List of kings of Munster explained

Royal Title:	Kings
Realm:	Munster
Native Name:	Rí Mumhan
Coatofarms:	Kingdom of Munster-900.svg
Coatofarmssize:	250px
Coatofarmscaption:	Map of Munster, c. 10th century.
First Monarch:	Bodb Derg
Last Monarch:	Cormac Mac Carthaig
Style:	Rí Mumhan
Residence:	Rock of Cashel
Appointer:	Tanistry
Began:	Ancient
Ended:	1138 or 1194 (claimant)
Pretender:	Disputed: Conor Myles John O'Brien (Ó Briain) Liam Trant MacCarthy (Mac Cárthaigh)

The kings of Munster (Irish: Rí Mumhain) ruled the Kingdom of Munster in Ireland from its establishment during the Irish Iron Age until the High Middle Ages. According to Gaelic traditional history, laid out in works such as the Book of Invasions, the earliest king of Munster was Bodb Derg of the Tuatha Dé Danann. From the Gaelic peoples, an Érainn kindred known as the Dáirine (also known as Corcu Loígde and represented today in seniority by the Ó hEidirsceoil) provided several early monarchs including Cú Roí. In a process in the Cath Maige Mucrama, the Érainn lost their ascendancy in the 2nd century AD to the Deirgtine, ancestors of the Eóganachta. Munster during this period was classified as part of Leath Moga, or the southern-half, while other parts of Ireland were ruled mostly by the Connachta.

After losing Osraige to the east, Cashel was established as the capital of Munster by the Eóganachta. This kindred ruled without interruption until the 10th century. Although the High Kingship of Ireland was dominated during this time by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta of Munster did provide Cathal mac Finguine and Fedelmid mac Crimthainn as serious contenders. This great tribe was broken down into different septs or branches, the most successful in terms of royalty being the Eóganacht Chaisil (represented by the Ó Súilleabháin and Mac Cárthaigh), the Eóganacht Glendamnach (represented by the Ó Caoimh), and the Eóganacht Áine (represented by the Ó Ciarmhaic).

Their hold was loosened by the rise of Brian Bóruma of the Dál gCais, who established the Ó Briain as kings of Munster. As well as this, Munster had to contend with the Normans. Finally, the kingdom ended as it was split into Thomond, Desmond and Ormond. The former two came to an end during the 16th century with the birth of the Tudor Kingdom of Ireland, with former rulers joining the Peerage of Ireland. There were a number of Gaelic attempts to reassert their power in Munster, such as that of Fínghin Mac Cárthaigh and Domhnall Cam Ó Súilleabháin Bhéara, but these were not successful.

