Muircheartach m Brian 1086-1119

Muircheartach m Toirdealbach m Tadg m Brian Boroime m Cennetig m Lorcan m Lactna m Corc m Anluan m Mathgamain m Toirdelbach m Echu Ballderk m Cass m Cormac Cass m Ailill Olumm

The 47th high king with opposition of all Ireland.


His opposition was from Domnall m Ardgar Ua Lochlain the grandson of Lochlain of the Cenel Eogain who was decended from Maelshecnaill m Mael Runaid m Flan m Domnall m Aed Findliath.


They ruled Ireland jointly between them, one the south Moga and the other the north Leit Cuinn.
Muircheartach acting as the lead king.


He began his reign in 1086 with the battle of Edair [Howth] between Munster and Leinster where Muircheartach defeated Leinster.


The harvest was good that year with many nuts and fruit but there was a murrainn among the cattle and hurricaine force winds swept the country.


In the following year 1087 Dubcablaig daughter of Aed Ua Concobar of the Broken Spear the king of Connact and wife of the King of Munster died.


Toirdealbach Ua Brians daughter Mor who was wife to the King of Connact Rory O Connor also died. She was an O Brien.


Ruaidri O Connor and Connact took Inis Adarcaig in the Shannon from the men of Munster under Muircheartach o prevent him from advancing up the Shannon.
Muireachach was defeated and his men slaughtered.


The crews of the fleet of Muircheartach sailed round up the Atlantic sea coast to plunder Connact.


Corco Modruad was plundered 3 times by Ruidri O Connor and he left no cattle or people distroying all.
A Slaughter was made of the foreigners af Ath Cliath and Port Large by Muman.


Domnall M Loughlain than also called king of Ireland with the north clanns went into Connact and got hostages from Ruaidri O Connor the king.


They joined forces Connact and the north went to Munster where they burned Luimneck[Limerick] and plundered that plain to Imleach Iubair [Emly Tipperary].


Loch Gur at Knockany and the Brug Righ Fort of tht King [Bruree] in Connello.


These earth forts were allegedly built by Ailill Olum and were occupied by the O Donovans down till the English occupation when the O Donovans were driven out of the Limerick area.


They carried away the head of the son of Caileach {Cailig] Ua Ruairc from this hill and broke down Ceann Corad {Kincora] and took hostages both of the gallaib and the Irish taking them home with them.

These were respectively the Galla and the Gaoildeala.


3 of these hero hostages taken from Mumnan were the son of Madadan Ua Ceinneidigh, son of Congalach Ua h Ogain, son of Eochaid Ua Loingsig.
These were later ransomed by cows, horses, gold and silver, and flesh meat by Muircheartach Ua Brian, Donells fellow high King.


Tirlagh O Connor m Ruidri was born this year.

He was later high king and the father of the last Ard Righ Rory O Connor.


In 1088 William the Conqueror died and his son Rufas became king of England.


Muircheartach pg 2


In 1089 Muircheartach took the Munster fleet up the Shanno[Sionainn] to Loch Ribh plundered the churches Inis Clothrann, Inis Bofinne, Inis Ainggin and Claun Eamain.

Two other churches of the lake were blocked by Ruidri O Connor Aidirceach and Rechrait.

All the Churches were on islands in Lock Ree.


This Munster force went down the river to Claunmacnoise but were repulsed bach to Ath Luan [Athlone] where an army under Domnall m Flann m Maeleachlain was in readiness to attach them.

They left their ships to him and put themselvews under his protection and were conveyed safely home to Munster.


Ruidri o Connor and Domnall Ua Maeleachlain than went in the ships and boats and plundered Munster to Cluain Caeim Modi Mag in Tipperary leaving no cattle and carrying off captives.


Domnall Ua Maeleachlain [McLauglin] than preyed Fernmanagh, Conaille ,Moyduna and Meath burning all of Conaille [Muirtheimna plain].

He also plundered Iobar Dind Tracta, and the Yews of Newry in Down.


Cormac Cuinn na mboct made a purchase of St Ciarans hospital at Clonmacnoise in perpeturity [forever] which he go from the Ua Flaithen and Domnall m Flynn Ua Maeleachlain [Melaloughlainn] king of Meath.


In 1090 Domnall O Loughlainn one day killed the chief of Cinel Moan and the tigerna of Clann Diarmaid both septs of Cinel Eogain in Derry and Raphoe.


A Dial was held between the 4 powerful kings Domnall O Lochlainn of Ailech, mMricheartach ua Brian of Caseal, Domnall m Flann Ua Mealeachlain of Meath, and Ruidri Ua Concobar of Connact.

