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List of kings of Munster

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.

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)

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 edit

  • 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 edit

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.[citation needed]

Of the Eóganachta, unless noted.

Eóganacht Chaisil, –500 edit

See also: Eóganacht Chaisil
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Corc mac Luigthig
–		   Son of Luigthech mac Ailill Flann Bec Aimend
several children		 unknown
Nad Froích mac Cuirc
–453		   Son of Corc mac Luigthig unknown 453
Óengus mac Nad Froích
453–489		   Son of Nad Froích mac Cuirc Eithne Uathach
purported to have had twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters		 489
Feidlimid mac Óengusa
489–500		   Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích unknown 500

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 500–596 edit

See also: Eóganacht Glendamnach and Ó Caoimh
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Eochaid mac Óengusa
500–522		   Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích unknown 522
Crimthann Srem mac Echado
522–542		   Son of Eochaid mac Óengusa unknown 542
Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn
542–577		   Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado unknown 577
Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm
577–596
(possible)		   Son of Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn unknown 596

Eóganacht Airthir Cliach, 577–582 edit

See also: Eóganacht Airthir Cliach
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
577–582		   Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado unknown 582

Eóganacht Raithlind, 582–588 edit

See also: Eóganacht Raithlind and Ó Mathghamhna
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
582–588		   Son of Tighearnach mac Aedh unknown 588

Eóganacht Áine, 596–601 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Amalgaid mac Éndai
596–601		   Son of Éndai unknown 601
Garbán mac Éndai
596–601		   Son of Éndai unknown 601

Eóganacht Chaisil, 601–618 edit

See also: Cenél Fíngin and Ó Súilleabháin
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
601–618		   Son of Áedo Duib Mór Muman
several children		 618

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 618 edit

See also: Ó Cathail
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
618		   Son of Crimthainn mac Cobhtach unknown 618

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 618–627 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cathal mac Áedo
618–627		   Son of Áed Fland Cathrach Mór Muman
several children		 627

Eóganacht Chaisil, 627–639 edit

See also: Clann Faílbe and Mac Cárthaigh
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
627–639		   Son of Áedo Duib unknown 639

Eóganacht Áine, 639–641 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cúán mac Amalgado
639–641		   Son of Amalgaid mac Éndai unknown 641

Eóganacht Chaisil, 641–661 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Máenach mac Fíngin
641–661		   Son of Fíngen mac Áedo Duib and Mór Muman unknown 661

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 661–665 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
661–665		   Son of Cathal mac Áedo several children 665

Eóganacht Chaisil, 665–678 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
665–678		   Son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib unknown 678

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 678–701 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Finguine mac Cathail
678–696		   Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair several children 696
Ailill mac Cathail
696–701		   Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair unknown 701

Eóganacht Chaisil, 701–712 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cormac mac Ailello
701–712		   Son of Ailello mac Máenach unknown 712

Eóganacht Áine, 712–721 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Eterscél mac Máele Umai
712–721		   Son of Máel Umai mac Cúán unknown 721

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 721–742 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cathal mac Finguine
721–742		   Son of Finguine mac Cathail several children 742

Eóganacht Áine, 742–769 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cathussach mac Eterscélai
742–769		   Son of Eterscél mac Máele Umai unknown 769

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 769–786 edit

See also: Eóganacht Locha Léin and Ó Muircheartaigh
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Máel Dúin mac Áedo
769–786		   Son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing unknown 786

Eóganacht Áine, 786–805 edit

See also: Eóganacht Áine and Ó Ciarmhaic
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
786–805[nb 1]		   Son of Duib-Indrecht unknown 805

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 805–820 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Artrí mac Cathail
805–820		   Son of Cathal mac Finguine one son 820
Tnúthgal mac Artrach
–[nb 2]
(possible)		   Son of Artrí mac Cathail unknown 807

