List of kings of Leinster

Last updated

Kings of Leinster
Rí Laighin
Kingdom of Leinster-900.svg
Map of Leinster, c. 10th century.
Details
StyleRí Laighin
First monarch Úgaine Mór
Last monarch Domhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
FormationAncient
Abolition1603 or 1632 (de facto)
Residence Dún Ailinne
Appointer Tanistry

The kings of Leinster (Irish : Rí Laighín) ruled from the establishment of Leinster during the Irish Iron Age until the 17th century Early Modern Ireland. According to Gaelic traditional history found in works such as the Book of Invasions , Leinster was created during the division of Ireland among the Irish Gaels, descendants of Milesius: Leinster was one of the territories held by the offspring of Heremon. In the 7th century BC, the branch of the Heremonians who would establish Leinster, starting with Úgaine Mór, were also High Kings of Ireland and Kings of Tara. Their ascent to hegemony in Ireland was associated with the decline in influence of their Ulster-based Heremonian kinsmen from the Érainn.

Contents

Apart from Úgaine Mór, other prominent Kings of Leinster from this period who were also High Kings of Ireland were Labraid Loingsech and Cathair Mór. A mythology developed that Labraid Loingsech had horses ears: he spent some time exiled in Transalpine Gaul (dated roughly to the period of the Roman–Gallic wars) where his grandmother was from and returned to Ireland with Gaullish mercenaries. He established a base in the area, which was renamed from "Gailian" to Leinster, in reference to the pointed-spears held by the Gaullish Gaesatae mercenaries who provided the backbone of Labraid Loingsech's powerbase and brought him to the High Kingship. Cathair Mór, who was also a High King of Ireland, is perhaps the most important figure genealogically in Leinster as all of the subsequent kinship groups which ruled Gaelic Leinster claimed descent and legitimacy to rule from one of his ten sons who had offspring.

By the time of Early Christian Ireland, the Laighín had lost their grip on Irish hegemony with the rise of the descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles (the Connachta and the Uí Néill). The latter pushed down into Leinster and created the Kingdom of Meath based at Uisnech, under the Southern Uí Néill from territories belonging to the Kingdom of Leinster and to the west Osraige was taken from the Laighín by the Corcu Loígde of Munster.

During the 5th to the early 8th centuries, the Kingship of Leinster was contested by various different branches of the Laighín, including the Uí Cheinnselaig (ancestors of the Mac Murchada and Caomhánach), the Uí Dúnlainge (ancestors of the O'Byrnes and the O'Tooles), the Uí Bairrche (ancestors of the Mac Gormáin), the Uí Máil (ancestors of the Ó Conchobhair Uí Failghe) and others.

From the 8th until the 11th century, the kingship of Leinster rotated in a remarkably stable arrangement between three branches of the North Leinster Uí Dúnlainge kinship, namelt the Uí Fáeláin (ancestors of the O'Byrnes), the Uí Muiredaig (ancestors of the O'Tooles) and the Uí Dúnchada (whose descendants became the MacGillaMoCholmóc and later the FitzDermots). In the 9th century, the Laighín also regained control of Osraige but it remained a largely independent realm under the Mac Giolla Phádrag, from the semi-autonomous Uí Failghe kinship group.

The Uí Cheinnselaig in South Leinster took back control of the kingship of Leinster in the 11th century, with Diarmait mac Máel na mBó, who became the first Leinsterman to be High King of Ireland in over a thousand years and claimed to the most senior line of the Laighín. An enemy of the Vikings of Dublin, he gave refuge to the sons of Harold Godwinson after the Normans conquered England. It is from this line that the Mac Murchada family originate and later Diarmait Mac Murchada would be implicated in the 12th century Norman invasion of Ireland after he tried to win back his Leinster throne. The reigning dynasty adopted the surname Caomhánach (Kavanagh) and continued to rule a rump Kingdom of Leinster until the early 17th century, with the last recorded King of Leinster being Domhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach. Throughout the centuries after the Norman invasion, several Kings and also leaders from dynasties who had previously held the Kingship of Leinster, continued to resist the invasion and hounded the English Pale periodically from the Wicklow Mountains: including the leaders of the O'Toole and O'Byrne clans (notable examples include Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach and Fiach McHugh O'Byrne) until the 17th century.

