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Thomond (
Classical Irish Classical Gaelic or Classical Irish () was a shared literary form of Gaelic that was in use by poets in Scotland and Ireland from the 13th century to the 18th century. Although the first written signs of Scottish Gaelic having diverged from Iri ...
: ; Modern Irish: ), also known as the kingdom of Limerick, was a kingdom of
Gaelic Ireland Gaelic Ireland ( ga, Éire Ghaelach) was the Gaelic political and social order, and associated culture, that existed in Ireland from the late prehistoric era until the early 17th century. It comprised the whole island before Anglo-Normans co ...
, associated geographically with present-day County Clare and County Limerick, as well as parts of County Tipperary around Nenagh and its hinterland. The kingdom represented the core homeland of the
Dál gCais The Dalcassians ( ga, Dál gCais ) are a Gaelic Irish clan, generally accepted by contemporary scholarship as being a branch of the Déisi Muman, that became very powerful in Ireland during the 10th century. Their genealogies claimed descent fr ...
people, although there were other Gaels in the area such as the Éile and Eóganachta, and even the Norse of Limerick. It existed from the collapse of the Kingdom of Munster in the 12th century as competition between the
Ó Briain The O'Brien dynasty ( ga, label=Classical Irish, Ua Briain; ga, label=Modern Irish, Ó Briain ; genitive ''Uí Bhriain'' ) is a noble house of Munster, founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais (Dalcassians). After becoming ...
and the Mac Cárthaigh led to the schism between Thomond ("North Munster") and
Desmond Desmond or Desmond's may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Desmond'' (novel), 1792 novel by Charlotte Turner Smith * '' Desmond's'', 1990s British television sitcom Ireland * Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom * Earl of Desmond, Iris ...
("South Munster"). It continued to exist outside of the Anglo-Norman-controlled Lordship of Ireland until the 16th century. The exact origin of Thomond, originally as an internal part of Munster, is debated. It is generally held that the Déisi Muman pushed north-west starting from the 5th to the early 8th century, taking the area from the
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne (also known as Hy Fiachrach) was a kingdom located in what is now the south of County Galway. Legendary origins and geography Originally known as Aidhne, it was said to have been settled by the mythical Fir Bolg. Dubhaltac ...
of the
Connachta The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles). The modern western province of Connacht (Irish ''Cúige Chonnacht'', province, literally "f ...
. Eventually, the Dál gCais rose to power in all of Munster, to the detriment of the Eóganachta. The person most famously associated with this is Brian Boru,
High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and later sometimes assigned ana ...
, best known for his feats at the Battle of Clontarf. Four generations down the line and after providing three more High Kings, the Dál gCais were unable to hold onto all of Munster and so Thomond came into being as a separate entity. Between the mid-12th and late 13th century, when much of Ireland came under direct English control and/or settlement, Thomond too came into the Anglo-Irish sphere. The de Clare family established a colony at Bunratty, while the
Butler A butler is a person who works in a house serving and is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some a ...
and
FitzGerald The FitzGerald/FitzMaurice Dynasty is a noble and aristocratic dynasty of Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman and later Hiberno-Norman origin. They have been peers of Ireland since at least the 13th century, and are described in the Annals of the ...
families also made inroads. However, from the time of the Battle of Dysert O'Dea, Thomond was restored as a kingdom, with its rulers reinstating Limerick within their overrule. Not until the 1540s did the ruling O'Brien dynasty come under English rule.


Geography

County Clare was sometimes known as County Thomond in the period immediately after its creation from the District of Thomond.Luminarium Encyclopedia: Biography of Sir Henry Sidney (1529–1586)
In 1841, an estimation of the extent of the kingdom was undertaken by John O'Donovan and Eugene Curry
"The principality of Thomond, generally called the Country of the Dal-Cais, comprised the entire of the present Co. of Clare, the Parishes of
Iniscaltra Inishcaltra ( ga, Inis Cealtra) is a civil parish in the barony of Leitrim in County Clare, Ireland. The main settlement in the parish is the village of Mountshannon. It is noted for the eponymous island of Inis Cealtra, which is an ancient C ...
and
Clonrush Clonrush or Clonmulsk ( ga, Cluain Rois) is a civil parish in the barony of Leitrim, now in County Clare, Ireland. The largest settlement in the parish is Whitegate. Location Clonrush is to the southwest of Portumna. It is and covers of w ...
in the County of Galway, the entire of Ely O'Carroll, the Baronies of Ikerrin, Upper and Lower Ormond, Owney and Arra, and somewhat more than the western half of the Barony of Clanwilliam in the County of Tipperary; the Baronies of Owenybeg, Coonagh and Clanwilliam, and the eastern halves of the Baronies of Small County and Coshlea in the County of Limerick."


