Y-DNA Sheds New Light on the Medieval Genealogies of the Uí Briúin Dynasty of Northwest Ireland, Part 2

By: Maurice Gleeson and Kyle DePew

This is part two of a two-part series on the medieval genealogies of the Uí Briúin dynasty of northwest Ireland. If you missed part one, you can read the blog post here:

• Y-DNA Sheds New Light on the Medieval Genealogies of the Uí Briúin Dynasty of Northwest Ireland, Part 1

Methods

In order to address the two key questions presented in part one, we collated data from over 350 test takers who had undergone SNP testing (usually the Big Y-700 test), who tested positive for A259, and whose data was publicly available from online Y-DNA haplotrees and the public results pages of various FamilyTreeDNA Group Projects, run by volunteer Group Project Administrators.

From this data, we constructed a Y-DNA haplotree (for those branches below A259) that included the surnames of the tested individuals. We called this the DAST (DNA-Associated Surnames Tree).

We also extracted data from three versions of the medieval genealogies (MacFirbis, O Hart, Jaski) to construct a CAST (Clan-Associated Surnames Tree) that summarized the various surnames that arose from the Uí Briúin dynasty, as well as their lines of ascent to their common ancestors.^8,9,10

We then compared the CAST (the genealogical record) with the DAST (the genetic record), looking for consistencies and inconsistencies between the two datasets.

The three key questions we asked when comparing the genealogical and genetic records were as follows:

1. Do reportedly related surnames cluster together on a particular branch of the Y-DNA haplotree?
2. Does the branching structure in the Y-DNA haplotree mirror the branching structure in the genealogical record?
3. Are the age estimates for the relevant branching points in the Y-DNA haplotree consistent with the estimated birth of the common ancestor at the relevant branching points in the medieval genealogies?

Below we summarize what we found.

The Uí Briúin dynasty in the Medieval genealogies

The progenitor of the Uí Briúin dynasty is reported to have been Brión (spelt in a variety of different ways), who was said to be a half-brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages (NOTNH), and a son of Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhóin (pronounced roughly Yuck-ee Mwee Maydoyn, as mentioned above).

He is reported to have had six sons in the earlier genealogies (probably the more accurate ones) and 24 sons in later genealogies (probably the more inaccurate ones). This is a good example of how the royal lineages “acquired” additional descendant lines as time went by, many being deliberately falsified and added to the genealogy for sociopolitical reasons.

Three of the sons of Brión’s great-great-grandson Fergus reportedly gave rise to prominent descendant lines which in turn gave rise to many kings and chiefs, some of whom gave rise to specific Irish surnames. These three branches were called the Uí Briúin Aí, Uí Briúin Seóla, and Uí Briúin Breifne, pronounced roughly Ay (as in hay), Show-la, and Bref-nuh. Figure 1 summarizes these three major branches and some of the surnames that arose from them (according to the medieval genealogies).

Figure 1

We will focus on these three major branches one by one. Bear in mind that this study was conducted in 2023 and took almost one year to be published, and because genetic genealogy is a fast-moving science, additional data has since become available that further supports many of the conclusions that are detailed below.

Uí Briúin Breifne

This clan ruled over a large territory stretching across what are now counties Leitrim and Cavan. The genealogical record reports that there are two early branches within this clan: one gave rise to the surnames McTiernan and McGovern, and the other gave rise to the surnames O’Rourke, O’Reilly, and Ford (with known variant McAna).

When comparing the genealogical record (CAST) with the genetic record (DAST), these names do indeed cluster close to each other on the Y-DNA haplotree. In the DAST, there is a cluster of four men called McTiernan on the branch characterized by the SNP marker FGC55184, and another cluster of McGovern men on FGC34296 (one subject) and FGC59200 (seven subjects). These branches are offshoots of an over-arching branch characterized by the SNP marker A5902, which in turn is a descendant of A260, which is a descendant of A259. Furthermore, the branching structure in the genetic tree (DAST) is consistent with the branching structure in the genealogical tree (CAST), as illustrated in Figure 2.

