Kings of Munster
Rí Mumhan
Map of Munster, c. 10th century.
Details
StyleRí Mumhan
First monarchBodb Derg
Last monarchCormac Mac Carthaig
FormationAncient
Abolition1138 or 1194 (claimant)
ResidenceRock of Cashel
AppointerTanistry
Pretender(s)Disputed:
Conor Myles John O'Brien
(Ó Briain)
Liam Trant MacCarthy
(Mac Cárthaigh)

The kings of Munster (Irish: Rí Mumhan) ruled the Kingdom of Munster in Ireland from its establishment during the Irish Iron Age until the High Middle Ages. According to Gaelic traditional history, laid out in works such as the Book of Invasions, the earliest king of Munster was Bodb Derg of the Tuatha Dé Danann. From the Gaelic peoples, an Érainn kindred known as the Dáirine (also known as Corcu Loígde and represented today in seniority by the Ó hEidirsceoil) provided several early monarchs including Cú Roí. In a process in the Cath Maige Mucrama, the Érainn lost their ascendancy in the 2nd century AD to the Deirgtine, ancestors of the Eóganachta. Munster during this period was classified as part of Leath Moga, or the southern-half, while other parts of Ireland were ruled mostly by the Connachta.

After losing Osraige to the east, Cashel was established as the capital of Munster by the Eóganachta. This kindred ruled without interruption until the 10th century. Although the High Kingship of Ireland was dominated during this time by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta of Munster did provide Cathal mac Finguine and Fedelmid mac Crimthainn as serious contenders. This great tribe was broken down into different septs or branches, the most successful in terms of royalty being the Eóganacht Chaisil (represented by the Ó Súilleabháin and Mac Cárthaigh), the Eóganacht Glendamnach (represented by the Ó Caoimh), and the Eóganacht Áine (represented by the Ó Ciarmhaic).

Their hold was loosened by the rise of Brian Bóruma of the Dál gCais, who established the Ó Briain as kings of Munster. As well as this, Munster had to contend with the Normans. Finally, the kingdom ended as it was split into Thomond, Desmond and Ormond. The former two came to an end during the 16th century with the birth of the Tudor Kingdom of Ireland, with former rulers joining the Peerage of Ireland. There were a number of Gaelic attempts to reassert their power in Munster, such as that of Fínghin Mac Cárthaigh and Domhnall Cam Ó Súilleabháin Bhéara, but these were not successful.

