Aedh mac Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht from 1228 to 1233. He was one of the sons of the last fully recognized High King of Ireland Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, and claimed the kingship of Connacht after deposing his brother Toirdhealbhach Ó Conchobhair, after the death of their rival, cousin and former king Aedh Ua Conchobair. In 1233 he was killed in battle by the supporters of his cousin and successor Felim O'Connor. He was the last descendant of Ruaidrí to hold the kingship.
Life and reign
Aedh is first mentioned in the annals in 1225, when with his brother Toirdhealbhach, he invaded Connacht in order to claim its throne from Aedh Ua Conchobair. He and his brother were invited by Aedh's disgruntled vassals Donn Oc MacAirechtaig the lord of Siol Muireadaigh and Aed O Flaithbertaig lord of Iar Connacht. They received the backing of the powerful king of Tir Eoghain Aodh Méith and Toirdhealbhach was made king with Aedh Ua Conchobair retreating to Athlone in order to secure aid from the Anglo-Norman lords there. He was successful in obtaining their backing as well as that of Donnchadh Cairbreach Ó Briain King of Thomond and the Clann Cholmáin Chief of Meath. Its with this force Aedh, his brother Toirdhealbhach and their O'Neill allies were forced to contend, and after a brief fight they disbanded their forces in the anticipation that the allies of Aedh Ua Conchobair would soon leave the province and leave the king exposed once more. On this hosting they burned Inishmaine Abbey, took hostages and plundered the province. In the next year Aedh Ua Conchobair was dead, apparently through the intrigues of the de Lacy family. Aedh and his brother immediately began a civil war of their own for the kingship destroying the province between them, with Aedh managing to come out on top though he shared power with at least some of his brothers. Aedh was appointed king despite the fact Toirdhealbhach, as the senior was better qualified according to traditional Irish succession law, the practical power of de Burgh's backing simply taking precedence. He was inaugurated at the traditional royal site of Carnfree. Richard assembled a large force consisting of large numbers of the Anglo-Normans of Ireland plus many Irish chiefs and marched into west Connacht fighting daily with Aedh's forces as they attempted to install a new claimant Felim O'Connor as king. His son Conchobar was seemingly a hostage of Richard but managed to escape only to die soon after on an expedition against the men of the Tuatha. The author of the Annals of Loch Ce composed a poem on his death;
Aedh, son of Ruaidhri, of the quick onset
Was five years over the province,
Until fell, a loss to every feast,
This man by Fedhlimidh.