Dairmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster and High King of Ireland

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reign: From 1135 to 1171; King of Leinster
• Reign: From 1162 to 1171; High King of Ireland

Notes:

Name:


Dairmait Mac Murchada was allied with Murtough MacLochlainn who was acknowledged as High King of Ireland in 1162. However, Murtough was overthrown in 1166 by Rory O'Connor and his Tiernan O'Rourke invaded Leinster, and Dairmait Mac Murchada fled to England in search of allies. King Henry II accepted Dairmait's allegiance, and gave him permission to recruit among his subjects for an expedition to Ireland. Dairmait struck a bargain with Richard FitzGilbert "Strongbow" deClare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, who invaded Ireland, married Dairmait's daughter Aoife, and became King of Leinster when Dairmait died in 1171. King Henry II, fearful that Strongbow would set up an independent kingdom, came to Ireland to assert his authority over the lands that had been occupied. The King granted Leinster to Strongbow, Meath to Hugh de Lacy; and most of the Irish Kings quickly recognised Henry as their overlord. The Norse towns were of vital military and economic importance. King Henry annexed Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Limerick; and left garrisons in all of them. Thus, Dairmait Mac Murchada is remembered for having brought the English to Ireland and is generally held in low esteem in Irish History.

Family/Spouse: Mor ingen Muirchertaig. Mor (daughter of Muirchertach Ua Tuathail) died in 1164. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Aoife MacMurrough, Countess of Ireland died in 1171.
2. Urlachan
3. Donall Kavanagh MacMurchada

Other Events and Attributes:

• Crowned: 1098; He was crowned the King of Leinster.

Notes:

Name:


Died:
He was killed in battle against Domnall Ua Briain.

Donnchad married Orlaith ingen O'Braenain. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reign: From 1052 to 1070; King of Leinster

Notes:

Name:

Murchad married Sadb ingen MacBricc. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reign: From 1042 to 1052; King of Leinster
• Reign: From 1052 to 1072; High King of Ireland

Notes:

Name:


He also was the King of Hy Kinsale, and held the overlordship of Ossory, Dublin, and other local kingdoms.

Reign:
When Dairmait became High King of Ireland, it appears that he resigned as King of Leinster and his son took over that post.

Diarmait married Derb-Forgaill ingen Donnchada O'Brien. Derb-Forgaill (daughter of Donnchad, King of Munster) died in 1080 in Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]