Ancient and legendary Kings of Munster

  • Bodb Derg, king of the Sid Mumu, and later king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, succeeding The Dagda
  • Conmáel, first Milesian king based in Munster, and also High King of Ireland
  • Eochaid Faebar Glas, his son and High King of Ireland, possibly based in Munster also
  • Eochu Mumu, his grandson and High King of Ireland, and after whom Munster is said to be named
  • Énna Airgdech, his son and High King of Ireland
  • Eochu Apthach, a possibly fictitious very early High King of Ireland from the Corcu Loídge, but misplaced chronologically in any event
  • Íar mac Degad, ancestor of the Érainn, or those specifically named "Descendants of Iar mac Degad"
  • Eterscél Mór, his son and High King of Ireland
  • Conaire Mór, his son in most sources, and one of the most celebrated High Kings of Ireland
  • Conaire Cóem, High King of Ireland and great-great grandson of Conaire Mór
  • Dáire mac Degad, ancestor of the Dáirine
  • Cú Roí mac Dáire, Munster king and/or deity known from the Ulster Cycle
    • Note: possibly the actual first of the Dáirine, for many generations the dominant military power from Munster, finally falling during the 6th century AD
  • Dáire Doimthech, if actually different from Dáire mac Degad, and thus ancestor of the "other" Dáirine
  • Lugaid Loígde, his son, if actually different from Lugaid Mac Con below
  • Eochaid Étgudach, another son of Dáire Doimthech, but misplaced chronologically
  • Nia Segamain, an actual ancestor or group of them of the Clanna Dergthened and thus the Eóganachta
    • Note (critical): actually attested in Munster ogham inscriptions, and in some pedigrees descendant(s) of the "other" Dáirine above
    • Note (in addition): probably wildly misplaced chronologically but considered of high status enough to make it to the legendary High King of Ireland lists
  • Mug Nuadat, king in late sagas of Leth Mogha, or Mug's Half, meaning Southern Ireland
    • Note: belonged to the Deirgtine, but may be a mythological figure (Nuada)
  • Ailill Aulom, Mug's son, aka Olioll Ólum, associated with the goddess Áine
    • Note: also called a druid in a very early source
  • Lugaid Mac Con, was High King of Ireland, and Ailill's foster-son
    • Note: ancestor of the Corcu Loígde, principal later (3rd century and after) Munster sept of the Dáirine
  • Éogan Mór, Ailill's son, from whom the Eóganachta took their name
    • Note: the Eóganachta were actually founded by Conall Corc, great-great-grandson of Eógan Mór
  • Fiachu Muillethan, son of Éogan Mór
    • Note: a king of the Deirgtine of curious career, supported by Mug Ruith
  • Ailill Flann Bec, son of Fiachu Muillethan
    • Note: almost nothing is known of this figure, except that he was adopted by and succeeded his elder brother, Ailill Flann Mór
  • Dáire Cerbba, born in Brega of unclear parentage, usually (and obviously) assumed Dáirine but later written a son of Ailill Flann Bec
    • Note: called King of Medon Mairtine, once a very early capital of Munster, in one source, and progenitor of yet "another" sept of the Dáirine
  • Óengus Bolg, an important late king of the Dáirine and (near) final sovereign ancestor (of Munster) from the Corcu Loígde
    • Note: features in early stories of Conall Corc, and is an ancestor of the Cashel Eóganachta septs, the "Inner Circle", through his daughter Aimend
  • Crimthann mac Fidaig, was High King of Ireland and of territories overseas, and brother of the Queen and Goddess Mongfind
    • Note: considered Eóganacht (if vehemently opposed by them) in some dynastic traditions, but possibly a grandson of Dáire Cerbba (other sources)
  • Bressal mac Ailello Thassaig, a King of Munster (one source only) from the early Uí Liatháin

Historical Kings of Cashel, Iarmuman, and Munster

There were not verifiable Eóganacht overkings of (all or most of) Munster until the early 7th century, after the Corcu Loígde had fallen entirely from power, some time after losing their grip on the Kingdom of Osraige and the support of the Muscraige and others. Thus the earlier kings below are best described as Kings of Cashel, Kings of Iarmuman, or Kings of the Eóganachta. Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib was the first Eóganacht to powerfully project outside Munster, but his Iarmuman relations were a significant rival of Cashel in his time, and not enough is known of many of his successors before Cathal mac Finguine, although the fragmentary nature of the surviving sources can to an extent be blamed.

At this time also flourished the semi-independent Uí Fidgenti and Uí Liatháin, a pair of shadowy sister kingdoms whose official origins appear to have been adjusted in the 8th century in a semi-successful (if ambiguously necessary) attempt to integrate them into the Eóganachta political structure and genealogical scheme. Effective relations and an alliance were achieved with the Uí Fidgenti, to the credit of Eóganacht strength, wealth and finesse, but for unknown reasons the Uí Liatháin remained effective outsiders except to Eóganacht Glendamnach.

Of the Eóganachta, unless noted.