Legendary Kings

Kings of Leinster

Laigin, classical antiquity

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Úgaine Mór
634–594 BC
Lion of Heremon.png Son of Eochu Buadach unknown594 BCE
Lóegaire Lorc
594–592 BC
Lion of Heremon.png Son of Úgaine Mór unknown592 BCE
Ailill Áine
592–592 BC
Lion of Heremon.png Son of Lóegaire Lorc unknown592 BCE
Cobthach Cóel Breg
592–542 BC
Lion of Heremon.png Son of Úgaine Mórunknown542 BCE
Labraid Loingsech
542–523 BC
Lion of Heremon.png Son of Ailill Áine mac Lóegaire Lorc unknown523 BCE
Cathair Mór
119–122 AD
Lion of Heremon.png Son of Fedlimid Fir Urglais mac Cormaic Gealtach11 children122 AD

Uí Cheinnselaig, 5th century

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fiacha Baicheda mac Cathair Mór

Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Cathair Mór unknown416
Bressal Bélach mac Fiacha Baicheda
–436
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Fiacha Baicheda mac Cathair Mór unknown436
Énnae Cennsalach mac Labhradh

Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Labhradh mac Bressal Bélach unknownunknown

Uí Bairrche, 5th century

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach Mo Sníthech mac Dáire Barrach

(claimant)
O'Gorman.png Son of Dáire Barrach mac Cathair Mór unknownunknown
Móenach mac Muiredach Mo Sníthech

(claimant)
O'Gorman.png Son of Muiredach Mo Sníthech mac Dáire Barrach unknownunknown

Uí Enechglaiss, –446

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth
–446
unknownSon of Cóelbadunknown446

Uí Cheinnselaig, 446–483

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Crimthann mac Énnai
446–483
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Énnae Cennsalach unknown483

Uí Garrchon, 483–495

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fincath mac Garrchu
483–485
unknownSon of Garrchú mac Fothaid unknown485
Fráech mac Finchada
485–495
unknownSon of Fincath mac Garrchu unknown495

Uí Dúnlainge, 495–592

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ailill mac Dúnlainge
495–527
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada Etromma Ui Tellain527
Cormac mac Ailillo
527–535
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Ailill mac Dúnlaingeunknown535
Coirpre mac Cormaic
535–546
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Cormac mac Ailillo unknown546
Colmán Már mac Coirpre
546–576
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Coirpre mac Cormaic unknown576
Áed Dub mac Colmáin
576–592
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Colmán Már mac Coirpre unknown639

Uí Máil, 592–595

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Áed Dibchine
592–595
O Conchobhair Ui Failghe.png Son of Seanach Diodhach mac Carthann Muadh unknown595

Uí Cheinnselaig, 595–624

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Brandub mac Echach
595–605
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Echu mac Muiredaig unknown605
Rónán mac Colmáin
605–624
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Colmán mac Cormaic unknown624

Uí Máil, 624–633

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Crimthann mac Áedo
624–633
O Conchobhair Ui Failghe.png Son of Áed Dibchine unknown633

Uí Dúnlainge, 633–666

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fáelán mac Colmáin
633–656
656–666
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Colmán Már mac Coirpri unknown666

Uí Cheinnselaig, 656

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Crundmáel Erbuilc
656
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Rónán mac Colmáin unknown656

Uí Máil, 666–680

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile
666–680
O Conchobhair Ui Failghe.png Son of Máele Tuile mac Rónán Crach unknown680

