Kings of Leinster
Rí Laighin
Map of Leinster, c. 10th century.
Details
StyleRí Laighin
First monarchÚgaine Mór
Last monarchDomhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
FormationAncient
Abolition1603 or 1632 (de facto)
ResidenceDún Ailinne
AppointerTanistry

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, laid out in works such as the Book of Invasions, Leinster originates from the division of Ireland between 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.

Aside 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
Son of Eochu Buadachunknown594 BCE
Lóegaire Lorc
594–592 BC
Son of Úgaine Mórunknown592 BCE
Ailill Áine
592–592 BC
Son of Lóegaire Lorcunknown592 BCE
Cobthach Cóel Breg
592–542 BC
Son of Úgaine Mórunknown542 BCE
Labraid Loingsech
542–523 BC
Son of Ailill Áine mac Lóegaire Lorcunknown523 BCE
Cathair Mór
119–122 AD
Son of Fedlimid Fir Urglais mac Cormaic Gealtach11 children122 AD

Uí Cheinnselaig, 5th century

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fiacha Baicheda mac Cathair Mór

Son of Cathair Mórunknown416
Bressal Bélach mac Fiacha Baicheda
–436
Son of Fiacha Baicheda mac Cathair Mórunknown436
Énnae Cennsalach mac Labhradh

Son of Labhradh mac Bressal Bélachunknownunknown

Uí Bairrche, 5th century

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach Mo Sníthech mac Dáire Barrach

(claimant)
Son of Dáire Barrach mac Cathair Mórunknownunknown
Móenach mac Muiredach Mo Sníthech

(claimant)
Son of Muiredach Mo Sníthech mac Dáire Barrachunknownunknown

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
Son of Énnae Cennsalachunknown483

Uí Garrchon, 483–495

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fincath mac Garrchu
483–485
unknownSon of Garrchú mac Fothaidunknown485
Fráech mac Finchada
485–495
unknownSon of Fincath mac Garrchuunknown495

Uí Dúnlainge, 495–592

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ailill mac Dúnlainge
495–527
Son of Dúnlaing mac Énda NiadaEtromma Ui Tellain527
Cormac mac Ailillo
527–535
Son of Ailill mac Dúnlaingeunknown535
Coirpre mac Cormaic
535–546
Son of Cormac mac Ailillounknown546
Colmán Már mac Coirpre
546–576
Son of Coirpre mac Cormaicunknown576
Áed Dub mac Colmáin
576–592
Son of Colmán Már mac Coirpreunknown639

Uí Máil, 592–595

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Áed Dibchine
592–595
Son of Seanach Diodhach mac Carthann Muadhunknown595

Uí Cheinnselaig, 595–624

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Brandub mac Echach
595–605
Son of Echu mac Muiredaigunknown605
Rónán mac Colmáin
605–624
Son of Colmán mac Cormaicunknown624

Uí Máil, 624–633

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Crimthann mac Áedo
624–633
Son of Áed Dibchineunknown633

Uí Dúnlainge, 633–666

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fáelán mac Colmáin
633–656
656–666
Son of Colmán Már mac Coirpriunknown666

Uí Cheinnselaig, 656

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Crundmáel Erbuilc
656
Son of Rónán mac Colmáinunknown656

Uí Máil, 666–680

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile
666–680
Son of Máele Tuile mac Rónán Crachunknown680

Uí Dúnlainge, 680–693

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Mut mac Conaill
680–693
Son of Conall mac Fáelánunknown693

Uí Máil, 693–715

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach Cualann
693–715
Son of Gertighe mac Diocolla Danaunknown715

Uí Dúnlainge, 715–728

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Murchad mac Brain Mut
715–727
Son of Bran Mut mac Conaillunknown727
Dúnchad mac Murchada
727–728
Son of Murchad mac Brain Mutunknown728

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 728–738

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fáelán mac Murchada
728–738
Son of Murchad mac Brain Mutunknown738

