the "annals of the four masters" record the use of fleets in an irish context, often with a scottish connection. in 1413 tuathal ó máille, returning from ulster to connacht with seven ships, encountered a severe storm ("anfadh na mara") which drove them northwards to scotland: only one of the ships survived. in 1433 macdonald of the isles arrived in ulster with a large fleet ("co c-cobhlach mór") to assist the o'neills in a war with the o'donnells.