By the end of his life, he was the supreme native Irish ruler in the north of the island, and passed succession onto his son Domhnall Óg (Domnall Óc).
[3] His traditional nickname An Macaoimh Tóinleasg or "the lazy-rumped lad", was earned, according to the 16th-century Leabhar Eoghanach, after he refused to stand in the presence of the high king Muircheartach Ó Lochlainn.
[5] In the year of Aodh an Macaoimh Tóinleasg's death John de Courcy had begun the Anglo-Norman conquest of the Ulaidh (eastern Ulster).
[6] The Annals of the Four Masters relate that in 1179 "the churches of Tír Eoghain, from the mountains south, were left desolate, in consequence of war and intestine commotion, famine and distress".
[1] His first appearance in the sources records him leading five ships in an attack upon the English settlement of Larne, in 1199, while John de Courcy was distracted by a campaign in northern Tír Eoghain.
[14] When King John laid siege to the earl's castle of Carrickfergus, Aodh brought his forces to assist the English monarch.
[14] A series of castles were built, and much of what are now counties Antrim, Londonderry and Tyrone were granted to Ailean [Alan], Lord of Galloway (or "King of the Gall-Gaidhil"), his brother Tomás Mac Uchtraigh and their cousin Donnchadh of Carrick.
[14] Tomás built a castle at Coleraine and in 1212, accompanied by sons of Raghnall mac Somhairle, led a raid on the city of Derry with seventy-six ships.
[20] As a government army tried to march into the north, Aodh's forces blocked them on the Fews of Armagh and subsequently the English crown (now held by Henry III) came to terms with them.
[22]In the face of Ó Lochlainn opposition, Aodh's son Domhnall Óg (died 1234) ruled for four years after his death.