Clan Cian History II

          The leading family of Clan Cian were the O'Carrolls, Princes of Ely, and their kingdom was called the Territory of Ely O'Carroll. In 212 A.D. Teige, or Thaddy, son of Cian was king of Ely. Prior to 1200 A.D. the Ely Kings ruled over an extensive area. After the invasion of Ireland by Henry II of England, the kingdom of Ely continued until 1600 A.D. (official records date it as 1590 A.D.)

          From about 370 A.D. to about 1101 A.D. it is found in the Book of Rights that the Kings of Caiseal (Cashel) paid tribute to the Kings of Eile (Ely). Fionn, King of Ely who died 1205 A.D. was succeeded by his son Teige, and that succession continued through his grandson Donal of Litterluna as Chiefs of Ely until the Chiefship transferred to the rival branch in descent of Fionn's other grandson Maolruanaidh ( Mulroona) of which this elected Chief's name was also Teige. He married Joan, daughter of James Butler, the Second Earl of Oremonde, who was the great grandson of English King Edward I. Teige later married Morew, daughter of Brian O'Brien, King of Thomond. It was this same Teige that went on a pilgrimage to Rome, and on his return, visited the courts of King Richard II, and the King of France. While at court with King Richard of England, he and Teige had a falling out and disagreed about certain political decisions. Teige returned back to southern Ireland to await King Richard's army which was threatening to invade the Kingdom of Ely O'Carroll.

          In 1395 A.D. Teige O'Carroll and Clan Cian (race of Carroll) defeated the forces of King Richard II which had invaded Ely, under the command of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. The Kingdom of Ely and the O'Carrolls had withstood the most powerful army in the world, and repelled them out of their territory.

O'Heerin, a 15th century bard described the race of Carroll in 1420 as:

" Lords to whom great men submit are the O'Carrolls of the Plains of Birr, Princes of Eile, as far as tall Slieve Bloom, the most hospitable land in Erin, eight districts and eight chiefs are ruled by the Prince of Ely of the land of herds, valiant in enforcing the tributes are the troops of the yellow ringletted hair."

From the Annals of Friar Clyn.......

"de Elycarwyl, vir potens locuplex et dives et demicosus procuipuus Anglicorum inimicus et persecutor....." Concerning the Ely O'Carroll men, they are powerfully rich in land and rich also in fighters distinguished amongst the English hostiles and persecutors"

          Ferganainm, who became Chief of Ely was married to the daughter of Gerald, the 9th Earl of Kildare, the sister of "Silken Thomas". The Earl was recalled to England for an accounting which included his daughter's marriage. Henry VIII committed him to the Tower Of London. This act led to the revolt of "Silken Thomas" in Ireland, within the Territories of Ely against the English. The O'Carrolls were successful in their revolt and Henry VIII had to make a treaty with the O'Carroll.