All delivered hostages to the king of Aileach and a peaceful parting was made between them.


Muirchad preyed Meath and a battle was held beetwen Domnall m Flann and Muirchertach at Mag Lena in Kings co.
Munster was defeated and slaughtered and a return plunder led by Domnall Flynn into Munster where he burned Duin na Scciath at Tipperary.


Domnall of Meath than plundered Ormond.

Muircheartach Ua Bricc Lord of Deise was killed.
The king Murhceartach took Loc Riac in Galway by an unfair advantage with the men of Munster and the Gallaib of Ath Cliath.

He plundered Leinster and Brega and Ath Buide in Lune Meath and took 2 hostages to Domnall Ua Lochlain for protecting them in the West of Ireland ie Connact.


In 1091 Connact took a hosting to Munster and burned a great part of it.


Muircheartach ua Briain [Byrne] made a prey of the fire brands against the Ui Failge on great Christmas night with the grandsons of Bran Breac.


A peace was made between Muirceartach and the sons of Tadg Ua Brian.


Thomonds men returend to their home but Tadg Ua Brians sons were treacherous and plundered as far as Connact.


The fort of Ard Macha was partially burned.


In 1092 Ard Macha burned again with Churchs and 2 streets in Septamber Tran Mor of the native students and Tran Saxon of the Saxon students residences.


The Conmaicne made a great prey to Mag Aei of Sill Muireadaig and took all the cattle.


There was much frost and ice this year freezing the lakes and rivers of Ireland enough for a man and horse to pass over these.

The snow fell after the freeze.
Muircheartach ua Brian lead an army to Connact and carried of hostages.


The corab of Patrick Domnal m Amagada made a visitation [cuairte] of Cinel Eogan and got his demands.


Brian the king took Cathal ua Concobar prisoner and gave his chieftainship of Sil Muireadach to Gilla an Naem Ua Concobar.


Munster fleets plundered Clonmacnoise.


Domnall Ua Lochlainn king of Ailech killed Aed ua Canannan Lord of Cinel Conaill.


The princes and chieftains continued to kill each other at will and their own pleasure.


Muriceartaach plundered Ui Muireadach[ Murry] of Connact and expelled them to Tir Eogain.
However Sil Muireacaig returned without permission of the king to their own land in Connact.


Maelcolumb m Donncha king of Scotland and his Son Edward killed by the French.

His wife Margaret died of sorrow.
She was a daughter of the king of England.


muireachtach pg 3


In 1094 the battle of Bealaig-guirt an Iobair was fought between Donnshebe Ua Eocada of Ulaid and Domnall Mic Lochlain of Ailig in which the king of Ulidia Donnsleibe was killed.


in 1094 all the men of Ireland under the king collected at Dublin with Munstermen ,Osraige and Leinstermen , Domnal Ua Lochlain, cinel Conail, Cinel Eogain, Domnall m Flynn king of Tara and Meath.

They than joined forces adn Donnchad Ua Eocada of Ulidia, Godfrey of the Gallaib of Ath Cliath and 90 ships proceeded to Mag Laigean in Leinster where they burned OughterArd .


Ulster and the north then returned without plundering Leinster.
Munster however went east to Ath Cliath and deposed Donell Us Maelseachlainn and banished him to Oirgialla.

He however set out for the north and siezed Luignes cows and e Meath but he was overtaken at Loch Lebinn at west Meath by the King s soldiers who got between him and the cows and he was overwhelmed by his own people and killed.


Aitheara [Orier] was overrun by Ulidia and many nobles were killed.


Muireactach led an amy to Connact but took no hostages.


He than took an army and ran up the Shannon through Lock Derg to DunTais in Meath and he divided Meath between Donnough m Murchad m Flann and Concober m Maelseachlain.


At the battle of Fidnacha the Sil Murry [Muireadaig] under Tadg m Ruaidri ua Connor overran Thomond and West Connact, all w Connact plunderd and 300 killed.


There was plague with mortality in Europe and Ireland depopulating whole provinces.
The Church ordered a fast for Wensday till Sunday in penance for the plague once a month for a year except on festival days and with prayers during the fast.

Again blaming the people for the sin as a punishment from God for any calamity with the Nobility agreeing and benficial to the Church Proclimation granting the church freedom from cess or bounty giving them immunity and gifts.


In 1095 the princes of Ireland were still weathy and taking of 3 oz of gold, 100 cows and 8 hostages got the chief of Delvin killed.


Clonmacnoise was plundered and Glen da Loch and Cluan Iraid, Lismore, Claun Bronaig and Cluan Eois all burned.


In 1096 O Brien rebuilt Cean Corad.


