Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IRELAND (IRE)
Traditionally the clans of Ireland formed five major provincial kingdoms: Meath (Mide) in the center and
east, Ulster (Ulaid) in the north, Connaught (Connacht) in the west, Munster (Mumu) in the southwest, and
Leinster (Laigin) in the southeast. Divisions within the ruling clans led to the emergence of further polities, for
example Brega (Breg) from Meath, Ailech and Oriel (Airgalla) from Ulster, Brifne from Connaught, and
Ossory (Osraige) from Munster (although it is now generally grouped under Leinster). The kings of Ailech and
Meath came from the U Nill clan and were closely related to those of Connaught, while the monarchs of
Ulster, Munster, and Leinster issued from different clans. Provincial kings were occasionally bullied into
submission by one of their number, and a notion of a high king gradually developed. By the 9th century the
high kingship and overlordship over Ireland came to be associated with royal consecration at Tara (Temair na
R) in Meath, and the title of high king of Ireland (ard-r renn) appeared in the 10th century. The still largely
ceremonial high kingship was held by descendants of Niall I (the U Nill) until 1002, when Brian I Bruma of
Munster usurped the throne, a development that exacerbated the fierce competition over the throne.
The kings of England claimed suzerainty over Ireland and its high kings from 1172, and after the deposition
of Cathal of Connaught in 1200, they took the title lord of Ireland. Unlike the English conquest of Wales in
the 13th century, the conquest of Ireland remained incomplete and frequently challenged, and it was fully
effective only in the Pale, an area of varying extent centered on Dublin. English rule declined during the
Hundred Years War, as many Anglo-Norman lords went native and surviving Irish princely clans began to
reassert their authority throughout the land. This process was only curbed and reversed in the 16th and early 17th
centuries, by which time religious differences had exacerbated the conflict between Ireland and the English
Crown. Irish princes were given English feudal titles and within this framework local claims to royal authority
were ended mostly in the early 1600s, with the departure of the more uncooperative lords into exile.
Starting with Henry VIII, English kings used the title king of Ireland from 1541 until 1801, when Ireland
formally joined the United Kingdom. Ireland obtained partial independence in 1916, and full independence as a
member of the British Commonwealth in 1922. From 1927 the British royal title was changed to King of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Britain and King of Ireland in Ireland. In 1949
Ireland left the Commonwealth and was proclaimed a republic, and only Northern Ireland remains under the
British Crown. Names are given in standardized Old and Middle Irish forms. The chronology is fairly uncertain
until the late 5th century, and no attempt has been made to extend coverage into the questionable remote past.
I.
379405
405428
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483507
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& 564566
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569572
& 569572
572581
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& 598604
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& 642654
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& 656665
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II.
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466489
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& 534566
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& 566572
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660668
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846:855
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Muirchertach III son of Niall, son of Domnall V; rival since 1149; Ailech 11361166
Ruaidr II son of Tairrdelbach II; Connaught 11561186; English vassal 1172; deposed,
died 1198
Conchobar II, Menmaige son of Ruaidr II
Cathal, Crobderg son of Tairrdelbach II; deposed, died 1224
(to the English Crown 1200, partly interrupted by the rebellions of the following)
Brian II, Catha an Duin son of Niall, brother of king ed IX of Ailech; Tyrone 12341260)
Edward Bruce brother of king Robert I of Scotland)
(republic 1949)
Provincial Kingdoms
Kings of the Northern U Nill in Ailech (emerged in western Ulster)
Egan son of the high king Niall I
Muiredach son of Egan
Muirchertach I son of Muiredach; high king 507534
Fergus son of Muirchertach I; high king 564566
Domnall I, Ilchelgach son of Muirchertach I; high king 564566
Betn son of Muirchertach I; high king 569572
Eochaid son of Domnall I; high king 569572
Colg son of Domnall I
Colmn, Rmid son of Betn; high king 598604
ed I, Uaridnach son of Domnall I; high king 604612
Suibne, Menn son of Fiachnae, son of Feradach, son of Muirchertach I; high king 615628
Mel-Fithrich son of ed I
Ernaine brother of Suibne
Crundmel son of Suibne
Ferg son of Crundmel
Mel-Din I son of Mel-Fithrich
Flann, Finn son of Mele-Tuile, son of Crundmel; abdicated, died 700?
