Dermot MacMurrough

1100 (age 71)

Leinster, Ireland

MacMurrough became King of Leinster after the death of his older brother, Énna Mac Murchada. The early events of Dermot's life are obscure; but about 1152 we find him engaged in a feud with O'Ruairc, the lord of Breifne (Leitrim and Cavan). Dermot abducted the wife of O'Ruairc more with the object of injuring his rival than from any love of the lady. The injured husband called to his aid Roderic, the high king (aird-righ) of Connaught; and in 1166 Dermot fled before this powerful coalition to invoke the aid of England. Obtaining from Henry II. a licence to enlist allies among the Welsh marchers, Dermot secured the aid of the Clares and Geraldines. To Richard Strongbow, earl of Pembroke and head of the house of Clare, Dermot gave his daughter Eva in marriage; and on his death was succeeded by the earl in Leinster.

Dermot MacMurrough

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ruler

Background

MacMurrough was born around 1110. He succeeded his father in the principality of the Hui Cinsellaigh (1115) and eventually in the kingship of Leinster.

Career

MacMurrough became King of Leinster after the death of his older brother, Énna Mac Murchada.

The early events of Dermot's life are obscure; but about 1152 we find him engaged in a feud with O'Ruairc, the lord of Breifne (Leitrim and Cavan). Dermot abducted the wife of O'Ruairc more with the object of injuring his rival than from any love of the lady. The injured husband called to his aid Roderic, the high king (aird-righ) of Connaught; and in 1166 Dermot fled before this powerful coalition to invoke the aid of England. Obtaining from Henry II. a licence to enlist allies among the Welsh marchers, Dermot secured the aid of the Clares and Geraldines. To Richard Strongbow, earl of Pembroke and head of the house of Clare, Dermot gave his daughter Eva in marriage; and on his death was succeeded by the earl in Leinster.

Achievements

The historical importance of Dermot lied in the fact that he was the means of introducing the English into Ireland. Through his aid the towns of Waterford, Wexford and Dublin had already become English colonies before the arrival of Henry II. in the island.

Connections

Mac Murchada had two wives (as allowed under the Brehon Laws), the first of whom, Sadb Ní Faeláin, was the mother of a daughter named Órlaith. His second wife, Mór Ní Tuathail, was

the mother of Aoife / Eva of Leinster and his youngest son Conchobar Mac Murchada. He also had two other sons, Domhnall Caomhánach mac Murchada and Énna Cennselach mac Murchada (blinded 1169).

Father:: Donnchad mac Murchada
Spouse:: Sadb Ní Faeláin
Spouse:: Mór Ní Tuathail
Brother:: Énna Mac Murchada
Daughter:: Aoife / Eva of Leinster
Daughter:: Órlaith
Son:: Énna Cennselach mac Murchada
Son:: Conchobar Mac Murchada
Son:: Domhnall Caomhánach mac Murchada

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