Based on the map (after Bartlett) featured in ed. Seán Duffy’s Atlas of Irish History, 2nd Edition.
Following the Norman conquest of Ireland, the ‘Lordship of Meath’ was granted to Hugh de Lacy. His claim, however, was challenged by Tiernán O’Rourke, the King of Breifne, who was the reigning ruler of northern Meath at the time. To settle the dispute, they agreed to meet at the Hill of Tlachtga near Athboy. Accounts differ on what transpired at the meeting, but Tiernán was reportedly betrayed and beheaded, leaving de Lacy in control of a kingdom already devastated by war.
A short time after the betrayal of Tiernán, his loose ally, High King Rory O’Connor, went on the offensive and destroyed both Trim and Duleek castle garrisons. It is recorded that he:
“..attacked the castle in Slane, which was held for De Lacy by Fleming. The Norman garrison and inmates, to the number of 500, were put to the sword: this caused such consternation among the Normans, that on the following day they abandoned three other castles they had erected in Kells, Galtrim and Derrypatrick, in Meath” 1
When de Lacy finally managed to gain the upper hand against the Irish kings, he set about fortifying the Lordship and instructed his barons to build mottes on their holdings. The mottes at Nobber and Kilbeg would have been built under his orders.2 However, de Lacy didn’t ignore the threat that the High King, Rory O’Connor, still posed. O’Connor had incredible power at this stage in Irish history and had the Normans not arrived he would have been one of the main contenders to unite the country under one banner. De Lacy later made a shrewd move to secure his position in Ireland by marrying one of O’Connor’s daughters. This decision angered Henry II of England as it was made without his knowledge, and de Lacy was called back to England on two occasions.
De Lacy ultimately met the same fate as Tiernán O’Rourke, being decapitated while inspecting the fortifications of a castle he was building in Durrow. Following his assassination, the Lordship of Meath passed to his son, Walter de Lacy. However, Walter’s own son died before inheriting the estate, leading the Lordship to be divided between Walter’s granddaughters, Margery and Maud.3 It is at this point that we first hear of Meath and Westmeath as distinct entities. ‘Eastern Meath,’ centred on Trim, was granted to Maud, while ‘Western Meath’ went to Margery.
Walter de Lacy is credited with introducing the Knights Hospitaller to Ireland, a religious order of knights who had fought in the Crusades. They established a priory in Kilmainham, Dublin, as well as smaller preceptories across the country.4 The village of Kilmainhamwood takes its name from the Dublin priory. Historically, the area was known by its Gaelic name, Rath Cúl,5 which survives in the townland names Rath and Coole. The church founded by the Knights Hospitaller is believed to have stood near the old graveyard on the hill.
During the Tudor reconquest of Ireland in 1543, Mide was officially divided into Meath and Westmeath,6 as its boundaries were deemed too extensive for a single sheriff.7 Around this time, the remaining county boundaries, as we know them today, were also finalised.
References
- John M. Thunder, ‘The Kingdom of Meath’ in The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Volume 8, 4th series (1889), p. 517
- Noel French, Hugh de Lacy, who was so bold (Meath Archaeological & Historical Society, 2022), p.63
- Dictionary of Irish Biography, ‘Lacy, Walter de’, Available at https://www.dib.ie/biography/lacy-walter-de-a4633 (Nov. 30, 2024)
- Anthony Cogan, The diocese of Meath ancient and modern, Vol. 1 (Dublin, 1862), pp. 217-219
- Whitley Stokes (ed.), The Tripartite Life of Patrick: With Other Documents Relating to that Saint, Vol. 2 (London, 1887), p. 634
- B. Grierson, ‘An Act for the Division of Methe in two Shires’, The Statutes at Large passed at the Parliaments held in Ireland (vol. 1) 1310 to 1612. B (1765) pp. 232–235
- Cogan, The diocese of Meath: ancient and modern, p. 3
Beyond the Borora 