Urthuile brother of Flann; deposed
Fergal I son of Mele-Din I; high king 710722
ed II, Alln son of Fergal I; high king 734743
Niall I, Frossach son of Fergal I; high king 763770; abdicated, died 778
Mel-Din II son of ed II
ed III, Oirdnide son of Niall I; high king 797819
Murchad I son of Mel-Din II
Niall II, Caille son of ed III
Mel-Din III son of ed III
ed IV, Findliath son of Niall II
Murchad II son of Mel-Din III
Flaithbertach I son of Murchad II
Domnall II son of ed IV
Niall III, Glndub son of ed IV
Flaithbertach II son of Domnall II
Fergal II son of Domnall II
Muirchertach II son of Niall III
943956
& 943949
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& 956962
& 956962
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& 634656
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903919
919925
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932956
956964
964976
976977
977991
9911017
:11281172
11721176
11761184
11841187
11871209
The annals mention as subsequent kings of Brega the following rulers: Donnchad Ua Duin (died 1027),
Mathgamain Ua Riacain (died 1032), Flannacn Ua Cellaigh (died 1060), Gairbeith Ua Cathasaigh (died 1061),
Mel-Mrda Ua Cathasaigh (died 1073), Trnair Ua Cellaigh (died 1093), Cellach Ua Cellaigh (died 1146),
Muirchertach Ua Cellaigh (1161), and Donnchad Ua Cellaigh (1170).
1
12091210
12101231
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12361257
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12581259
12591260
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& 14191424
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15281536
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c.15591560
15601562
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756764
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& 777786
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& 786792
& 786796
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& 848872
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10101030
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13501351
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& 13841425
14061439
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& 14391464
14611462
14611474
14641465
14651466
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14251464
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14651474
14741488
14881490
14901492
1492c.1504
c.15041519
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16091625
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11761185
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12061207
12071211
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12471252
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13021306
13061310
13101325
13251359
13591391
13911428
14281469
14691503
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& 15081514
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& 633666
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785795
795808
808829
829834
834838
838848:
848:854
854862
862863
863869
869871
871884
The inheritance was claimed by Domnall (died 1615:), a bastard or pretended son of Domnall IX, and by
Fingin (died 1640?), husband of Eibilin, daughter of Domnall IX.
2
884885
885909
909917
917942
942943
943947
947958
958966
966972
972978
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11151117
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11261171
11711175
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12821339:
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13471361
13611369
13691375
13751416
1416c.1455
c.14551476
14761511
15111517
15171523
15231531
1531c.1543
c.15431547
15471554
15541557
15571582
15821603
?c.450
c.450?
