaán's reign was cut short by his death a.25 November 1491. He was buried in the monastery at Cavan.