History


Creation from Munster

The entire Province of Munster was under the control of the O'Brien (Ua Briain) clan under the leadership of
Toirrdelbach Ua Briain Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain (old spelling: Toirdelbach Ua Briain), anglicised ''Turlough O'Brien'' (100914 July 1086), was King of Munster and effectively High King of Ireland. A grandson of Brian Bóruma, Toirdelbach was the son of Tadc mac Briain ...
and his son
Muirchertach Muirchertach (modern spelling: Muircheartach, anglicised as Murtagh) is an Irish language male given name meaning "mariner". The name was sometimes Anglicised as "Mortimer." The Old Norse name Kjartan is derived from this name. Ásgeir Blöndal Mag ...
from 1072 to 1114. Their capital was located in Limerick. In a bid to secure the High Kingship of Ireland for the clan, Muirchertach encouraged ecclesiastical reform in 1111 with the creation of territorial dioceses over the entire island. They had support for their bid from several foreign connections including the Norwegian king Magnus Bareleg and the Anglo-Norman baron
Arnulf de Montgomery Arnulf de Montgomery (born 1066; died 1118/1122) was an Anglo-Norman magnate. He was a younger son of Roger de Montgomery and Mabel de Bellême. Arnulf's father was a leading magnate in Normandy and England, and played an active part in the Ang ...
, who were both united to the clan through marriage in 1102. Their claim to the High Kingship was countered by the O'Neill (Uí Néill) clan in Ulster under the leadership of Domnall MacLochlainn of Ailech. Though Muirchertach campaigned hard in the north, he was unable to obtain the submission of Ailech. When he fell ill in 1114 he was deposed by his brother
Diarmait Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (Irish pronunciation: ) or Diarmid O'Dyna, also known as Diarmuid of the Love Spot, was a demigod, son of Donn and one of the Fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology (traditionally set in the 2nd to 4th century). He ...
. Muirchertach did briefly regain power, but after his death in 1119 his brother's sons took control of the clan. MacLochlainn's plans to restore the High Kingship to the north was thwarted by his ally Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of Connacht who formed an alliance with the O'Brien's. In 1118 Conchobair partitioned Munster between the sons of Diarmait and Tagh Mac Carthaig. The northern section of the province became the O'Brien Kingdom of Thomond (''Tuadh Mhumhain'' "North Munster") and the southern became the Mac Carthaigh Kingdom of Desmond (''Deas Mhumhain'' "South Munster").


