Some Kingdoms mentioned below:

For placenames I have mostly used the Irish form but here is an explanation for those only familiar with the anglicised forms.

Tír Chonaill (Land of Conall. Conall Gulban was a son of Niall Naoighiallach- The High King who ruled from 379-405AD) is anglicised Tyrconnell.

Tír Eoghain (Land of Eoghan. Eoghan was a son of Niall Naoighiallach) is anglicised Tyrone or Tirowen.

Midhe (Middle) This Kingdom was created by Tuathal Teachtmhar and is anglicised Meath. Today this Province is incorporated into Laighin/Leinster.

Mumhain is one of Ireland's four Provinces (formerly 5 Provinces). Mumhain is anglicised Munster. (See Next 2 Entries)

Dál gCais or Tuathmhumhan (Territory of Cormac Cas or North Munster.)

Oillioll Olum divided his Kingdom of Mumhain (Munster) between his two sons Cormac Cas and Eoghan. Tuathmhumhan is anglicised Thomond.

Eoghanacht or Deasmhumhan (Descendants of Eoghan or South Munster)

By the rule of alternate succession the King of Mumhain (Munster) was choosen from the Eoghanacht then Dál gCais. However most of the time it didn't work out like that as Deasmhumhan was invariably the stronger and so excluded Dál gCais from the throne of Mumhain. When Dál gCais became the stronger during the reign of Brian Bórú they did the same. Deasmhumhan is anglicised Desmond.

Muscraidhe (Desendents of Cairbre Musc) was part of Deasmhumhan and is anglicised Muskerry.

Connachta (Descendents of Conn i.e. Conn Céad Cathach) is one of Ireland's four Provinces and is anglicised Connaught.

Breifne was part of Connachta and is anglicised Breffny.

Laighin (Named after a Gaulish Spear) is one of Ireland's four Provinces and is anglicised Leinster.

Osraighe was part of Laighin and is anglicised Ossory.

Dál Riada (Territory of Cairbre Riada) Kingdom in Ulster whose inhabitants established the Irish Kingdom of the same name in Scotland.

Duibhlinn (Blackpool) a Viking Kingdom which eventually became Gaelicised. In English it is Dublin. Modern Dublin in Irish is Baile Átha Cliath, named after the pre-Viking monastic settlement.

(For actual locations See map: Ireland before the Anglo-Norman invasion)

Ard-Rí = High King (Ard-Ríthe = High Kings)

Some notable Kings

Eireamhón + Éibhear (Heremon + Heber) as sons of Milesius (also known as Míleadh also known as Gallamh) they were the first High Kings after they conquered the Tuatha Dé Danann. They divided Ireland between themselves but quarrelled, and at Geashill, Eireamhón was victorious. Eireamhón then "selected Teamhair as his place of residence" and "subdivided the country into four divisions- Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht, and he assigned these provinces to different sub-Kings or Rí, building them painted palaces, for royalty needs external show." Legend has it that Eireamhón married a Jewish woman, Tea Tephi, and that Teamhair (Tara) is named after her.

Ollamh Fodhla held the first Feis Teamhrach "This assembly... signifing a general meeting of nobility, gentry, priests, historians, and men of learning in all arts and professions. They met by Royal summons in almost a Parliamentary manner once every three years at the palace of Tarah to debate upon the most important concerns of State."

Aodh Ruadh, Cimbaoth + Diothorba these three brothers agreed to take turns ruling Ireland "each reign lasting seven years."

Macha was Aodh Ruadh's daughter. When Aodh died she killed Diothorba and forced Cimbaoth to marry her. During their reign the Palace of Eamhain was built. Ard Mhacha (Armagh) is named after her.

Ugaine Mór (Ugaine the Great) was King of Ireland and the whole of the west of Europe as far as the Mediterranean. He married a French Princess and had twenty five children "among whom he divided Ireland into as many parts."

Eochaidh Feidhliach abolished this division creating five provinces - Ulster, Connacht, Leinster and two Munsters.