The MRCA (most recent common ancestor) for the McTiernan and McGovern branches (in the genealogies) is Máenach who lived sometime between 600 and 760 A.D. (approximately). The genetic MRCA is A5902, and the TMRCA (time to most recent common ancestor) for this SNP has a central estimate of 709 A.D. (95% confidence interval 432-940 A.D.). This TMRCA estimate is consistent with the estimated birth year of Máenach, although with such a large confidence interval (i.e., just over 500 years) it would be difficult not to be. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate is now 664 C.E., 95% CI 382-900. The range remains just over 500 years, but the central estimate has decreased by 45 years.)

Incidentally, birth years are estimated from dates of death (and occasionally dates of birth) that are found in the Ancient Irish Annals (such as the Annals of the Four Masters).¹¹ These are a very useful accompaniment to the medieval genealogies and attest to the existence of many of the individuals named therein.

On this point, Y-DNA alone cannot confirm that a specific named individual actually existed. There must be supportive documentary evidence, and it is the totality of the evidence (documentary and genetic) that will determine the likelihood that a specific individual actually existed. Many of the more distant ancestors in the fabricated genealogies will be fake.

Another important point to make is that even though an MRCA passed on a particular DNA marker to all his descendants, this does not mean that that specific DNA marker arose in that specific MRCA. It may have arisen in his father, his grandfather, or further back along his direct male line. A specific research methodology exists for determining if a particular SNP marker arose in a specific named individual, and this entails testing validated descendants of two documented brothers. A good example of this involves the Stewart Kings of Scotland, where DNA testing identified a DNA marker (S781) that arose in in Sir John Stewart of Bonkyl (born in the mid-1200s). This DNA marker identifies his descendants (i.e., the Stewarts of Bonkyl) and distinguishes them from those of his brother James, 5th High Steward of Scotland, whose descendants include King Robert II, King Robert III, and King James I of Scotland.¹²

Figure 2

An adjacent branch to A5902 above is characterised by the SNP marker BY3338. On this branch, there is a cluster of 20 men called O’Reilly, three men called Ford, and two men called O’Rourke. Each cluster is associated with a distinct branch characterized by a specific SNP marker (BY11723, O’Reilly; BY18113, Ford; and BY38364, O’Rourke). All three branches are offshoots of the overarching SNP marker BY3338, which, in turn, is a descendant of A260, which is a descendant of A259.

In the genealogies, these three surnames share a common genealogical ancestor called Cernach, who is estimated to have been born about 710 A.D. The three sub-branches have a genetic MRCA in the SNP marker BY3338, and the TMRCA for this ancestral SNP is 769 A.D. (95% confidence interval 518-978). Thus the estimated birth year for Cernach (710 A.D.) falls within the (460-year) confidence interval for BY3338, indicating that the genealogical and genetic TMRCAs are not inconsistent. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate is 702 C.E., 95% CI 443-920.)

So, for the Uí Briúin Breifne, the clustering of reportedly related surnames, the branching pattern, and the TMRCA estimates for common ancestors demonstrate consistency between the genealogical record and the genetic record.

Uí Briúin Seóla

A similar story exists for the Uí Briúin Seóla. The major surnames in this part of the genealogies include McHugh, McDonough, and O’Flaherty (with variants Clardy and Clarida).

Figure 3 shows that these surnames cluster together in this portion of the Y-haplotree on branches characterized by the corresponding SNP markers FGC42414 (McHugh), FGC65259 (McDonough), and both FT367336 and YFS1251634 (O’Flaherty). The overarching SNP marker BY11725 is their most recent common genetic ancestor, which is a descendant of A260, which is a descendant of A259.

The common genealogical ancestor for the McDonoughs and O’Flahertys is reported to be Muiredach Mór ua Flaithbertaig (born about 970 A.D.), and the corresponding genetic MRCA is BY18145, which has a TMRCA estimate of 1137 A.D. Even though there is a 170-year difference between the two estimates, the genealogical estimate (970 A.D.) is still within the 95% confidence interval of the TMRCA estimate, and therefore cannot be deemed to be inconsistent. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate for BY18145 is now 1136 C.E., 95% CI 864-1350.)

Figure 3

This is a good example of how crude the genetic TMRCA estimates really are. From a genealogical perspective, it would be really helpful to be able to narrow down the range to about 10 years on either side of the central estimate, but this is unlikely to ever happen—the stochastic nature of the mutations will simply not allow it.

