O'Reilly (Ó Raghallaigh), Cathal

O'Reilly (Ó Raghallaigh), Cathal (d. 1467), king of East Breifne, was probably third son of Eóghan O'Reilly (qv), king of East Breifne. Cathal became king in the aftermath of the O'Reilly defeat at the hands of the English at Corbally, Co. Louth (1460), which claimed the lives of Cathal's brothers Aodh and Seaán (qv), the current king. Cathal was to prove as warlike as his brothers, joining Pilib Maguire (d. 1480) of Fir Manach to defeat the sons of Aodh Maguire during 1461. Apart from the usual feuding between the O'Reillys, Cathal's reign was uneventful. In 1467 he died and was succeeded by his nephew Toirdhealbhach O'Reilly (qv). It would seem that Cathal's sons were too young to be of any consequence at this stage in the politics of the O'Reilly kingdom. The first mention of them comes in 1481, when the eldest of them, Maolmórdha O'Reilly, was killed treacherously (during a truce) by the sons of Aodh O'Reilly. In the ensuing conflict, the sons of Cathal revenged their fallen brother by killing Feidhlimidh O'Reilly, the leader of the sons of Aodh. Although their power was increasing, they were not powerful enough to press their claims successfully to the kingship after the death of Toirdhealbhach on 1 September 1487. Indeed, it appears that they approved of the election of Toirdhealbhach's son Seaán (qv) on 13 September. Their chance came after the death of Seaán four years later (a.25 November 1491). Then their leader, Seaán mac Cathail (c.1452–1510), became the next king of East Breifne. His election was bitterly disputed by the deceased king's brother, Cathal O'Reilly (d. 1497), who travelled to Dublin and appealed to Gerald FitzGerald (qv), 8th earl of Kildare. With Kildare's support, Cathal, aided by sons of Glaisne O'Reilly, launched an assault on the new king, Seaán, and his brothers. The campaign caused extensive damage throughout East Breifne, but ultimately failed in its objective to topple Seaán. His survival may be attributable to the help he received from Sir James Butler (qv) (d. 1497) of Ormond, Kildare's deadly enemy. In any case, the struggle dragged into 1492, bringing misery to the people of East Breifne. At this stage it was clear that Cathal had the upper hand. With the sons of Réamonn MacMahon (qv) (d. 1484), Cathal plundered Seaán's territory and burned the lands of the latter's O'Gowan vassals. In retaliation Seaán led devastating raids on Cathal's allies, the sons of Glaisne O'Reilly. But slowly Seaán's position began to strengthen. This may have had much to do with his new alliance with Aodh Óg MacMahon (qv) (d. 1496) of Oirghialla, culminating in the defeat of a large English force in 1494. During the next year Seaán, after a siege of two weeks, forced the castle of Tullymangan to surrender to him. In 1496 Seaán gave shelter to Aodh Óg and his followers after Brian MacMahon (qv) had driven them out of Oirghialla. For harbouring these MacMahons, Seaán paid dearly as Aodh Ruadh O'Donnell (qv) (d. 1505) raided East Breifne to punish him. In 1497, however, Seaán's rule over the O'Reillys was greatly consolidated by the fortuitous death of Cathal from glandular fever. He also made a shrewd alliance with Kildare and fought for him against the Burkes of Clanricard at the battle of Knockdoe on 19 August 1504. With the security of Kildare's protection, Seaán strengthened his regional position by killing Aodh Ruadh MacMahon (1506). After his death (1510), he was succeeded as king of East Breifne by his brother Aodh O'Reilly (c.1455–1514). Nothing is recorded of his reign, except for his fatal mistake of earning the enmity of Gerald FitzGerald (qv), 9th earl of Kildare and lord deputy of Ireland. In 1514 Kildare invaded East Breifne and sacked Cavan castle before completely defeating the O'Reillys in battle. The Annals of the Four Masters mention the extent of O'Reilly losses, recording that Aodh was killed along with fourteen of his nobles. This defeat confirmed the Kildare hegemony over the O'Reillys and their tributary status. Aodh was succeeded by his brother Eóghan Ruadh O'Reilly (c.1460–1526). Little is preserved of the events of his reign in the annals, apart from his struggle with the sons of Seaán during 1524. This little-known king of East Breifne died two years later in 1526.