The Cálraighe were a population-group found mostly in northern
Connacht as well as
County Westmeath and
County Longford. They were purported descendants of Lugaid Cal, son of Daire Sirchrechtaig, who was himself a supposed descendant of Lugaid mac Itha, a first cousin of
Míl Espáine.
Daire is stated as having five sons, all called Lugaid, from who each derived the
Corcu Loígde, Corco Oirce,
LoigisLaigin, Dal Mesen Corb and the Calraige.
Around a dozen branches of the Calraige are listed as inhabitants of northern Connacht. They include:
Cálraighe Tre Maige of Druim Leas – now Drumlease parish,
County Leitrim
Cálraighe Aelmag – Snedriagail, abbot of
Clonmacnoise (died 781), was of this branch
Cálraighe
Locha Gile – possibly an alternative name for the previous[which?]
Cálraighe
Droma Cliab – an alternative name for the Cálraighe Locha Gile
Cálraighe Laithim – location uncertain, possibly near that of Droma Cliab (
Drumcliffe,
County Sligo)
Cálraighe Mor – a tuath aithech located with the
Lúighne in mid-Sligo
Cálraighe in Chorainn – aka Cálraighe Morna, found in
Corann, Sligo