List of kings of Munster

The kings of Munster () 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
• Note: both are ancestors of the Síl Conairi
• 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
• Note: Angias, his sister, was the Queen of Lóegaire mac Néill, High King of Ireland and Emperor of the Barbarians

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

|- | Corc mac Luigthig<br /> –|| || Son of Luigthech mac Ailill Flann Bec ||Aimend<br />several children|| unknown |- | Nad Froích mac Cuirc<br /> –453|| || Son of Corc mac Luigthig ||unknown|| 453 |- | Óengus mac Nad Froích<br /> 453–489|| || Son of Nad Froích mac Cuirc ||Eithne Uathach<br />purported to have had twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters|| 489 |- | Feidlimid mac Óengusa<br /> 489–500|| || Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích ||unknown|| 500 |-

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 500–596

|- | Eochaid mac Óengusa<br /> 500–522|| || Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích||unknown|| 522 |- | Crimthann Srem mac Echado<br /> 522–542|| || Son of Eochaid mac Óengusa||unknown|| 542 |- | Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn<br /> 542–577|| || Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado||unknown|| 577 |- | Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm<br /> 577–596<br><small>(possible)</small>|| || Son of Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn||unknown|| 596 |-

Eóganacht Airthir Cliach, 577–582

|- | Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn<br /> 577–582|| || Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado||unknown|| 582 |-

Eóganacht Raithlind, 582–588

|- | Feidlimid mac Tigernaig<br /> 582–588|| || Son of Tighearnach mac Aedh||unknown|| 588 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 596–601

|- | Amalgaid mac Éndai<br /> 596–601|| || Son of Éndai||unknown || 601 |- | Garbán mac Éndai<br /> 596–601|| || Son of Éndai||unknown || 601 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 601–618

|- | Fíngen mac Áedo Duib<br /> 601–618|| || Son of Áedo Duib||Mór Muman<br />several children|| 618 |-

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 618

|- | Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn<br /> 618|| || Son of Crimthainn mac Cobhtach||unknown|| 618 |-

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 618–627

|- | Cathal mac Áedo<br /> 618–627|| || Son of Áed Fland Cathrach||Mór Muman<BR>several children|| 627 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 627–639

|- | Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib<br /> 627–639|| || Son of Áedo Duib||unknown|| 639 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 639–641

|- | Cúán mac Amalgado<br /> 639–641|| || Son of Amalgaid mac Éndai||unknown || 641 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 641–661

|- | Máenach mac Fíngin<br /> 641–661|| || Son of Fíngen mac Áedo Duib and Mór Muman||unknown|| 661 |-

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 661–665

|- | Cathal Cú-cen-máthair<br /> 661–665|| || Son of Cathal mac Áedo||several children|| 665 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 665–678

|- | Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind<br /> 665–678|| || Son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib||unknown|| 678 |-

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 678–701

|- | Finguine mac Cathail<br /> 678–696|| || Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair||several children|| 696 |- | Ailill mac Cathail<br /> 696–701|| || Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair||unknown|| 701

Eóganacht Chaisil, 701–712

|- | Cormac mac Ailello<br /> 701–712|| || Son of Ailello mac Máenach||unknown|| 712 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 712–721

|- | Eterscél mac Máele Umai<br /> 712–721|| || Son of Máel Umai mac Cúán||unknown || 721 |-

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 721–742

|- | Cathal mac Finguine<br /> 721–742|| || Son of Finguine mac Cathail||several children|| 742 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 742–769

|- | Cathussach mac Eterscélai<br /> 742–769|| || Son of Eterscél mac Máele Umai||unknown || 769 |-

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 769–786

|- | Máel Dúin mac Áedo<br /> 769–786|| || Son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing ||unknown|| 786 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 786–805

|- | Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht<br /> 786–805|| || Son of Duib-Indrecht||unknown || 805 |-

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 805–820

|- | Artrí mac Cathail<br /> 805–820|| || Son of Cathal mac Finguine||one son|| 820 |- | Tnúthgal mac Artrach<br /> –<br><small>(possible)</small>|| || Son of Artrí mac Cathail||unknown|| 807 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 820–847

|- | Tnúthgal mac Donngaile<br /> 807–820<br><small>(possible)</small>|| || Son of Máel Donngaile||unknown|| 820 |- | Feidlimid mac Cremthanin<br /> 820–847|| || Son of Crimthainn||unknown|| 28 August 847 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 847–851

|- | Ólchobar mac Cináeda<br /> 847–851|| || Son of Cináeda ||unknown || 851 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 851–859

|- | Áilgenán mac Donngaile<br /> 851–853|| || Son of Donngaile||unknown|| 853 |- | Máel Gualae mac Donngaile<br /> 853–859|| || Son of Donngaile||one son|| 859 |-

