Map ofIreland with tribes, AD 800; the Delbhna are circled.
TheDelbna orDelbhna were aGaelicIrish tribe inIreland, claiming kinship with theDál gCais, through descent from Dealbhna son of Cas. Originally one large population, they had a number of branches inConnacht,Meath, andMunster in Ireland.[1]
TheDelbhna Tir Dha Locha (of the Two Lakes), orDelbhna Feadha (of the Heather), were based in the area ofCounty Galway betweenLough Corrib andLough Lurgan/Galway Bay. Their chiefs took the surname MacConraoi, or MacConroy, later Anglicized to King. The MacConraoi held Gno Mor while their cadets, O'hEanna or O'Heney, held Gno Beg, but in the annals MacConraoi is always styled Ri or Tighearna Thira Da Locha.[2][3]
TheDelbhna Nuadat, orDelbhna Uí Maine, were lords of a large section that is now Athlone inCounty Roscommon, situated between the Suck andShannon Rivers. From the early historic era they were a subject people of theUí Maine. This place is where the Uí Maine expelled the old kings of the province. Their chiefs took the surname O'Flannagain or Flannagan.[5][3][6]
TheDelbhna bEthra may have once formed a single kingdom with the Delbhna Nuadat until subjugated by theUí Maine. By the late 5th century they had fallen under the control of theUí Néill. Their chiefs took the surname Mac Cochláin or Coughlan, and their territory was what is nowGarrycastle inCounty Offaly, but did not include the Parish of Lusmagh, as that belonged to theMacCuolahans/Ó hUallacháins ofSíol Anmchadha.[7][8]
TheDelbhna Mor were located in what is nowDelvin inCounty Westmeath. Their chiefs took the surname O'Finnallain or Fenelon. They lived together with one of the seven branches of theSoghain.[5]
TheDelbhna Bheag, orDelbhna Bec, were based in what is now Demifore inCounty Westmeath. Their chiefs took the surname Ua Maoilchallan, or Mulholland.[7]
TheDelbhna Sith Neannta ruled over the area now called Fairymount inCounty Roscommon. Their chiefs took the name O'Laoghog or Logue.[9]
TheDelbhna Teannmhagh, orDelbhna Iarthair Mhidhe, at one time controlled what is now Rathconrath inCounty Westmeath. Their chiefs took the surname Ua Scolaidhe or O'Scully.[10][5]
Central Ireland showing the approximate location of the various branches of the Delbhna
According to their earliest legends, the Delbhna took their name from their ancestorDelbáeth, son of eitherAengus orOgma, a god of theTuatha Dé Danann who succeededThe Dagda, orEochaid Ollathair, asHigh King of Ireland and who for various reasons is identified as the same asTuireann. A later story told that the Delbhna descend from Suman, son ofLugh Delbáeth, son of Cas, progenitor of theDal gCais.[6] A possible derivation from the name is from theOld Irishdelb, "form, likeness" andnae, "people", therefore thedelbnae are "the beautiful people."[11][12][13]
^O'Clery, Michael; O'Clery, Cucogry; O'Mulconry, Ferfeasa; O'Duigenan, Cueogry; O'Clery, Conary; O'Donovan, John (1856).Annals of the kingdom of Ireland. University of California Libraries. Dublin : Hodges, Smith and co.
^Keating, Geoffrey (30 November 1908)."The History of Ireland". Irish texts society – via Google Books.
