Muintir Murchada was the name of an Irish territory which derived its name from the ruling dynasty, who were in turn a branch of the UàBriúin. The name was derived from Murchadh mac Maenach, King of UàBriúin Seóla, who died 891.
The ruling dynasty was first recorded as a lineage in 1061 and by 1238 the term denoted the territory. It came under the control of the UàBriúin about the 11th century, its original rulers taking the surname àFlaithbheartaigh (O'Flaherty). They were expelled by the Ua Conchobhair Kings of Connacht to Iar Connacht where they are still to be found.
Muintir Murchada appears to have comprised the following parishes: Killursa, Kilkilvery, Killeany, Kilcoona, Cargin, Killower, Cummer. It also is thought to have included parts of Belclare, Donaghpatrick, Corofin, Tuam, Kilbennan and Killererin.
Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada is a tract dating to the reign of its lord, Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh (died 1098), who ruled as King of Connacht from 1092 to 1098. It lists the main families and their estates within Muintir Murchada.
Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada is a tract concerning the medieval territory called Muintir Murchada, located in County Galway, Ireland.
It lists forty place-names and more than seventy tribal, sept or family names and surnames, many still identifiable in the county.
It exists in three recensions preserved in the following three manuscripts:
Surnames listed include:
"204.6: The native family-stocks of Muintir Mhurchadha and their territory here. àhAllmhuráin was chieftain of the twenty-four townlands of Clann Fhearghaile, and in truth they belong to the family of Aonghus s. Brian; from Fearghal s. Muireadhach s. Eochaidh s. Eórrán s. Aonghaus s. Brian) is Clann Fhearghaile, i.e., the twenty-four townlands of Clann Fhearghaile, and UàFhearghusa of Ros Cam."
"204.7: Mág an Ghamhain (or Meic an Ghamhna) and Mág Catharnaigh are the two chieftains of Meadhraighe and have their own septs under them. (end pp.448âÂÂ449)"
"240.8: ÃÂ Dathlaoich was the chieftain of UÃÂ Bhruin Ratha (or ÃÂ Duilligh was the chieftain of the fourteen townlands of UÃÂ Bhruin Ratha) and they belonged to the family of Cairbre Airdcheann s. Brian, and [they held] fourteen townlands of all Ui Bhruin Ratha, and belonging to them were UÃÂ Cheinneidigh and UÃÂ Dhuinn and UÃÂ Fhionnog of Cnoc Tuagha and UÃÂ Laideanain (or Laidhghin) of Leacach and UÃÂ Challannain of Ceall Chathghaile (or [Ceall] Chatail] and UÃÂ Cheannabhain, the physicians of Muintir Mhurchadha and UÃÂ Oilealla, and they belong to Tuath na dToibrineadh. (Another book says 'Ui Fhlaithbheartaigh' where this says .)
"204.9: ÃÂ Laidhigh were princes of Ui Bhriuin Seola together with their septs: UÃÂ Fheichin, UÃÂ Bhalbhain, UÃÂ Dhuibh, UÃÂ Mhadadhain, Meic Giolla Ghannain from Magh Lis Lionn ((a)) a different version: the cavalry chiefs of ÃÂ Flaithbheartaigh) and UÃÂ Cholgan ((b)) from Baile UÃÂ Cholgan: the standard-bearers of ÃÂ Flaithbheartaigh), Meic Fhionnain from Cill Chuanna and UÃÂ Mhaoil Fhabhaill (or Maoil Ampuill) of Domhnach Padraig ((c)) the judges of ÃÂ Flaithbheartaigh) and UÃÂ Chleirchein of Rath Bhuidhbh and UÃÂ Mheallaigh from Ceall na Manach and Ceall na gCaolan."
"204.10: UÃÂ Choraighein were chieftains of Boghaid and UÃÂ Chathasaigh from An Bheitheach and UÃÂ Aingle from Doire UÃÂ Aingle."
"204.11: àFaghartaigh king of Dealbhna of Cuil Fhabhair and Muintir Fhathaigh and Fiodh Luaraigh, àDomhnaill from An Ardraith (i.e., from Ath, etc., see ahead of you: from Ath Meic Cinn to Loch Oirbsean) and UàAodha: they were of equeal rank â carousal chiefs to àFlaithbheartaigh."
"204.12: The seed of Aodh of Eanach Duin belonged to the family of Ceallach s. Raghallach s. Uada, i.e., Clann Cheallaigh also. Aodh s. Eochaidh Tiormcharna s. Fearghus first granted Eanach Duin to God and to Breanainn."
From The Annals of the Four Masters: