Kingdom of Munster Mumhain
1st century BC–1118
TheMac Cárthaigh as leaders of theEóganacht Chaisil provided many kings of Munster from the 7th century onwards and establishedCork.
A map of Munster in the 10th century, with boundaries accounting for the loss ofOsraige.
Capital	Cork
Common languages	Primitive Irish,Old Irish,Middle Irish,Latin
Religion	Gaelic Christianity Catholic Christianity Gaelic tradition
Government	Tanistry
Rí
• 1st century BCE	Deda mac Sin
• 1118	Muirchertach Ó Briain
History
• Established	1st century BC
• Disestablished	1118
ISO 3166 code	IE
Succeeded by Kingdom of Osraige Kingdom of Desmond Kingdom of Thomond Kingdom of Ormond
Today part of	Ireland

TheKingdom of Munster (Irish:Ríocht Mhumhan) was a kingdom ofGaelic Ireland which existed in the south-west of the island from at least the 1st century BC until 1118. According to traditionalIrish history found in theAnnals of the Four Masters, the kingdom originated as the territory of theClanna Dedad (sometimes known as theDáirine), anÉrainn tribe of IrishGaels. Some of the early kings were prominent in theRed Branch Cycle such asCú Roí andConaire Mór. For a few centuries they were competitors for theHigh Kingship of Ireland, but ultimately lost out to theConnachta, descendants ofConn Cétchathach. The kingdom had different borders and internal divisions at different times during its history.

Major changes reshaped Munster in the 6th century, as theCorcu Loígde (ancestors of theÓ hEidirsceoil) fell from power.Osraige which had been brought under the control of Munster for two centuries was retaken by theDál Birn (ancestors of theMac Giolla Phádraig). Various subordinate groups, such as theMúscraige, switched their alliance and helped to bring theEóganachta to power in Munster. For the next three centuries, various subgroups such as theEóganacht Chaisil (ancestors of theÓ Súilleabháin andMac Cárthaigh)^[1] andEóganacht Glendamnach (ancestors of theÓ Caoimh) competed for control of Munster.Celtic Christian civilisation developed at this time and theRock of Cashel became a seat of power. Two kings,Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib andCathal mac Finguine, were able to raise Munster to the premier Irish kingdom for a time.

Munster had to contend with raids from theVikings under theUí Ímair from the 9th century onwards, who established themselves atLimerick,Waterford andCork. Around the same time theDál gCais (ancestors of theÓ Briain),^[2] previously known as theDéisi, were also in the ascendancy in Munster. Aided in part by theUí Néill, the previously subordinate Dál gCais came to challenge the Eóganachta for control of Munster. The exploits of their most famous memberBrian Bóruma, who is known for theBattle of Clontarf established Dál gCais rule for the rest of the 11th century. After internal divisions, Munster was partitioned by High KingToirdelbach Ó Conchobhair with the Treaty ofGlanmire in 1118, betweenThomond ruled by theÓ Briain andDesmond ruled by theMac Cárthaigh.

A late medieval text inMiddle Irish namedCóir Anmann (known in English as the "Fitness of Names" or the "Elucidation of Names") gives an etymology for the term Munster. It claims that the name partly derives fromEochaidh Mumu, one of the earlyHeberianHigh Kings of Ireland who ruled the area.^[3] This High King held theroyal nicknamemó-mó meaning "greater-greater", because he was supposed to be more powerful and greater in stature than any other Irishman of his time (theAnnals of the Four Masters claims he reigned from 1449–1428 BC).^[3] TheCóir Anmann claims that the wordmó (greater) withána (prosperity) combined to formMumu, because the kingdom was more prosperous than any other in Ireland.^[3] The second wordána is also associated with the goddessAnu (potentially the same as mother goddessDanu). Indeed, Munster includes within it a pair of breast shaped mountains nearKillarney named theTwo Paps of Ána.^[3]

The early Kings of Munster, derived from theÉrainn (one of the major sub-branches ofGaels in Ireland), were mentioned in theRed Branch Cycle of Irish traditional history. Prominent figures featuring in this Cycle areCú Roí mac Dáire,Conaire Mór,Lugaid mac Con Roí and others. These men are all presented as great warriors, in particular Cú Roí features in theTáin bó Cúailnge, where he fightsAmergin mac Eccit, until requested to stop byMeadhbh. Eventually Cú Roí is killed byCú Chulainn after being betrayed byBláthnat who he had captured. His death was avenged by his son Lugaid mac Con Roí.

