List of kings of Munster

The kings of Munster (Irish: Rí Mumhan), ruled from the establishment of Munster 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 would lose out 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 were the Eóganacht Chaisil (represented by the Ó Súilleabháin and Mac Cárthaigh), Eóganacht Glendamnach (represented by the Ó Caoimh) and 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 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

Historical Kings of Cashel, Iarmuman, and Munster

There were not true kings of Munster until the late 7th century, when the Corcu Loígde fell entirely from power, some time after losing their grip on the Kingdom of Osraige. Thus approximately the first twenty five kings below are best described as Kings of Cashel, Kings of Iarmuman, or Kings of the Eóganachta. Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib, the only exception, was the first Eóganacht to significantly project outside Munster, but Iarmuman was still a great rival of Cashel in his time, and little is known of his successors before Cathal mac Finguine.

At and before this time also flourished the independent Uí Fidgenti and Uí Liatháin, a pair of shadowy sister kingdoms whose official origins appear to have been tampered with in the 8th century in a semi-successful attempt to integrate them into the Eóganachta political structure and genealogical scheme. Diplomatic relations and an alliance were achieved with the Uí Fidgenti, much to the credit of the Eóganachta, but for unknown reasons the Uí Liatháin remained effective outsiders.

Of the Eóganachta, unless noted.

Eóganacht Chaisil, –500

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
577–582
Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echadounknown582

Eóganacht Raithlind, 582–588

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
582–588
Son of Tighearnach mac Aedhunknown588

Eóganacht Áine, 596–601

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Amalgaid mac Éndai
596–601
Son of Éndaiunknown601
Garbán mac Éndai
596–601
Son of Éndaiunknown601

Eóganacht Chaisil, 601–618

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
601–618
Son of Áedo DuibMór Muman
several children
618

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 618

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
618
Son of Crimthainn mac Cobhtachunknown618

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 618–627

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cathal mac Áedo
618–627
Son of Áed Fland CathrachMór Muman
several children
627

Eóganacht Chaisil, 627–639

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
627–639
Son of Áedo Duibunknown639

Eóganacht Áine, 639–641

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cúán mac Amalgado
639–641
Son of Amalgaid mac Éndaiunknown641

Eóganacht Chaisil, 641–661

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Máenach mac Fíngin
641–661
Son of Fíngen mac Áedo Duib and Mór Mumanunknown661

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 661–665

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
661–665
Son of Cathal mac Áedoseveral children665

Eóganacht Chaisil, 665–678

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
665–678
Son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duibunknown678

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 678–701

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cormac mac Ailello
701–712
Son of Ailello mac Máenachunknown712

Eóganacht Áine, 712–721

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Eterscél mac Máele Umai
712–721
Son of Máel Umai mac Cúánunknown721

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 721–742

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cathal mac Finguine
721–742
Son of Finguine mac Cathailseveral children742

Eóganacht Áine, 742–769

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cathussach mac Eterscélai
742–769
Son of Eterscél mac Máele Umaiunknown769

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 769–786

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Máel Dúin mac Áedo
769–786
Son of Áed Bennán mac Conaingunknown786

Eóganacht Áine, 786–805

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
786–805[nb 1]
Son of Duib-Indrechtunknown805

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 805–820

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

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

Eóganacht Áine, 847–851

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Ólchobar mac Cináeda
847–851
Son of Cináedaunknown851

Eóganacht Chaisil, 851–859

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Áilgenán mac Donngaile
851–853
Son of Donngaileunknown853
Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
853–859
Son of Donngaileone son859

Eóganacht Áine, 859–872

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
859–872
Son of Mugthigirnunknown872

Eóganacht Chaisil, 872–908

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
908–944
Son of Inmainénunknown944

Eóganacht Chaisil, 944–957

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill
957–959
Son of Domnall mac Dub-dá-Bairennunknown959

Eóganacht Chaisil, 959–963

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Fer Gráid mac Clérig
959–961
Son of Clérig mac Áilgenánunknown961
Donnchad mac Cellacháin
959–963
Son of Cellachán Caisilunknown963

Eóganacht Raithlind, 959–978

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Máel Muad mac Brain
959–970
976–978
Son of Brianone son978

Uí Ímair, 960–977

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Ivar of Limerick
960–977
(de facto)
uncertainseveral children977

Dál gCais, 970–1014

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Dúngal Hua Donnchada
1014–1025
Son of Máel Fathardaig mac Flannunknown1025

Ó Briain, 1025–1119

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
Cormac Mac Carthaigh
11271138
Son of Muireadach Mac Carthaighunknown1138

Ó Briain, 1138–1194

NamePortraitBirthMarriagesDeath
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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