List of rulers of Tyrone

This article lists the rulers of Tyrone (Irish: Tír Eoghain) from 1185 to 1616. They are listed from their date of accession to date of death, unless otherwise stated.

Prior to this, the ruling dynasty - the Cenél nEógain - were most of the kings of Ailech. During the tenth and eleventh centuries, two main septs within the dynasty emerged; the Meic Lochlainn and the O'Neill. The latter family pushed aside the Meic Lochlainn, and from 1241 onwards the kingdom was ruled exclusively by members of the Ó Néill family.

For the offshoot Clandeboye O'Neill kingdom, distinct from Tyrone, that was ruled by the descendants of Hugh Boy O'Neill, see Clandeboye.

Kings of Tyrone 1185-1616
  • Domhnall mac Aodha Mac Lochlainn: 1185; deposed 1186 ;restored 1187; died 1188
  • Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh: 1186 - 1187
  • Muircheartach mac Muircheartaigh Mac Lochlainn: 1188 - 1196
  • Aodh Méith mac Aodha Ó Néill: 1196 - 1230; first Ua Néill (Ó Néill) king.
  • Conchobhar Beg mac Conchobhair Mac Lochlainn: 1201 - 1201
  • Niall Ruadh mac Aodha Ó Néill: 1230-1230
  • Domhnall mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn: 1230; dep. 1230; res. 1234; died 1241 (last Meic Lochlainn King of Tír Eógain; all subsequent kings were Ó Néills)
  • Domhnall Óg mac Aodha Méith Ó Néill: 1230 - 1234
  • Brian O'Neill: 1238-16 May 1260; High King of Ireland 1258-1260.
  • Hugh Boy O'Neill: 1260; dep. 1261; rest. 1263; died 1283 (the last to be styled King of Ailech)
  • Niall Culanach mac Domhnaill Óg: 1261; dep. 1263; res. 1286; dep. 1290; died 1291
  • Domhnall mac Brian Ó Néill: 1283; dep. 1286; res. 1290; dep. 1291; res. 1295; died 1325
  • Brian McHugh Boy O'Neill: 1291 - 1295
  • Henry McBrian McHugh Boy O'Neill: 1325; dep. 1345; died 1347
  • Aodh Reamhair (Aodh Mór) mac Domhnaill: 1345-1364 - with one exception, all future kings were his descendants.
  • Niall Mór mac Aodha Reamhair: 1364; also styled as King of Ulster 1364; abdicated 1397; died 1398
  • Niall Óg mac Néill: 1397-1403
  • Brian Óg mac Néill Óg: 1403-1403
  • Domhnall mac Éinri Aimhreidh: 1404; dep. 1410; res.1414; dep.1419; res.1421; died 1 January 1432
  • Eoghan mac Néill Óg: 1410; dep.1414; res.1419; dep. 1421; res. 1432; abdicated 1455; died 1456
  • Éinri mac Eoghain: 1455; abdicated 1483; died 1484
  • Conn mac Éinri: 1483 - 8 January 1493
  • Éinri Óg mac Éinri: 1493 - 21 August 1498
  • Donnell O'Neill: 1498 - 6 August 1509
  • Art mac Aodha: 1509-1513; descended from Aed Buidhe; his mother was daughter of Eoghan mac Neill Og.
  • Art Oge O'Neill: 1513-1519
  • Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone: 1519; created Earl of Tyrone 1542; deposed 1558; died 1559
  • Shane O'Neill: 1559 - 2 June 1567
  • Turlough Luineach O'Neill: 1567; surrendered kingship to Hugh O'Neill in 1593; died c. 10 September 1595
  • Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone: 1593; fled 1607; died 10 July 1616 (by the Julian calendar; 20 July Gregorian).

It could also be argued that Conn Bacach had taken the title earl of Tyrone in 1542, as part of the process of Surrender and regrant, and in the process had waived his title. Whether he could waive it without consulting his clan derbfine is part of this debate.

Conn Bacach's grandson Hugh was not proclaimed king at Tullyhogue in 1593, but assumed the title after arranging to pay Turlough Luineach an annuity.

Sources
  • "Kings of Tír Eógain and Earls of Tyrone, 1185-1616", pages 211-213, "A New History of Ireland", Volume 9: Maps, Genealogies, Lists; A Companion to Irish History Part II", edited by T. W. Moody, F.X. Martin, F.J. Byrne, Oxford, 1984.
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