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The following describes Ireland in ancient times and gives
some of the background at the time Oirghialla existed. However, it is after the
Normans came to Ireland in 1169, that our ancestors assumed the name we have
today. What follows may or may not be of interest!
Around the 4th century AD, there were 3 guys
known as the
Three Collas (Colla, meaning strong man or tough guy, was given to them
as they seem to have been trouble-makers), grandsons of King Cairbre Liffeachair.
They fell from favour but after
a period of exile, returned to Ireland and took control of a large new territory called Oirghialla or Airgialla from the northern territory of the Uladh
(Ulster).
Background on the Three Collas
Ancient Irish tradition says that Oirghialla, (or Airghialla or Oriel) was a
territory in northern Ireland founded by the three Collas about the 4th century
AD, and inhabited by their descendants in later centuries. However, with such
ancient history, the line between myth and history is unclear. It is also said
that the term Airgialla is translated as 'those who give hostages', alluding to
a subordinate status of the various groups inhabiting the area. It is also suggested
that the three Collas are really Eogan, Conall and Enda,
the three sons of Niall Noigiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages) who conquered
some of Ulster.
The three sons of Eochaid Duibhlein and Aileach (a daughter of the King of Alba), Cairsall, Aodh and
Muredach, were also tough guys and nicknamed Colla - Colla Uais, Colla Meann and Colla
da Crich (Fochríth).
The three Collas went to Scotland to obtain the
assistance of their kindred to place Colla Uais on the Irish throne, and with
their help placed him there, but he was compelled to give way to a relative,
Muredach Tirech, who had a better title to the sovereignty.
The three Collas made war with the High King of Ireland, Fiachadh, and overthrew
and killed him in order to sieze the Kingship for Colla Uais, which he enjoyed
for four years. Muiredach Tirech, the son of the slain king Fiachadh, overthrew
the three Collas and their followers. About the year 327 the three Collas were
exiled to Alba (Scotland). They were received into their maternal grandfather's
court, the court of the Scots and Picts.
The Irish Annals record for the year of our
Lord 322 cite, "Fiacha(dh) Sraibhtine, after having been thirty seven years as
king over Ireland, was slain by the Collas, in the battle of Dubhchomar, in
Crioch Rois, in Breagh."
The annals further record for the year 323,
"The first year of Colla Uais, son of Eochaidh Doimhlen, as king over Ireland."
For the year 327 the annals state, "The fourth
year of Colla Uais, in the sovereignty of Ireland, when Muireadhach Tireach
expelled him and his brothers into Alba (Scotland) with three hundred along with
them."
The annals continue for the same year, "At the
end of this year the three Collas came (back) to Ireland; and there lived not of
their forces but thrice nine persons only. They then went to Muireadhach, having
been instructed by a druid. And they scolded at him, and expressed evil words,
that he might kill them, and that it might be on him the curse of the finghal
should alight. As he did not oppose them, they tarried with him, and were
faithful to him."
 "It was when Muiredeach Tireach, grandson
of Carbri of the Liffey, was High King of Ireland, that Ulster was despoiled and
broken by his nephews, the three Collas, who, on the ruins of the old kingdom of
Uladh, founded a new kingdom - of Oirgialla (Oriel) which was henceforth for
nearly a thousand years to play an important part in the history of Northern
Ireland."
"The Collas first went to their kin in Connaught [King Muiredeach] and there
gathered a great army for the invasion of Ulster. On the plain of Farney in
Monaghan they met the Ulstermen under their king, Fergus, and on seven
successive days broke battle upon them, finally slaying Fergus and putting the
Ultach (Ulstermen) to complete rout. Of the conquered portion of Ulster, from
Louth in the south to Derry in the north, and from Loch Neagh to Loch Erne, the
Collas made themselves the new kingdom of Oirgialla (Oriel)."
The Irish Annals record for the year of our Lord 331, "The battle of Achadh
Leithdheirg, in Fearnmhagh (Farney), was fought by the three Collas against the
Ulstermen, in which fell Fearghus Fogha, son of Fraechar Foirtriun, the last
king of Ulster, who resided at Eamhain. They afterwards burned Eamhain [Macha],
and the Ulstermen did not dwell therein since. They also took from the Ulstermen
that part of the province extending from the Righe and Loch nEathach (Neagh)
westwards. Colla Meann fell in this battle.
Toward the middle of the 4th century the
breakup of the kingdom of the Ulaidh (Ulster) began as an attack on Emain Macha,
the capital of the kingdom for hundreds of years, by the three Collas who were
nephews of the the High King of Ireland Muiredeach Tireach. They established a
new kingdom known as Orghialla (Oirgialla, later Oriel), forcing the Ulaidh into
east Ulster.
Some of the Belgic tribes of Munster and Leinster began to migrate to south
Wales and Cornwall around 375 AD, at the twilight of the Roman Empire's rule in
parts of Britain. It is often quoted that the Romans thought about invading
Ireland but never did, a fact which played an important part in the island's
later 'Golden Age'.
Shortly after Niall of the Nine hostages death about 405 AD, two sons of Niall,
Eoghan (Owen) and Conall marched northwards, conquered North-West Ulster, and
founded there a new state with its capital at Aileach, a prehistoric stone-built
fortress on a hill near Derry, at the root of the Inishowen peninsula.
Toward the middle of the 5th century important Christian missionaries began to
arrive in Ireland, most notably St. Patrick around 432 AD. The impact these
missionaries were to bring to Irish culture and religion was a major turning
point in the history of the island.
It is cited by the historian Bede that Angles or Saxons came to the island of
Britain in the middle of the 5th century at the invitation of Vortigern, to help
to repel attacks by Picts and Scots (Irish colonizers in Scotland). As Ireland
was untouched by the Roman conquest, the Saxons also do not seem to have had any
influence upon her destinies.
The era of the middle 4th to the middle 5th centuries is an important time in
Ireland's early tradition. Not only are new kingdoms formed and new dynasties
created, which extend into the historical period, but the foundations are set
for Christianity to have a dramatic and permanent impact on the 'pagan'
inhabitants of the island. The stage is set for a monastic and literary
tradition which will set Ireland apart from many other 'European' countries
during the coming 'Dark Ages'. It is during this period that one of Ireland's
more enigmatic characters makes an appearance, that of Niall of the Nine
Hostages. The descendants of Niall are to play a primary role in the politics of
Ireland over the next millennia.
Further details on:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airg%C3%ADalla
http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/ire400.htm and
http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/ire400.htm
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