TheDáirine (named forDáire mac Dedad), orClanna Dedad, a major branch of the Érainn, were a significant power in Gaelic Ireland, providing severalHigh Kings of Ireland at theHill of Tara in addition to ruling Munster. There was also aTemair Luachra ("Tara of the Rushes"), existing as theroyal site of Munster, but this is lost to history (it is potentially synonymous withCaherconree). Some of the most prominent High Kings from this time provided by the Érainn of Munster includeEterscél Mór andConaire Mór who are the subject of theTogail Bruidne Dá Derga. TheLaigin in particular were major rivals for Munster at the time. TheChronicle of Ireland places the start of these rulers at roughly the 1st century BCE. Outside of Gaelic sources, the predominant people of Munster, the Érainn, along with other tribes in the area are attested to inPtolemy'sGeographia, where they are known as theIverni.

According to theBook of Glendalough, a member of the Munster royal family,Fíatach Finn, moved north and becameKing of Ulster, establishing the Érainn kindred known as theDál Fiatach. This meant competing with theUlaid rulers ofClanna Rudhraighe. A great revival of power for Munster occurred in the 2nd century AD, as one of their kings,Conaire Cóem, established himself as High King of Ireland. This was a time for pioneering figures, as major High Kings representing other Gaelic groups in Ireland also lived such asConn Cétchathach founder of theConnachta andCathair Mór a prominent king of theLaigin. Conaire Cóem holds an important place in Irish genealogies as the forefather of theSíl Conairi. His sons; Cairpre Músc (ancestor of theMúscraige andCorcu Duibne), Cairpre Baschaín (ancestor of theCorcu Baiscind) and Cairpre Riata (ancestor of theDál Riata) founded kinship groups which would play a major role in Munster, while the latter moved north to Ulster and eventually establishedAlba (better known asScotland) inGreat Britain.

Another High King from Munster's Dáirine around this period wasLugaid Mac Con, the progenitor ofCorcu Loígde. His mother wasSadb ingen Chuinn from the Connachta and he was calledMac Con ("Son of the Hound") because he was supposedly suckled by his foster-fatherAilill Aulom'sgreyhound. He ascended to the High Kingship from his Munster base after killingArt mac Cuinn in theBattle of Maigh Mucruimhe, which is the subject of a literary tale. His foster-father, Ailill Aulom is claimed to have been a King of Munster and belonged to theDeirgtine. This group of Gaels were not Dáirine and other Kings of Munster from them mentioned in theCycles of the Kings, includeMug Nuadat,Éogan Mór andFiachu Muillethan. The exact relationship of the Deirgtine to other groups in Munster is controversial, theEóganachta later claimed direct descent from them. The Eóganachta emerged in the 4th or 5th century underCorc mac Luigthig but would take near total power in the early 7th century and the genealogical claim may have been to bolster their legitimacy.

The religion ofChristianity, which after theEdict of Thessalonica in 380 AD became thestate religion of theRoman Empire and thus, much ofEurope, came to Ireland in the 5th century, largely through Munster andLeinster. Many of the earliest saints of Ireland mentioned in theCodex Salmanticensis had strong Munster connections, particularly St.Ailbe inEmly, historical location of theMairtine. He supposedly received canonical orders from St.Palladius who was sent byPope Celestine I to Ireland in 431 AD.^[4] The first Christian saint born in Ireland itself was St.Ciarán of Saigir, associated withOsraige, who had a royal Munster (Corcu Loígde) mother. As well as this St.Declán of theDéisi Muman converted his people and established a monastery atArdmore.

The conversion of theEóganacht Chaisil, who were Kings of Cashel and gaining more and more influence in Munster, to the detriment of the Corcu Loígde, occurred during the reign ofÓengus mac Nad Froích. He was said to have been converted bySt. Patrick in a ceremony in which Patrick is supposed to have accidentally pierced the king's foot with hiscrozier, a pain which Óengus stoically bore, presuming it was part ofbaptism.^[5] Indeed, the very finding ofCashel, which was originally in the land of theÉile and its establishment as the base of the Eóganachta is attributed in the textsAcallam na Senórach andSenchas Fagbála Caisil to a miraculous "vision" of St. Patrick, sixty years beforehand byCorc mac Luigthig. According to theAcallam, Óengus then levied a tri-annualtribute in Munster known as the "scruple of Patrick’s baptism", showing a clear political interest (this was exacted until the times of St.Cormac mac Cuilennáin).^[6]

Some of the earliest sites ofIrish monasticism are to be found in Munster. St.Finnian of Clonard founded a monastery atSkellig Michael off the coast of theIveragh Peninsula, St.Senán mac Geirrcinn founded a monastery atInis Cathaigh as patron of the Corcu Baiscind and St.Enda of Aran founded theKilleaney monastery onInishmore, with the support of Óengus mac Nad Froích. These monks often chose isolated and harsh locations for their monasteries, exhibiting anascetic spirituality, similar to that of theDesert Fathers inChristian Egypt. Elsewhere, monasteries were founded more inland, such as the abbey atLismore founded by St.Mo Chutu and the monastery at what was then known as theCorcach Mór na Mumhan (now theCity of Cork) founded by St.Finbarr. The latter institution was particularly associated with learning. Both St.Brendan of Birr and St.Brendan of Clonfert came from Munster families, the latter was born in the land of theCiarraighe Luachra. A noted female Munster saint of the day, St.Íte of Killeedy, was known as the "Brigid of Munster."

