The Eblani, whose territory also extended over Dublin and Kildare (Thomond), are mentioned by Ptolemy as being settled in MEATH county. According to the native divisions it formed part of one of the five kingdoms into which Ireland was partitioned, and was known by the name of Mithe, Methe, Media or Midia, perhaps from its central situation. It was afterwards divided into two parts, Oireamhoin, or "the eastern country," which comprehended the portion now known as by the name of Meath; and Eireamhoin, or "the western country," comprehending the present counties of Westmeath and Longford, with parts of Cavan, Kildare, and the King's county. The prince of East Meath was O'Nial, hereditary chieftain of Caelman or Clancolman, who is distinguished in the native annals by the name of the southern O'Nial. The district surrounding the hill of Taragh was originally called Magh Breagh. On this hill, called also Teamor, from Teaghmor, "the great house," was held the general assembly of the states of the kingdom, which met triennially, from a very early period to the end of the sixth century. Here was preserved the Labheireg, or "stone of destiny," on which the monarchs of Ireland were placed at their inauguration, and which, after having been removed to Scotland, was carried away by Edward I, among other trophies of his victory, to Westminster, where it still remains. This part of Ireland suffered severely by the invasions of the Danes.
Northern Co. Louth, eastern Armagh and later in Monaghan. Imchad, the son of Colla Fochríth (one of the 3 Collas) is cited as progenitor of the Uí Méith in the early genealogies. Hanratty (O hInnrechtaigh) were styled as lords of Uí Meith with territory in northern Co. Louth before being pushed into Monaghan (and Fermanagh) by pressure from the Anglo-Normans. The Ua hAnluain (O'Hanlon) sept were cited as chiefs of Uí Meith Tiri, "now the barony of Orior" in Armagh, and O'Dugan (Poems) places them over Oirtheara (Orior).
John O'Donovan in his notes on the Annals of the Four Masters cites, "Ui Meith - There were two groups of this name in the ancient Oirghialla, one called Uí -Meith Macha. alias Ui-Meith Tire, who were seated in the present barony of Monaghan, in the County of Monaghan; and the other Uí -Meath-Mara [Omeath], seated in Cualigne, in the north of the County of Louth." O'Dugan mentions O hInnreachtaigh as a king of Uí -Meith Macha, and the Annals mention them frequently. O hAinbhith, who are also mentioned in the annals as lords of Uí Meith, are given by O'Dugan as lords over noble Uí -Seaain.
The text H. 3, 17, T.C.D. notes the Sogain (of Ulst.?), Uí Echach Coba, Uí Meith Macha and Conaille Murthemne are of the same stock, indicating a possible difference in the genealogy of the Uí Meith Macha and the Uí -Meath-Mara.An early genealogy of the Uí Méith: (Book of Ballymote)
Imar m. Muircertaich m. Duibdarac m. Scannlain m. Indrachtaich m. Gairbid m. Ainbeith m. Mailbrigti m. Duibinnracht m. Taidg m. Innreachtaich m. Muiredaich m. Mailimuchair m. Scannlain m. Fingin m. Aedha m. Fiachrach m. Fiachrach m. Eogain m. Briuin m. Muiredaic Meith (a quo H. Meith) m. Imcadha m. Colla Da Crich m. Eachach Doimlen.
- For 609 cite Conaill Gáideirg maic Daimine occisi a Nepotibus Meith.
- For 672, Scannlan, son of Fingin, chief of Uí Meith, died.
- For 709, Tnuthach, son of Mochloingi, (Tnuthach mac Mochloingsig) as chief of Uí Meith.
