Background
Dearbhfhorghaill (older spelling: Derbforgaill) (1108–1193), anglicized as Derval, was a daughter of Murchad Ua Maeleachlainn, king of Meath, and of his wife Mor (died 1137), daughter of Muirchertach Ua Briain.
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Unusually for a woman of her time, she is mentioned no less than five times in contemporary annals: her abduction by Diarmait in 1152 (Annals of Clonmacnoise), (although by the end of the next year she had left Leinster and returned to her family"s lands in Meath, possibly after negotiations with her father"s family). Her donation to the Cistercian abbey of Mellifont of altar cloths, a gold chalice, and 60 ounces of gold during the consecration ceremony in 1157 (Annals of the Four Masters). Her completion of the Nuns" Church at Clonmacnoise in 1167 (Annals of the Four Masters).
Her retirement to Clonmacnoise in 1186 (Annals of Ulster, Annals of Loch Ce).
And her death in Clonmacnoise in 1193 (Annals of Ulster, Annals of the Four Masters). The abduction episode of 1152 has been variously interpreted.
lieutenant has been suggested that this was an attempt on the part of her paternal family, the royal family of Meath, to forge a new alliance through marriage, with Diarmait Mac Murchada. Most historians are agreed that there was no romance involved, and that dynastic politics were at the base of the dispute.
However, it does seem that Tigernán held the grudge, insisting on claiming legal compensation of 100 ounces of gold from Diarmait in 1167, which was enforced by Ruaidri Ua Conchobair.