By the 7th century, the Eóganachta had eclipsed the Corcu Loígde and all others for hegemony in Munster. They were aided in this by their allies, theMúscraige, who switched sided against their distant Érainn cousins, the Corcu Loígde. In a wider context, in Ireland at the time, theUí Néill were firmly establishing themselves as the main power in the country, as the Érainn were in decline, the Laigin limited and the Eóganachta just establishing their hold over Munster.^[7] A geopolitical reality, based on theLeath Cuinn and Leath Moga divisions was then being established. UnderFaílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib, Munster crossed theRiver Shannon and defeated theUi Fiachrach Aidhne ofConnacht, taking from them what would becomeThomond (or in much later timesCounty Clare) and settling it withDéisi. This king of Munster was even able to project power and influence the choice of kings beyond his realm in neighbouring Leinster. With the fall of the Corcu Loígde,Osraige returned to theMac Giolla Phádraig, but remained atúatha of Munster until the 9th century.

In regards to the Eóganachta themselves, there were two main branches; the most powerful was the "inner circle", or the eastern-branch, which was further divided into theEóganacht Chaisil,Eóganacht Glendamnach,Eóganacht Áine andEóganacht Airthir Cliach.^[8] The "outer circle" consisted of theEóganacht Raithlind andEóganacht Locha Léin who were more the west and south. Despite supposedly being descended from a different lineage (that ofDáire Cerbba), theUí Liatháin andUí Fidgenti are sometimes lumped in with the latter group. According to theFrithfolaid ríg Caisil fri túatha Muman, only the patrilineal descendants of Nad Froích had the right to be King of Munster.^[8]

Indeed, for the most part this would be the case as the Eóganacht Chaisil (ancestors of theÓ Súilleabháin andMac Cárthaigh), Glendamnach (ancestors of theÓ Caoimh) and Áine (ancestors of theÓ Ciarmhaic) would provide the overwhelming majority of the kings. Despite the size of their kingdom, Munster was usually substantially weaker than the northern Uí Néill powerhouse; the Eóganachta built up a propaganda that they ruled through "prosperity and generosity", rather than just brute force.^[8] Aside from the aforementioned Faílbe Flann, another exception to this general rule wasCathal mac Finguine fromGlanworth established himself as a serious contender for the title of High King of Ireland and fought against a succession of three Uí Néill kings for hegemony;Fergal mac Máele Dúin,Flaithbertach mac Loingsig andÁed Allán. He would be the most powerful king from Munster untilBrian Bóruma in the 11th century.

TheVikings;Norsemen fromScandinavia; began to raid isolated Irish monasteries in their longboats from the late 8th century onwards. Specifically relevant for Munster were the raids at Inish Cathaigh (816 and 835) and Skellig Michael (824).^[9] The raiders chose these monasteries primarily because they were isolated and easy to attack from the Sea; they took provisions, precious goods (metalwork especially), livestock and human captives (these people were either ransomed back if they were high-profile clerics or forced intoslavery abroad).^[10] In some cases in Ireland, by the mid-9th century, the Vikings set up coastal encampments known aslongphorts; specifically in relation to Munster, this included;Waterford,Youghal,Cork andLimerick.^[10] After first attacking neighbouring Gaelic Irish kingdoms and receiving retribution in return, the mercantile Vikings began to trade with the native Irish and some even intermarried, they also gradually converted to Christianity and eventually becameNorse-Gaels, exhibiting elements of both cultures.

