Connachta was a medieval Irish dynasty which ruled over Connacht from Cruachan from the 4th century AD to 1511. From 300 to 600 AD, Connacht was divided among dozens of minor tuath (tribes), but the most successful of these early dynasties was the Connachta, which gave the region its name. By 1050, the Connachta had extended their rule from Rathcroghan in County Roscommon to County Galway, County Mayo, County Sligo, and County Leitrim, ruling over much of the present-day region of Connacht. Connacht was first raided by the Normans in 1177 amid the Norman invasion of Ireland, but encastellation began in 1237, with the Normans founding castles at Athenry, Headford, and Castlebar and expanding the settlements of Sligo, Roscommon, Loughrea, and Ballymote. Until the late 16th century, all of Connacht's lordships had either full or semi-independence from other Gaelic-Irish and Anglo-Irish rulers, but Connacht's independence was ended by the Tudor conquest of Ireland.
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