Ancient and legendary Kings of Munster

Bodb Derg, king of the Sid Mumu, and later king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, succeeding The Dagda
Conmáel, first Milesian king based in Munster, and also High King of Ireland
Eochaid Faebar Glas, his son and High King of Ireland, possibly based in Munster also
Eochu Mumu, his grandson and High King of Ireland, and after whom Munster is said to be named
Énna Airgdech, his son and High King of Ireland
Eochu Apthach, a possibly fictitious very early High King of Ireland from the Corcu Loídge, but misplaced chronologically in any event
Íar mac Degad, ancestor of the Érainn, or those specifically named "Descendants of Iar mac Degad"
Eterscél Mór, his son and High King of Ireland
Conaire Mór, his son in most sources, and one of the most celebrated High Kings of Ireland
Conaire Cóem, High King of Ireland and great-great grandson of Conaire Mór
- Note: both are ancestors of the Síl Conairi
Dáire mac Degad, ancestor of the Dáirine
Cú Roí mac Dáire, Munster king and/or deity known from the Ulster Cycle
- Note: possibly the actual first of the Dáirine, for many generations the dominant military power from Munster, finally falling during the 6th century AD
Dáire Doimthech, if actually different from Dáire mac Degad, and thus ancestor of the "other" Dáirine
Lugaid Loígde, his son, if actually different from Lugaid Mac Con below
Eochaid Étgudach, another son of Dáire Doimthech, but misplaced chronologically
Nia Segamain, an actual ancestor or group of them of the Clanna Dergthened and thus the Eóganachta
- Note (critical): actually attested in Munster ogham inscriptions, and in some pedigrees descendant(s) of the "other" Dáirine above
- Note (in addition): probably wildly misplaced chronologically but considered of high status enough to make it to the legendary High King of Ireland lists
Mug Nuadat, king in late sagas of Leth Mogha, or Mug's Half, meaning Southern Ireland
- Note: belonged to the Deirgtine, but may be a mythological figure (Nuada)
Ailill Aulom, Mug's son, aka Olioll Ólum, associated with the goddess Áine
- Note: also called a druid in a very early source
Lugaid Mac Con, was High King of Ireland, and Ailill's foster-son
- Note: ancestor of the Corcu Loígde, principal later (3rd century and after) Munster sept of the Dáirine
Éogan Mór, Ailill's son, from whom the Eóganachta took their name
- Note: the Eóganachta were actually founded by Conall Corc, great-great-grandson of Eógan Mór
Fiachu Muillethan, son of Éogan Mór
- Note: a king of the Deirgtine of curious career, supported by Mug Ruith
Ailill Flann Bec, son of Fiachu Muillethan
- Note: almost nothing is known of this figure, except that he was adopted by and succeeded his elder brother, Ailill Flann Mór
Dáire Cerbba, born in Brega of unclear parentage, usually (and obviously) assumed Dáirine but later written a son of Ailill Flann Bec
- Note: called King of Medon Mairtine, once a very early capital of Munster, in one source, and progenitor of yet "another" sept of the Dáirine
Óengus Bolg, an important late king of the Dáirine and (near) final sovereign ancestor (of Munster) from the Corcu Loígde
- Note: features in early stories of Conall Corc, and is an ancestor of the Cashel Eóganachta septs, the "Inner Circle", through his daughter Aimend
Crimthann mac Fidaig, was High King of Ireland and of territories overseas, and brother of the Queen and Goddess Mongfind
- Note: considered Eóganacht (if vehemently opposed by them) in some dynastic traditions, but possibly a grandson of Dáire Cerbba (other sources)
Bressal mac Ailello Thassaig, a King of Munster (one source only) from the early Uí Liatháin
- Note: Angias, his sister, was the Queen of Lóegaire mac Néill, High King of Ireland and Emperor of the Barbarians

Historical Kings of Cashel, Iarmuman, and Munster

There were not verifiable Eóganacht overkings of (all or most of) Munster until the early 7th century, after the Corcu Loígde had fallen entirely from power, some time after losing their grip on the Kingdom of Osraige and the support of the Muscraige and others. Thus the earlier kings below are best described as Kings of Cashel, Kings of Iarmuman, or Kings of the Eóganachta. Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib was the first Eóganacht to powerfully project outside Munster, but his Iarmuman relations were a significant rival of Cashel in his time, and not enough is known of many of his successors before Cathal mac Finguine, although the fragmentary nature of the surviving sources can to an extent be blamed.

At this time also flourished the semi-independent Uí Fidgenti and Uí Liatháin, a pair of shadowy sister kingdoms whose official origins appear to have been adjusted in the 8th century in a semi-successful (if ambiguously necessary) attempt to integrate them into the Eóganachta political structure and genealogical scheme. Effective relations and an alliance were achieved with the Uí Fidgenti, to the credit of Eóganacht strength, wealth and finesse, but for unknown reasons the Uí Liatháin remained effective outsiders except to Eóganacht Glendamnach.

Of the Eóganachta, unless noted.

Eóganacht Chaisil, –500

See also: Eóganacht Chaisil. |-| Corc mac Luigthig
–|| || Son of Luigthech mac Ailill Flann Bec ||Aimend
several children|| unknown|-| Nad Froích mac Cuirc
–453|| || Son of Corc mac Luigthig ||unknown|| 453|-| Óengus mac Nad Froích
453–489|| || Son of Nad Froích mac Cuirc ||Eithne Uathach
purported to have had twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters|| 489|-| Feidlimid mac Óengusa
489–500|| || Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích ||unknown|| 500|-|}

