Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair
Encyclopedia
Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair (old spelling: Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair) (1088–1156), anglicized Turlough Mór O'Connor, was King of Connacht
(1106–1156) and High King of Ireland
(c. 1120-1156).
(died 1118), his mother was Mór, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Briain (1009–14 July 1086). His brothers were Niall (killed 1093), Tadc (killed 1097), Conchobar (murdered 1103), Domnall, King of Connacht (deposed 1106). There was at least one sister, Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra
of Luighne Connacht
(died 1131). Ruaidrí was married to four or more women.
In 1092, King Ruaidrí was blinded by Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh
, an incident which led to the domination of Connacht by the Dal gCais of Munster, led by Tairrdelbach's uncle, Muirchertach Ua Briain, who possibly took Tairrdelbach into his household to groom him for the day when he would be king of Connacht. (p.471,MIAE 2005)
However this would not occur until 1106; until then, Connacht endured a prolonged period of civil strife between different factions of the Uí Conchobair, Uí Ruairc of Bréifne as well as more minor families of the Uí Briúin
and Síol Muireadaigh
, including the long-displaced Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
. Tairrdelbach's brothers Tadc and Domnall both gaining the kingship at different times, but depended upon the support of Ua Briain.
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Uí Conchobair, Kings of Connacht. |
| Toirdelbach Ua Briain (d. 1086)
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Aed in Gai Bernaig (d. 1067) |______________________________________________________
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Ruaidrí na Saide Buide Ua Conchobair (died 1118) = Mór (died 1088) Tadc (d. 1086) Diarmait (d. 1119) Muirchertach (d.1119)
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Niall Tadc Conchobar Domnall Dubhchobhlaigh Tairrdelbach, 1088-1156. Toirrdelbach Conchobar Tadg Glae Donnchad
d.1093 | d.1103 | d.1131. | |
________| | | |
| | Domnall Kings of Connacht. Kings of Munster and Thomond.
| | |
Cathal Aed |
| Ruaidri
| d.1151.
Domnall
d. 1153.
"Tairrdelbach carefully maintained his alliance with Ua Briain, sending troops to aid the high king agains the Ui Ruaric of Bréifne in 1109. But he was also determined to defend his kingdom against predators such as Domnall Mac Lochlainn (d. 1121), king of the north of Ireland." (O'Byrne, p. 471)
Tairrdelbach constructed Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe (“Fort at the Mouth (bottom) of the Gaillimh”) in 1124. A small settlement grew up around this fort and eventually this developed into Galway
city.
The Cross of Cong
, made at the behest of Tairrdelbach was designed to be placed on top of a religious staff or crosier. It was made for the Cathedral church at Tuam
. The cross was subsequently moved to Cong Abbey
. He is also believed to have refounded Cong Abbey
circa 1135.
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
, writing in 1649, wrote the following account of Tairrdelbach's family (219.16 - 220.13, pp. 486–489):
Via his son, Brian Luighnech O Conchobhair
, descended the dynasty of the Ó Conchobhair Sligigh, and from Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
his youngest son both the O Conchobhair Ruadh and the Ó Conchubhair Donn.
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...
(1106–1156) and 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...
(c. 1120-1156).
Family background
The youngest son of Ruaidrí na Saide BuideRuaidrí na Saide Buide
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , called Ruaidrí na Saide Buide was King of Connacht, perhaps twice.-Background:...
(died 1118), his mother was Mór, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Briain (1009–14 July 1086). His brothers were Niall (killed 1093), Tadc (killed 1097), Conchobar (murdered 1103), Domnall, King of Connacht (deposed 1106). There was at least one sister, Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra
Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra
Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra, aka Dubhchobhlaigh Ní Conchobair, Queen of Luighne Connacht, died 1131.-Family background:Dubhchobhlaigh was the only recorded daughter of King Ruaidrí na Saide Buide of Connacht, who ruled the kingdom from 1087 till his mutilation and deposition in 1092...
of Luighne Connacht
Luighne Connacht
Luighne Connacht was a territory located in north-central Connacht, on the boarders of what is now County Mayo and County Sligo.-Origin:The Luighne were a people, originally found in Brega, south of Kells in what is now County Meath. The baronys of Lune in Meath, and Leyney in Sligo, were called...
(died 1131). Ruaidrí was married to four or more women.
In 1092, King Ruaidrí was blinded by Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh
Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh
-Biography:Flaithbertaigh was third or fourth chief of the Muintir Murchada since their expulsion from Uí Briúin Seóla by the Ua Conchobair kings of Connacht...
