{"id":1097,"date":"2026-08-24T18:11:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T17:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/?p=1097"},"modified":"2026-08-24T18:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T17:11:01","slug":"second-battle-of-athenry-1316","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/2026\/08\/24\/second-battle-of-athenry-1316\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Battle of Athenry (1316)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The second Battle of Athenry took place on 10 August 1316. It came in the aftermath of Felim O\u2019Connor (King of Connaught) returning from Ulster to find the province in total disarray. He had been in Ulster supporting William deBurgo in the war against Edward the Bruce of Scotland who had invaded Ireland in 1314. His brother, King Robert the Bruce had been approached the Ulster Chief Domhnall Mac O\u2019Neill to help him win back his lands from the Anglo-Normans. Bruce agreed on conditions that his brother Edward would be crowned King of Ireland. The brothers envisaged themselves as separate rulers of Scotland and Ireland. O\u2019Neill agreed and thus, the path for war. During the campaign William de Burgo was wounded and captured and taken to Scotland a prisoner.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Edward Bruce being crowned King of Ireland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By the early months of 1316 the future of Norman rule in Ireland was extremely serious. They needed a powerful victory over both the Scots and their Irish allies. William de Burgo was vital to the campaign, particularly in Connacht where over many years he had forged alliances with both his own people and Irish chiefs. In July 1316, Richard de Burgo paid a ransom to have William released from captivity in Scotland. The ransom included a ship load of supplies and William\u2019s son, an infant, to be held as security against de Burgo raising arms against the Scots. However, war against the Irish was not mentioned and once the agreement was reached de Burgo sailed immediately for Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Depiction of Irish Warriors. National Library of Ireland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Felim O\u2019Connor was not about to be subjected to defeat by his kinsman Rory O\u2019Connor and his supporters. They had revolted against his authority while he was away and tried to claim his kingship of Connacht. Felim spent time gathering as much Irish support as possible building up his army. In February 1316, he also enlisted the support of Richard de Bermingham of Athenry and brought together an army of Anglo Norman and Gaelic warriors. He defeated Rory and took control of Connacht once again. After regaining control of Connacht, Felim O\u2019Connor became ambitious and felt that he could rid the entire province of the Normans. He ignored the fact that William de Burgo had supported him in 1310 and also his alliance with Richard de Bermingham in his recent war against Rory O\u2019Connor.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Athenry Castle. Author\u2019s Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Irish Gallowglass and Kern. National Library of Ireland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

He began making alliances with Irish chieftains and clansmen and he soon had a large army under his leadership. These included Irish chieftains from Thomond, Meath, Breffny, and Clonmaicne. Among these powerful, were Donogh O\u2019Brien (King of Thomond); O\u2019Maeleachlainn (King of Meath); O\u2019Ruairc (King of Breifne); O\u2019Ferghail (King of Conmaicne); Tadhg O\u2019Kelly (King of Ui Maine); Art O\u2019Heghra (King of Leyney); Niall Sinnach \u2018The Fox\u2019 (King of Feara-Taffia) and Donnell O\u2019Concannon Prince of Hy-Dermoda. He was also joined by numerous other notable chieftains including John and Murragh O\u2019Madden and Melaghlin O\u2019Dowd and their followers; all of whom answered O\u2019Connor\u2019s call to arms. After forming this confederacy, O\u2019Connor began attacking Norman strongholds in North Mayo.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The remains of the North Gate of Athenry. Athenry Heritage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Among the powerful Norman knights killed were Stephen De Exeter, Miles Cogan, William Prendegast and John Staunton. It was said that O\u2019Connor was the one man who could now become the King of Ireland without opposition; he was just twenty-three years old. Fuelled by this success he turned his attention on the Norman settlement at Athenry. Although being former allies, O\u2019Connor was unwavering in his quest and was sure that if he could capture the town, then Galway would be isolated and thus fall into Irish hands also. O\u2019Connor also employed the famous Gallowglass in his army. These men were mercenary soldiers formally from the Isles and Western Highlands of Scotland. They provided services to many chiefs on both sides throughout this period. They were from a mixed ancestry being descended from Gaelic Scots and Vikings. Their weapon of choice was the battleaxe, and they were noted as experts in its use. There was obviously great anxiety in both Galway and Athenry as the Irish marched through the province.