Eóganacht Áine, 859–872

|- | Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn<br /> 859–872|| || Son of Mugthigirn ||unknown || 872 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 872–908

|- | Dúnchad mac Duib-dá-Bairenn<br /> 872–888|| || Son of Duib-dá-Bairenn mac Crundmáel||unknown|| 888 |- | Dub Lachtna mac Máele Gualae<br /> 888–895|| || Son of Máel Gualae mac Donngaile||unknown|| 895 |- | Finguine Cenn nGécan mac Loégairi<br /> 895–902|| || Son of Loégairi mac Duib-dá-Bairenn||unknown|| 902 |- | Cormac mac Cuilennáin<br /> 902–908|| || Son of Cuilennáin mac Selbach||unknown|| 908 |-

Múscraige, 908–944

|- | Flaithbertach mac Inmainén<br /> 908–944|| || Son of Inmainén||unknown || 944 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 944–957

|- | Lorcán mac Coinlígáin<br /> 944–|| || Son of Coinlígáin mac Corcrán||unknown|| unknown |- | Cellachán Caisil<br /> –954|| || Son of Buadacháin mac Lachtnae||one son|| 954 |- | Máel Fathardaig mac Flann<br /> 954–957|| || Son of Flann mac Donnchad||one son|| 957 |-

Eóganacht Raithlind, 957–959

|- | Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill<br /> 957–959|| || Son of Domnall mac Dub-dá-Bairenn||unknown || 959 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 959–963

|- | Fer Gráid mac Clérig<br /> 959–961|| || Son of Clérig mac Áilgenán||unknown|| 961 |- | Donnchad mac Cellacháin<br /> 959–963|| || Son of Cellachán Caisil||unknown|| 963 |-

Eóganacht Raithlind, 959–978

|- | Máel Muad mac Brain<br /> 959–970<br>976–978|| || Son of Brian||one son || 978 |-

Uí Ímair, 960–977

|- | Ivar of Limerick<br /> 960–977<br><small>(de facto)</small>|| ||uncertain||several children || 977 |-

Dál gCais, 970–1014

|- | Mathgamain mac Cennétig<br /> 970–976|| || Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin ||unknown || 976 |- | Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig<br />978–1014 || || c. 941<br /> Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin and Bé Binn inion Urchadh || (1) Mór <br />three sons<br />(2) Echrad<br />one son<br />(3) Gormflaith<br />one son || 23 April 1014 |-

Eóganacht Chaisil, 1014–1025

|- | Dúngal Hua Donnchada<br /> 1014–1025|| || Son of Máel Fathardaig mac Flann||unknown|| 1025 |-

Ó Briain, 1025–1119

|- | Donnchad mac Briain<br /> 1025–1063|| || Son of Brian Bóruma and Gormflaith ingen Murchada ||Cacht ingen Ragnaill<br>Three children || 1064 |- | Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain<br /> 1063–1086|| ||1009<br> Son of Tadc mac Briain and Mór||(1) Dubchoblaig<br>One son<br>(2) Derbforgaill<br>Two sons|| 1086 |- | Muircheartach Ua Briain<br /> 1086–1114<br> 1118–1119|| ||1050<br> Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain||Derb Forgaill ingen Uí Laidcnén<br>Three children|| 1119 |- | Diarmait Ua Briain<br /> 1114–1118|| || 1060<br> Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain||unknown || 1118 |- | Brian Ua Briain<br /> 1118|| || Son of Murchad mac Donnchada||unknown || 1118 |-

Mac Cárthaigh, 1127–1138

|- | Cormac Mac Carthaigh<br /> 1127–1138|| || Son of Muireadach Mac Carthaigh||unknown|| 1138 |-

Ó Briain, 1138–1194

|- | Conchobar Ua Briain<br /> 1138–1142<br /><small>(claimant)</small><br /> || || Son of Diarmait Ua Briain ||unknown || 1142 |- | Toirdhealbhach mac Diarmada Ua Briain<br /> 1142–1167<br /><small>(claimant)</small><br /> || || Son of Diarmait Ua Briain ||unknown || 1167 |- | Muirchertach mac Toirdelbhach Ua Briain<br /> 1167–1168<br /><small>(claimant)</small><br /> || || Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain ||unknown || 1168 |- | Domnall Mór Ua Briain<br /> 1168–1194<br /><small>(claimant)</small><br /> || || Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain ||Orlacan Ní Murchada<br>Four children|| 1194 |-

See also

• List of High Kings of Ireland
• List of kings of Ulster
• List of kings of Leinster
• List of kings of Connacht
• List of kings of Mide
• List of kings of Desmond
• List of kings of Thomond

Notes

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.
• Moody, T.W.; F.J. Byrne and F.X. Martin, ed. A New History of Ireland. Vol. IX. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.
• Áed Ua Crimthainn, Book of Leinster, c. 1160.
• The Laud Synchronisms. K. Meyer, 1913.

External links

• at McCarthyClan.org
• O'Brien Clan Foundation at OBrienClan.com
• The McGillycuddy of the Reeks at McGillycuddy.co.za
• O'Mahony Society at OMahonySociety.com
• O'Donoghue Society at ODonoghue.co.uk