, an incident which led to the domination of Connacht by the Dal gCais of Munster, led by Tairrdelbach's uncle, Muirchertach Ua Briain, who possibly took Tairrdelbach into his household to groom him for the day when he would be king of Connacht. (p.471,MIAE 2005)
However this would not occur until 1106; until then, Connacht endured a prolonged period of civil strife between different factions of the Uí Conchobair, Uí Ruairc of Bréifne as well as more minor families of the Uí Briúin
Uí Briúin
The Uí Briúin were an Irish kin-group. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brion, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the Uí Fiachrach and Uí Ailello, putative descendants of Eochaid Mugmedon's...
and Síol Muireadaigh
Síol Muireadaigh
Síol Muireadaigh, Gaelic-Irish dynasty and territory, located in north County Roscommon.-Overview:The Síol Muireadaigh were a dynasty of related clans, all descendants of King Muiredach Muillethan of Connacht , all of whom lived in north-central Connaught...
, including the long-displaced Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
. Tairrdelbach's brothers Tadc and Domnall both gaining the kingship at different times, but depended upon the support of Ua Briain.
Family tree
Dal gCais, Kings of Munster.|
Uí Conchobair, Kings of Connacht. |
| Toirdelbach Ua Briain (d. 1086)
| |
Aed in Gai Bernaig (d. 1067) |______________________________________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
Ruaidrí na Saide Buide Ua Conchobair (died 1118) = Mór (died 1088) Tadc (d. 1086) Diarmait (d. 1119) Muirchertach (d.1119)
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|________________________________________ | |___________________________________
| | | | | | | | | |
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Niall Tadc Conchobar Domnall Dubhchobhlaigh Tairrdelbach, 1088-1156. Toirrdelbach Conchobar Tadg Glae Donnchad
d.1093 | d.1103 | d.1131. | |
________| | | |
| | Domnall Kings of Connacht. Kings of Munster and Thomond.
| | |
Cathal Aed |
| Ruaidri
| d.1151.
Domnall
d. 1153.
Reign
In 1106, with the support of his uncle Muirchertach Ua Briain, eighteen-year old Tairrdelbach deprived his older brother Domnall of the kingship of Connacht. He would remain king of Connacht for fifty years."Tairrdelbach carefully maintained his alliance with Ua Briain, sending troops to aid the high king agains the Ui Ruaric of Bréifne in 1109. But he was also determined to defend his kingdom against predators such as Domnall Mac Lochlainn (d. 1121), king of the north of Ireland." (O'Byrne, p. 471)
Tairrdelbach constructed Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe (“Fort at the Mouth (bottom) of the Gaillimh”) in 1124. A small settlement grew up around this fort and eventually this developed into Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
city.
The Cross of Cong
Cross of Cong
The Cross of Cong is an early 12th century Irish Christian ornamented cusped processional cross, which was, as an inscription says, made for Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair , King of Connacht and High King of Ireland to donate to the Cathedral church of the period that was located at Tuam, County...
, made at the behest of Tairrdelbach was designed to be placed on top of a religious staff or crosier. It was made for the Cathedral church at Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
. The cross was subsequently moved to Cong Abbey
Cong Abbey
Cong Abbey is a historic site located at Cong, on the borders of counties Galway and Mayo, in Ireland's province of Connacht. Founded in the early 7th century, by Saint Feichin, the abbey was destroyed by fire in the early 12th century. Turlough Mor O’Connor, the High King of Ireland, refounded the...
. He is also believed to have refounded Cong Abbey
Cong Abbey
Cong Abbey is a historic site located at Cong, on the borders of counties Galway and Mayo, in Ireland's province of Connacht. Founded in the early 7th century, by Saint Feichin, the abbey was destroyed by fire in the early 12th century. Turlough Mor O’Connor, the High King of Ireland, refounded the...
circa 1135.
Wives and children
Tairrdelbach had the following known wives:- Caillech Dé Ní Eidin
- Órfhlaith Ní Mailshechlainn, died 1115
- Mór Ní Lochlainn, died 1122
- Tailltiu Ní Mailshechlainn, sister of Órfhlaith, died 1127
- Derbforgaill Ní Lochlainn, died 1151.
- Dubhcobhlach Ní Maíl Ruanaid, died 1168.
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius was an Irish scribe, translator, historian and genealogist...