Normans and civil wars

From the 12th to the 14th centuries, the
Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norm ...
invasion and their multiple attempts to take Thomond from the Gaels was the main challenge to the realm. The picture was complicated by rival branches of the Ó Briain trying to ally with various different Normans to enforce their own line as reigning over Thomond. At the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, Domhnall Mór Ó Briain was king of Thomond. Domhnall was a man of '' realpolitik''; his main concern was upholding his position in Thomond and was not against collaborating with Strongbow and others against rival Gaelic kingdoms such as Ossory,
Desmond Desmond or Desmond's may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Desmond'' (novel), 1792 novel by Charlotte Turner Smith * '' Desmond's'', 1990s British television sitcom Ireland * Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom * Earl of Desmond, Iris ...
and Connacht. Domhnall even acknowledged Henry II as
Lord of Ireland The Lordship of Ireland ( ga, Tiarnas na hÉireann), sometimes referred to retroactively as Norman Ireland, was the part of Ireland ruled by the King of England (styled as "Lord of Ireland") and controlled by loyal Anglo-Norman lords between ...
at Cashel in 1171, but a mere two years later when Plantagenet tried to grant Thomond to Philip de Braose this situation was overturned. The Dál gCais defeated a Norman army at the
Battle of Thurles The Battle of Thurles took place in October 1174 near Thurles in County Tipperary, and was a significant engagement of the Norman invasion of Ireland. The forces of an alliance of Irish led by the High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair defeated an E ...
in 1174, where over 1,700 Normans were killed. The following year when
Raymond le Gros Raymond (or Redmond) Fitz William Fitz Gerald (died 1185–1198), nicknamed ''Le Gros'' ("the Large"), was a Cambro-Norman commander during the Norman invasion of Ireland. Raymond was among the first of a small band of Norman knights who lan ...
captured Limerick through a naval invasion, Domhnall re-took it and burned it rather than have it in foreign hands.The psychological effect that this gesture had on the Normans is evident from when Philip de Braose, Robert FitzStephen and Miles de Cogan rode out to take Limerick city and fled in a great panic upon seeing it in flames. Realising that Domhnall Mór and the Dál gCais would sooner burn it to the ground than have anyone but themselves rule it. The twenty years after that were more secure for the Gaels of Thomond. After the death of Domhnall Mór a period of destructive feuding among his offspring caused a great territorial decline in Thomond. The brothers Muircheartach Finn Ó Briain and
Conchobhar Ruadh Ó Briain ( is an old and famous Irish male name meaning "lover of canines". It is the source of the Irish names Conor, Connor, Connors, Conner, O'Connor, etc. It is a name borne by several figures from Irish history and legend, including: * Conchobar ...
fought with each other, seeing Muircheartach's reign interrupted between 1198 and 1203. Muirchertach himself was blinded by the Normans in 1208 and was soon forced into abdication due to no longer being ''righdamhna''.
Donnchadh Cairprech Ó Briain Donnchadh () is a masculine given name common to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. It is composed of the elements ''donn'', meaning "brown" or "dark" from Donn a Gaelic God; and ''chadh'', meaning "chief" or "noble". The name is also writt ...
had to deal with dissent from the Mac Con Mara and Ó Coinn against his rule, so brought in the Laigin's Mac Gormáin as his standard bearers. Donnchadh also enlisted the support of the de Burgh and other Normans in this fight, which came at a costly price; Limerick and lands surrounding it in what would later become County Limerick and County Tipperary.The Normans also attempted to takeover the key religious post of Bishop of Killaloe. Geoffrey de Marisco promoted his nephew Robert Travers into the post in 1215, with support of the English monarchy. The Gaels disputed his election to Pope Honorius III and in this case Rome took their side, deposing Travers in 1221 in favour of Domhnall Ó hÉanna. Under pressure from the Butlers, Thomond was now not too different from what would become County Clare, protected by the River Shannon. Donnchadh moved his capital to Clonroad. The Normans' advance continued during the reign of
Conchobhar na Suidaine Ó Briain ( is an old and famous Irish male name meaning "lover of canines". It is the source of the Irish names Conor, Connor, Connors, Conner, O'Connor, etc. It is a name borne by several figures from Irish history and legend, including: * Conchobar ...
, as Henry III "granted" lands to
Robert de Muscregos The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...
and John Fitzgeoffrey. Of the two de Muscregos was most active, constructing Clare Castle and Bunratty Castle with a colony. The precedent for Thomond was very dangerous as, should much more land have been taken, the realm would have no longer existed. Conchobhar and his fiery son
Tadhg Cael Uisce Ó Briain Tadhg Cael Uisce Ó Briain (born , died 1259) was the eldest son of Conchobhar na Siudane Ó Briain and Tánaiste of Thomond. Life He received the suffix "Cael Uisce" from the having attended the conference of Cael Uisce on behalf of his father ...
took up arms and slaughtered many of the Norman settler-colonists in 1257. The following year, the Gaelic chiefs from all over Ireland had resolved to form an anti-Norman pact and met at Cael Uisce, near
Lough Erne Lough Erne ( , ) is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland and Ulster, and the fourth biggest in Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne, ...
to discuss terms. They planned to resurrect the High Kingship of Ireland, with most supporting Brian Ó Néill as the choice. Tadhg was proud and stubborn, declaring his father should be High King; the Dál gCais thus did not take part in the
