Muirchertach Muimhnech Ua Conchobair
Encyclopedia
Muirchertach Muimhnech Ua Conchobair, Prince
of Connacht
,fl.1156-1210.
Muirchertach was one of over twenty sons sired by King
Tairrdelbach of Connacht
. His nickname, Muimhnech, indicated that he was fostered in Munster
.
He was one of three sons of Tairdelbach arrested in 1156 by their brother, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
, on the death of their father. Ruaidrí was his father's Tánaiste
, but secured Muirchertach, Brian Breifneach and Brian Luighneach to prevent them gaining the kingship. As an extra precaution, Brian Breifneach was blinded. Before his death Muirchertach became Tánaiste
himself and held control of much of Mayo
. His sons were subsequently expelled from this area in the conquest of Connacht
by Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught in 1235.
He was the ancestor to the Clan Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair
and five Kings of Connacht
, who reigned between 1280 and 1343.
His wife died in 1231. She is described in the Annála Connacht as:
It should be noted that the Mac Diarmata family also had a recently acquired lordships in central Mayo
, north of the Clan Muircheartaigh.
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west 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...
,fl.1156-1210.
Muirchertach was one of over twenty sons sired by King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
Tairrdelbach of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west 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...
. His nickname, Muimhnech, indicated that he was fostered in Munster
Munster
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...
.
He was one of three sons of Tairdelbach arrested in 1156 by their brother, 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...
, on the death of their father. Ruaidrí was his father's Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
, but secured Muirchertach, Brian Breifneach and Brian Luighneach to prevent them gaining the kingship. As an extra precaution, Brian Breifneach was blinded. Before his death Muirchertach became Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
himself and held control of much of Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. His sons were subsequently expelled from this area in the conquest of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west 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...
by Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught in 1235.
He was the ancestor to the Clan Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair
Clan Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair
The Clan Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair were descendants of Irish High-King Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, via his son, Muircheartach Muimhneach . They have been defined by Katherine Simms as:...
and five Kings of Connacht
Kings of Connacht
The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the cóiced of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named after The Connachta.The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht . Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD...
, who reigned between 1280 and 1343.
His wife died in 1231. She is described in the Annála Connacht as:
-
- "..Feth fo lige, daughter of Conchobar Mac Diarmata and wife of Muirchertach Muimnech son of Toirrdelbach Mor O Conchobair, died this year. She was the greatest, most beautiful, most generous, purest woman and of the best repute that ever was in Leth Cuinn, and the mother of Magnus mac Muirchertaig Muimnig and Conchobar Ruad and Tuathal and Toirrdelbach the priest, prior of the church of Peter and Paul".
It should be noted that the Mac Diarmata family also had a recently acquired lordships in central Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, north of the Clan Muircheartaigh.