, writing in 1649, wrote the following account of Tairrdelbach's family (219.16 - 220.13, pp. 486–489):
" Toirdehealbach Mor s. Ruaidhri, high-king of Ireland, had many sons; Ruaidhri, king of Ireland also, Cathal Croibhdhearg, king of Connacht, Domhnall Mor, tainst of Connacht (to him was finally granted the hundredfold increase) were his three sons by his wife; Maol Iosa, coarb of Coman, was the eldest of his family (and his heir), and Aodh Dall and Tadhg Alainn and Brian Breifneach and Brian Luighneach, Maghnus and Lochlainn, Muircheartach Muimneach, Donnchadh, Maol Seachlainn, Tadhg of Fiodhnacha, Cathal Mioghran, two [sons named] Conchabhar, Diarmaid, Domhnall, Muirgheas, Tadhg of Dairean, Murchadh Fionn."
- - Conchobair Ua ConchobairConchobair Ua ConchobairConchobair Ua Conchobair , served as Tánaiste of Connacht, fl. 1126–1144.-Background:Conchobair was one of over twenty sons sired by Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, and his first chosen heir.-King of Dublin:1126...
, fl. 1126-1144 - - unnamed daughter, wife of Murchadh Ua hEaghra, murdered 1134
- - Aedh Dall Ua ConchobairAedh Dall Ua ConchobairAedh Dall Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht, died 1194.Aedh was the eldest child of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair . His mother's identity is uncertain - Tairrdelbach had six wives - but his full brothers were Tadhg Alainn and Abbot Máel Ísa of Roscommon .Despite his seniority, Aedh's...
, fl. 1136-1194 - - Ruaidrí Ua ConchobairRuaidrí Ua ConchobairRuaidrí 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...
, fl. 1136-1198 - - Tadhg Alainn Ua Conchobair, died 1143/1144
- - Cathal Migarán Ua Conchobair, died 1151 or 1152
- - Cathal Crobdearg Ua ConchobairCathal Crobdearg Ua ConchobairCathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair , the youngest son of the Irish High King Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, was a King of Connacht....
, 1152-1224 - - Donnell Mor Mideach Ua ConchobairDonnell Mor Mideach Ua ConchobairDonnell Mor Mideach Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht, fl. 1144 to 1176.Donnell was a son of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht Donnell Mor Mideach Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht, fl. 1144 to 1176.Donnell was a son of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht Donnell Mor Mideach Ua...
, died 1176 - - Brian Breifneach Ua ConchobairBrian Breifneach Ua ConchobairBrian Breifneach Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht, fl. 1156.Brian Breifneach was one of some twenty-two sons of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht Brian Breifneach Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht, fl. 1156.Brian Breifneach was one of some twenty-two sons of King Tairrdelbach Ua...
, fl. 1156 - - Brian Luighnech Ua Conchobhair, fl. 1156-1181
- - Maghnus Ua ConchobairMaghnus Ua Conchobair-Family background:Maghnus was a son of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair and one of his six wives.-Crich Coirpre:Magnhus and his brother, Brian Luighnech Ua Conchobhair, were killed at the battle of Crich Coirpre in County Sligo by King Flaithbertaigh of Tyrconnell...
, died 1181 - - Mór Ní ConchobairMór Ní ConchobairMor Ni Conchobair, Princess of Connacht and Queen of Munster, died 1190.Mor was the only full-sister of King Ruaidhri Ua Conchobair of Connacht. Their parents were Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair and Caillech De Ni hEidhin of Aidhne...
, died 1190 - - Muirchertach Muimhnech Ua ConchobairMuirchertach Muimhnech Ua ConchobairMuirchertach 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....
, died 1210 - - Máel ÍsaMáel ÍsaMael Isa Ua Conchobair, Prince of Connacht and Abbot of Roscommon, died 1223.-Family background:Mael Isa was a son of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht by one of his six wives....
, Abbot of Roscommon, died 1223 - - Muirgheas the Canon, died 1224
- - Aedh
- - Maghnus
- - Lochlann
- - Donchadh
- - Maol Seachlainn
- - Tadhg Fiodhnacha
- - Conchobair
- - Diarmaid
- - Tadhg Dairean
- - Murchadh Finn
- - Uran
Via his son, Brian Luighnech O Conchobhair
Brian Luighnech O Conchobhair
-Family background:Ua Conchobhair was one of at least twenty-three children of King Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht . His mother's name is uncertain.-Early life:...
, descended the dynasty of the Ó Conchobhair Sligigh, and from Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair
Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair , the youngest son of the Irish High King Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, was a King of Connacht....
his youngest son both the O Conchobhair Ruadh and the Ó Conchubhair Donn.