Battle of Druim Dearg The Battle of Down, also known as the battle of Drumderg (Irish language, Irish: ''Druim Dearg'') took place on or about 14 May 1260 near Downpatrick, in modern-day County Down, Northern Ireland. A Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic alliance led by Brian O' ...
, which the Gaels lost, damaging the reputation of Thomond as a consequence.
Brian Ruadh Ó Briain Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan in English) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meani ...
kept the pressure up by burning Clare Castle and forcing the de Muscregos' to flee to Wales, but he had troubles from his own countrymen. The Mac Con Mara, Ó Deághaidh and Mac Gormáin clans supported his nephew
Toirdelbach Ó Briain Toirdelbach is a masculine Irish given name. Forms of the name include ''Toirdhealbhach'', ''Tárlach'', and ''Traolach''. An Anglicised form is Turlough. The names are ultimately derived from the Irish ''toirdhealbh'' meaning "prompting", and orig ...
, a son of Tadhg Cael Uisce, for the kingship instead and revolted. Seeing an opportunity,
Edward II Edward II (25 April 1284 – 21 September 1327), also called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. The fourth son of Edward I, Edward became the heir apparent to t ...
offered Thomond to
Thomas de Clare Thomas de Clare, Lord of Thomond (1244×1247Robin Frame (2005)"Clare, Thomas de (1244x7–1287), magnate and administrator" ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''. Retrieved 11 November 2018.29 August 1287) was an Anglo-Norman peer and so ...
if he could take advantage of the Ó Briain feud. The events which followed have passed down to history as the '' Cathreim Thoirdhealbhaigh''. After Brian briefly regained Clonroad with de Clare's help, Toirdelbach arrived with support from Galway in the form of the de Burghs and once again took control in 1277. Brian was executed by his "ally" at Bunratty, but de Clare was soon reconciled with his son
Donnchadh mac Brian Ó Briain Donnchadh () is a masculine given name common to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. It is composed of the elements ''donn'', meaning "brown" or "dark" from Donn a Gaelic God; and ''chadh'', meaning "chief" or "noble". The name is also written ...
and supported him against Toirdelbach. The feud continued until Donnchadh drowned at a party on Islandmagrath, on the
River Fergus The River Fergus ( ga, An Forghas) is a river within the Shannon River Basin which flows in County Clare, Ireland. The river begins at Lough Fergus in north Clare and flows into the Shannon Estuary. The source is at Lough Fergus in the townland ...
. With Toirdelbach now undisputed king, the Mac Con Mara were able to hound de Clare. The conflict between the two lines continued into the next generation between
Donnchadh mac Toirdelbach Ó Briain Donnchadh () is a masculine given name common to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. It is composed of the elements ''donn'', meaning "brown" or "dark" from Donn a Gaelic God; and ''chadh'', meaning "chief" or "noble". The name is also written ...
(backed by
William Liath de Burgh William Liath de Burgh (; ; died 1324) was an Irish noble and deputy Justiciar of Ireland (1308–09). Background De Burgh was a son of William Og de Burgh, who was killed at the Battle of Áth-an-Chip or Athankip in 1270, and a nephew of ...
) and
Diarmuid Cléirech Ó Briain Diarmaid () is a masculine given name in the Irish language, which has historically been anglicized as Jeremiah or Jeremy, names with which it is etymologically unrelated. Earlier forms of the name include Diarmit and Diarmuit. Variations of the ...
(backed by
Richard de Clare Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stron ...
). There was military success at Bunratty in 1311 for Diarmuid and his cousin Donnchadh was killed at Corcomroe. Following this, Clann Tadhg's leader was
Muircheartach mac Toirdelbach Ó Briain Muirchertach (modern spelling: Muircheartach, anglicised as Murtagh) is an Irish language male given name meaning "mariner". The name was sometimes Anglicised as "Mortimer." The Old Norse name Kjartan is derived from this name.:is:Ásgeir Blöndal ...
and after Diarmuid's "sudden" death, Clann Briain Ruadh's leader became
Donnchadh mac Domhnall Ó Briain Donnchadh () is a masculine given name common to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. It is composed of the elements ''donn'', meaning "brown" or "dark" from Donn a Gaelic God; and ''chadh'', meaning "chief" or "noble". The name is also writt ...
. The Bruce Wars in Ireland added an unpredictable element and saw some surprising ''ad hoc'' alliances come into play. Donnchadh elected to support
Edward the Bruce Edward Bruce, Earl of Carrick ( Norman French: ; mga, Edubard a Briuis; Modern Scottish Gaelic: gd, Eideard or ; – 14 October 1318), was a younger brother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots. He supported his brother in the 1306–1314 st ...
, which made his patron de Clare an enemy. Muircheartach who now reigned supreme in Thomond, due to his connection to de Burgh, was nominally on the side of the Lordship of Ireland. The cousins fought at the Second Battle of Athenry. Muircheartach's brother
Diarmuid mac Toirdelbach Ó Briain Diarmaid () is a masculine given name in the Irish language, which has historically been anglicized as Jeremiah or Jeremy, names with which it is etymologically unrelated. Earlier forms of the name include Diarmit and Diarmuit. Variations of the ...
managed to destroy Donnchadh and most of Clann Briain Ruadh's supporters at the Battle of Corcomroe in 1317. The end of the de Clares and Norman territorial claims in Thomond came the following year at the Battle of Dysert O'Dea, where Conchobhar Ó Deághaidh held out against a larger English force until the O'Brien and allies could reach the battle and decisively secure victory.