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 500–596

See also: Eóganacht Glendamnach and Ó Caoimh. |-| Eochaid mac Óengusa
500–522|| || Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích||unknown|| 522|-| Crimthann Srem mac Echado
522–542|| || Son of Eochaid mac Óengusa||unknown|| 542|-| Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn
542–577|| || Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado||unknown|| 577|-| Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm
577–596
(possible)|| || Son of Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn||unknown|| 596|-|}

Eóganacht Airthir Cliach, 577–582

Eóganacht Raithlind, 582–588

See also: Eóganacht Raithlind and Ó Mathghamhna.

|-| Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
582–588|| || Son of Tighearnach mac Aedh||unknown|| 588|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 596–601

|-| Amalgaid mac Éndai
596–601|| || Son of Éndai||unknown || 601|-| Garbán mac Éndai
596–601|| || Son of Éndai||unknown || 601|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 601–618

See also: Cenél Fíngin and Ó Súilleabháin. |-| Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
601–618|| || Son of Áedo Duib||Mór Muman
several children|| 618|-|}

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 618

|-| Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
618|| || Son of Crimthainn mac Cobhtach||unknown|| 618|-|}

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 618–627

|-| Cathal mac Áedo
618–627|| || Son of Áed Fland Cathrach||Mór Muman
several children|| 627|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 627–639

See also: Clann Faílbe and Mac Cárthaigh. |-| Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
627–639|| || Son of Áedo Duib||unknown|| 639|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 639–641

|-| Cúán mac Amalgado
639–641|| || Son of Amalgaid mac Éndai||unknown || 641|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 641–661

|-| Máenach mac Fíngin
641–661|| || Son of Fíngen mac Áedo Duib and Mór Muman||unknown|| 661|-|}

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 661–665

|-| Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
661–665|| || Son of Cathal mac Áedo||several children|| 665|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 665–678

|-| Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
665–678|| || Son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib||unknown|| 678|-|}

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 678–701

|-| Finguine mac Cathail
678–696|| || Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair||several children|| 696|-| Ailill mac Cathail
696–701|| || Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair||unknown|| 701|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 701–712

|-| Cormac mac Ailello
701–712|| || Son of Ailello mac Máenach||unknown|| 712|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 712–721

|-| Eterscél mac Máele Umai
712–721|| || Son of Máel Umai mac Cúán||unknown || 721|-|}

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 721–742

|-| Cathal mac Finguine
721–742|| || Son of Finguine mac Cathail||several children|| 742|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 742–769

|-| Cathussach mac Eterscélai
742–769|| || Son of Eterscél mac Máele Umai||unknown || 769|-|}

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 769–786

See also: Eóganacht Locha Léin and Ó Muircheartaigh. |-| Máel Dúin mac Áedo
769–786|| || Son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing ||unknown|| 786|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 786–805

See also: Eóganacht Áine and Ó Ciarmhaic.

|-| Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
786–805^[1] || || Son of Duib-Indrecht||unknown || 805|-|}

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 805–820

|-| Artrí mac Cathail
805–820|| || Son of Cathal mac Finguine||one son|| 820|-| Tnúthgal mac Artrach
–^[2]
(possible)|| || Son of Artrí mac Cathail||unknown|| 807|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 820–847

See also: Abbot of Clonfert and Abbot of Cork. |-| Tnúthgal mac Donngaile
807–820
(possible)|| || Son of Máel Donngaile||unknown|| 820|-| Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
820–847|| || Son of Crimthainn||unknown|| 28 August 847|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 847–851

|-| Ólchobar mac Cináeda
847–851|| || Son of Cináeda ||unknown || 851|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 851–859

|-| Áilgenán mac Donngaile
851–853|| || Son of Donngaile||unknown|| 853|-| Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
853–859|| || Son of Donngaile||one son|| 859|-|}

Eóganacht Áine, 859–872

See also: Abbot of Emly. |-| Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
859–872|| || Son of Mugthigirn ||unknown || 872|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 872–908

|-| Dúnchad mac Duib-dá-Bairenn
872–888|| || Son of Duib-dá-Bairenn mac Crundmáel||unknown|| 888|-| Dub Lachtna mac Máele Gualae
888–895|| || Son of Máel Gualae mac Donngaile||unknown|| 895|-| Finguine Cenn nGécan mac Loégairi
895–902|| || Son of Loégairi mac Duib-dá-Bairenn||unknown|| 902|-| Cormac mac Cuilennáin
902–908|| || Son of Cuilennáin mac Selbach||unknown|| 908|-|}