Instead, we are likely to be stuck with wide ranges (e.g., +/-200-500 years) for the foreseeable future. In time, we might be able to narrow the range to +/-50 years (for some well-tested branches) but that will only happen when a lot more people have undertaken the Big Y-700 test. Until then, TMRCA estimates will remain crude and will lack the precision desired by genealogists, which makes them especially prone to misinterpretation and confirmation bias.

The most recent common ancestor that the McHughs share with the McDonoughs and O’Flahertys in Cenn Fáelad mac Colgain. The corresponding genetic MRCA is BY11725 with a limited TMRCA estimate of some time in the 700s. This is reasonably close to the estimated birth year for Cenn Fáelad mac Colgain, which is about 620 A.D. (he was assassinated in 682). So again, there is no obvious inconsistency between the genealogical and the genetic record. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate for the newly-designated SNP marker BY11725 is now 563 C.E., 95% CI 231-837.)

Thus the clustering of reportedly related surnames, the branching structure below BY11725, and the TMRCA estimates in this part of the Y-DNA haplotree mirror what we see in the medieval genealogies for the Uí Briúin Seóla.

Uí Briúin Aí

It is when we come to the Uí Briúin Aí that we start to see some important inconsistencies between the genealogical and genetic records.

This clan held sway over territories in what is now northern county Roscommon, extending into county Sligo. The major surnames in this part of the genealogies are Flanagan, O’Connor, McManus, and McDermott (and the associated surnames McCormack and McDonough, and Morris).

Figure 4 shows eight men called McManus forming a cluster characterized by the SNP marker BY18179. A nearby cluster of three men called O’Connor sit on the adjacent branch, characterized by the SNP FT16709. Among this group is an immediate relative of the current chief of the O Conor Don clan. This royal line has a continuous lineage for over 30 generations (named ancestor by named ancestor) from the present day back to the medieval genealogies.

The MRCA for the McManus and O Conor Don clans is Tairdelbach Mór (roughly pronounced Ter-lock More), who was born about 1088 AD, and the genetic MRCA for BY18179 and FT16709 is BY18115, which has a TMRCA of 1041 A.D. This estimate is within 50 years of the reported birth date of 1088 for Tairdelbach Mór. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate for BY18115 is now 1047 C.E., 95% CI 768-1270. Also, there are now six men called O’Connor sitting on the BY18115 branch.)

Fourteen generations back from Tairdelbach Mór is the common ancestor that the McManus clan and the O Conor Don line share with the Flanagan clan, namely Muiredach Muillethan. Two Flanagan men sit on a branch of the Y-DNA haplotree characterized by FT12117, and the common genetic ancestor that these men share with the McManus and O Conor Don men carried the SNP marker Y166841. The TMRCA for this SNP is 424 A.D., whereas the estimated birth year for Muiredach Muillethan is 650 A.D. This latter date is 226 years older than the TMRCA for Y166841, but this still falls within the 95% confidence interval for the TMRCA (i.e., 32-745 A.D.), and is thus not inconsistent with the genetic record. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate for Y166841 is now 340 C.E., 95% CI 64 B.C.E. – 670 C.E.)

Figure 4

Another major branch of the Uí Briúin Aí were the Mac Dermot clan of Moylurg. This royal line also has a documented pedigree that stretches back for more than 30 generations from the present day to the medieval genealogies. A third cousin once removed of the present chief of the clan was approached and agreed to undertake Big Y testing. His results showed that he sits on a branch characterized by the SNP marker FTA43921. Subsequently, the current MacDermot clan chief undertook SNP testing and tested positive for the upstream SNP marker BY20594.¹³ Plans are in place to proceed to Big Y testing and it is anticipated that the clan chief will also test positive for FTA43921.

The Mac Dermot clan of Moylurg is reportedly related to a McCormack clan with whom they share the common ancestor Conchobar, who died in 1251 A.D. Two McCormick men sit on the FT42402 branch of the Y-DNA haplotree, adjacent to the Mac Dermots of Moylurg. Their MRCA SNP is FT441685 and has a TMRCA of 1133 A.D. This is within 70 years of the estimated birth year for the common ancestor Conchobar, namely 1200 A.D., and thus the genealogical and genetic records are consistent. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate for FT441685 is now 1083 C.E., 95% CI 742-1346.)

Another related clan carries the name McDonough and the common ancestor they share with the Mac Dermot and McCormack clans is Tomaltach na Cairrge (died 1207 A.D.). There is currently no known unique SNP that corresponds with this particular ancestor.