In 1097 Muirchertach led an army with Leith Moga and Meath and some Connact north to Mag Conaille but they wer met by Domnall Ua Lochlain with his northern forces.
The Bishop of Armagh Corab of Patrick made peace between them.


A good nut harvest this year from the still extant oak wood of Ireland.

So many that all the pigs were fattened a nd a 2 year supply stored.


The round tower [cloiceach] at Mainistreach Buite burned with books and treasures.


In 1098 O Brien routed Teffia and the 2 Melaglyns fought and distroyed Meath.


Dervorgill daughter of Teige m GillaPatrick of Ossery the mother of Muiretag died.


3 gallaib ships appeared off Ulidia and were distroyed. 120 of their crew.


At Fearsat Suilige the Cinel Conaill were overrun by the Cinel Eogain.


Muircheartaig plundered mag Dairbre in west Meath--Teathba.


Flaherty Lord of Sil Muireadaig and west Connact was killed in vengance for his blinding of Ruaidri Us Concobar.


Dubcoblaig daughter of Diarmaid m Tadg wife of Muicheartach died along with Dearforgaill daughter of Tad M GillaPhadraig of Ossery, the mother of Muircheartach and his brother Tadg Ua Brian.

She died at Glen da Loch.
Mortagh took a fleet of Danes to Derry where he was met by Mclaughlins son and overthrown and slaughtered.


In 1099 a years peace between Muircheartach and Leith Moga by Connact.


Domnall led his army and Clanna Neill across Toome into Ulidia.
The Ulidians met them at Craib Tulca [Crewe] Antrim,the inaguration site of the Ulidiann kings.
The Clannaib Neill prevailed burned the Ulidian camps and cut down the inagural tree and collected 2 hostages by force.


The great stone church at ArdSratha in Tyrone was burned.


muircheartach pg 4


In 1100Muircheartach led an army to Easruaid [Assaroe] the salmon leap at Ballyshannon Donegal.

Cinel Conail came to defend the country against him and Muircheartach left without booty or hostages.


A Diall was held at Caiseal with Arthbishops and clergy in which Muircheartach the king granted the Church his Seat, Court and Town of Caiseal.
He took his court to Limerick.


St Marys Cathederal errected and held in perpetuity by the spiritual men.

Casheal of the Kings..
He did this before going to Inis Eogain across Eas Ruaid in 1101 AD where he distroyed the town forts and churches and broke down the ancient cyclopian fort of Ailech in vengance for the distruction of Ceann Cora by the northern Ua Neill.

He ordered his men to take the stones of this fort in their bag each one and carry them to Limerick with their provisions.


The fort called Grainan Oilig in Irish is now called Greenan-Ely and is in Templemore parish Derry.
He took hostages there and went east of the Bann River at Fearta Camsa into Uladia.


He reamined 6 weeks there without disturbance.

He than made a circuit of Ireland from Ulidia for one month and two weeks and than went into his home at Slige Midlocchra on the great north road from Tara to Ulster.


In 1102 Donnchad Ua Cearbaill Ua Maoileachlann Lord of Meath preyed Fernmanagh and Conaille taking emmence herds of cows.

They were overthrown by Fermanagh and Oirgialla in Airgedgleann in Monahan and killed with 200 men.


Dearbail daughter of Ua Maeleachlainn died.


Magnus King of Norway [Lochlainn] came to invade Ireland.


Clann Eogain took and army to Mag Coba in Ulidia where the Ulidians attacked the camp at night under the command of Sitric Ua Maelfabaill of the Cairaige Bracaide and the hostages held by Domnall m Amalgaid corab of Patrick were given to insure the peace between Domnall Ua Lochlain and Muirceartach Ua Brian.


A host was taken to Ath Cliath to oppose Magnus and the foreigners who hdd come to plunder Ireland.

However, peace was made and Muircheartach gave his daughter to Sicriad m Magnus with jewels and gifts.


In 1103 Us Canannain were driven from the Lordship of Tir Conail by Domnall Ua Lochlain.

A war was held between the Cenel Eogain and Ulidia.


The king went with his froces of Munster, Leinster, Ossraige, Connact and Meath with their kings came to Mag Coba in Down[Donaghmore] to relieve Ulidia.


They than laid seige to Ard Macha on the plain surrounding the town and fort.

Domnall stood against this force until it wearied.

Than the king Muirchertach went round the defences and left 8 oz of gold on the alter, promised 80 cows to the Church and returned to Mag Coba leaving some of his people there.


He than went to Dal Riada to prey with the kings of Connact and Meath.