Múscraige, 908–944

See also: Múscraige and Ó Donnagáin. |-| Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
908–944|| || Son of Inmainén||unknown || 944|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 944–957

|-| Lorcán mac Coinlígáin
944–|| || Son of Coinlígáin mac Corcrán||unknown|| unknown|-| Cellachán Caisil
–954|| || Son of Buadacháin mac Lachtnae||one son|| 954|-| Máel Fathardaig mac Flann
954–957|| || Son of Flann mac Donnchad||one son|| 957|-|}

Eóganacht Raithlind, 957–959

See also: Eóganacht Raithlind and Ó Donnchadha na nGleann. |-| Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill
957–959|| || Son of Domnall mac Dub-dá-Bairenn||unknown || 959|-|}

Eóganacht Chaisil, 959–963

Eóganacht Raithlind, 959–978

|-| Máel Muad mac Brain
959–970
976–978|| || Son of Brian||one son || 978|-|}

Uí Ímair, 960–977

Dál gCais, 970–1014

Eóganacht Chaisil, 1014–1025

|-| Dúngal Hua Donnchada
1014–1025|| || Son of Máel Fathardaig mac Flann||unknown|| 1025|-|}

Ó Briain, 1025–1119

See also: Ó Briain. |-| Donnchad mac Briain
1025–1064|| || Son of Brian Bóruma and Gormflaith ingen Murchada ||Cacht ingen Ragnaill
Three children || 1064|-| Murchad mac Donnchada
1064–1068|| || Son of Donnchad mac Briain and Cacht ingen Ragnaill||unknown || 1068|-| Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain
1068–1086|| ||1009
Son of Tadc mac Briain and Mór||(1) Dubchoblaig
One son
(2) Derbforgaill
Two sons|| 1086|-| Muircheartach Ua Briain
1086–1114
1118–1119|| ||1050
Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain||Derb Forgaill ingen Uí Laidcnén
Three children|| 1119|-| Diarmait Ua Briain
1114–1118|| || 1060
Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain||unknown || 1118|-| Brian Ua Briain
1118|| || Son of Murchad mac Donnchada||unknown || 1118|-|}

Mac Cárthaigh, 1127–1138

See also: Mac Cárthaigh. |-| Cormac Mac Carthaigh
1127–1138|| || Son of Muireadach Mac Carthaigh||unknown|| 1138|-|}

Ó Briain, 1138–1194

|-| Conchobar Ua Briain
1138–1142
(claimant)
|| || Son of Diarmait Ua Briain ||unknown || 1142|-| Toirdhealbhach mac Diarmada Ua Briain
1142–1167
(claimant)
|| || Son of Diarmait Ua Briain ||unknown || 1167|-| Muirchertach mac Toirdelbhach Ua Briain
1167–1168
(claimant)
|| || Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain ||unknown || 1168|-| Domnall Mór Ua Briain
1168–1194
(claimant)
|| || Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain ||Orlacan Ní Murchada
Four children|| 1194|-|}

References

Bryne, Francis J. Irish Kings and High Kings. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1973.
Charles-Edwards, T.M. Early Christian Ireland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Moody, T.W.; F.J. Byrne and F.X. Martin, ed. A New History of Ireland. Vol. IX. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.
Áed Ua Crimthainn, Book of Leinster, c. 1160.
The Laud Synchronisms. K. Meyer, 1913.

External links

MacCarthy Clan Foundation at McCarthyClan.org
O'Brien Clan Foundation at OBrienClan.com
The McGillycuddy of the Reeks at McGillycuddy.co.za
O'Mahony Society at OMahonySociety.com
O'Donoghue Society at ODonoghue.co.uk

Notes and References

In the Annals of Ulster, Ólchobar mac Flainn of the Uí Fidgenti was confused with Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht of the Eóganacht Áine and claimed to have been a King of Munster. It is very likely that only Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht reigned in actuality (the confusion caused by a decline in Eóganachta fortunes).
[Tnúthgal mac Artrach]