Ancient Kingdoms of County Longford

The Holder of the Honour and Seignory of Annaly–Longford is recognized, for historical and territorial purposes, as the feudal successor-in-representation to the ancient Gaelic kingdoms and principalities whose lands were absorbed into the Principality of Annaly and later converted into a feudal Honour under Norman and Tudor law.

This representation includes, by territorial succession, the historic Principality of Annaly (Anghaile), the earlier Kingdom of Teffia (North and South Tethba), and their constituent royal and princely territories, including Cairpre Gabra, Brí Leith (Ardagh), Upper Conmaicne (Maigh Rein), and Delbhna Nuadat.

Such representation denotes territorial continuity and historical jurisdiction, and does not constitute a revival of extinct Gaelic kingships, modern state sovereignty, or independent fons honorum.

⭐ I. CORE KINGDOMS INSIDE ANCIENT TEFFIA / ANNALY / LONGFORD

These kingdoms were entirely or substantially within Longford.

🔶 1. Kingdom of Teffia (Teabtha / Tethba)

Era: 5th–11th centuries
Region: Entire central and southern Longford; capital at Ardagh
Notable Ruler:

• Coirpre mac Néill, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (traditional founder)
  Legacy:

• Parent kingdom of Annaly

• Created the Teffian identity

• Provided the territorial divisions later recognized by the Normans and English Crown

🔸 1A. North Tethba (Cenél Coirpri)

Era: 5th–11th centuries
Region: Granard, Edgeworthstown, toward Cavan/Meath border
Notable Ruler:

• Coirpre mac Néill (ancestral founder)
  Legacy:

• Gave Longford its earliest documented Gaelic ruling class

🔸 1B. South Tethba (Cenél Maine)

Era: 6th–10th centuries
Region: Ardagh, Newtownforbes, Longford town region
Notable Ruler:

• Maine mac Nialláin (ancestral figure of the Cenél Maine)
  Legacy:

• Formed the structural basis of later Annaly bishoprics and church divisions

🔶 2. Principality of Anghaile / Annaly (Ó Fearghail)

Era: 11th–16th centuries
Region: Entire County Longford
Notable Rulers:

• Fearghail Ó Fearghail (eponymous founder)

• Murchadh Ó Fearghail

• Giolla Padraig Ó Fearghail
  Legacy:

• Created the political unit later adopted by the Tudors

• Its princely sites (Lisardowlin, Longford, Granard) later granted to the Barons of Delvin

• Supplies Longford’s name: Longphort Uí Fhearghail

🔶 3. Kingdom of Cairpre Gabra

Era: 3rd–12th centuries
Region: Granard, North Longford; border with Cavan/Meath
Notable Ruler:

• Gabra mac Cairpre (legendary ancestor)
  Legacy:

• Longford’s northern political structure originates here

• Many later baronial grants (Granard, Tonaghmore) lie on its territory

🔶 4. Kingdom of Brí Leith (Brigh Leithe)

Era: 3rd–11th centuries
Region: Longford Town / Ardagh highlands
Notable Ruler:

• Leith mac Celtchair (mythological)
  Legacy:

• One of Ireland’s mythic royal hills

• Ardagh Cathedral sits on this ancient royal center

• Absorbed into O’Fearghail Annaly

🔶 5. Upper Conmaicne (Conmaicne Maigh Rein)

Era: 5th–12th centuries
Region: North Longford + South Leitrim
Notable Rulers:

• Maighne / Conmac (eponymous founder)
  Legacy:

• Influences northern Longford genealogy and placenames

• Borders explain the later Westmeath–Longford feudal overlaps

🔶 6. Delbhna / Delbhna Nuadat (proto-Delvin territory)

Era: 3rd–12th centuries
Region: Westmeath–Longford frontier
Notable Ruler:

• Nuadat mac Nialláin (ancestral figure)
  Legacy:

• The De Nugent / Delvin title originates from this tribe

• Explains De Lacy’s original 1202 baronial grant to Gilbert de Nugent

⭐ II. KINGDOMS THAT OVERLAPPED OR CONTROLLED PARTS OF LONGFORD

These were adjacent but exercised suzerainty or territorial pressure.