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520538
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600618
618625
625635
635653
653689
689715
715763
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765
765797
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& 799802
802803
803833
833843
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845862
862864
864877
877916
916919
919921
921944
944945
945950
950
950951
951952
952960
960974
Cathair II son of Art, son of Diarmait, son of Diarmait, brother of Domnall VII
Murchad VI son of Muiris; created baron of Coolnaleen 1554
Crimthann III son of Murchad VI
Domnall VIII son of Donnchad, son of Cathair, son of Muirchertach II; abdicated, died 1632
(end of royal succession 1603)
Kings of the Southern U Nill in Meath (Mide)
Conall, Cremthainne son of the high king Niall I
Fiachu brother of Conall
Ardgal son of Conall
Maine son of Fergus Cerrbl, son of Conall
Diarmait I brother of Maine; abdicated; high king 544564
Colmn I, Mr son of Diarmait I
Colmn II, Bec son of Diarmait I
Suibne son of Colmn I
Fergus son of Colmn I
engus I son of Colmn II
Conall III, Guthbinn son of Suibne
Mel-Did son of Suibne
Diarmait II, Dian son of Airmedach, son of Conall III
Murchad I son of Diarmait II
Domnall I son of Murchad I; high king 743763
Niall I son of Diarmait II
Murchad II son of Domnall I
Donnchad I son of Domnall I; high king 770797
Domnall II son of Donnchad I
Ailill son of Donnchad I
Muiredach son of Domnall II
Diarmait III son of Donnchad I
Conchobar I son of Donnchad I; high king 819833
Niall II son of Diarmait III; associated ?826
Mel-Ruanaid son of Donnchad I
Flann son of Mel-Ruanaid
Mel-Sechnaill I son of Mel-Ruanaid; high king 846862
Lorcn son of Cathal, son of Conchobar I; deposed
Donnchad II son of Eochocn, son of Conchobar I
Conchobar II son of Donnchad II; associated 864
Flann, Sinna son of Mel-Sechnaill I; high king 879916
Conchobar III son of Flann
Domnall III son of Flann
Donnchad III, Donn son of Flann; high king 919944
engus II son of Donnchad III
Donnchad IV son of Domnall III
Fergal, Got son of engus II; deposed
ed son of Mel-Ruanaid, son of Flann
Domnall IV son of Donnchad III
Carlus son of Conn, son of Donnchad III
Donnchadd V, Finn son of ed, son of Flann
974976
9761022
10221025
10251027
10271030
10301073
10731076
10761087
10871094
10941105
11051106
11061153
11531155
1155
11551156
11561157
11571158
11581160
11601169
11691173
?453
453490
490522
522542
542579
579583
583?
?590
?619
619
3
Muirchertach I son of Mel-Sechnaill, son of Mel-Ruanaid, son of Conchobar III; associated 960
Mel-Sechnaill II son of Domnall IV; high king 9801002 and 10141022
Mel-Sechnaill III, Got son of Mel-Sechnaill, son of Cined, son of Domnall III
Ren son of Muirchertach I
Domnall V son of (?) Mel-Sechnaill III
Conchobar IV son of Domnall, son of Mel-Sechnaill II
Murchad III son of Flann, brother of Conchobar IV
Mel-Sechlainn IV, Bn son of Conchobar IV
Domnall VI brother of Murchad III
Donnchad VI son of Murchad III; deposed, died 1106
Conchobar V son of Mel-Sechlainn IV; rival king 10941105
Muirchertach II son of Domnall VI; deposed, died 1143
Murchad IV son of Domnall VI
Mel-Sechlainn V son of Domnall VI; rival king 1115
Domnall VII son of Murchad IV; rival king 1127, died 1137
Diarmait IV son of Domnall VI; rival king 11271130
Conchobar VI son of the high king Tairrdelbach II; rival king 11431144
Donnchad VII son of Muirchertach II; rival king 1144?
Mel-Sechlainn VI son of Murchad IV
Donnchad VIII son of Domnall VII; deposed
Diarmait V son of Domnall VII; deposed
Donnchad VIII restored; deposed
Diarmait V restored; deposed
Donnchad VIII restored
Diarmait V restored
Domnall VIII, Bregach son of Mel-Sechlainn V
(to the Anglo-Normans from 1172 3)
Kings of Munster (Mumu)
Conall, Corc son of Luigthech
Nad, Froch son of Conall
engus son of Nad
Dau, Iarlaithe son of Maithne, son of Coirpre, son of Conall
Eochaid son of engus
Fedlimid I son of engus
Dub I, Gilcach son of engus
Crimthann, Srem son of Eochaid
Coirpre, Cromm son of Crimthann
Fergus, Scandal son of Crimthann Airthir Chliach, son of Eochaid
Fedlimid II son of Coirpre
Fedlimid III son of Tigernach, son of ed, son of Crimthann, son of Echu, son of Mac-Cass,
son of Conall
Amalgaid son of ndae, son of Crimthann, son of Ailill, son of Nad
Garbn brother of Amalgaid
Fngen son of ed, son of Crimthann, son of Fedlimid I
ed, Bennn son of Crimthann, son of Cobthach, son of Dau
619628
628637
637641
641662
662665
665678
678695
& 678698
698713
713721
721
721742
742786
786793
793797
797820
820
820
820847
847851
851853
853859
859872
872888
888895
895902
902908
908944
944
944954
954957
957959
959961
961963
963976
976978
9781014
10141025
10251063
10631068
10681086
10861114
& 1086
& 1086
11141115
11151116
11161118
1118
11181119
:11981208:
?1273
12731311
13111314
1314?
