Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Malachy MacAedh
MALACHY MACAEDH (d. 1348), archbishop of Tuam, was a canon of Elphin, and in 1307 was elected bishop of that see by one party of the canons, the remainder choosing Liathanach O'Conchobhair, abbot of Loch Cé, who obtained possession of the bishopric. But Malachy was supported by the metropolitan, William Bermingham [q. v.], archbishop of Tuam; he therefore went to Rome, where after three years the pope decided in his favour, and on 22 June 1310 he received consecration; the papal decision was confirmed by the king on 7 Dec. 1310. In 1312 Malachy was elected archbishop of Tuam; the king issued a commendatory letter to the pope on 24 Aug., and on 19 Dec. he received consecration. The temporalities were restored on 1 April 1313. Malachy, pursuing the policy of his predecessors, endeavoured to drive out Gilbert, bishop of Ennachdune or Annaghdown, Galway (cf. Fœdera, ii. 45), and in 1324 sought the aid of Pope John XXII, who issued a bull three years later, uniting not only Annaghdown, but also Killala and Kilmacduagh to Tuam. Edward III opposed the proposal, but on a vacancy to Annaghdown in 1330 the bull took effect so far as that see was concerned. Malachy died 10 Aug. 1348, and was buried in Tuam Cathedral. According to Tanner, he wrote in Irish a list of the kings of Ireland from Nellus Nigaialach to Roderic O'Connor. He has often been confused with Malachy (fl. 1310) [q. v.], the Franciscan, but the archbishop was clearly a secular priest, and not a friar. MacAedh means MacHugh, and is identical with the later Magee.
[Annals of Loch Cé (Rolls Ser.); Four Masters, ed. Donovan; Ware's Works, ed. Harris; Tanner's Bibl. Brit.-Hib. p. 502; Cotton's Fasti Eccl. Hib. iv. 7–8, 54, 121; Chevalier's Repertoire des Sources historiques du Moyen Age; Burke's Catholic Archbishops of Tuam, pp. 39–44.]