The 'Gamanraige' were the main branch of the
Fir Ol nEchmacht, a people who ruled much of
Ireland west of the
Shannon in the pre-historic era.
The Gamanraige ruled the territory between the Gallimhe or
Galway river, to the Duff and Drowes rivers in the north-east. Their capital was Rath Eochaidh, later called
Cruchain.
This territory seems to have been Ol nEchmacht proper. It was only with the rise of
The Connachta dynasty that the term Fir Ol nEchmacht was dropped and the province was renamed
Connacht.
Sources
★ "Foras Feasa Eirann",
Geoffrey Keating, 1636.
★ "Leabhar Mor nGenealach",
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, 1649-1666.
★ "Ogyia",
Ruaidhri O Flaithbheartaigh, 1684.
★ "The History of Mayo",
T.H.Knox, 1908.