Uí Dúnlainge, 738

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Becc mac Murchada
738
Son of Murchad mac Brain Mutunknown738

Uí Cheinnselaig, 738

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Áed mac Colggen
738
Son of Colcú mac Bressailunknown738

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 738–760

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Murchada
738–760
Son of Murchad mac Brain Mutunknown760

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 760–776

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach mac Dúnchada
760–776
unknownSon of Dúnchad mac Murchadaunknown776

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 776–785

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
776–785
Son of Fáelán mac Murchadaunknown785

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 785–795

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Ardchenn
785–795
Son of Muiredach mac Murchadaunknown795

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 795–808

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Fínsnechta Cethardec
795–808
unknownSon of Cellach mac Dúnchadaunknown808

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 808–818

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Brain
808–818
Son of Bran Ardchennunknown818

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 818–829

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Ruadrach
818–829
Son of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláinunknown829

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 829–834

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach mac Brain
829–834
Son of Bran Ardchennunknown834

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 834–838

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran mac Fáeláin
834–838
unknownSon of Fáelán mac Cellaigunknown838

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 838–854

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Lorcán mac Cellaig
838–851
Son of Cellach mac Brainunknownunknown
Túathal mac Máele-Brigte
851–854
Son of Muiredach mac Brainunknown854

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 854–862

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Ruarc mac Brain
854–862
unknownSon of Bran mac Fáeláinunknown862

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 862–863

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muirecán mac Diarmata
862–863
Son of Diarmata mac Ruadrachunknown863

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 863–871

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig
863–869
Son of Muiredach mac Brainunknown869
Ailill mac Dúnlainge
869–871
Son of Dúnlaing mac Muiredaigunknown871

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 871–884

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Domnall mac Muirecáin
871–884
Son of Muirecán mac Diarmataunknown884

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 884–885

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Muiredach mac Brain
884–885
unknownSon of Bran mac Fáeláinunknown885

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 885–909

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cerball mac Muirecáin
885–909
Son of Muirecán mac Diarmataunknown909

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 909–917

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Augaire mac Aililla
909–917
Son of Ailill mac Dúnlaingeunknown917

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 917–943

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Faelan mac Muiredach
917–942
unknownSon of Muiredach mac Brainunknown942
Lorcán mac Fáelán
942–943
unknownSon of Faelan mac Muiredachunknown943

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 943–947

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran Fionn mac Máel Mórda
943–947
Son of Máel Mórda mac Murchadaunknown947

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 947–958

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Túathal mac Úgaire
947–958
Son of Augaire mac Ailillaunknown958

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 958–966

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Cellach mac Faelan
958–966
unknownSon of Faelan mac Muiredachunknown966

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 966–972

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Murchad mac Brain Fionn
966–972
Son of Bran Fionn mac Máel Mórdaunknown972

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 972–978

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Úgaire mac Túathail
972–978
Son of Túathal mac Úgaireunknown978

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 978–1003

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Domnall Claen
978–984
unknownSon of Lorcán mac Fáelánunknown984
Donnchad mac Domnall Claen
984–1003
unknownSon of Domnall Claenunknownunknown

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 1003–1014

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Máel Mórda mac Murchada
1003–1014
Son of Murchad mac Brain Fionnunknown1014

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1014–1016

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Dúnlaing mac Tuathal
1014
Son of Túathal mac Úgaireunknown1014
Donncuan mac Dúnlainge
1014–1016
Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathalunknown1016

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 1016–1018

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Bran mac Máel Mórda
1016–1018
Son of Máel Mórda mac Murchadaunknown1052

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1018–1033

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Augaire mac Dúnlainge
1018–1024
Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathalunknown1024
Donnchad mac Dúnlainge
1024–1033
Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathalunknownunknown

Mac Giolla Phádraig (Dál Birn), 1033–1039

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic
1033–1039
Son of Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchadaunknown1039