Yet another (more distantly) related clan goes by the surname Morris. The common ancestor they share with the Mac Dermot, McCormack, and McDonough clans is Tadg Mór, born about 1025 A.D. A single test-taker named Morris sits on an adjacent branch of the Y-DNA haplotree to the subjects discussed above, characterized by the SNP marker BY20593. The estimated birth year for Tadg Mór (1025 A.D.) falls within 85 years of the central estimate (1110 A.D.) for the TMRCA for BY20593, and falls well within the 95% confidence interval. (Update May 2024: the current TMRCA estimate for BY20593 is now 1064 C.E., 95% CI 757-1305.)

The presence of these associated surnames on adjacent branches of the Y-DNA haplotree, the consistent branching structure, and the consistent TMRCA estimates between the CAST and DAST suggest that the medieval genealogies for this portion of the Uí Briúin Aí are consistent with the genetic record back to the level of Tadg Mór (born about 1025 A.D.), who is therefore associated with the SNP marker BY20593. This latter SNP connects with the A260 branch, which is associated with the Uí Briúin Bréifne & Uí Briúin Seóla branches, and is an immediate descendant of A259.

However, five generations further back in the medieval genealogies is an ancestor called “Tadg mac Cathail” (born about 900, died in 956) and he is supposed to be the common ancestor of the Mac Dermots of Moylurg and the O Conor Don. But we have seen at the start of this section how the line of Tadg mac Cathail is associated with the SNP marker Y166841, which in turn is also an immediate descendant of A259. And this indicates a major inconsistency between the genealogical and genetic records—the line of the Mac Dermots of Moylurg does not connect with the line of the O Conor Don at the level of their presumed ancestor (Tadg mac Cathail, died 956). Instead, the genetic record indicates that they connect about 400-500 years earlier, via an ancestor who carried the SNP marker A259 and who would have lived within a few generations of Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhóin, father of Brión (the progenitor of the Uí Briúin). This inconsistency between the genealogical and genetic record is highlighted by a red line in Figure 4.

How do we explain this inconsistency? There are several possibilities.

1. The medieval genealogies are incorrect, and one or more of the ancestral lines have been erroneously attached to the wrong ancestor. This is not inconceivable given that Brión (the overarching ancestor for the Uí Briúin) probably lived some time in the fourth century, when oral transmission of the genealogies was the only way in which they were communicated from generation to generation. Furthermore, we must always bear in mind that some genealogies may have been deliberately falsified for political gain.
2. The medieval genealogies are correct, but a DNA switch (i.e., NPE) took place somewhere along the line of the O Conor Don. This could have happened (for example) somewhere between Tairdelbach Mór (born 1088, died 1156) and his ancestor Tadg mac Cathail (died 956), but this would mean that we are incorrect in our proposition that the two Flanagan subjects under FT12117 represent descendants of Flannacán (great-great-great-grandson of Muiredach Muillethan r.696-702). Of note, the TMRCA for the two Flanagan men is only 1761 A.D., so currently we can only infer that the Flanagan surname has been associated with this particular SNP for about 250 years. More data is needed to determine if the association goes back to medieval times. And we need to bear in mind that the chances of a DNA switch (NPE) occurring on this ancestral line at some time between 1000 A.D. and 1761 A.D. are in the region of 25-40%.⁵
3. The medieval genealogies are correct, but a DNA switch (i.e., NPE) took place somewhere along the line of the Mac Dermot of Moylurg. This could have happened (for example) some time prior to Tadg Mór (born about 1025), assuming that our deductions are correct regarding the associations between the surnames Mac Dermot, McCormack, McDonough and Morris. However, if this is the case, then it would imply an error at the very top of the Uí Briúin genealogy. In other words, the Uí Briúin Aí would descend from Y166841 (‘son’ of A259) whilst the Uí Briúin Breifne and Uí Briúin Seóla would descend from A260 (another ‘son’ of A259). And this means that the progenitors of each clan could not have been brothers. If they were, this would mean that the SNP A260 arose independently in two brothers or close cousins, and that is a virtual impossibility. So if this scenario is correct, then the early parts of the Uí Briúin genealogies are incorrect.
4. Some other explanation? Or a combination of the above?