- For 737 - Artrach, son of Aitheachda, as Lord of Uí Meith;
- For 742/47 - Muiredhaigh Find (Minn or Mend), ríg h-Ua Meith, h-i Cul Cumaisc, la h-Ulltu.;
- For 750 - Flaithniadh, son of Tnuthach, as lord of Uí Meith;
- For 755 - Flaithniadh mac Tnuthaigh, ri h-Úa Meith;
- For 824/26 - Maelduin, son of Gormghal, (Maol Dúin, mac Gormghaili) as lord of Uí Meith;
- For 827/29 - Drugan, son of Tadhg, (Drucan mac Taidhg) as lord of Uí Meith;
- For 893 - Dobhailen, son of Ailell, lord of Uí Meith Macha;
In the time of Ptolemy, TYRONE was inhabited by the Scoti, which tribe extended itself over most of the inland regions; though some writers place the Erdini here, as well as in the neighboring maritime county of Donegal. It was afterwards known as the district or kingdom of Cenél Eoghain, frequently called Tyr-Oen, whence its present name of Tyrone is derived. A portion of its southern border embraces the northern parts of the ancient district of Orgial or Uriel. According to Camden it was divided into Lower and Upper, or North and South Tyrone by the Slieve Gallion mountain; but as this range is now wholly included within Londonderry, it is probable that the name of Tyrone was then extended to the greater part of that county also. This district was from the earliest period of the Irish annals the chief seate of the power of the O'Nials, the princes or kings of the country, who traced their origin from Nial of the nine hostages, and several of whom obtained sovereignty over the whole island. In the tenth century, Hugh O'Nial, lord or chief of Tyr-Oenm was solicited by Malachy, King of Ireland, to assist him against Brian Boroimhe, then claiming the rank of King of Ireland, and was offered a large portion of Meath as the reard for his acquiescence. O'Nial of Tyrone was one of the chiefs in Roderic O'Conor's army in his unsuccessful attempt to drive the English out of Dublin.
- For 1003 - Dondchad Find and the men of Úa Meith.
- For 1003 - Sinach H. Uargussa (Shionach ua Uarghusa), rí H. Meith;
- For 1016/7 - Fland ua Beice (Flann H. Beicce), tigherna Ua Meith;
- For 1019, Aedh ua h-Indreachtaigh, tigherna Ua Méith, was slain by Uibh Nialláin.
- For 1027 - Cú Locha ua Gairbhith (Gairbeidh), tigherna Ua Meith;
- For 1043 - Flann Ua h-Ainfeth (Anbeid), tighearna Ua Meith;
- For 1049 - Iomhar Ua Beice, tigherna Ua Méith, was slain.
- For 1076 - Gairbheith Ua h-Innrechtaigh, tigherna Ua Méith, was slain by the men of Midhe.
- AI1096, A muster of the Uí Méith into Uí Echach Ulad on a foray, and they carried off cows. The Uí Echach came upon them, making a slaughter of them, and the son of Ua hAinbith and many others were killed.
- For 1107 - Domhnall Ua h-Ainfith (Anbeith) as tigherna Ua Meith;
- For 1131 - Donn Slébhe Ua h-Innreachtaigh as lord of Ua Meith;
- For 1161 - Iomhar Ua Innreachtaigh as lord of Ua Meith;
- For 1170/78 - Diarmait h-Ua Ainbfheith, rí h-Ua Meith.
Cairpre Gabra - northern Co. Longford, barony of Granard,... O'Ronan (Ó Ronáin) were chieftains in the barony of Granard until dispossessed by the O'Farrells in the 13th century.
The annals cite for the general terms Cairpre, Coirpri, et al:
- For 731/36, Bodhbhchadh (Bodbthach, or Badbchadh), son of Conall Gabhra, chief of Cairbre, died.
- In the Annals of Tigernach for the yeare 742, Guin Aeda, is cited as ríg (king) of Ceniuil Cairpri a n-Granard
- For 747, Conaing ua Duibh Dúin, is cited as tigherna Cairpre Teabhtha;
- For 752, Conaíng h-ua Duib Duin is cited as rí Cairpri Teftha (Tethba);
- For 766, Artghal, son of Conall, lord of Cairbre Teathbha died.
- For 855, Bran, mac Scannláin, tigherna Gabhra, died.
- For 1029, Aedh h-Ua Ruairc was rí Cairpre;
- For 1161, Matudhan, mac mic Cronáin, is cited as tigherna (lord) Cairpre Gabhra.
- For 1161, the annals cite Madadhan Ua Ronan as rí (king) of Cairpri Gabra;
- For 485, The first battle of Granairet. Coirpre, son of Niall Naígiallach, was victor.
- For 491, The battle of Taillten was gained over the Lagenians by Coirpre, son of Niall.
- For 495, The second battle of Granairet. Eochu son of Coirpre son of Ailill son of Dúnlang son of Énna Niad was victor.
- For 544, Tuathal Maelgarbh, son of Cormac Caech, son of Coirpre, son of Niall, King of Temhair, died.
- For 598, Colman, chief of Cenél Cairbre was victor at the battle of Eachros in Muirisc, against Maelcothaigh, chief of Cenél Fiachrach, of Muirisc.
- For 649, Oengusa Bronbachlae, regis Ceniuil Coirpri, died.
- For 665 Maelduin, son of Scannal, chief of Cenél Coirbre died; (Sligo)
- For 669, Dubhduin, chief of Cenél Cairbre slays Seachnasach, son of Blathmac, the king of Tara (Cairbre of co. Longford)
- For 678, Conall Oirgneach, chief of Cenél Cairbre, was slain.