Uí Dúnlainge, 680–693

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Mut mac Conaill
680–693
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Conall mac Fáelán unknown693

Uí Máil, 693–715

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach Cualann
693–715
O Conchobhair Ui Failghe.png Son of Gertighe mac Diocolla Dana unknown715

Uí Dúnlainge, 715–728

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Murchad mac Brain Mut
715–727
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Bran Mut mac Conaill unknown727
Dúnchad mac Murchada
727–728
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown728

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 728–738

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fáelán mac Murchada
728–738
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown738

Uí Dúnlainge, 738

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Becc mac Murchada
738
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown738

Uí Cheinnselaig, 738

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Áed mac Colggen
738
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Colcú mac Bressail unknown738

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 738–760

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Murchada
738–760
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown760

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 760–776

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach mac Dúnchada
760–776
unknownSon of Dúnchad mac Murchada unknown776

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 776–785

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
776–785
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Fáelán mac Murchada unknown785

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 785–795

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Ardchenn
785–795
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Muiredach mac Murchada unknown795

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 795–808

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fínsnechta Cethardec
795–808
unknownSon of Cellach mac Dúnchada unknown808

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 808–818

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Brain
808–818
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Bran Ardchenn unknown818

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 818–829

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Ruadrach
818–829
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin unknown829

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 829–834

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach mac Brain
829–834
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Bran Ardchenn unknown834

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 834–838

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran mac Fáeláin
834–838
unknownSon of Fáelán mac Cellaig unknown838

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 838–854

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Lorcán mac Cellaig
838–851
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Cellach mac Brain unknownunknown
Túathal mac Máele-Brigte
851–854
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Muiredach mac Brain unknown854

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 854–862

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ruarc mac Brain
854–862
unknownSon of Bran mac Fáeláin unknown862

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 862–863

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muirecán mac Diarmata
862–863
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Diarmata mac Ruadrach unknown863

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 863–871

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig
863–869
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Muiredach mac Brain unknown869
Ailill mac Dúnlainge
869–871
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig unknown871

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 871–884

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Domnall mac Muirecáin
871–884
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Muirecán mac Diarmata unknown884

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 884–885

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Brain
884–885
unknownSon of Bran mac Fáeláin unknown885

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 885–909

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cerball mac Muirecáin
885–909
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Muirecán mac Diarmata unknown909

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 909–917

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Augaire mac Aililla
909–917
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Ailill mac Dúnlainge unknown917

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 917–943

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Faelan mac Muiredach
917–942
unknownSon of Muiredach mac Brain unknown942
Lorcán mac Fáelán
942–943
unknownSon of Faelan mac Muiredach unknown943

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 943–947

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Fionn mac Máel Mórda
943–947
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Máel Mórda mac Murchada unknown947

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 947–958

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Túathal mac Úgaire
947–958
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Augaire mac Aililla unknown958

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 958–966

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach mac Faelan
958–966
unknownSon of Faelan mac Muiredach unknown966

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 966–972

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Murchad mac Brain Fionn
966–972
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Bran Fionn mac Máel Mórda unknown972

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 972–978

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Úgaire mac Túathail
972–978
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Túathal mac Úgaire unknown978

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 978–1003

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Domnall Claen
978–984
unknownSon of Lorcán mac Fáelán unknown984
Donnchad mac Domnall Claen
984–1003
unknownSon of Domnall Claen unknownunknown

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 1003–1014

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Máel Mórda mac Murchada
1003–1014
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Murchad mac Brain Fionn unknown1014

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1014–1016

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dúnlaing mac Tuathal
1014
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Túathal mac Úgaire unknown1014
Donncuan mac Dúnlainge
1014–1016
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown1016

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 1016–1018

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran mac Máel Mórda
1016–1018
O'Byrne (O Broin).png Son of Máel Mórda mac Murchada unknown1052

