Laughlin Ó Cellaigh facts for kids
Laughlin Ó Cellaigh was an important Irish Lord who lived a long time ago. He died on June 29, 1646.
Who Was Laughlin Ó Cellaigh?
Laughlin Ó Cellaigh came from a very old and powerful family. His ancestors were once the Kings of Uí Maine, a kingdom in Ireland. He was also a cousin of Feardorcha Ó Cellaigh, who was the last known king of that area.
Laughlin was the leader of his family's branch. He owned several castles in north County Galway, including Mullaghmore, Garbally, Moylough, and Castleblakeney. People remembered him as a very kind and brave man. Local stories about him were still told even in the 1900s! He is believed to be the last Ó Cellaigh to live in and own Moylough Castle.
The Battle of Laught
Laughlin had a brother named Tadhg Mór, who lived at Mullaghmore Castle. The two brothers had a disagreement about who owned their family's lands and castles.
On June 29, 1646, during a time of war in Ireland called the Irish Confederate Wars, Tadhg Mór and his followers fought against Laughlin and his army. This big fight happened in a place called Laught townland. Sadly, Laughlin was defeated and killed in this battle.
He was buried in Leacht. There was a special message carved on his tomb, which said something like:
"Oh people, who has seen so great a cause of pity since the Three Marys were watching the grave? Full of a castle of noble women. Trusting to one man and he was taken from them."
Another story about the battle says that two chiefs, one from Williamstown and one from Barnadeag, owned a lot of land. They decided to divide it by meeting early one morning; where they met would be the new border. The chief from Williamstown was very eager and started early with his army. The other chief was a bit lazy and started later. When they met, they couldn't agree. The Williamstown chief had a stronger army and started pushing the Barnadeag army back. They fought a big battle at Laught. The Williamstown chief was killed and buried there.
What Happened After the Battle?
Laughlin and his brother Tadhg Mór were cousins to other important people named Tadhg Mór Ó Cellaigh from Aughrim and Castleblakeney. People used to say that these three Tadhgs were among the best in all of Ireland.
Many of their family members were later killed during another big battle called the Battle of Aughrim. This battle happened on July 12, 1691, near Ballinasloe.
The Battle of Laught is important because it was one of the last major battles fought in County Galway for a very long time. The next big conflicts in the area didn't happen until the Irish War of Independence (1919–1922) and the Irish Civil War (1922–1923).