Unity and resurgence

The last successful attempt by a Norman to play
divide and conquer Divide and rule policy ( la, divide et impera), or divide and conquer, in politics and sociology is gaining and maintaining power divisively. Historically, this strategy was used in many different ways by empires seeking to expand their terr ...
within the Thomond kingship was the case of Maurice FitzGerald, Earl of Desmond. A very powerful man, he was constantly rumoured during his life to have wanted to make himself King of Ireland. He successfully sponsored
Brian Bán Ó Briain Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan in English) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meani ...
in overthrowing Diarmuid from Clan Tadhg during 1343–1350, but equally decisive was the sides taken by Mac Con Mara, leading to Diarmuid's restoration. With the exception of a failed Norman attempt to reconstruct Bunratty Castle by Thomas de Rokeby from 1353 to 1355, the Norman settler-colonialist project in Thomond was at an end until the submission of the Ó Briain in the 16th century. The Norman Lordship was weakened by the Bruce Wars of 1315–1318, the
Black Death The Black Death (also known as the Pestilence, the Great Mortality or the Plague) was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Western Eurasia and North Africa from 1346 to 1353. It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causi ...
of 1349–1350 (which disproportionally hit Norman controlled towns) and besides that English forces were more invested with the
Hundred Years' War The Hundred Years' War (; 1337–1453) was a series of armed conflicts between the kingdoms of Kingdom of England, England and Kingdom of France, France during the Late Middle Ages. It originated from disputed claims to the French Crown, ...
in France and their own internal conflict the Wars of the Roses to focus too much on Ireland. All of these factors allowed for a 15th-century Gaelic resurgence, not only in Thomond but across a significant part of Ireland outside of the Pale. Brian Bán was the last of Clann Briain Ruadh to hold the kingship and from 1350 onwards, Clann Tadhg held sway.
Mathghamhain Maonmhaighe Ó Briain Mathghamhain Maonmhaighe Ó Briain was King of Thomond during 1360–69. Mathghamhain was the son of Muircheartach Ó Briain King of Thomond and was preceded by his uncle Dairmaid macToirdelbaig O'Brien. His son Brian Sreamhach MacMathghamhna ...
came to power before the death of his uncle Diarmuid and he was named as such because he spent time as a foster child in Máenmaige. His succession was disputed by his uncle and brother; Toirdelbhach Maol Ó Briain and Brian Sreamhach Ó Briain. Of the two Brian Sreamhach gained the upper hand and when his uncle tried to enlist the help of the Earl of Desmond to wrestle back the realm, Brian thoroughly routed them at
Croom Croom () is a village in County Limerick, Ireland. It is located just off the N20 (which has bypassed the town since 2001) on the River Maigue. It is 8 km southeast of Adare on the N20. History Cromadh (now Croom) was a village in th ...
in a key military success. This had the added benefit of winning back Limerick for Thomond and Sioda Cam Mac Con Mara was placed in the city as a warden in 1369. The friendship with the de Burghs of Galway was maintained by Brian and when
Richard II Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, and Joan, Countess of Kent. Richard's father died ...
was at Waterford in 1399, he paid nominal homage and was well received. Thomond was now in such a position that
Conchobhar mac Mathghamhna Ó Briain ( is an old and famous Irish male name meaning "lover of canines". It is the source of the Irish names Conor, Connor, Connors, Conner, O'Connor, etc. It is a name borne by several figures from Irish history and legend, including: * Conchobar ...
's twenty six-year reign was marked as a time of peace and plenty. The years 1426–1459 were marked by a succession of three sons of Brian Sreamhach reigning;
Tadhg an Glemore Ó Briain Tadhg (, ), (pronunciations given for the name ''Tadgh'' separately from those for the slang/pejorative ''Teague''.) commonly misspelled "Taig" or "Teague", is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic masculine name that was very common when the Goidelic l ...
,