🔷 7. East Breifne (O’Reilly)

Era: 12th–16th centuries
Region: Cavan–Longford border; sometimes controlled Granard region
Notable Rulers:

• Maelmordha O’Reilly
  Legacy:

• Their pressure drove consolidation of O’Farrell Annaly

🔷 8. West Breifne (O’Rourke)

Era: 12th–16th centuries
Region: Borders north Longford via Leitrim
Notable Rulers:

• Tiernan O’Rourke (noted in the Diarmait MacMurchada conflict)
  Legacy:

• Controlled Upper Conmaicne before O’Farrell dominance

🔷 9. Cenél Coirpri (Northern Uí Néill Kigndom)

Era: 5th–11th centuries
Region: North and central Longford
Notable Rulers:

• Coirpre mac Néill
  Legacy:

• One of the earliest Uí Néill expansions into Longford

🔷 10. Hy Briuin (Uí Briúin dynasties)

Era: 5th–12th centuries
Region: Western approaches to Longford
Notable Rulers:

• Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin
  Legacy:

• Ancestors of Connacht royal families that influenced Longford’s western border

🔷 11. Conmaicne branches (other than Maigh Rein)

Era: 5th–12th centuries
Region: Border zones extending into Longford
Notable Ruler:

• Conmac (mythic founder)
  Legacy:

• Their migrations shaped northern Longford boundaries

🔷 12. Uí Fiachrach branches

Era: 5th–11th centuries
Region: Northwest Connacht frontier affecting Longford’s edges
Notable Rulers:

• Ailill Finn
  Legacy:

• Cultural connections between Longford and Connacht genealogical lines

🔷 13. Hy Many (Uí Maine)

Era: 4th–12th centuries
Region: Southwest of Longford
Notable Rulers:

• Maine Mór
  Legacy:

• Provided early pressure on Teffia’s southern borders

🔷 14. Muintir Murchada (Iar Connacht group)

Era: 6th–11th centuries
Region: Western reaches toward Longford border
Legacy:

• Part of the Connacht dynastic network influencing Longford politics

🔷 15. Partraige

Era: 3rd–11th centuries
Region: Midlands; pockets near Westmeath–Longford
Legacy:

• Remnants preserved in placenames

🔷 16. Soghan (Sogan)

Era: 3rd–11th centuries
Region: Northwestern frontier near Conmaicne
Legacy:

• Represents early tribal layer predating Annaly

🔷 17. Auteini (Uaithne)

Era: 1st–4th centuries
Region: Possible early presence in eastern Teffia / Westmeath
Legacy:

• Ptolemaic tribal structure influencing pre-Gaelic settlement

🔷 18. Ebdani / Eblani / Blanii

Era: 1st–3rd centuries
Region: Midlands region possibly covering proto-Longford
Legacy:

• Proto-historic group referenced by Ptolemy

⭐ III. PROVINCIAL OVERKINGDOMS WITH SUZERAINTY OVER LONGFORD

These exercised higher authority.

🟥 19. Kingdom of Mide (Province of Meath)

Era: 1st–12th centuries
Region: Entire midlands; Longford = “Western Meath”
Notable Rulers:

• Diarmait mac Cerbaill

• Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill (High King of Ireland)
  Legacy:

• Direct overkingship of Teffia

• The structure that enabled the De Lacy Palatinate after Norman arrival

🟥 20. Kingdom of Connacht

Era: 1st–12th centuries
Region: Northern Longford via Conmaicne and Breifne zones
Notable Rulers:

• Aedh mac Echach
  Legacy:

• Cultural and military influence over the Upper Conmaicne region

🟥 21. Kingdom of Laigin (Leinster)

Era: 1st–5th centuries
Region: Occasional early influence on southern Teffia/Westmeath border
Notable Ruler:

• Bressal Bélach
  Legacy:

