Based on the map (after Bartlett) featured in ed. Seán Duffy’s Atlas of Irish History, 2nd Edition.
Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, King Henry II granted the former Kingdom of Mide to Hugh de Lacy in 1172, creating the Lordship of Meath. However, this grant was disputed by Tiernán O’Rourke, King of Bréifne, who exercised authority over much of northern Meath and regarded the territory as falling within his sphere of influence. As a result, de Lacy’s claim to Meath faced immediate resistance from O’Rourke, leading to a bitter struggle between the two rulers.
In an attempt to settle the dispute, they agreed to meet at the Hill of Tlachtga, near Athboy. Accounts differ as to what transpired during the meeting, but O’Rourke was reportedly betrayed and beheaded, leaving de Lacy in control of a kingdom already ravaged by years of conflict.
Shortly after O’Rourke’s death, his ally, High King Rory O’Connor, launched a major offensive against the Normans and destroyed the castle garrisons at Trim and Duleek. 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
Once de Lacy had gained the upper hand over the Irish kings, he turned his attention to securing the Lordship. To strengthen Norman control, he instructed his barons to construct mottes on their lands. The mottes at Nobber and Kilbeg were likely built as part of this programme.²
Despite these successes, de Lacy remained wary of the threat posed by Rory O’Connor. In a shrewd political move, he married one of O’Connor’s daughters in an effort to strengthen his position. The marriage was arranged without the consent of King Henry II and provoked the king’s anger, resulting in de Lacy being summoned to England to answer for his actions.³
Ironically, de Lacy ultimately met a fate similar to that of O’Rourke. In 1186, he was assassinated and decapitated while inspecting the fortifications of a castle under construction at Durrow. Following his death, the Lordship of Meath passed to his son, Walter de Lacy. However, Walter’s own son predeceased him, and the lordship was eventually divided between Walter’s granddaughters, Maud and Margery.⁴ Eastern Meath, centred on Trim, passed to Maud, while Western Meath was granted to Margery.
Walter de Lacy is credited with introducing the Knights Hospitaller to Ireland. The military religious order, which had gained prominence during the Crusades, established a priory at Kilmainham in Dublin, along with a network of smaller preceptories throughout the country.⁵ The village of Kilmainhamwood derives its name from the Dublin priory. Historically, the area was known by its Gaelic name, Rath Cúl,⁶ which survives in the modern 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, the former territory of Mide was formally divided into the counties of Meath and Westmeath in 1543,⁷ as its extent was considered too large to be administered by a single sheriff.⁸ Around this period, many of Ireland’s remaining county boundaries were also finalised, creating much of the administrative landscape that survives today.
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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
- French, Hugh de Lacy, who was so bold, p.111
- 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