History & Archaeology
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Tullyhugh: The Lost Castle of the O’Hara Lordship of Leyny
Introduction Tullyhugh (Irish: Tulaigh Aodha, “hill of Aodh”) is a townland in the parish of Achonry-Mullinabreena, barony of Leyny (Luighne), County Sligo. Although no visible remains of its castle survive today, documentary and archaeological evidence demonstrates that a substantial stone-built fortified residence formerly stood there. Traditionally associated with the O’Hara (Ó hEaghra) lords of Leyny,… Continue reading
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The Battle of Cunghill, 1087: Ua Conchobair, Ua Ruairc and the Struggle for Connacht
The Battle of Cunghill, 1087 In 1087, a battle was fought at Cunghill between Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, king of Connacht, and Áed son of Art Ua Ruairc. Ruaidrí was victorious. Áed was killed together with several prominent figures of the Conmaicne. The battle appears in several Irish annals. The Annals of Ulster record an encounter… Continue reading
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Cill Easbuig: The Forgotten Church of Carniara
Introduction In the townland of Carniara, within the parish of Achonry-Mullinabreena, survives a substantial early ecclesiastical site. No standing church remains, but a large oval enclosure is still clearly visible on the ground. Within it, archaeological survey has recorded the possible site of a church and graveyard. Historian Paul MacCotter identifies this site with Cill… Continue reading
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A Swift Advance: Mullinabreena and the French in 1798
The French Advance into South Sligo On 22 August 1798, a French force of just over 1,000 men under General Jean Joseph Amable Humbert landed at Killala in County Mayo in support of the Irish rebellion. Within days they had taken Ballina and, on 27 August, defeated a much larger Crown force at Castlebar in… Continue reading
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The Neolithic Passage Tombs of Knocknashee
Introduction At the northern end of the broad summit of Knocknashee stand two large cairns, approximately 120 metres apart. Dating to the Neolithic period, probably within the fourth millennium BC, they form part of the remarkable passage-tomb tradition of County Sligo and are among the earliest surviving monuments on a hill that would remain a… Continue reading
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Court Abbey: History and Archaeology of a Medieval Franciscan Friary
Court Abbey The ruins of Court Abbey stand in the townland of Lavagh, within the historic territory of Leyny and the parish of Achonry. Although commonly known as an abbey, Court was more properly a Franciscan Third Order friary, established during the fifteenth century under the patronage of the O’Haras, the principal Gaelic lords of… Continue reading
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A History of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Mullinabreena
From the Early Nineteenth-Century Chapel to the Present Day Introduction Mullinabreena Church was opened on 9 November 1884 during the pastorate of Canon Patrick Lowry and has served as the parish church of Achonry ever since. Built to replace an earlier chapel, it remains one of the most important landmarks in the parish. Figure 1.… Continue reading
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Modern Archaeological Investigations at Knocknashee (2016–2021)
Introduction Knocknashee is one of Ireland’s most remarkable prehistoric landscapes. Rising 272 metres above sea level in south County Sligo, its distinctive flat-topped summit contains one of the country’s largest concentrations of prehistoric monuments. Scattered across the plateau are two large cairns, the remains of more than fifty circular stone-built roundhouses and an extensive enclosure… Continue reading
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The Ó hUiginn Family of Chaffpool: Learned Tradition and Landholding in Medieval Leyny.
Introduction Medieval Gaelic society was sustained not only by ruling dynasties and military power but also by a hereditary learned tradition. Across Ireland, professional families specialised in poetry, history, genealogy, law and ecclesiastical scholarship, preserving the cultural and political memory of Gaelic lordships. Among the most distinguished of these learned dynasties were the Ó hUiginn,… Continue reading