Domanall ua Lochlain with Clanna Neill of the north went to Mag Coba to attack the Leinstermen and fought a battle in August.

These people from Leith Moga were defeated and slaughtered.

Most of their nobles were slain.


Clann Eogain and cCnel Conail took the spoils and went home.

Magnus of Lochlain was killed by the Ulidians.


In this year a Munsterwoman gave birth to conjoined girls.


The princes and nobility continued to kill each other.


Muircheartach pg 5


In 1104 Muircheartach ua Brian led an army to Magmuirtheimne where he distroyed the crop. There the Lord of Loegaire fell from his horse and died a month later.


Domnall m Loughlyn went to Mag Coba again and obtained hostages of Ulaid.
He than went to Tara and leveled a great part of Ui Laegaire except for his friends whom he gave protection to.


In 1105 Muirchertach O Brien went into Oirgialla and plundered east Meath from there.
He than took his army in pursuit of Donnchada Ua Maelseachlain but did not capture him.

He burned all the corn and divided Meath between the sons of Domnall Ua Maeleachlainn.
He made no peace with Donnchad.


At this period Domnall Ua Lochlainn and Muirceartach were at war with each other.

At this juncture Domnall m Amalgaid coarab of Patrick went to make a peace between these two kings but was beset with sickness and died on August 12 1105 at Doimlaig the Cathederal Church of Armagh.
He was replaced by Ceallach m Aed m Maelisa by election of the Irishmen.


This postition from time to time was hereditary but in old Irish fashion there were contestants between these of those eligible to hold the office as these were any of the sibling princes and cousins.


Ceallaigh[ Cellach] was able to exact Church tribute from Inisowen and again from Munster.


In 1107 Muirchertachy plundered Mungairt.


Cean Cora was burned by lightning at Easter time as was Caisheal.

They contained 60 puncheons of mead and beer.


Muircheartach O Brien put the son of Tadg O Brien, Donnell in fetters at Ath cliath but soon released him.


Wind and lightning burned and distroyed many wood houses.Also the cattle were struck and killed.


In 1108 Niall m Domnall m Loughlinn Taniste of Oileach went to Corann on a prey and carried of cattle and prisoners.


The Ulidians preyed Ui Meath.


The Fearmanach distroyed Inis Labrada.


Luimnech was burned on St Patricks night, March 17th.


The crop and fruit and nuts were abundant.


In 1109 Muircheartach led any army with Meath, Munster, and Connact to Tir Boruin Breifne in aid of Murchad ua Maeleachlain and they took many cows and prisoners.
They went to Loch Oughter in Cavan and took prisoners.


Domnal ua Lochlain took an army to Sliab Fuad but a years peace was made between him and O Brien b y Cellach the Bishop.


The north army then went into Ua Breasail to attach the Ulidians on the south side of Loch Neagh.

The Ulidians gave them 3 hostages.


Aed Ua Ruairc came into Murchad Ua Maeleachlains camp and killed his people with the curse of Patricks clergy

.
In 1110 Domnall Ua Lochlainn took an army to Connact and carried of 300 prisoners and many thousand cows.


Bebinn the daughter of Ceinneide Ua Brian, wife of Domnall King of Oileach died.


Cellach the Bishop went to Meath and obtained his demand.


muircheartach pg 6


In 1111 Dun da Leith Glas was burned by lightning both fort and a third part of Port Lairge was burned.


Uidia led an army to Tealaig Og [Tullach Og] where they cut down its old trees under which the kings if Cinel Eogain were inagurated.


Niall Ua Lochlain made a vengance prey and he took 3000 cows.


A synod was held at Fiad mic Aengusa near Uisnech west Meath where Cellach the Bishop ,50 bishops, 300 priests and 3000 religious students met with Muircheartach Ua Brian the king and the Leit Moga chiefs to presribe rules and good morals for both laity and clergy.


A peace was made between Domnall McLouglainn king of Ailech and Ulidia who have him hostages.


Muircheartach incited Dal Cais to plunder Clannmacnoise.


Toirrdealbach Ua Concobar began plundering as far east as Loch Eirne and Fernmagh from his seat in Connact.


In 1112 Ard Macha was burned in April and 2 streets.

The city was divided beteen the Saxon students and the natives.


In 1113 Domnall Ua Lochalin with his Cinel Eogain, Cinel Conaill and Airgialla went to Glenn Righe and banished Donnchad from Ulidia dividing it between the Ua Mathgaimna and the sons of Duinnsleibe.

He kept Dal Araide and Ua Eathach for himself.


Muircheartach lead his Munster army with Leinster, Connacct to Mag Coba to help Donnchad.
Domnall marched to Mag Coba but Cellach the Bishop separated them and a semblance of peace was arrainged.