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Norman settlers in Athenry were in fear should the Irish breach the walls, then everything in their path would be destroyed. De Bermingham was aware of the gathering storm across Connaught. There was a huge army marching towards his town that would prove extremely difficult to stop if not prepared. There was huge military activity around Athenry, with the production of weaponry and the arrival of surviving Norman knights from around Connacht. Scouts were sent out to locate signs of the Irish army. The town fortifications were reinforced, and this activity created an air of apprehension in the settlement. The situation in Connaught along with the war in Ulster totally unnerved the Normans across the country. The decision to negotiate for the release of William de Burgo came at precisely the right time. Despite the ransom terms there is still a question as to why the Scots agreed to release such a powerful and important man, particularly when the country was in such turmoil. Nevertheless, the decision was made and upon his arrival in Connacht, de Burgo went immediately to meet with Richard de Bermingham at Athenry to discuss the worsening situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the morning of 10 August 1316, Felim O\u2019Connor and his host of Irish kings and clansmen arrived before the main entrance to the town. It was the feast day of Saint Laurence the martyr. The commander of the Norman army was Richard de Bermingham, with William de Burgo in support. It seems that the Normans remained behind their defences, which obviously forced the Irish to attack. The Irish would have to dislodge them and breach the defences if they were to win the day. If they could do this successfully, then all of Connacht including Galway was at their mercy. The Irish attacked in strength, but as they crossed the open ground before the town they were exposed to the Norman archers. The roar of Irish clansmen broke the morning silence as they charged forward. The Norman inhabitants of the town were frozen in fear at the sound of war cries now reaching their ears. Nevertheless, the Norman archers were experienced and waited until the Irish came within range. They then showered the attackers with wave after wave of arrows. This was effective as it tined out the ranks of the charging army. The long bowmen were skilled in this type of warfare and without the protection of chain-mail or body armour the Irish suffered severe causalities before they could get to close quarters with the enemy. By the time they reached the outer town defences, the ground behind them told a sad story with dead and wounded. It was said that the Irish continued to charge with desperate courage, but were eventually stopped and mowed down by the \u2018deathly English archers\u2019. The Irish began to realise their error, but it was too late, the heavy Norman cavalry of chain-clad knights bore down on the survivors and created havoc among their ranks, routing the now an undisciplined Irish force.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Town Walls of Athenry, showing one of its defence towers. Author\u2019s Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The fourteenth-century common seal of the town depicting the decapitated heads of the two leading Irish kings, Felim O\u2019Connor and Tadhg O\u2019Kelly. National Library of Ireland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Within hours, the Irish were comprehensively defeated and suffered such heavy losses that it was impossible to regroup. It seems that the Normans sustained only light causalities. It is believed to be the most decisive battle of the Norman period in Ireland. Furthermore, it was also the bloodiest up to that time, at least for the Irish. It is not known for certain how many men were used in the battle, but some estimate that up to eight thousand Irishmen were killed that day. Another source claims that three thousand Irish clansmen were slain before the gates of Athenry. Still others have put the body count as high as 11,000. The true figure may never be known, but was possibly somewhere in between. The bloody battleground was strewn with the bodies of the dead and the shrieks of those dying, replaced the battle cries. The cries continued until mercy killings were carried out. All about these fields of blood lay the damaged and discarded weapons and battle shields and broken standards.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Athenry Abbey and burial ground. This was the burial place for many of the early Norman settlers. Author\u2019s Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Following the battle the Normans took the bodies of the two leading Irish kings, Felim O\u2019Connor and Tadhg O\u2019Kelly and had them decapitated. They then had their heads impaled on spikes over the gates of Athenry. This horrific display was to serve as a warning to any others who might challenge the power of the Normans. A fourteenth century common seal of the town depicts the ghastly sight. The following is an extract from a poem written about the battle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many of the men of Erenn lay dead about that great field.
Many a king\u2019s son, whom I name not, of Meath and
Munster hosts was killed in that great rout;
My heart rues the fight.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

According to some traditions the town walls of Athenry were financed from the spoils of the battle. However, most sources record the battle took place before the gates of the town, which would indicate that it was walled prior to the battle. There is also the fact that the authorities in Athenry had obtained the Murage Grant six years earlier for the purpose of building defences. There is the possibility, however, that the gains from the battle were used to further strengthen the town defences.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Tomb of King Felim O\u2019Connor in Boyle Abbey, Roscommon. Note the carved images of his Gallowglass bodyguards in death. Author\u2019s Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The second Battle of Athenry took place on 10 August 1316. It came in the aftermath of Felim O\u2019Connor (King of Connaught) returning from Ulster to find the province in total disarray. He had been in Ulster supporting William deBurgo in the war against Edward the Bruce of Scotland who had invaded Ireland in 1314. … Continue reading “Second Battle of Athenry (1316)”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[335,340,341,339],"class_list":["post-1097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-galway-history","tag-athenry","tag-felim-oconnor","tag-tadhg-okelly","tag-the-normans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1097"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1112,"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1097\/revisions\/1112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/galwaysown.ie\/Galway%20Stories\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}