Mathghamhain Dall Ó Briain Mathghamhain mac Cian was an Eóganacht Raithlind nobleman and maternal grandson of Brian Boru. He was the son of Cian mac Máelmuaid and his wife Sadhbh, who was a daughter of the High King Brian Boru. He died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 f ...
and Toirdelbhach Bóg Ó Briain. During this time, Mathghamhain Dall was deposed by his brother Toirdelbhach with the familiar military assistance of the de Burghs (whom he had formed a marriage alliance with). Greater things were to come from the ascent of Toirdelbhach's son
Tadhg an Chomhaid Ó Briain Tadhg an Chomhaid Ó Briain was King of Thomond from 1459 to his death in 1466. Reign He built the tower of Inchiquin Castle shortly before his father's death in 1459 and made it his new residence, being the first O'Brien since the expulsion of ...
. From Inchiquin, Tadhg took advantage of the Wars of the Roses, forming an alliance with the
Ó Néill The O'Neill dynasty (Irish: ''Ó Néill'') are a lineage of Irish Gaelic origin, that held prominent positions and titles in Ireland and elsewhere. As kings of Cenél nEógain, they were historically the most prominent family of the Northern ...
in 1464. He managed to ride south through Desmond (the rest of the old Munster) and enforce the ''cíos dubh'' on the Anglo-Normans. This was a kind of Gaelic '' pizzo'' which Tadgh's great-grandfather Mathghamhain Maonmhaighe had first been able to enforce as a price of protection. His military prowess was such that the Earl of Desmond was forced to give back to Thomond what would later become County Limerick. Mac Fhirbhisigh hints that the men of Leinster planned to raise Tadhg to the High Kingship of Ireland before his death and claims he was the greatest Ó Briain since
Brian Bóruma Brian Boru ( mga, Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig; modern ga, Brian Bóramha; 23 April 1014) was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High King of Ireland, High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill and probably ended Viking invasion/domi ...
himself. Thomond was wealthy in the 15th century;
Domhnall Mac Gormáin Donald is a masculine given name derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinterpretation of the ...
(died 1484) was described as the richest man in Ireland in terms of live stock. During the reign of
Conchobhar na Srona Ó Briain ( is an old and famous Irish male name meaning "lover of canines". It is the source of the Irish names Conor, Connor, Connors, Conner, O'Connor, etc. It is a name borne by several figures from Irish history and legend, including: * Conchobar ...
, Thomond maintained alliances with the Mac William Uachtar of Clanricarde and the Butlers. In the latter case, they were opposing the Kildare FitzGeralds, earning the ire of Gerald FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare who had earned the favour of the new Tudor king Henry VII as Lord Deputy of Ireland. Despite Kildare's fearsome reputation, Conchobhar met him in battle at Ballyhickey, near
Quin Quin may refer to: * Quin (name), including a list of people with the name * Quin, colloquially, one of a set of quintuplets, a multiple birth of five individuals * Quin (Sigilverse), a fictional planet * Quin, County Clare, a village in County Cla ...
, in 1496 and was successful in turning him back. Toirdelbhach Donn Ó Briain as part of his pact with
Ulick Fionn Burke Ulick Fionn Burke, 6th Clanricarde or Mac William Uachtar (; ; ; ; died 1509) was an Irish chieftain and noble. Family background Ulick succeeded his father, Ulick Ruadh Burke, 5th Clanricarde (d.1485), as chieftain. The Annals of the Four M ...
took part in the
Battle of Knockdoe The Battle of Knockdoe took place on 19 August 1504 at Knockdoe, in the Parish of Lackagh (Irish ''Leacach''), County Galway, between two Anglo-Irish lords— Gerald FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, and Ulick Fionn B ...
in 1504; along with the Mac Con Mara and Ó Briain Ara; against the Earl of Kildare, which they lost. The struggle had been started by a feud between de Burgh and the Ui Maine. Ó Briain later defeated Kildare at Moin na Brathair, near Limerick. Thomond intended to support the Ó Néill against the Ó Domhnaill in a northern feud, but by the time Ó Briain arrived, it was over. Toirdelbhach's life came to an end trying to defend the Ó Cearbhaill of Éile from the Earl of Ormond at Camus, near Cashel; he died "by the shot of a ball."