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1018–1033

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Augaire mac Dúnlainge
1018–1024
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown1024
Donnchad mac Dúnlainge
1024–1033
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknownunknown

Mac Giolla Phádraig (Dál Birn), 1033–1039

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic
1033–1039
Fitzpatrick of Ossary.svg Son of Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada unknown1039

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1039–1042

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Murchad mac Dúnlainge
1039–1042
O'Toole Coat of arms.svg Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown1042

Mac Murchada (Uí Cheinnselaig), 1042–1115

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Diarmait mac Máel na mBó
1042–1072
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Donnchad Máel na mBó Derbforgaill, daughter of Donnchad mac Briain 7 February 1072
Murchad mac Diarmata
1052–1070
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Diarmait mac Máel na mBó unknown1070
Domnall mac Murchada
1072–1075
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Murchad mac Diarmata unknown1075
Donnchad mac Domnaill Remair
1075–1089
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Domnall Remar mac Máel na mBó unknown1089
Énna mac Diarmata
1089–1092
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Diarmait mac Máel na mBó unknown1092
Diarmait mac Énna
1092–1098
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Énna mac Diarmata unknown1098
Donnchadh mac Murchada
1098–1115
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Murchad mac Diarmata unknown1115

Ó Conchobhair Uí Failghe, 1115

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Conchobar mac Congalaig
1115
O Conchobhair Ui Failghe.png Son of Congalach Ua Conchobair unknown1115

Mac Murchada (Uí Cheinnselaig), 1115–1171

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Diarmait mac Énna meic Murchada
1115–1117
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Énna Mac Murchada unknown1117
Énna mac Donnchada mic Murchada
1117–1126
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Donnchadh mac Murchada unknown1126
Diarmait Mac Murchada
1126–1166
1169–1171
Arms of Clan Moroghoe.svg Son of Donnchad mac Murchada unknown1171

Caomhánach, 1171–1603 (Uí Cheinnselaig)

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchada
1171–1175
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Diarmait Mac Murchada unknown1175
Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach

Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchada unknownunknown
Muirchertach mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach
–1282
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach unknown1282
Muiris mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1282–1314
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Muirchertach mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1314
Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1314–1323
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach unknown1361
Domhnall mac Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1323–1338
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Art mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1338
Domhnall mac Domhnall Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1338–1347
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall mac Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1338
Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1347–1354
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Muiris mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1354
Art Mór Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1354–1362
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1362
Diarmait Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1362–1369
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall mac Domhnall Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1369
Donnchadh mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1369–1375
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1375
Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1369–1375
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown1375
Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1375–1417
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1417
Donnchadh mac Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1417–1478
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1478
Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1478
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1478
Muircheartach mac Donnchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1478–1512
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Donnchadh mac Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1512
Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1512–1517
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1517
Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1517–1523
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1523
Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1523–1531
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1531
Muircheartach mac Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1531–1547
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1547
Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1523–1531
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1531
Murchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1531–1557
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1531
Criomthann Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1557–1582
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Murchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1582
Domhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1582–1603
Kavanagh Coat of arms.svg Son of Donnchadh mac Cathaoir Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown1632

See also


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The kings of Osraige reigned over the medieval Irish kingdom of Osraige from the first or second century AD until the late twelfth century. Osraige was a semi-provincial kingdom in south-east Ireland which disappeared following the Norman Invasion of Ireland. A number of important royal Ossorian genealogies are preserved, particularly MS Rawlinson B502, which traces the medieval Mac Giolla Phádraig dynasty back through Óengus Osrithe, who supposedly flourished in the first or second century. and one in the Book of Leinster. Recent analysis of ninth and tenth century regnal succession in Osraige has suggested that in peaceful times, kingship passed primarily from eldest to youngest brother, before crossing generations and passing to sons and nephews.

The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin, were a Gaelic population group of early Ireland. They gave their name to the Kingdom of Leinster, which in the medieval era was known in Irish as Cóiced Laigen, meaning "Fifth/province of the Leinstermen", where their descendants ruled till the 17th century. Their territory, located in south-east Ireland, is thought to have once extended from the River Shannon to the River Boyne. The surnames of those descended from the Laigin are still counted amongst the most numerous in Ireland.