Eóganacht Chaisil, –500

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Corc mac Luigthig
Son of Luigthech mac Ailill Flann BecAimend
several children
unknown
Nad Froích mac Cuirc
–453
Son of Corc mac Luigthigunknown453
Óengus mac Nad Froích
453–489
Son of Nad Froích mac CuircEithne Uathach
purported to have had twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters
489
Feidlimid mac Óengusa
489–500
Son of Óengus mac Nad Froíchunknown500

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 500–596

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Eochaid mac Óengusa
500–522
Son of Óengus mac Nad Froíchunknown522
Crimthann Srem mac Echado
522–542
Son of Eochaid mac Óengusaunknown542
Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn
542–577
Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echadounknown577
Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm
577–596
(possible)
Son of Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainnunknown596

Eóganacht Airthir Cliach, 577–582

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
577–582
Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echadounknown582

Eóganacht Raithlind, 582–588

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
582–588
Son of Tighearnach mac Aedhunknown588

Eóganacht Áine, 596–601

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Amalgaid mac Éndai
596–601
Son of Éndaiunknown601
Garbán mac Éndai
596–601
Son of Éndaiunknown601

Eóganacht Chaisil, 601–618

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
601–618
Son of Áedo DuibMór Muman
several children
618

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 618

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
618
Son of Crimthainn mac Cobhtachunknown618

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 618–627

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cathal mac Áedo
618–627
Son of Áed Fland CathrachMór Muman
several children
627

Eóganacht Chaisil, 627–639

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
627–639
Son of Áedo Duibunknown639

Eóganacht Áine, 639–641

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cúán mac Amalgado
639–641
Son of Amalgaid mac Éndaiunknown641

Eóganacht Chaisil, 641–661

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Máenach mac Fíngin
641–661
Son of Fíngen mac Áedo Duib and Mór Mumanunknown661

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 661–665

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
661–665
Son of Cathal mac Áedoseveral children665

Eóganacht Chaisil, 665–678

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
665–678
Son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duibunknown678

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 678–701

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Finguine mac Cathail
678–696
Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthairseveral children696
Ailill mac Cathail
696–701
Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthairunknown701

Eóganacht Chaisil, 701–712

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cormac mac Ailello
701–712
Son of Ailello mac Máenachunknown712

Eóganacht Áine, 712–721

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Eterscél mac Máele Umai
712–721
Son of Máel Umai mac Cúánunknown721

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 721–742

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cathal mac Finguine
721–742
Son of Finguine mac Cathailseveral children742

Eóganacht Áine, 742–769

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cathussach mac Eterscélai
742–769
Son of Eterscél mac Máele Umaiunknown769

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 769–786

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Máel Dúin mac Áedo
769–786
Son of Áed Bennán mac Conaingunknown786

Eóganacht Áine, 786–805

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
786–805[nb 1]
Son of Duib-Indrechtunknown805

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 805–820

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Artrí mac Cathail
805–820
Son of Cathal mac Finguineone son820
Tnúthgal mac Artrach
[nb 2]
(possible)
Son of Artrí mac Cathailunknown807

Eóganacht Chaisil, 820–847

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Tnúthgal mac Donngaile
807–820
(possible)
Son of Máel Donngaileunknown820
Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
820–847
Son of Crimthainnunknown28 August 847

Eóganacht Áine, 847–851

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ólchobar mac Cináeda
847–851
Son of Cináedaunknown851

Eóganacht Chaisil, 851–859

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Áilgenán mac Donngaile
851–853
Son of Donngaileunknown853
Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
853–859
Son of Donngaileone son859

Eóganacht Áine, 859–872

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
859–872
Son of Mugthigirnunknown872

Eóganacht Chaisil, 872–908

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dúnchad mac Duib-dá-Bairenn
872–888
Son of Duib-dá-Bairenn mac Crundmáelunknown888
Dub Lachtna mac Máele Gualae
888–895
Son of Máel Gualae mac Donngaileunknown895
Finguine Cenn nGécan mac Loégairi
895–902
Son of Loégairi mac Duib-dá-Bairennunknown902
Cormac mac Cuilennáin
902–908
Son of Cuilennáin mac Selbachunknown908

Múscraige, 908–944

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
908–944
Son of Inmainénunknown944