The two armys relocated facing each other for about a month but Cellach again intervened and made peace for a year between them.


In 1114 Sichkess befell Muircheartach and he became a skeleton and resigned the kingdom because of it.


Diarmait assumed the kinship of Munster without permission.


Domnall Ua Lochlainn took an army to Munster with the Ulidians who went into his house as did Dal Araide, Breifne and Meath.
They all proceeded across the Shannon at Athlone where they were met by Toirrdealbach O Connor king of Connact and his Connactmen with Niall m Domnail m Loclain[ the son ] with Cinel Conaill with him.
These all went to Dal Cais in Clare where they made a years peace with Munster.

1117 The princes and the chiefs continued there many preys and slaughters of each other.

In 1118 Tiurdealbach O Conor marched to Munster and divided it between Desmond he gave to Carthaig and Thomond to sons of Dairmaid ua Brian
.He took hostages of both.

He than went to Ath Cliath and took away the king of Taras son Domnall than king of the Gallaib.
He took hostages of Osraigh and Leinster and the Gallaib of Dublin.
Toirdealbach Ua Concobar ws 30 years old in 1118.

A mermaid was taken in a net at Kilkenny and a second in Port Lairge Ossraige.

Toirdealbach and his Connact army went to Cean Corad and took it apart and hurled it into the Sahnnon stone by stone.

In 1119 Muircheartach ua Brian died on the festival of Liath Mor at Thurles on the 6th of March.
He is buried at the church of Cill Dalua.He had been ill for 6 years.

Nial M Domnall m Lochlainn rigdamna heir of Ailech was killed at 28 years of age by the Cinel Moain.
He was known for his personal looks, good sence, hospitality and learning.
Toirdealbach O Connor took his army and with him the chiefs of Leinster, Osraige, and the Gallaib of Dublin to Cill Dalua where he remained consuming the provisions of Munster.

He is styled the king of Ireland at this point.

Domnall Ua Lochlainn brought an army to Athlone against Toirdealbach and O Connor met him and made peace with him he did not intend to keep.

Toirdealbach held the fair at Tailten and built 3 bridges over the Shannon at Athlone and Ath Crioch and Dun Leoda on the Sura [Suck] between Galway and Rosscommon.

In 1121 Domnall m Argar Mac Lochalin King of Ireland died at Doire coluim Cill.

He had been27 years in the sovereinty of Ireland with Ua Brian and 11 years as king of Ailech.
He was 73 years old when he died on February 9 1121.
He would have been born in the year 1048.

And so the contested hi kingship of Ireland in opposition passed out of the hand of both the O Neill clan and the Munster Eoganacts represented by Dal Cais and the OBrien and into the hands of the O Connors of Conanct.

Neither of these great houses Leit Moga or Leit Cuinn the north from Conn or the south from Eogain king of Casheal had been able to united the princes or chiefs of Ireland into a body of noble rulers able to contain their urges to self agrandazation and petty preys and disputes among their own houses or neighboring septs.

With all the power and wealth at their command instead of like the old pagan kings addressing this to achieve unity and peace or good governance they instead used this power themselves in conducting the affairs of state and themselves in the same neglectory and petty manner as their underlings.

Hence Ireland itself was kept in constant turmoil and subjection by not only the condeming rules of the church and its philosophy of punishing sin in joyful hope of the coming of the Saviour but by their wnw native rulers and nobility to the point of a class of fear ridden peasantry bearly able to survive from year to year and in constant need not only of learning but survival goods.
Toirdealbach continued his raiding and plundering going as far south in Munster as Tralee in Kerry.
Taking cattle and spoils from both cheifs and churches.

A great wind blew in December of 1121 taking down much of the woods of Ireland and knocking the cap of the round tower at Ard Macha.

Muirchertach was survived by two sons Mathgamain who died in 1129 and Domnall king of Dublin who died in 1135.
DOmnall had two sons also concobar and Niall who was king of Tir Conaill from 1101-1119.
Both were able to trace their ancestory back to the 1st Century AD and beyond yet neither could rise to the great cause of the beginning Melisian idea of a kingdom by election of the fitest and most able candidate and the rule of community law in a democratic fashion as established on the Hill of Tara by Eocahid Ollam
Fodla in 703 BC when he stood before all the tribes of the nation and asked
What if- Cad Ma - and if they concured they responded
Mar Sin Beit [So Be It].


Judi Donnelly
copyright May 10 2008
sourses:
the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Msasters, vol 2, 1856 ,translated John O Donnovan,Hodges Smith and Co., Dublin Ireland.