It is important to note that despite this disconnect between the two royal lines, they both have been carrying their respective genetic signature for a very long time (i.e., any DNA switch that may have occurred is not a recent event). The TMRCAs for their respective terminal SNPs indicate that the Mac Dermots have carried their specific DNA signature for about 700 years and the O Conor Don have carried their specific genetic signature for about 800 years. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that a random NPE along either line would result in a true genetic relationship this close in time (i.e., one within the timeframe of the dynasty as a whole and not, for example, several thousand years back). Therefore, while an NPE can never be completely ruled out, a genealogical arrangement after the fact (either due to incorrect oral transmission or purposeful political alteration) would seem more probable from the genetic evidence.

Another unexpected finding revealed by the DNA results, is the presence of a large cluster of men called “O’Halloran” (and variants), and a second large cluster of men called “Mannion” (indicated in red in Figure 4). They share a common genetic ancestor with each other and with the Mac Dermot’s of Moylurg who carried the SNP marker FGC5939 and lived about 569 A.D.²

However, the O’Halloran surname is reported to descend from Oengus (another son of Brión, who lived in the 300s) and is associated with the Chiefs of Clann Fergaile, whereas the Mannion surname is associated with the kings of Sogain, who have no reported genealogical connection to the Uí Briúin Aí.

Why these surname clusters appear in this portion of the Y-DNA haplotree remains a subject for further research, but the TMRCA estimates tell us that the O’Halloran surname has been associated with their genetic signature (BY20816) for about 500 years, and the Mannion surname has been associated with their genetic signature (FT63002) for about 800 years, so if some sort of DNA switch has occurred, it is not a recent event in either case.

Evidence of deliberate falsification?

Lastly, there is a prominent clan in the Uí Briúin genealogies that is missing from this portion of the Y-DNA haplotree, namely the O’Malley clan of Mayo. The genealogy for this clan claims descent from Conall Oirisin, one of the other sons of Brión. (Conall Oirisin does not appear in the original list of Brión’s sons, and is likely a later politically motivated addition.) If this was indeed the case, then the O’Malleys of Mayo would also be expected to test positive for the SNP marker A259, but this is not the case.

In fact, the O’Malleys of Mayo fall under DF105, which is two steps further up the Y-DNA haplotree and dates to a midline estimate in the early third century.

This strongly suggests that the medieval portion of the genealogy of the O’Malley clan of Mayo has been inaccurately attached to the Uí Briúin genealogy, and supports other evidence that suggests that the early parts of the O’Malley genealogy may have been a deliberate falsification.

Figure 5

Discussion and conclusions

The comparison of the genealogical and genetic record has highlighted some important inconsistencies between the two:

1. The O’Connor and McDermott lines do not connect where they should genetically. A DNA switch (NPE) may have occurred on one or the other line, but it is not currently possible to say in which line it occurred, or why. Alternatively, and possibly more likely, a long-standing mistake in the genealogical record may be present.
2. The lineage of the O’Malley clan of Mayo appears to be inaccurately attached to the Uí Briúin genealogy, suggesting a long-standing mistake in the early portion of the O’Malley genealogy, or a deliberate falsification for sociopolitical gain.
3. The reasons for the close genetic connection between the prominent O’Halloran and Mannion clusters, and their genetic association with the Mac Dermot of Moylurg, remain to be determined. Of potential relevance, it is reported that Brión (progenitor of the Uí Briúin) was buried on land that belonged to the O’Halloran clan.

However, overall there was generally good agreement between the medieval genealogies and the A259 portion of the Y-DNA haplotree (with regards to the clustering of surnames, the branching structure, and TMRCAs), especially in those branches that postdate the arrival of literacy in Ireland (around 600 A.D.). This suggests that the medieval genealogies of the Uí Briúin are broadly accurate (with the exceptions noted above) and that a genetic signal from our ancient forebears still survives in spite of 1,000 years of surname extinction, DNA switches (NPEs), surname switches, and anglicization.

This signal may become more clear as more people undertake comprehensive SNP testing (such as the Big Y-700 test), thus blowing off the dust that has settled on the ancient genealogies, and revealing the pattern underneath.

Such SNP testing is necessary as some branches have small numbers, and some important branches may be under-represented due to a sparsity of surviving descendants on the direct male line.

Additional participants (especially those with extensive lineages) will help refine the TMRCA estimates and reveal more of the fine-detailed structure within the Y-DNA haplotree, allowing for more robust conclusions to be drawn regarding specific branches.

