Battle of Áth an Chip facts for kids

The Battle of Áth an Chip, also known as the Battle of Connacht, was an important fight in 1270. It happened in County Leitrim, Ireland. The battle was between the Gaels (native Irish people) of Connacht and the Hiberno-Normans (Normans who had settled in Ireland). The Irish won a big victory.

The name "Athanchip" means "ford of the tree-stump". Today, this place is called "Battle Bridge". The battle likely took place near Drumhierney townland and Leitrim village.

Why the Battle Happened

About 60 years after the Norman invasion of Ireland, a man named Fedlimid Ó Conchobair became the King of Connacht. He got help from the powerful De Burgh Norman family.

At first, King Fedlimid tried to stop the Normans from taking over more land in Connacht. But eventually, he had to give in to King Henry III of England. This left him with a much smaller kingdom. This smaller area was in what is now County Roscommon. It was known as The King's Candreds.

Fedlimid's son, Aedh, did not like his father's peaceful approach. Even when his father was king, Aedh often attacked the Normans. In 1249, he ambushed a Norman leader named Piers de Bermingham. This attack led to a full-scale war. Because of this, Fedlimid was removed from his throne. He got his throne back in 1250, but he was much weaker.

The Battle of Áth an Chip

Armies gather for the Battle of Connacht in July 1270.

Aedh became king after his father died in 1265. He kept attacking the lands where Normans had settled in his kingdom. In 1269, Robert d'Ufford, the new chief governor in Ireland, started building a royal castle in Roscommon.

D'Ufford sent his deputy across the River Shannon to meet up with his ally, Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster. Their combined forces met with King Aedh to try and talk things out. But they could not agree on anything.

The forces led by de Burgh then decided to retreat. They tried to cross the Shannon River at a place called Áth-an-Chip. But King Aedh's army attacked them there. Aedh completely defeated the Norman army. After this victory, he went on to destroy the castle in Roscommon.

Drumhierney: a likely spot for the Battle of Áth an Chip.

The battle happened at a place called Maigh Nissi. This area was in the barony of Leitrim, in County Leitrim. Experts say that Moynissy was a flat, open area along the Shannon River. It was near Carrick-on-Shannon.

Old Irish records say the Normans crossed "Ath-Cara-Conaill" (which is Carrick-on-Shannon today). Then they marched to Ath-an-cip. "Ath an Chip" was a ford, or shallow river crossing, marked by a big tree stump. It was clearly a crossing point on the River Shannon.

Many believe the battle site is now called "Battle Bridge". In Leitrim village, the R284 road crosses the Shannon at "Battle-bridge". The townland right at this bridge is Drumhierney. This name means "the ridge of the master or lord". So, it is very likely that the battle took place in Drumhierney townland in County Leitrim.

What Happened Next

In 1271, Walter de Burgh died in Galway. This meant there was no longer any strong Norman resistance to King Aedh's rule in Connacht. Aedh continued to raid lands as far east as Granard. He even burned down Athlone and destroyed its bridge.

Aedh's raids stopped when he died suddenly on May 3, 1274. After his death, the Kingdom of Connacht fell into a civil war. There were thirteen different kings between 1274 and 1315. This period of fighting made Connacht weak. It also made it easier for more Normans to settle there.

See also

• Battle of Druim Dearg, 1260AD
• Battle of Ardnocher, 1329AD

Images for kids

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  Armies gather for the Battle of Connacht in July 1270.

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  Drumhierney: a likely spot for the Battle of Áth an Chip.