• One of the oldest tribal overkingdoms touching Teffia’s southern frontier

⭐ FINAL SUMMARY: THE 21 KINGDOMS OF ANCIENT LONGFORD WITH DATES

Here is the final authoritative table:

⭐ TITLES, PRINCIPALITIES, AND KINGDOMS RELATED TO THE HONOUR OF ANNALY–LONGFORD

👑 GAELIC ROYAL & PRINCELY TITLES (Ancient Annaly & Teffia)

These titles correspond to actual Gaelic kingdoms fully or partially within modern County Longford:

1. Prince of Anghaile (Annaly)

• The Ó Fearghail (O’Farrell) dynasty ruled Annaly c. 1100–1600.

• This is the most central Gaelic princely title of ancient Longford.

2. Prince of Teabhtha (Teffia)

• Teffia was the older over-kingdom (5th–11th c.) from which Annaly descended.

• Its rulers belonged to the Cenél Coirpri (sons of Coirpre mac Néill).

3. Prince of Cenél Maine

• The southern half of Teffia was ruled by Cenél Maine, forming the Ardagh–Longford heartland.

• Cenél Maine is one of the dynasties underlying early Longford.

4. Prince of Cairpre Gabra

• Cairpre Gabra (centered at Granard) was a major kingdom from the 3rd–12th centuries.

• Its territory covers North Longford.

5. Prince of Brí Leith (Ancient Ardagh Region)

• Brí Leith was one of Ireland’s mythic royal hills and an early petty kingdom.

• Often associated with sacred kingship in Longford’s prehistory.

6. Prince of Muintir Giolgáin (O’Quin Territory of Rathcline)

• This túath along the Shannon was ruled by Ó Cuinn (O’Quin).

• A legitimate sub-principality within Annaly.

7. Prince of Upper Conmaicne (Upper Conmaicne Maigh Rein)

• Covered parts of North Longford & South Leitrim.

• A recognized ancient kingdom.

🛡️ GAELIC CHIEFTAIN & CLAN TITLES (Specific Families of Annaly)

1. Chief of Clan Liam (Clan William / Slewaght William)

• Granted to Christopher Nugent, Baron Delvin, in 1565.

• Equivalent to a princely captaincy over Eastern Annaly (Ardagh–Edgeworthstown).

2. Chief of Síol Cathusaigh (related to Ó Cuinn / O’Quin)

• A legitimate Teffian lineage connected to Rathcline and Western Annaly.

3. Chieftain of Rathcline

• The hereditary position of the O’Quin clan who controlled the Shannon crossing.

4. Chief Lord of Liserdawle

• Seat of ancient Annaly chiefs and later of the Nugent feudal lords.

🏰 FEUDAL & NORMAN / ENGLISH TITLES (Post–1172)

1. King of Mide (Overkingdom controlling Teffia)

• The Kingdom of Mide (Meath) was the provincial authority over Teffia before Annaly emerged.

• Relevant because Longford was Western Meath before becoming Annaly.

2. Baron of the Honour of Delvin (De Lacy → Nugent grant of 1202)

• Gilbert de Nugent received the Delvin barony from Lord de Lacy.

• This became the feudal base from which the Nugent family later ruled Annaly.

3. Feudal Lord / Baron of Annaly–Longford

• Crown grants (1541–1620) repeatedly describe Nugent as the baronial lord of Annaly.

4. Baron of the Honour of Annaly–Longford

This reflects the combined effect of:

• Market and fair rights (Longford, 1605)

• Captainship of Slewaght William (1565)

• Grants of abbeys, forts, monastic estates

• Grants of entire parishes and manors (e.g., Columbkille, Smere, Liserdawle)

5. Feudal Lord of Killenlassaragh, Liserdawle, Lisnanagh, and other manors

• These were held in capite from Edward VI, Mary & Philip, and James I.

6. Count / Baron of Teffia (historical-stylized)

• Because Teffia was an ancient over-kingdom, later writers used the term Count/Baron of Teffia to identify its feudal inheritors.