Eóganacht Chaisil, 820–847 edit

See also: Abbot of Clonfert and Abbot of Cork
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Tnúthgal mac Donngaile
807–820
(possible)		   Son of Máel Donngaile unknown 820
Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
820–847		   Son of Crimthainn unknown 28 August 847

Eóganacht Áine, 847–851 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Ólchobar mac Cináeda
847–851		   Son of Cináeda unknown 851

Eóganacht Chaisil, 851–859 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Áilgenán mac Donngaile
851–853		   Son of Donngaile unknown 853
Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
853–859		   Son of Donngaile one son 859

Eóganacht Áine, 859–872 edit

See also: Abbot of Emly
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
859–872		   Son of Mugthigirn unknown 872

Eóganacht Chaisil, 872–908 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Dúnchad mac Duib-dá-Bairenn
872–888		   Son of Duib-dá-Bairenn mac Crundmáel unknown 888
Dub Lachtna mac Máele Gualae
888–895		   Son of Máel Gualae mac Donngaile unknown 895
Finguine Cenn nGécan mac Loégairi
895–902		   Son of Loégairi mac Duib-dá-Bairenn unknown 902
Cormac mac Cuilennáin
902–908		   Son of Cuilennáin mac Selbach unknown 908

Múscraige, 908–944 edit

See also: Múscraige and Ó Donnagáin
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
908–944		   Son of Inmainén unknown 944

Eóganacht Chaisil, 944–957 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Lorcán mac Coinlígáin
944–		   Son of Coinlígáin mac Corcrán unknown unknown
Cellachán Caisil
–954		   Son of Buadacháin mac Lachtnae one son 954
Máel Fathardaig mac Flann
954–957		   Son of Flann mac Donnchad one son 957

Eóganacht Raithlind, 957–959 edit

See also: Eóganacht Raithlind and Ó Donnchadha na nGleann
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill
957–959		   Son of Domnall mac Dub-dá-Bairenn unknown 959

Eóganacht Chaisil, 959–963 edit

See also: Eóganacht Chaisil
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fer Gráid mac Clérig
959–961		   Son of Clérig mac Áilgenán unknown 961
Donnchad mac Cellacháin
959–963		   Son of Cellachán Caisil unknown 963

Eóganacht Raithlind, 959–978 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Máel Muad mac Brain
959–970
976–978		   Son of Brian one son 978

Uí Ímair, 960–977 edit

See also: Uí Ímair
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Ivar of Limerick
960–977
(de facto)		   uncertain several children 977

Dál gCais, 970–1014 edit

See also: Dál gCais
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Mathgamain mac Cennétig
970–976		   Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin unknown 976
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 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Dúngal Hua Donnchada
1014–1025		   Son of Máel Fathardaig mac Flann unknown 1025

Ó Briain, 1025–1119 edit

See also: Ó Briain
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Donnchad mac Briain
1025–1064		   Son of Brian Bóruma and Gormflaith ingen Murchada Cacht ingen Ragnaill
Three children		 1064
Murchad mac Donnchada
1064–1068		   Son of Donnchad mac Briain and Cacht ingen Ragnaill unknown 1068
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		 unknown 1118
Brian Ua Briain
1118		   Son of Murchad mac Donnchada unknown 1118

Mac Cárthaigh, 1127–1138 edit

See also: Mac Cárthaigh
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cormac Mac Carthaigh
1127–1138		   Son of Muireadach Mac Carthaigh unknown 1138

Ó Briain, 1138–1194 edit

Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Conchobar Ua Briain
1138–1142
(claimant)
   Son of Diarmait Ua Briain unknown 1142
Toirdhealbhach mac Diarmada Ua Briain
1142–1167
(claimant)
   Son of Diarmait Ua Briain unknown 1167
Muirchertach mac Toirdelbhach Ua Briain
1167–1168
(claimant)
   Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain unknown 1168
Domnall Mór Ua Briain
1168–1194
(claimant)
   Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain Orlacan Ní Murchada
Four children		 1194

See also edit

Notes edit

  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 edit

  • 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.

External links edit

 
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