Domnall Mór Ua Briain
Encyclopedia
Domnall Mór Ua Briain, or Domnall Mór mac Toirrdelbach Ua Briain, was King of Thomond in Ireland
from 1168 to 1194, and a claimant to the title King of Munster
. He was also styled King of Limerick
, a title belonging to the O'Brien dynasty since Brian Bóruma's annexation of the Norse city in the 10th century.
, who reigned 1142 to 1167. He ascended to the throne in 1168 after the death of his eldest brother, Muirchertach, who had succeeded their father as king. Muirchertach was killed at the instigation of his cousin Conchobar mac Muirchertach Ua Briain. His other brother Brian of Slieve Bloom was blinded in 1169. The same year, Domnall entered into conflict with the High King of Ireland
, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
, and was forced to pay him a tribute of 300 cows.
In 1171, he submitted himself to Henry II of England
at Cashel
, but he continued to fight successfully against the Normans
and their incursion into southwest Ireland for many years. In 1175, having demolished the Normans at the Battle of Thurles in Tipperary
, he consolidated his power by blinding two of his cousins, Dermot mac Taig Ua Briain and Mathgamain mac Toirdhelbeach Ua Briain, in Limerick
. He was, however, driven from Thomond by High King Ruaidrí the same year. In 1176, he drove out the Normans from Limerick, and in 1178 finally drove out the Uí Fidgenti
(AI
), the ancient rulers of the modern County Limerick
region.
In 1184, part of his lands were enfeofed to Philip de Braose
, Lord Deputy of Ireland
. Supported by Robert Fitz-Stephen
and Miles de Cogan, the Lord Deputy set out to take possession of Limerick, but on approaching the city, turned back in a panic. In 1185 when Prince John of England
intervened in Ireland, Domnall Mór demolished the Normans again when John was plundering along the valley of the River Suir
. The same year he also blinded the last Dermot brother. In 1188, he helped the men of Connacht under Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobhair
to overcome Jean de Courcy in the Curlew Mountains
. In 1193, the Normans devastated Clare
in reprisal and plundered Domnall's possessions in Ossory.
He established the Holy Cross Abbey in 1180 and Kilcooly Abbey in 1184, both under the Cistercian Rite.
According to the Annals of Ulster
, he was the last king of Munster, dying in 1194. He is buried in the apse of St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, a church he first organised. His tomb is covered with a carved sepulchre stone near the church's main altar.
and Mor O'Toole
. He left several sons who fought amongst themselves and with their cousin Muichertach, son of Brian of Slieve Bloom, for the succession in Thomond.
History of Ireland
The first known settlement in Ireland began around 8000 BC, when hunter-gatherers arrived from continental Europe, probably via a land bridge. Few archaeological traces remain of this group, but their descendants and later Neolithic arrivals, particularly from the Iberian Peninsula, were...
from 1168 to 1194, and a claimant to the title King of Munster
Kings of Munster
The name Munster is derived from the Gaelic God, Muman. The province of Munster was once divided into six regions: Tuadh Mhuman , Des Mhuman , Aur/Ur Mumhan , Iar mumhan or Iarmuman , Ernaibh Muman , and Deisi Muman...
. He was also styled King of Limerick
History of Limerick
The history of Limerick , stretches back to its establishment by the Vikings as a walled city on King's Island in 812, and its charter in 1197....
, a title belonging to the O'Brien dynasty since Brian Bóruma's annexation of the Norse city in the 10th century.
History
Domnall Mór ("Donall the Great"), a great-great-great grandson of Brian Bóruma, was the third son of King Tairdelbhach of MunsterMunster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
, who reigned 1142 to 1167. He ascended to the throne in 1168 after the death of his eldest brother, Muirchertach, who had succeeded their father as king. Muirchertach was killed at the instigation of his cousin Conchobar mac Muirchertach Ua Briain. His other brother Brian of Slieve Bloom was blinded in 1169. The same year, Domnall entered into conflict with the High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
, and was forced to pay him a tribute of 300 cows.