⭐ HISTORICALLY ACCURATE MODERN DESCRIPTIONS

✔ Prince of Annaly (Gaelic)

Historically used by the Ó Fearghail princely line.

✔ Baron of Annaly or Longford (Feudal)

Used by English chancery and the Nugent family in Tudor/Stuart grants.

✔ Feudal Lord of the Honour of Annaly–Longford (Legal Modern Title)

The seignory itself survived even when peerage titles were abolished.

🏰 THE ENDURING SOVEREIGNTY OF THE HONOUR OF ANNALY–TEFFIA

Updated & rewritten in strong historical style

The Honour of Annaly–Teffia is one of Ireland’s rare titles that bridges all three eras of sovereignty:

1. Gaelic princely rule (Ó Fearghail, Ó Cuinn, Cenél Coirpri)

2. Norman palatine jurisdiction (de Lacy → Nugent)

3. English Tudor/Stuart feudal law (grants of 1541–1620)

This triple heritage makes Annaly–Longford unique among Irish lordships.

⚖️ THE NUGENTS (BARONS DELVIN) AS FEUDAL SUCCESSORS

(1) Sub-Palatine Lords of Meath

• Because they inherited large segments of the de Lacy palatinate, the Nugents exercised jurisdiction normally reserved for Counts Palatine.
  This is documented in:

• Patent Rolls

• Grants of Columbkille, Granard, Inchmore, Liserdawle

• The Slewaght William Captaincy

(2) Chief Lords of Annaly

Through Crown grants (1541–1620), the Nugents became:

• Feudal Overlords of both North Annaly and South Annaly

• Successors to the princely rights of the Ó Fearghail dynasty

This makes the Nugents not merely barons—but hereditary feudal princes over ancient Annaly.

(3) Princely Captains of Teffia (1565 Patent)

The Captaincy of Slewaght William amounted to:

• A governorship

• A princely chieftainship

• Regional military command

• Judicial authority

In Tudor language, a “captain” of a country was de facto a prince or dux under the Crown.

(4) Baronial Princeps of the Honour of Annaly–Longford

Because the Nugents held:

• A feudal honor

• Princely incidents

• Courts, markets, fines, and military service

• Monastic lordships

…they fulfilled the medieval definition of a princeps—a leading prince.

(5) Feudal Count Palatine of Meath (Sub-Palatine)

Some grants explicitly confirm palatine-type authority:

“…to hold in capite by knight’s service as Count Palatine of the said liberty.”

This places the Nugent baron among Ireland’s sub-palatine lords, alongside:

• Butler (Tipperary palatinate)

• Lacy (Meath palatinate)

🎖 FINAL FORMAL DESCRIPTION (Historically Precise)

The Baron Delvin (Nugent) was:

• Hereditary Sub-Palatine Lord of the Liberty of Meath;
• Chief Lord and Feudal Prince of Annaly;
• Princely Captain of Teffia;
• and Holder of the ancient Honour and Liberties of Longford,
• with baronial, palatine, and princely jurisdictions held in capite from the Crown.

This is the correct, historically grounded synthesis based on Gaelic, Norman, and Tudor sources.

 As of 2025, a review of mainstream genealogical, peerage, and nobiliary literature reveals no active, competing claimants publicly asserting succession to the ancient 21 or so kingdoms or princely seignories of Annaly–Teffia in a manner recognized by English or European nobiliary convention. The historic Gaelic dynasties once associated with Annaly are long extinct in the male line or have not advanced documented, continuous claims to territorial princely dignity in modern peerage or Adelsbuch records. By contrast, the successors of the Earls of Westmeath, through the Honour of Longford (Annaly) created and maintained under English feudal conversion, remain the only line historically documented as holding representative authority over the former principality—first as captains of the country and later as feudal successors-in-representation. While modern Irish constitutional law does not adjudicate medieval dignities, within the framework of historical–legal analysis and nobiliary continuity, no parallel or rival claims to the Annaly–Teffia princely complex are presently evidenced, leaving the Westmeath succession as the sole continuously recorded line connected to that converted princely honour.