The Annals of Ulster () are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years from 431 AD to 1540 AD. The entries up to 1489 AD were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa, on the island of Senadh-Mic-Maghnusa, also known as Senad or Ballymacmanus Island (now known as Belle Isle, where Belle Isle Castle is located), near Lisbellaw, on Lough Erne in the kingdom of Fir Manach (Fermanagh). Later entries (up to AD 1540) were added by others.

Entries up to the mid-6th century are retrospective, drawing on earlier annalistic and historical texts, while later entries were contemporary, based on recollection and oral history. T. M. Charles-Edwards has claimed that the main source for its records of the first millennium A.D. is a now-lost Armagh continuation of the Chronicle of Ireland.

The Annals used the Irish language, with some entries in Latin. Because their sources were copied verbatim, the Annals are useful not just for historians, but also for linguists studying the evolution of the Irish language.

A century later, the Annals of Ulster became an important source for the authors of the Annals of the Four Masters. It also informs the Irish text Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib.

The Library of Trinity College, Dublin, possesses the original manuscript; the Bodleian Library in Oxford has a contemporary copy that fills some of the gaps in the original. There are two main modern English translations of the annals – Mac Airt and Mac Niocaill (1983) and MacCarthy (1893).

Content

Kings

Several kings are mentioned throughout the Annals of Ulster. The Annals tend to follow the lives of the kings, including important battles, raids, and their ultimate death. Between the years of 847 and 879, three different kings are highlighted. For example:

Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid, the king of the southern Ui Neill clan from 846 to 862:

  • 839.6 – First mentioned in the Annals of Ulster having killed Crunnmael son of Fiannamail.
  • 841.2 – Kills Diarmait
  • 843.1 – Mael Sechnaill's father, Mael Ruanaid, dies
  • 845.7 – Kills his brother Flann
  • 845.8 – Takes Tuirgéis prisoner
  • 846.7 – Suffers heavy losses at hands of Tigernach
  • 847.2 – Begins his reign.
  • 847.3 – Destroys the Island of Loch Muinremor
  • 848.4 – defeats Vikings at Forach
  • 849.12 – conducts siege in Crupat
  • 850.3 – Cinaed, king of Cianacht, with help from foreign forces rebels against Mael Sechnaill
  • 851.2 – kills Cinaed, king of Cianacht
  • 851.5 – attends a conference in Ard Macha
  • 854.2 – took hostages from Mumu at Inneóin na nDéise
  • 856.2 – took hostages from Mumu at Caisel
  • 856.3 – battle against the Vikings
  • 858.4 – marched against Mumu, took hostages from them and travelled with them "from Belat Gabráin to Inis Tarbnai off the Irish coast, and from Dún Cermna to Ára Airthir."
  • 859.3 – attends a conference at Ráith Aeda Meic Bric "to make peace and amity between the men of Ireland"
  • 860.1 – leads army into the north, attacked, but holds position
  • 862.5 – Dies and is described as "king of all Ireland"

The same pattern is followed for Aed mac Neill, the king of the northern Ui Neill clan. Aed mac Neill appears in the following entries in the Annals of Ulster: 855.3, 856.5, 860.1, 861.1, 862.2, 862.3, 863.2, 864.1, 864.3, 866.4, 868.4, 870.2, 874.4, and finally 879.1

The final entry ends with the entry about his death and includes a poem. It reads "Aed son of Niall, king of Temair, fell asleep on the twelfth of the Kalends of 20 December Nov at Druim Inasclainn in the territory of Conaille.

1. (Twelve days before the melodious Kalends

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Of December—a harsh company—

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A wonderful person died to your loss(?),

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Aed of Ailech, over-king of the Irish.

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2. A generous prudent man of shields

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Who brought plenty to landed Temair,

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Against iron-tipped spears a buckler

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From the forge-fire of the land of the sons of Mil.)" However, eventually they established a permanent base in Áth Cliath or Dublin by 841. In "841.4 There was a naval camp at Linn Duachaill from which the peoples and churches of Tethba were plundered. There was a naval camp at Duiblinn from which the Laigin and the Uí Néill were plundered, both states and churches, as far as Sliab Bladma."