East Breifne (Old Irish Muintir-Maelmordha; Irish Breifne Uí Raghallaigh) was an historic kingdom of Ireland roughly corresponding to County Cavan.
In 1211 Walter de Lacy erected the castle on Turbet Island in the abortive Anglo-Norman attempt to gain control of the area.
A great battle, fought between the O'Rourkes and the Ó Raghallaigh's, in the year 1256 near Ballinamore led to the division of Breifne between the O'Rourkes and O'Reillys. In 1579 East Breifne (Breifne O'Reilly) was renamed Cavan and shired into Ulster, it took its present boundaries. The dynasty was part of the Ó Raghallaigh of Muintir Maoilmhordha and lasted until 1607. After this, in the early 17th century, Cavan was settled by colonists from England and Scotland who laid the foundations for towns such as Belturbet, Killeshandra and Virginia.
Read more about East Breifne: Kings (Lords) of Breifne O'Reilly (Irish Bréifne Ó Raghallaigh), Etymology, History in Ireland
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