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1039–1042

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Murchad mac Dúnlainge
1039–1042
Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathalunknown1042

Mac Murchada (Uí Cheinnselaig), 1042–1115

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Diarmait mac Máel na mBó
1042–1072
Son of Donnchad Máel na mBóDerbforgaill, daughter of Donnchad mac Briain7 February 1072
Murchad mac Diarmata
1052–1070
Son of Diarmait mac Máel na mBóunknown1070
Domnall mac Murchada
1072–1075
Son of Murchad mac Diarmataunknown1075
Donnchad mac Domnaill Remair
1075–1089
Son of Domnall Remar mac Máel na mBóunknown1089
Énna mac Diarmata
1089–1092
Son of Diarmait mac Máel na mBóunknown1092
Diarmait mac Énna
1092–1098
Son of Énna mac Diarmataunknown1098
Donnchadh mac Murchada
1098–1115
Son of Murchad mac Diarmataunknown1115

Ó Conchobhair Uí Failghe, 1115

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Conchobar mac Congalaig
1115
Son of Congalach Ua Conchobairunknown1115

Mac Murchada (Uí Cheinnselaig), 1115–1171

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Diarmait mac Énna meic Murchada
1115–1117
Son of Énna Mac Murchadaunknown1117
Énna mac Donnchada mic Murchada
1117–1126
Son of Donnchadh mac Murchadaunknown1126
Diarmait Mac Murchada
1126–1166
1169–1171
Son of Donnchad mac Murchadaunknown1171

Caomhánach, 1171–1603 (Uí Cheinnselaig)

NamePortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchada
1171–1175
Son of Diarmait Mac Murchadaunknown1175
Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach

Son of Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchadaunknownunknown
Muirchertach mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach
–1282
Son of Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánachunknown1282
Muiris mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1282–1314
Son of Muirchertach mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1314
Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1314–1323
Son of Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánachunknown1361
Domhnall mac Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1323–1338
Son of Art mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1338
Domhnall mac Domhnall Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1338–1347
Son of Domhnall mac Art Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1338
Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1347–1354
Son of Muiris mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1354
Art Mór Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1354–1362
Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1362
Diarmait Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1362–1369
Son of Domhnall mac Domhnall Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1369
Donnchadh mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1369–1375
Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1375
Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1369–1375
Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánachunknown1375
Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1375–1417
Son of Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1417
Donnchadh mac Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1417–1478
Son of Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1478
Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1478
Son of Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1478
Muircheartach mac Donnchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1478–1512
Son of Donnchadh mac Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1512
Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1512–1517
Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1517
Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1517–1523
Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1523
Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1523–1531
Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1531
Muircheartach mac Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1531–1547
Son of Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1547
Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1523–1531
Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1531
Murchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1531–1557
Son of Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1531
Criomthann Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1557–1582
Son of Murchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1582
Domhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1582–1603
Son of Donnchadh mac Cathaoir Mac Murchadha Caomhánachunknown1632

See also

Sources

  • Book of Leinster, formerly Lebar na Núachongbála, section 26, page 181, Ríg Lagen; http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G800011A/text026.html
  • Kings of Leinster Genealogical Tables, pages 288–290,"Irish Kings and High Kings", Francis John Byrne, Dublin, 1973.
  • Kings, Saints and Sagas, Alfred. P. Smyth, in Wicklow:History and Society, 1994. ISBN 978-0-906602-30-0
  • Kings, the kingship of Leinster and the regnal poems of "laidshencfhas Laigen:a reflection of dynastic politics in Leinster, 650–1150, Edel Bhreathnach, in Seanchas: Studies in Early and Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis John Byrne, ed. Alfred P. Smyth, pp. 299–312, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2000
  • Kings of Leinster Genealogical Tables, pages 247–249, "War, Politics and the Irish of Leinster 1156–1606", Emmett O'Bryne, Dublin, 2004.
  • Register of Irish Chiefs as compiled by genealogist Sean J. Murphy: http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/register.htm
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