Downfall of the realm

The downfall of Thomond occurred in the 16th century. The series of events leading up to it, were set into process by the rebellion of
FitzGerald family The FitzGerald/FitzMaurice Dynasty is a noble and aristocratic dynasty of Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman and later Hiberno-Norman origin. They have been peers of Ireland since at least the 13th century, and are described in the Annals of the ...
member, the Earl of Kildare, Silken Thomas. In 1534, a rumour had spread that his father, the
Lord Deputy of Ireland The Lord Deputy was the representative of the monarch and head of the Irish executive (government), executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and then the Kingdom of Ireland. He deputised prior to 1523 for the Viceroy of Ireland ...
, had been executed in England on the orders of king
Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...
and that the same fate was planned for him and his uncles. Under this impression, Thomas threw off his offices in the
Kingdom of Ireland The Kingdom of Ireland ( ga, label=Classical Irish, an Ríoghacht Éireann; ga, label=Modern Irish, an Ríocht Éireann, ) was a monarchy on the island of Ireland that was a client state of England and then of Great Britain. It existed from ...
and rose up in rebellion. He took refuge with the
Ó Cearbhaill O'Carroll ( ga, Ó Cearbhaill), also known as simply Carroll, Carrol or Carrell, is a Gaelic Irish clan which is the most prominent sept of the Ciannachta (also known as Clan Cian). Their genealogies claim that they are kindred with the Eóganac ...
of Éile and then with
Conchobhar mac Toirdhealbaig Ó Briain Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond ( ga, Conchobhar Ó Briain; ''fl''. 1528 until his death in 1540) was the second to last King of Thomond.In Gaelic ''Conchobhair Ó Briain'' Biography Connor was born the eldest surviving son of Toirdhealbhach ...
at Clonroad,
Ennis Ennis () is the county town of County Clare, in the mid-west of Ireland. The town lies on the River Fergus, north of where the river widens and enters the Shannon Estuary. Ennis is the largest town in County Clare, with a population of 25,27 ...
. In hot pursuit, at the head of an army, was Lord
Leonard Grey Leonard Grey, Lord Deputy of Ireland (1479/149228 July 1541), known as Lord Leonard Grey prior to 1536, served as Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1536 to 1540. Family Leonard Grey was a younger son of Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset and Cecily B ...
, who destroyed the
Killaloe Bridge Killaloe Bridge is a road bridge over the River Shannon between Ballina, County Tipperary, Ballina in County Tipperary and Killaloe, County Clare in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Built on the site of an earlier structure (dating to c.1650), the ...
, which had the result of isolating Thomond from the rest of Ireland and also attacked the Dál gCais east of the River Shannon. Although the Silken Thomas issue was resolved by late 1535, Thomond had marked itself out by providing refuge to enemies of the Crown of England in Ireland. The English forces had in turn enlisted the services of Conchobhar's own son
Donnchadh Ó Briain Donnchadh Ó Briain (17 November 1897 – 22 September 1981) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and Conradh na Gaeilge activist. He was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1933 general election. He was born 17 November 1897 in Knockaderry, Co ...
who had cemented an alliance with the
Butler family Butler family may refer to: * Butler dynasty, a noble family in Ireland * Butler-Belmont family, a family of United States politicians * Butler family (Artemis Fowl), a family in the ''Artemis Fowl'' teen novel series * Butler (surname) Butler, is ...
by marrying the daughter of the Earl of Ormond. According to Butler, Donnchadh pledged to help them conquer Thomond, aid English colonisation, adopt English laws and help them take over
Carrigogunnell Carrigogunnell Castle (Irish: ''Chairrge Ó gCoinneall'') is a medieval Irish fortification near the village of Clarina, on the banks of the River Shannon in County Limerick. The structure dates to at least the early 13th century, and was slig ...
Castle. This castle was a symbol of Gaelic defiance, as it had remained out of Anglo-Norman hands for over 200 years. When the castle was attacked by Grey, it surrendered due to Donnchadh. With the loss of east Thomond and the destruction of
O'Brien's Bridge O'Brien's Bridge or O'Briensbridge () is a village in east County Clare, Ireland, on the west bank of the River Shannon, in a civil parish of the same name. It is named for the bridge across the Shannon at that point, built by Turlough O'Brien ...
, Thomond was in a lot of trouble. Conchobhar, along with loyal supporters such as the
Mac Con Mara Mac Conmara (anglicised as MacNamara or McNamara) is an Ireland, Irish surname of a family of County Clare in Ireland. The McNamara family were an Irish clan claiming descent from the Dál gCais and, after the O'Briens, one of the most powerful ...
, continued to fight on and managed to conclude a truce with Grey in 1537. Conchobhar was succeeded on his death by his brother Murchadh Carrach Ó Briain, a man who initially attempted to assist Conn Bacach Ó Néill in the defence of Tír Eoghain but had come to see the futility of his opposition and agreed to surrender and regrant to the Tudor state. The Parliament of the Kingdom of Ireland was called to Limerick in 1542 by Lord Deputy Anthony St. Leger regarding the terms of submission of Murchadh Carrach Ó Briain and Sioda Mac Con Mara. Becoming members of the Peerage of Ireland and converting to the Anglican Church, Murchadh was made
Earl of Thomond Earl of Thomond was an hereditary title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created twice for the O'Brien dynasty which is an ancient Irish sept native to north Munster. History and background First creation Under the Crown of Ireland Act 1542, Ki ...
and Donnchadh also
Baron Ibrackan Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knigh ...
. Dissent took place in the form of Donchadh's brother
Domhnall Ó Briain Sir Daniel O'Brien, 1st Viscount Clare also called Donal ( – 1666) was an Irish politician and soldier. He was born a younger son of Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond. He fought against the insurgents at Tyrone's Rebellion, but for the ins ...
(and his ally Tadhg Ó Briain) who claimed to have been inaugurated Chief of the Ó Briain according to the Gaelic fashion in 1553. This was in opposition to his nephew the Earl, Conchobhar Groibleach Ó Briain. Tied into English political rivalries, Conchobhar had the support of the Earl of Sussex but was not able to decisively defeat his uncle, indeed Domhnall scored a victory at the
Battle of Spancel Hill The Battle of Spancel Hill took place in 1559 in County Clare, Ireland close to modern Kilraghtis when a force led by Sir Donnell O'Brien defeated his rival for leadership of the O'Briens Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond and his ally Richard ...
in 1559. The discord dragged on and Thomond was under the martial law of William Drury as late as 1577. The issues pertaining to tax and land were finalised at the Composition of Thomond in 1585.


