Uí Mháine

Uí Mháine, often Anglicised as Hy Many, was one of the oldest and largest kingdoms located in Connacht, Ireland. Its territory of approximately 1000 sqmi encompassed all of what is now north, east and south County Galway, south and central County Roscommon, an area near County Clare, and at one stage had apparently subjugated land on the east bank of the Shannon, together with the parish of Lusmagh in Offaly.

There were two different Uí Mhaine, the Uí Mhaine of Tethbae and the Uí Mhaine of Connacht; these tribes were separated by the Shannon River. The people of the kingdom were descendants of Maine Mór, who won the territory by warfare. Its sub-kingdoms, also known as lordships, included – among others – Soghan, Corco Modhruadh, Delbhna Nuadat, Síol Anmchadha, and Máenmaige. These kingdoms were made up of offshoots of the Uí Mháine dynasty, or subject peoples of different backgrounds.

The Uí Mhaine are among the ancient Irish dynasties still represented today among the recognised Irish nobility and Chiefs of the Name, by the O'Kelly of Gallagh and Tycooly, Prince of Uí Mhaine and Count of the Holy Roman Empire. The Fox (O'Kearney) may represent the eastern Uí Mhaine of Tethbae.

Early times
Maine Mór is said to have established the kingdom around 357 AD, and ruled for fifty years. Before his arrival, the area had been occupied by the Fir Bolg, ruled by King Cian d'Fhearaibh Bolg.

Main families
Descendant clans of the dynasty include the Ó Ceallaigh, Ó Draighnáin, Ó hUallacháin, Ó Madadháin, Ó Neachtain, Ó Cnaimhín, Ó Domhnalláin, Ó Maolalaidh, Ó Fallamháin,  Ó Cionnaith, Ó Géibheannaigh Ó Bhreasail

Customs
An early 15th-century text Nosa Ua Maine, states that they were given rewards and treasures such as:


 * A portion of all "strongholds and seaport towns in the province"
 * A portion of all prizes and wrecks of the sea
 * This included any wines or goods that had been washed to shore from shipwrecks, etc.
 * It also included whales and fish which came to be known as "royal fish" and were given to only the kings and queens
 * Hidden treasures found underground, all silver and gold mines and other metals
 * They were given a third of any revenues received by the king of Connacht of any other provinces where wrong had been done
 * The revenue (or eric) of killing a person was considered very large and in one document recorded was stated as being "168 cows"

Along with the privileges that kings and queens of Uí Maine received, the clans that fought for Uí Maine were also given privileges and rights:
 * Any member of a clan was given a choice to go to battle in spring or autumn. Most members who chose not to attend battle spent time maintaining their crops.
 * It was required that "no man of the province is to be taken as a witness against these tribes, but another Hy Manian is to bear witness".
 * If the king of Connacht did not pull out or end a battle in six weeks or less when fighting in Ulster or Leinster, any member was allowed to return home.
 * "However great may be the accusation brought against them by dishonest people, only one man or one witness is required to dent it or prove it against the other party."
 * Uí Mhaine were to be baptised by the Comharba of St. Bridget. If parents chose not to baptise their children at St. Bridget's because they lived too far away they were required to pay the Comharba a penny.
 * Uí Mhaine were required to pay a sgreaball ongtha to the Comharba to prepare for death during an illness. This fee was said to be 3 Irish pennies.

Members of Uí Maine Families

 * Thomas MacNevin
 * Albéric O'Kelly de Galway
 * William O'Kelly Nevin (Irish Republican and personal physician to Empress Maria Theresa of the Holy Roman Empire)
 * Edward Kelley, also known as Edward Talbot (11 August 1555 – 1 November 1597), Tudor occultist and self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee.
 * Gerald Lally-Tollendahl (Marquis de Lally-Tollendal, prime minister of Scotland under James I; Lord of Tollendahl)