Felim McHugh O'Connor facts for kids

Felim McHugh O'Connor (in Irish: Feidhlimid mac Aedh Ó Conchobair, 1293–1316) was a powerful King of Connacht in Ireland. He ruled from January 1310 until his death on August 10, 1316. His time as king was very important for the Irish people. It was a period when Irish power was growing again after the Anglo-Norman invasion.

Felim was the last King of Connacht to truly control the entire province. His death stopped many of the gains made by his kingdom. His foster father, Maelruanid Mac Diarmata, who was King of Magh Luirg, played a huge role in his reign. Felim was killed at the Second Battle of Athenry. He led a massive Irish army in this fight. His son, Aedh Ó Conchobair (Hugh O'Conor), later became king of Connacht. His grandson, Toirdelbach Ó Conchobair (Turlough O'Conor), also ruled.

Felim's Life and Reign

Felim's father, Aedh Ó Conchobair, was killed in battle. After this, three smaller kingdoms in Connacht submitted to Aed Breifnach. However, Maelruanid Mac Diarmata, Felim's foster father, marched with Felim to Sil Murray. They brought an army to make sure that any deals Aed Breifnach made would not be approved.

This show of strength by Mac Diarmata made Sil Murray and its leaders submit to Felim. They also allied with William Burke of the Hiberno-Norman Burke dynasty. Aed Breifnach fought back the next year. He raided Clogher, killing many of Mac Diarmata's family, including women and children. However, Felim's problems with Aed Breifnach soon ended. A mercenary captain working for Aed killed him in a plot organized by William Burke.

After Aed's death, Burke and Mac Diarmata attacked those who had supported Aed. They raided across Connacht. But soon, a disagreement grew between Burke and Mac Diarmata. William Burke tried to control Sil Murray by placing his soldiers there. Because of this, in 1310, Felim was made king of Connacht. His foster father strongly supported him. The Annals of Connacht, old Irish historical records, explain it this way:

''Maelruanaid Mac Diarmata, seeing the exclusion of his foster-son from his patrimony and the heavy exactions on each tuath about him, and much resenting the action of the Galls (Burke) in restricting and diminishing his power—for the Galls felt sure that if this one man were weak the whole province of Connacht would be in their own hands—determined, like the warrior he was, to take his foster-son boldly and make him king by force.''

In 1311, Felim raided his rivals, the Clan Murtagh O'Conor, killing several people. In 1315, Felim was part of Richard Og de Burgh, the 2nd Earl of Ulster's army. They were fighting against Edward Bruce's forces in Ulster. Edward Bruce secretly sent messages to Felim. He offered Felim all of the ancient kingdom of Connacht if Felim would recognize Bruce as High King of Ireland. Felim agreed to fight alongside Bruce.

At this time, Ruaidri (Rory) O'Conor, another person who wanted to be king, also approached Bruce. Ruaidri promised to drive the English from Connacht. Bruce agreed, as long as Ruaidri did not attack Felim. However, Ruaidri plundered many English lands in Connacht. He then made himself king and demanded Mac Diarmata recognize him, but Mac Diarmata refused.

Felim hurried back to Connacht when he heard this news. He was attacked by Ruaidri's allies along the way. His company was defeated somewhere in modern county Longford. After this defeat, Felim seemed very sad. He told the leaders who still followed him to submit to Ruaidri. He advised them to do this rather than lose their positions with him.

Felim then went to his former ally, William Burke, hoping for support. But Burke sought peace with Ruaidri to get his lands back in Connacht. Instead, Felim teamed up with some relatives who had been raiding against the Clan Murtagh O'Conor. His foster father, Mac Diarmata, killed Conchobar Ruad and brought much treasure back to Felim.

Soon after, they had to flee when Ruaidri led an army against them. Ruaidri had his ally, Diarmait Gall Mac Diarmata, installed as king of Magh Luirg. This was in opposition to Felim's foster father. Looking for allies, Felim and his supporters submitted to the English of West Connacht. The next year, with their help, they marched on Ruaidri. They defeated him at the Battle of Tochar, killing both Ruaidri and Diarmait Gall. Maelruanid Mac Diarmata was wounded in the fighting.

After this victory, Felim got his kingship back. He then turned on his former allies, the English of West Connacht, killing many knights. He gathered a large army. This army included his own forces from Connacht, as well as armies from the Kingdoms of Thomond, Breifne, and Meath. They planned to fight William Burke and the other Galls (foreigners) of Connacht. They met at the Second Battle of Athenry. The Irish forces were defeated, and Felim was killed. He was only twenty-three years old. The Annals of Connacht described him as someone who was "entitled to become King of Ireland."

After Felim's Death

Felim was succeeded by Ruaidri na Fed. However, Mac Diarmata later removed him from power after only three months. William Burke followed up his victory by gaining control over all the lords of Sil Murray, except for Mac Diarmata. Mac Diarmata remained active in the kingship of Connacht until his death in 1322.

None of Felim's descendants were able to hold as much power as he or the kings before him. The kingship of Connacht became more of a symbolic title. The land and resources of the kings decreased as their vassals (local lords) gained more power.

How Felim Became King

The Annals of Connacht mention Felim's inauguration in 1310. They suggest it was the first time in many years that the traditional ceremony for a King of Connacht was performed. This is thought to be because of the Norman invasion of Ireland and the decline of Irish kingdoms.

Felim's inauguration showed that Irish power was recovering during his reign. It was a return to older times when his ancestors held great power across Ireland. The historical record states:

''and he, Fedlimid mac Aeda meic Eogain, was proclaimed in a style as royal, as lordly and as public as any of his race from the time of Brian son of Eochu Muigmedoin till that day. And when Fedlimid mac Aeda meic Eogain had married the Province of Connacht his foster-father waited upon him during the night in the manner remembered by the old men and recorded in the old books; and this was the most splendid kingship-marriage ever celebrated in Connacht down to that day.''

This wording suggests a symbolic marriage between Felim and the kingdom of Connacht. This idea connects to the concept of sacred kingship in early Irish history. It also relates to the idea of a sovereignty goddess. In this belief, the land is seen as a woman. When the rightful king "marries" her, it brings good fortune and plenty. The fact that the annalist mentions the "remembered" nature of the ceremony suggests that Felim and his supporters saw it as a link to the past. This helped give him legitimacy after a long period without such traditional kingship ceremonies.