Battle of Dysert O'Dea facts for kids

The Battle of Dysert O'Dea was a major battle fought on May 10, 1318. It took place near O'Dea Castle in Corofin, Ireland. This battle was part of a larger conflict called the Bruce campaign in Ireland.

In this fight, the Norman leader Richard de Clare attacked the Gaelic Irish chieftain Conchobhar Ó Deághaidh. Conchobhar Ó Deághaidh was the chief of the Cineal Fearmaic clan and a friend of Muircheartach Ó Briain. In the end, Richard de Clare and his forces were defeated by the Irish.

Why the Battle Happened

The Bruce invasion of Ireland led to many smaller battles. These fights often had little to do with the Scottish invaders themselves. One of the most important of these was the Battle of Dysert O'Dea. It happened in 1318 in the old Kingdom of Thomond, which was once ruled by Brian Boru.

For many years, two groups of the O'Brien clan had been fighting for control of Thomond. Murtough O'Brien was seen as the rightful King of Thomond. But another leader, Mahon O'Brien, challenged him. Mahon was supported by a different part of the O'Brien family. This group was also allied with a powerful Anglo-Norman lord, Richard de Clare.

Richard de Clare was a relative of Strongbow, a famous Norman knight. De Clare controlled much of western Ireland from his castle at Bunratty. Even though the English usually respected Thomond as an independent area, de Clare's alliance with Mahon O'Brien gave him a reason to invade. His English forces would soon face Murtough's Irish army at Dysert O'Dea.

Before the main battle, one of de Clare's allies, Donnchadh, suffered a big defeat. This happened at the Battle of Lough Raska, near Corcomruadh Abbey.

How the Battle Was Fought

When Richard de Clare heard about his allies' defeat, he decided to attack the Irish stronghold at Dysert O'Dea. His troops arrived at Ruan on the morning of May 10, 1318. He split his army into three groups.

De Clare's son led the first group. They marched north to Tullach O'Dea. Their goal was to stop any help from reaching the Irish from O'Connor of Ennistymon. The second group went south towards Magowna. They aimed to prevent support from that area.

Richard de Clare himself led the third group. They marched west towards Dysert O'Dea, where Conor O'Dea lived. Conor O'Dea cleverly made his forces seem smaller than they were. He fought in a way that made it look like his troops were retreating. When de Clare charged forward to attack, his Anglo-Norman soldiers were caught in an ambush.

Richard de Clare was killed by an axe during the fight. His son was also killed by a warrior named Feilim O'Connor. The O'Deas then received help from the O'Connors. Later, the O'Briens arrived, which greatly changed the battle. The O'Hehir and MacNamara clans also gave important support. The English forces were soon defeated.

After their victory, the Irish marched back to de Clare's settlement. They found that de Clare's wife had set it on fire, including Bunratty Castle. She had then returned to England.

More than eighty English noblemen and many foot soldiers died in the battle. Because of this victory, the Kingdom of Thomond remained free from foreign control for over two hundred years, until 1570.

See also

• O'Dea Castle
• O'Dea Clan
• Seán mac Ruaidhrí Mac Craith (fl. 14th-century), author of Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh.

Resources

• O'Dea: Ua Deághaidh: The Story of a Rebel Clan, by Risteárd Ua Cróinín (Richard Cronin), Ballinakella Press, Whitegate, Co. Clare, Ireland, 1992. ISBN: 0-946538-07-7.
• Irish Battles – A Military History of Ireland, by G.A. Hayes-McCoy, Appletree Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-86281-250-X
• Secret Sights (Years of the Sword) RTÉ television programme transmitted 2006. Richard Cronin recounts the local understanding that a Conor Howard helped to plan and execute the ambush of De Clare and his army at Macken Bridge, Corofin (ref. O'Hivar in the Triumphs of Turlough).