The term Kingship of Tara was a title of authority in ancient Ireland - the title is closely associated with the archaeological complex at the Hill of Tara. The position was considered to be of eminent authority in medieval Irish literature and Irish mythology, although national kingship was never a historical reality in early Ireland. The term also represented a prehistoric and mythical ideal of sacred kingship in Ireland. Holding the title King of Tara invested the incumbent with a powerful status. Many Irish High Kings were simultaneously Kings of Tara. The title emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries. In later times, actual claimants to this title used their position to promote themselves in status and fact to the High Kingship. Prior to this, various branches of the Uí Néill dynasty appear to have used it to denote overlordship of their kindred and realms. It was associated with Feis Temro, a pagan inauguration rite.

The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada a fifth century King of Leinster. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig.

The Uí Ceinselaig, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Énda was said to be a grandson of Bressal Bélach and a first cousin of Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Dúnlainge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caomhánach</span> Irish-language surname

Caomhánach is an Irish-language surname first assumed by Domhnall Caomhánach, eldest son of the 12th-century Diarmait Mac Murchada, king of Leinster. A considerable number of anglicised variations of Caomhánach exist; some of the most common are Kavanagh, Cavanagh, Kavanaugh and Cavanaugh.

Crimthann mac Énnai was a King of Leinster from the Uí Cheinnselaig sept of the Laigin. He was the son of Énnae Cennsalach, the ancestor of this dynasty.

Uí Máil were an Irish dynasty of Leinster. They were descended from Maine Mál, the brother of the legendary high king Cathair Mór. The Uí Máil were a dominant dynasty in Leinster competing for the kingship in the 7th century before being eventually ousted by the Uí Dunlainge and retreating east from the River Liffey plain in the 8th century. They are then found along the western foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. The Glen of Imaal, named for them, appears to have been a center of their power.

Crundmáel Erbuilc mac Rónáin was a King of Leinster from the Uí Cheinnselaig branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Rónán mac Colmáin, a previous king of the Sil Chormaic sept.

Dúnchad mac Murchada was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut, the previous king. He ruled from 727 to 728.

Fáelán mac Murchada was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut, a previous king. He ruled from 728 to 738.

Muiredach mac Murchada was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut, a previous king. He ruled from 738 to 760.

Cellach mac Fáelchair or Cellach Raigni was a King of Osraige in modern County Kilkenny. He was the son of Fáelchar Ua Máele Ódrain, a previous king.

Anmchad mac Con Cherca was king of Osraige, a kingdom largely situated in modern County Kilkenny and western County Laois and forming part of the kingdom and province of Munster in south and south-west Ireland. Anmchad was an active ruler, who mounted repeated campaigns against his eastern neighbours in Leinster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacGorman</span> Irish Gaelic clan

MacGorman, also known as McGorman, Gorman, or O'Gorman, is an Irish Gaelic clan based most prominently in what is today County Clare. The paternal ancestors of the clan are of the Laigin and emerged in what is today County Waterford. As leaders of the Uí Bairrche, they competed with the Uí Cheinnselaig in the 5th century for the Kingship of Leinster, ultimately losing out in that specific arena, but holding on to significant lands in the Leinster area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Leinster</span> Former Gaelic kingdom in Ireland

The Kingdom of Leinster was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland which existed in the east of the island from the Irish Iron Age until the 17th century Early Modern Ireland. According to traditional Irish history found in the Annals of the Four Masters, the kingdom was founded as the territory of the Laighin, a Heremonian tribe of Irish Gaels. Some of the early kings of Leinster were also High Kings of Ireland and Kings of Tara, such as Úgaine Mór, Labraid Loingsech and Cathair Mór.

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