1356
Solomon O’Mellan
The Annals of the Four Masters record the death of Solomon O’Mellan, keeper of the Bell of the Testament.
Annals of the Four Masters · M1356.3 ↗14th century
Keepers and the kindred. Follow the records, people, objects and places from this period. This is a growing selection from the research.
1365
Cuulad and his kindred
Explore the 1365 privilege and its text →
Archbishop Milo Sweteman granted a privilege to Cuulad, his successors and those of his natio, concerning the bell and the lands associated with it. The register preserves the name Cuulad Omolkall.
Source: William Reeves, “On the Bell of St Patrick,” Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. 27 (1877), pp. 11–24; Armagh registers.c. 1395–1403
Poetry for Niall Óg Ó Néill
Poetry opens another way into the world around the families. Tadhg Óg Ó hUiginn’s poem Ón aird tuaidh tig an iolaim, addressed to Niall Óg Ó Néill, uses the phrase cáin an chóigidh, referring to the tribute of the province. The poem is a witness to the language of kingship and tribute; it does not name a keeper of the bell.
Read poem 15 in Lambert McKenna, ed., Aithdioghluim Dána, vol. I (1939). The Irish text is in volume I; translation and notes were published separately in volume II. Access to the digitised volume may be restricted.
c. 1395–1410
A poem addressed to Énrí Ó Néill
Díleas breac do bhreith le seilbh, another poem attributed to Tadhg Óg Ó hUiginn, speaks to an Énrí Ó Néill about the politics of the northern Uí Néill. The identification of the addressee as Énrí Aimhréidh remains a reading to be checked.
Source: McKenna, ed., Aithdioghluim Dána, vol. I, poem 17. See also the Irish History Online catalogue record.