In 1171, he submitted himself to Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
at Cashel
Cashel, County Tipperary
Cashel is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 2936 at the 2006 census. The town gives its name to the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. Additionally, the cathedra of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly was originally in the town prior to the English Reformation....
, but he continued to fight successfully against the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
and their incursion into southwest Ireland for many years. In 1175, having demolished the Normans at the Battle of Thurles in Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
, he consolidated his power by blinding two of his cousins, Dermot mac Taig Ua Briain and Mathgamain mac Toirdhelbeach Ua Briain, in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
. He was, however, driven from Thomond by High King Ruaidrí the same year. In 1176, he drove out the Normans from Limerick, and in 1178 finally drove out the Uí Fidgenti
Uí Fidgenti
The Uí Fidgenti or Wood-Sprung People were an early kingdom of northern Munster, situated mostly in modern County Limerick, but extending into County Clare and County Tipperary, and possibly even County Kerry and County Cork, at maximum extents, which varied over time...
(AI
Annals of Inisfallen
The Annals of Inisfallen are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between AD 433 and AD 1450, but it is believed to have been written between the 12th and 15th centuries...
), the ancient rulers of the modern County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
region.
In 1184, part of his lands were enfeofed to Philip de Braose
Philip de Braose junior
Philip de Braose junior , was an Anglo-Norman noble most noted for his participation in Henry II's conquest of Ireland.Braose was a younger son of Philip de Braose, lord of Bramber, and an uncle of William de Braose...
, Lord Deputy of Ireland
Lord Deputy of Ireland
The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...
. Supported by Robert Fitz-Stephen
Robert Fitz-Stephen
Robert Fitz-Stephen was a 12th century Cambro-Norman soldier, one of the leaders of the Norman invasion of Ireland, for which he was granted extensive lands in Ireland. He was a son of the famous Nest, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, the last king of Deheubarth . His father was Nest's second husband,...
and Miles de Cogan, the Lord Deputy set out to take possession of Limerick, but on approaching the city, turned back in a panic. In 1185 when Prince John of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
intervened in Ireland, Domnall Mór demolished the Normans again when John was plundering along the valley of the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
. The same year he also blinded the last Dermot brother. In 1188, he helped the men of Connacht under Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobhair
Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobhair
Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair, son of High King of Ireland Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, was King of Connacht from 1183 to 1189. He was a military commander and opponent of the Norman invasion of Ireland.-Early life:...
to overcome Jean de Courcy in the Curlew Mountains
Curlew Mountains
Viewed to the west travelling north, dominates the surrounding lakes of the north Roscommon and Leitrim countryside. Situated between Boyle, and Castlebalwin, the Curlew Mountains oversees the north Connacht countryside....
. In 1193, the Normans devastated Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
in reprisal and plundered Domnall's possessions in Ossory.
He established the Holy Cross Abbey in 1180 and Kilcooly Abbey in 1184, both under the Cistercian Rite.
According to the Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
, he was the last king of Munster, dying in 1194. He is buried in the apse of St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, a church he first organised. His tomb is covered with a carved sepulchre stone near the church's main altar.
Family
Domnall Mor married Orlacan, daughter of Dermot MacMurroughDermot MacMurrough
Diarmait Mac Murchada , anglicized as Dermot MacMurrough or Dermod MacMurrough , was a King of Leinster in Ireland. In 1167, he was deprived of his kingdom by the High King of Ireland - Turlough Mór O'Connor...
and Mor O'Toole
Mor O'Toole
Mor O'Toole was a Queen-consort of Leinster as the first wife of King Dermot MacMurrough. Under Brehon Law, Irish kings were allowed two wives. King Dermot's second wife was Sadhbh Ni Fhaolain...
. He left several sons who fought amongst themselves and with their cousin Muichertach, son of Brian of Slieve Bloom, for the succession in Thomond.
- Muirchertach Finn (King of Thomond 1194-1198, restored 1202 or 1203-1208 or 1210, blinded 1208 or 1210, died 1239)
- Conchobar Ruadh (King of Thomond 1198-1202 or 1203, killed 1202 or 1203)
- Donnchadh Cairprech (King of Thomond 1208 or 1210–1242)