Eóganacht Chaisil, 944–957

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Lorcán mac Coinlígáin
944–
Son of Coinlígáin mac Corcránunknownunknown
Cellachán Caisil
–954
Son of Buadacháin mac Lachtnaeone son954
Máel Fathardaig mac Flann
954–957
Son of Flann mac Donnchadone son957

Eóganacht Raithlind, 957–959

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill
957–959
Son of Domnall mac Dub-dá-Bairennunknown959

Eóganacht Chaisil, 959–963

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fer Gráid mac Clérig
959–961
Son of Clérig mac Áilgenánunknown961
Donnchad mac Cellacháin
959–963
Son of Cellachán Caisilunknown963

Eóganacht Raithlind, 959–978

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Máel Muad mac Brain
959–970
976–978
Son of Brianone son978

Uí Ímair, 960–977

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ivar of Limerick
960–977
(de facto)
uncertainseveral children977

Dál gCais, 970–1014

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Mathgamain mac Cennétig
970–976
Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáinunknown976
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig
978–1014
c. 941
Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin and Bé Binn inion Urchadh
(1) Mór
three sons
(2) Echrad
one son
(3) Gormflaith
one son
23 April 1014

Eóganacht Chaisil, 1014–1025

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dúngal Hua Donnchada
1014–1025
Son of Máel Fathardaig mac Flannunknown1025

Ó Briain, 1025–1119

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Donnchad mac Briain
1025–1064
Son of Brian Bóruma and Gormflaith ingen MurchadaCacht ingen Ragnaill
Three children
1064
Murchad mac Donnchada
1064–1068
Son of Donnchad mac Briain and Cacht ingen Ragnaillunknown1068
Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain
1068–1086
1009
Son of Tadc mac Briain and Mór
(1) Dubchoblaig
One son
(2) Derbforgaill
Two sons
1086
Muircheartach Ua Briain
1086–1114
1118–1119
1050
Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain
Derb Forgaill ingen Uí Laidcnén
Three children
1119
Diarmait Ua Briain
1114–1118
1060
Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain
unknown1118
Brian Ua Briain
1118
Son of Murchad mac Donnchadaunknown1118

Mac Cárthaigh, 1127–1138

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cormac Mac Carthaigh
11271138
Son of Muireadach Mac Carthaighunknown1138

Ó Briain, 1138–1194

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Conchobar Ua Briain
1138–1142
(claimant)
Son of Diarmait Ua Briainunknown1142
Toirdhealbhach mac Diarmada Ua Briain
1142–1167
(claimant)
Son of Diarmait Ua Briainunknown1167
Muirchertach mac Toirdelbhach Ua Briain
1167–1168
(claimant)
Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briainunknown1168
Domnall Mór Ua Briain
1168–1194
(claimant)
Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua BriainOrlacan Ní Murchada
Four children
1194

See also

Notes

  1. In the Annals of Ulster, Ólchobar mac Flainn of the Uí Fidgenti was confused with Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht of the Eóganacht Áine and claimed to have been a King of Munster. It is very likely that only Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht reigned in actuality (the confusion caused by a decline in Eóganachta fortunes).
  2. Tnúthgal mac Artrach of the Eóganacht Glendamnach is sometimes given as a king of Munster on some kings lists, but not in the Annals of Ireland. He died before his father, so it is possible that he never reigned. It is also possible that Tnúthgal mac Donngaile of the Eóganacht Chaisil has been confused with Tnúthgal mac Artrach.

References

  • Bryne, Francis J. Irish Kings and High Kings. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1973.
  • Charles-Edwards, T.M. Early Christian Ireland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. ISBN 9780521363952
  • Moody, T.W.; F.J. Byrne and F.X. Martin, ed. A New History of Ireland. Vol. IX. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982. ISBN 0-19-821744-7
  • Áed Ua Crimthainn, Book of Leinster, c. 1160.
  • The Laud Synchronisms. K. Meyer, 1913.
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