Having the expertise of an academic expert in medieval Irish history was an essential part of this study. Most Group Project Administrators are not specialists in this area, and their ability to access medieval sources is frequently limited to those that are available online.

Having an academic expert helped to put everything in its proper context, facilitated the correct interpretation of data, and helped identify which sources were reliable and which sources should be treated with caution.

The Y-DNA haplotree is continuously evolving and already the analysis above is out of date—the TMRCAs have been further refined, and additional participants have been added to some branches. Branching may be rearranged further as the tree expands with more data.

This study would not have been possible without FamilyTreeDNA or its army of volunteer Group Project Administrators. FamilyTreeDNA has created not only the DNA tests, but also the infrastructure that makes running DNA projects possible. And Group Project Administrators play a vital role in recruiting participants, interpreting the genetic record, building interest and momentum in Y-DNA research, and advancing the science of genetic genealogy.

This analysis highlights the usefulness of Y-DNA as a tool for identifying inconsistencies between the medieval genealogies and the genetic record. Such findings shed new light on the medieval genealogies and will hopefully inspire future research involving cross-fertilization and collaboration between the two disciplines of genetic genealogy and medieval Irish history.

Ideally, in time, we will see the digitization and indexing of the entire corpus of medieval Irish genealogies, the correlation of the genealogies with the extant historical record, and the correlation of specific clans and surnames with specific branches of the Y-haplotree.

Figure 6: A combination of all the figures above into a single figure. (Click the button below to view the .pdf)

Figure 7

References

1. Donnchadh Ó Corráin, Creating the past: the early Irish genealogical tradition. Peritia 12 (1998) 177–208.
2. Kyle DePew, Maurice Gleeson & Bart Jaski, Tracing the Sons of Brión. The R1b-A259 Y-DNA Subclade and the Uí Briúin Dynasty of Connacht. Peritia 34 (2023) 9-45. DOI10.1484/J.PERIT.5.136859. Also available at https://www.brepols.net/products/IS-9782503604060-1
3. Rob Spencer, personal communication, based on his Extinction Simulator (available at http://scaledinnovation.com/gg/extinctionDemo.html)
4. James Irvine, Y-DNA of a Scots-Irish Diaspora. Genetic Genealogy Ireland (2018), Belfast. Video presentation available at https://youtu.be/vvRBkYM1wQE?si=puvFrbY9MduG7Gmt&t=725
5. Maurice Gleeson. Goodbye NPE, Hello SDS – some causes of Surname or DNA Switches. Article available at https://dnaandfamilytreeresearch.blogspot.com/2018/07/goodbye-npe-hello-sds-some-causes-of.html
6. Rev. Patrick Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923). Available at https://www.libraryireland.com/names/anglicisation-irish-surnames.php
7. See 7th comment (by Paul Ó Duḃṫaiġ) in response to Debbie Kennett’s article at https://cruwys.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-thoughts-on-dna-cymru-part-3-and.html
8. Nollaig Ó Muraíle (ed), Leabhar Mór na nGenealach: The great book of Irish genealogies. Compiled (1645–66) by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, 5 vols (Dublin 2003–2004). A massive compilation, edited with translation and indices, but currently not digitized or available online.
9. John O’Hart, Irish pedigrees, or: the origin and stem of the Irish nation (1892) 5th edn (Dublin 1892), available at https://www.libraryireland.com/Pedigrees1/title.php. O’Hart’s data are included because they are a frequently consulted online resource and his numbering system allows for ease of navigation and identification of specific individuals.
10. Bart Jaski, The traditional rule of succession in early Ireland. Appendix 2: Genealogical tables of medieval Irish royal dynasties (unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, Trinity College Dublin, 1994), available online via https://uu.academia.edu/BartJaski. These tables are a comprehensive amalgamation of all the major ancient genealogical sources apart from Mac Fhirbhisigh.
11. Annala Rioghachta Eireann: Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the earliest period to the year 1616 translated by John O’Donovan (2nd ed.), 1856, 7 volumes, Royal Irish Academy. Links to the 7 volumes are available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annals_of_the_Four_Masters#Editions_and_translations
12. Mac Diarmata Big News (Oct 2023). Available on the forum of the Genelach Dáil Cuinn Project at https://genelach.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=845