- For 681, Fearghus, son of Maelduin, chief of Cenél Cairbre. was slain at the battle of Corann (Sligo).
- For 696, Muirghius, son of Maelduin, Lord of Cenél Cairbre, died. (Sligo)
- For 706, Concobar mac Maili Duín rí Cenéoil Cairpri died. (Sligo)
- For 707 and again for 722 Conall Mend is cited as rí Ceneoil Cairpri (Sligo?).
- For 744, Mac Cuanach the Wise one of the Cenél Cairbre, died.
- For 747 and 752, Flaithbheartach, son of Conall Meann, chief of Cenél Cairbre (Sligo).
- For 752, Death of Conaing grandson of Dub Dúin, king of Cenél Cairpri of Tethba. (Cairbre of co. Longford)
- For 757 the Cenél Cairbre defeat the Luigne at the battle of Caille Taidbig.
- For 771, Cathal, son of Conall Minn, lord of Cairbre Mor, died (Sligo?).
- For 787, The battle of Ard Mic Rime was fought also by Muirgheas, son of Tomaltach, against the Uí nAilella, wherein were slain ... Cathmugh, son of Flaithbheartach, lord of Cairbre, ... (Sligo).
- For 779, Cugamhna, son of Naeinneanaigh, lord of Cenél Cairbre, died.
- For 787, Cathmugh, son of Flaithbheartach, lord of Cairbre was slain.
- For 813, Láegaire son of Cú Gamna, king of Cenél Cairpri, dies.
- For 871, Dunadhach, son of Raghallach, lord of Cenél Cairbre Mor, died. (Sligo)
- For 954, Ua Ruairc inflicted a great slaughter on the Cairpre and Tethba, and ua Ciardai, king of Cairpri, fell.
- For 976 Ferghal mac Foghartaig is cited as ríg Cairpre Moíre. (Sligo)
- For 1030, Donncadh, rí Cairpre, was slain by the Uib Fiachrach Muirsce.
- For 1032, Murchadh, mac Searraigh, tigerna Coirpre Móiri, died.
- For 1045 Glún Iaraind h-Ua Cleirchen, ri h-Ua Cairpri;
- For 1105, Maol Ruanaidh Ua Bilraighe, tigherna Ua Cairpre;
In O'Dugans Topographical Poem he describes Mac Maoiliosa (possibly Mallison, or Mellowes) of Magh Breacraighe in the Breifne portion of his poem. Edmund Hogan described this as a district in northwest county Westmeath (& SE co. Longford), named for an early tribe of the area. O'Hart described it as a district near the borders of Co. Longford and Leitrim. There are various locales given for the name, including the Magh Bregmaine territory about the barony of Shrule in southern co. Longford.
- U752, Destruction of the Brecraige by the Cenél Cairpri, in Tulach Finnin.
- M941, Flann Ua Fogarta, lord of Breacraighe, and lord of Teathbha, died.
- M1410, The castle of Magh Breacraighe was taken by the English of Meath and the Justiciary from O'Farrell.
The earliest inhabitants of the tract DUBLIN of whom we have any authentic notice were a native people designated by Ptolemy Blanii or Eblani, who occupied also the territory forming the present county of Meath, and whose capital city was Eblana, presumed on good authority to have been on the site of the present city of Dublin. By some writers it is stated that in subsequent remote ages the part of the county lying south and east of the river Liffey formed part of the principality of Croigh Cuolan; while that to the north was included in the principality of Midhe, or Meath. The Eblani, whatever may have been their origin, probably enjoyed peaceable possession of the soil until the commencement of the Danish ravages, and the seizure and occupation of Dublin by these fierce invaders. At this era, the tract now described experienced its full share of calamities, until the celebrated battle of Clontarf, which terminated in the overthrow of the military power of the Ostmen in Ireland. At the time of the English invasion, a considerable part of the county to the north of the Liffey was wholly in the possession of the Ostmen, and from this circumstance was designated by the Irish Fingall, a name signifying either the "white foreigners," or "a progeny of foreigners;" the word "fine" importing, in one sense, a tribe or family. The country to the south of Dublin is stated, but only on traditional authority, to have been called, at the same period, Dubhgall, denoting the territory of the "black foreigners," from its occupation by another body of Danes. The county once comprised the territories of the O'Birnes and O'Tooles in the south, which were separated from it and formed into the present county of Wicklow, so lately as the yeare 1603.