?1331
13311342
13421344
1344
13441357
13571362
13621365
13651368
13681371
13711403
14031416
14161442
14421446
14461453
14531466
14661467
14671484
14851496
14961497
14971513
15131521
15211551
15511560
15601562
15621578
15791589
Donnchad III son of Brian I; rival since 1014; high king 10361063; abdicated, died 1064
Murchad son of Donnchad
Tairrdelbach son of Tadg, son of Brian I; rival since 1063; high king 10721086
Muirchertach son of Tairrdelbach; deposed; high king 10861119
Diarmait son of Tairrdelbach; deposed
Tadg son of Tairrdelbach
Diarmait restored; deposed
Muirchertach restored; deposed
Diarmait restored
Brian II son of Murchad
Muirchertach restored
(division into Thomond and Desmond 1119)
Kings of Oriel (Airgalla) (emerged in southern Ulster)
Niall I son of Donnchad Ua Cerbaill
Eochaid son of Mathgamain, son of Niall I
Brian I son of Eochaid
Roolb son of Eochaid
Mel-Sechlainn son of Eochaid
Murchad I, Mr son of Brian I
Sen son of Mel-Sechlainn
ed I son of Roolb
Murchad II, g son of Murchad I
Magnus son of Eochaid, son of Roolb
Pilib I son of Roolb
Brian II, Mr son of ed I; deposed
Niall II son of Murchad I
Brian II, Mr restored
Pilib II, Ruadh son of Brian II
Ardgal son of Brian II
Brian III son of Ardgal
Ruaidr son of Ardgal
ed II, Ruadh son of Ruaidr
Fedlimid son of Brian III
Egan son of Ruaidr
Ramonn I son of Ruaidr
ed III, g son of ed II; deposed
Brian IV son of Ramonn I
Rossa I son of Magnus, son of ed II
Ramonn II son of Glaisne, son of Ramonn I
Glaisne, g son of Ramonn II
Art I, Maol son of Ramonn II
ed IV son of Brian, son of Ramonn II
Art II, Ruadh brother of ed IV
Rossa II, Buidhe son of Art II
15891590
?574
574581
581601
601624
624643
643656
656660
660678
678693
693
693712
712
712735
735740
740761
761770
770772
772786
786?
?802
802842
842888
888894
894905
905908
908928
928933
934976
976996
9961003
10031039
10391041
& 10391055
10551087
10871090
10901103
11031105
& 11031109
11051113
11131123
11231126
& 11231126
4
The claims passed to Brian (died 1622), son of ed, son of ed, son of Sen, son of Egan.
11261146
11461163
& 11461162
11621165
11631165
11651168
& 11651176
11681185
11851194
11181152
11521153
11531167
11671168
11681194
11941198
11981203
12031210
12101242
12421268
12681277
12771306
& 12771284
13061311
13111313
13131343
& 13131316
1343
13431350
13501360
13601369
13691400
14001426
14261438
14381444
14441459
14591466
& 14591461
14661496
14961498
14981528
15281539
15391551
15511553
15531581
& 15531564
15811624
16241639
16391657
c.12011207
12071241
12411247
12481258
12581281
12811290
12901291
12911333
13331342
13421343
13431352
13521356
13561380
13801422
14221439
14391452
14521454
14541456
14561461
14611497
1497
14971505
15051537
15371555
15551566
15661592
15921602
16021607
11961230
12301234
12341260
12601261
12611263
12631283
Henry (16571691), son of Barnaby, and Henry (16911741), son of Henry, son of Henry, succeeded as earls
of Thomond.
12831286
12861290
12901291
12911295
12951325
13251345
13451364
13641397
13971403
1403
14041410
14101414
14141419
14191421
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