Diocese of Killaloe

The religion which predominated at an official level in Thomond was
Catholic Christianity The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
. The territory of Thomond was associated with the
Diocese of Killaloe The Diocese of Killaloe ( ) may refer either to a Roman Catholic or a Church of Ireland (Anglican) diocese, in Ireland. Roman Catholic diocese The Diocese of Killaloe is the second largest Roman Catholic diocese in Ireland. It comprises the ...
under the Bishop of Killaloe, the diocese having been formed in 1111 at the Synod of Ráth Breasail, seven years before Thomond broke fully from the Kingdom of Munster. Dál gCais influence over the Bishop of Limerick differed from time to time, with Norman influence also being part of the picture. At the Synod of Kells in 1152, three more sees in Thomond were created in the form of the
Diocese of Kilfenora The Bishop of Kilfenora () was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the village of Kilfenora in County Clare in the Republic of Ireland. In both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church, the title is now united with ot ...
, the
Diocese of Roscrea The Bishop of Roscrea ( ga, Easpuig Ros Cré) was an episcopal Episcopal may refer to: *Of or relating to a bishop, an overseer in the Christian church *Episcopate, the see of a bishop – a diocese *Episcopal Church (disambiguation), any chu ...
and the
Diocese of Scattery Island The Bishop of Inis Cathaigh (Gaelic: Inis Cathaigh was the ordinary of the Pre-Reformation Irish Catholic episcopal see based at Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. The diocese of Iniscathay was founded by Saint Patrick. Saint Senan is the first record ...
. Roscrea was re-merged with Killaloe in 1168 and Scattery Island followed in 1189. The latter was re-created briefly during the 14th century before once again being merged back with Killaloe. Some of the Bishops of Killaloe attended
Ecumenical Councils An ecumenical council, also called general council, is a meeting of bishops and other church authorities to consider and rule on questions of Christian doctrine, administration, discipline, and other matters in which those entitled to vote ar ...
of the Catholic Church in Rome; this includes Constantín Ó Briain who participated in the Third Lateran Council and Conchobhar Ó hÉanna who was at the Fourth Lateran Council. Religious orders were present in Thomond and had establishments founded by them under the patronage of Kings of Thomond. This includes; the Canons Regular of the
Augustinians Augustinians are members of Christian religious orders that follow the Rule of Saint Augustine, written in about 400 AD by Augustine of Hippo. There are two distinct types of Augustinians in Catholic religious orders dating back to the 12th–13 ...
at
Canon Island Abbey Canon Island Abbey (or Canons' Island Abbey) (Irish: ''Mainistir Oileán na gCanánach'') is a ruined Augustinian monastery located on the extreme northeast corner of Canon Island (Inisgad) on the River Shannon in County Clare, Ireland. History C ...
, Clare Abbey,
Inchicronan Priory Inchicronan Priory (Irish: ''Prióireacht Inse Chrónáin'' is an early monastic site, possibly founded 6th century by patron, St Cronan of Tuamgraney Crusheen. The abbey was refounded about 1198AD by Donald O'Brien, (King of Limerick), as ...
,
Killone Abbey Killone Abbey (Irish: ''Mainistir Chill Eoin''), situated on the banks of Killone Lake some 3 miles south of Ennis, County Clare, was an abbey of Canonesses Regular founded in 1190 by Donal Mor O'Brien, King of Thomond and Munster and dedic ...
and
Limerick Priory Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Republic of Ireland, Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West Region, Ireland, Mid-West which comprises pa ...
, the
Cistercians The Cistercians, () officially the Order of Cistercians ( la, (Sacer) Ordo Cisterciensis, abbreviated as OCist or SOCist), are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint ...
at
Holy Cross Abbey Holy Cross Abbey ''(Mainistir na Croise Naofa)'' was a Cistercian monastery in Holycross near Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland, situated on the River Suir. It takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood. History A supposed fra ...
,
Corcomroe Abbey Corcomroe Abbey (Irish: ''Mainistir Chorca Mrua'') is an early 13th-century Cistercian monastery located in the north of the Burren region of County Clare, Ireland, a few miles east of the village of Ballyvaughan in the Barony of Burren. It wa ...
,
Kilcooly Abbey Kilcooley Abbey is a Cistercian abbey near the village of Gortnahoe in County Tipperary, Ireland. The abbey is located within the grounds of the Kilcooley Estate. This abbey dates from 1182 when Donal Mor O’Brien granted lands to the Ciste ...
and
Monasteranenagh Abbey Monasteranenagh Abbey is a medieval friary and National Monument (Ireland), National Monument located in County Limerick, Ireland. Location Monasteranenagh Abbey is located east of Croom, County Limerick, Croom, on the north bank of the River Ca ...
, the Franciscans at
Ennis Friary Ennis Friary (Irish: ''Mainistir na hInse'') (colloquially also known as Ennis Abbey) was a Franciscan friary in the town of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. It was established in the middle of the 13th century by the ruling O'Brien dynasty who s ...
,
Galbally Friary Galbally may refer to: Locations *Galbally, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland *Galbally, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland People with the surname *Ann Galbally (born 1945), Australian art historian and academic *Bob Galbally (1921–2004), Austr ...
and
Quin Abbey Quin Abbey (Irish: ''Mainistir Chuinche''), in Quin, County Clare, Ireland, was built between 1402 and 1433 by Sioda Cam MacNamara, for Fathers Purcell and Mooney, friars of the Franciscan order. Although mostly roofless, the structure of the a ...
(the latter of which became a formidable college) and the Dominicans at Limerick Blackfriars. There were also many monasteries which predated Thomond such as Inis Cealtra Monastery,
Scattery Island Inis Cathaigh or Scattery Island is an island in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland, off the coast of Kilrush, County Clare. The island is home to a lighthouse, a ruined monastery associated with Saint Senan, an Irish round tower and the remains of a ...
Monastery and Dysert O'Dea Monastery. Both St. Flannan's Cathedral in Killaloe and St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick can be traced to Domhnall Mór Ó Briain.


Monarchs


Annalistic references

See Annals of Inisfallen (AI). * ''AI927.3 Repose of Mael Corguis Ua Conaill, bishop of Tuad Mumu.'' * ''AI953.3 Repose of Diarmait son of Aicher, bishop of Tuad Mumu.'' * ''AI963.4 A slaughter of the Tuad Mumu on the
Sinann The River Shannon ( ga, Abhainn na Sionainne, ', '), at in length, is the longest river in the British Isles. It drains the Shannon River Basin, which has an area of , – approximately one fifth of the area of the island of Ireland. The Shan ...
, and they abandoned their vessels and were drowned.'' * ''AI1018.2 Ciarmacán Ua Maíl Chaisil, bishop of Tuadmutnu, rested in Christ.''


See also

*
Thomond deeds The Thomond deeds are Irish deeds relating to lands and property in Thomond, County Clare, preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. The collection, written in Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from ...


Notes


References


Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * * *


External links


The Territories of the Ancient Irish Families in Limerick and Thomond


by
Anthony Bruodin Anthony Bruodin ( ga, Antóin Mac Bruideadha; 1625 — 7 May 1680), also known as Antonius Bruodinus or Bruodine was an Irish Franciscan friar, philosopher, theologian and historian. He wrote works of theology, and compiled materials on Early Mode ...
{{Kingdom of Ireland Kingdoms of medieval Ireland States and territories established in 1118 Geographic history of Ireland Geography of County Limerick Geography of County Clare Geography of County Tipperary History of County Limerick History of County Clare History of County Tipperary O'Brien dynasty 1543 disestablishments Former kingdoms in Ireland Aibell