In Munster itself, a group from among the Vikings; theUí Ímair, claiming descent from and named forIvar the Boneless, son ofRagnar Lodbrok; eventually emerged as Kings of small Norse-Gaelic kingdoms where they wereKings of Limerick andKings of Waterford. These small kingdoms; amongst which Limerick was the most prominent; were involved in rivalries with other Vikings in Ireland and held a complex web of rivalries and alliances with native Irish Gaelic clans.^[10] The cultural influence wasn't all one way; some native Irish families in Munster adopted personal names and eventually clan names ofOld Norse origin. This includesMac Amhlaoibh, withAmhlaoibh meaningOlaf.^[10] A prominent example of a Viking-Gaelic alliance in Munster was when the Waterford Vikings joined withCellachán Caisil, a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil in 939 againstDonnchadh Donn, who was then the High King of Ireland from the southern Uí Néill.^[10]

The impact of the Vikings, along with pressure fromClann Cholmáin (i.e. the Uí Néill, who dominated the High Kingship of Ireland at the time) led to instability within the Munster Kingship and even permanently brokeOsraige from its overkingship. The ascent of elements outside of the main royal families occurred, for instance; St.Cormac mac Cuilennáin from a very much junior branch of the Eóganacht Chaisil became King of Munster during the early 10th century. Cormac and his right-hand manFlaithbertach mac Inmainén were able to inflict defeats on High KingFlann Sinna after the latter had ravaged Munster in 906. As well as his martial prowess and religious piety, Cormac was known for his literacy, as his name appears on theSanas Cormaic, anIrish language glossary. Cormac finally met his end at theBattle of Bellaghmoon, where his army was greatly outnumbered. After his severed head was brought to his great rival Flann Sinna, the High King is supposed to have said "It was an evil deed, to cut off the holy bishop's head; I shall honour it, and not crush it." Cormac was succeeded by Flaithbertach who was notably absent from the Battle. He was the only ever King of Munster from theMúscraige later known as theÓ Donnagáin.

The power of the Eóganachta was challenged in the 10th century by theDál gCais of Thomond (ancestors of theÓ Briain). They were assisted in this initially by the Uí Néill^{[citation needed]} who wanted to weaken the Eóganachta. The most successful member of the Dál gCais wasBrian Bóruma, who established himself not only as King of Munster, but also High King of Ireland and is remembered for his feats at theBattle of Clontarf against the Vikings. After the death of Brian, the Dál gCais dominated the Munster kingship for the duration of the 11th century uninterrupted; from the reign ofDonnchadh Ó Briain until Brian Ó Briain. Two of these kings;Toirdelbach Ó Briain andMuirchertach Ó Briain; were also High Kings of Ireland. During the reign of Muirchertach, his grandfather Brian's feats were portrayed in the literary workCogad Gáedel re Gallaib in a proto-Irish nationalist sense as a Gaelic war of liberation against the Viking invaders and their collaborators.^{[citation needed]}

Towards the end of Muirchertach's reign, he fell ill. His brotherDiarmaid Ó Briain who was powerful in Waterford (and had earlier been banished toDeheubarth in Britain), felt that he would make a better ruler. As well as this strife, all of the kingdoms which had become lesser powers to Munster;Connacht (under theÓ Conchobhair),Aileach (under theMac Lochlainn) and Leinster (under theMac Murchadh); saw this as their opportunity to claw back some power and raise their profile. Their old enemies with whom enmity had remained, the Mac Cárthaigh, under Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh had also reasserted power in the south-west of Munster (which was soon to be known as Desmond). In 1118, the new king of Munster, Brian Ó Briain led a force against Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh at the Battle ofGlanmire. The result was victory for the Mac Cárthaigh and the death of Brian Ó Briain.^{[citation needed]}

Upon hearing the news, the old king, Murichertach Ó Briain returned to claim Munster. However, the High King of Ireland,Toirdelbach Ó Conchobhair as part of a self-interested move to weaken Munster, agreed in the Treaty of Glanmire in 1118 with Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh to divide Munster in two. Thus, Munster was partitioned intoThomond (ruled by the Ó Briain) andDesmond (ruled by the Mac Cárthaigh), putting to an end a kingdom which had existed for over 1,000 years. Until the end of the 12th century, representatives of each side made claims to the Munster kingship but it did not exist in reality. These kingdoms withstood the invasion of theNormans in Ireland with varying success but eventually in the 16th century were brought under the English Crown in Ireland. The last surviving Munster-derived Gaelic realm wasCarbery under theMac Cárthaigh Riabhach, a derivative of Desmond which fell as late as 1606. The name Munster itself was later revived as theProvince of Munster as part of the Tudor-ruledKingdom of Ireland in the 16th century.^{[citation needed]}

• Annals of Inisfallen
• An Leabhar Muimhneach
• Leabhar na Núachongbhála
• Uraicecht Becc
• Knockgraffon

• Kingdom of Mumha, or MunsterArchived 16 May 2022 at theWayback Machine at Aughty
• Chief Irish Families of Munster at Library Ireland
• Munster at Encyclopædia Britannica
• Corcu Loígde DNA Project atFamily Tree DNA
• Tribes & Territories of Mumhan
• Annals of Munster

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