Thady assisted Cormac, king of Ireland; in return Cormac rewarded Thady with a grant of lands in Connacht, Gallen, and Coolavin, for which he paid tribute to the king of Connacht. Thady had two sons, Conla and Cormac Baleng. To Cormac he gave Ley Gallen, the barony of Gallen in County Mayo and Coolavin which were possessed by his descendants, the O'Haras and the O'Garas, Corcrans, a sept of the O'Casies, and O'Flanagans. Conla the eldest son, possessed the lands afterwards called Duthec Eile, the estate of Ely.296

Conla was educated at the Court of Cormac at Tara. He suffered from leprosy. Cormac advised Conla that he would never be cured until he washed his sores in the blood of a king. At this time Conla had a rival--the King of Munster--Fiachadh Muilleathan, who had successfully resisted Cormac's demand for tribute, and even obtained hostages from Cormac. Conla left Tara, and went to visit this king of Munster. He was received with great favor at Cnoc Rathfuin (Knock Raffan) in Tipperary where the king dwelt. One day the king went to bathe in the River Suir, and Conla was allowed to carry his spear. The king plunged into Aith Uisiol to bathe; after a time he swam towards the bank where Conla was standing. Conla drove the spear through the king's body. The attendants hastened to take revenge on Conla, but the king ordered them to spare his life. The king died.296