Tuathal Teachtmhar held the first Feis Teamhrach since the reign of Ollamh Fodhla. At this he "apportioned a slice of the territory from each of the four provinces which he formed as a mensal Kingdom of Meath. It was constituted the Royal Seat of the Kings of Ireland and a standing revenue for the support of the house of Tarah; it was exempt from all taxes, laws and contributions and independent of all the princes and monarchs of Ireland." Also at this Feis "it was laid down that the artificers, tradesmen, handicraftsmen of the kingdom should be brought under regulations, for which end the mechanics of all occupations, smiths, carpenters, musicians, and all other ingenious professions were summoned to attend upon these triennial parliaments and when they came a select committee was appointed to examine into the skill and abilites of every mechanic, and to make choice of sixty of the most eminent in their several professions who had the authority by commission to govern and be supervisors over the rest." He also created the Bórúmha Laighean or Bórú. This was a tax imposed on Leinster and was paid every two years. The King of Leinster Eochaidh Aincheairn had married Tuathal's daughter Dairíne and then said that she had died. Tuathal wishing to keep his alliance sent him another daughter, Fithir, to marry- "The sisters were kept apart at the palace of the King of Leinster, but on an occasion they met and were both so heart-broken at the wrong done on them that they both sickened and died." Enraged by this Tuathal "as tribute for the death of the two Princesses, and in revenge for the base act of Eochaidh, the men of Leinster were obliged to pay to Tuathal and all monarchs after him, three score hundred of the fairest cows, and three score hundred ounces of pure silver, and three score hundred mantles, richly woven, and three score hundred of the fattest hogs, and three score hundred of the largest sheep, and three score hundred caldrons strong and polished." This tax for the next 1000 years "was a never-failing source of mischief which alienated Leinster from the rest of Ireland."

Conn Céad Cathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles) fought and killed Cathaoir Mór to become High King. He also fought against Eoghan Mór (also called Mogh Nuadhat) and they divided Ireland betweem themselves just as Eireamhón and Éibhear had done. And just like Eireamhón and Éibhear the Northerner was eventually victorious. Eoghan Mór "after an interval of a year made war upon the Northern Monarch. Conn had the assistance of the famous Red Branch Knights, and above all of Goll, the Firbolg chief of the militia of Connaught and at the battle of Moylena, Owen (Eoghan) was defeated and slain." It wouldn't be until the Reign of Brian Bórú that Munster would again reach the heights of Eoghan Mór.

Cormac Ulfhada (Mac Airt) (son of Art Aoinfhear) held the last Pagan convention and who was "rather lukewarm in his Paganism and inclined toward Christianity... A famous book- Teasgasg Rí is attributed to him containing wise maxims and sound precepts to preserve manners, morals and mode of government." He also ordered the Druids "to write the Chronicles of Ireland in one book, which was named the "Psalter of Teamhair". These annals were written according to a judicious plan of synchronism devised by himself. The reigns and exploits of the Ard Rí, the records of Rí and chieftains were set down with the incidents regarding contemporaneous sovereigns, the rents and tributes required from provincial rulers; the various classes of dependents were registered; the boundaries of provinces, counties and townlands were accurately defined and entered into the Psalter." Cormac also instituted "codes of law, promoted military discipline and general amelioration." He also established the Fianna, to protect against any Roman invasion. In charge of this force he put his son-in-law, the famous Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The reign of Cormac is also "a period where the facts may be considered facts and not mere fiction".

Cairbre Lifiochair "so called by his being nursed at the side of the River Liffy" (An Life). The Fianna, established by Cormac Mac Airt, had become "restive, insolent and rebellious until finally, after a hard fought struggle, they were overthrown at the battle of Gavra". Cairbre and many of his troops were killed in the battle but the Fianna was totally destroyed.

Colla Uais, the great grandson of Cormac Mac Airt, was High King for only a short period. He was defeated in battle by Muireadhach who then became High King and banished him to Scotland. However Colla Uais' descendents are the Clann Domhnaill (the Mac Donalds) who were Lords of the Isles in Scotland and according to the Mac Donald website: "most of the kings and queens of Scotland and England claim their descent from Colla Uais."

Criomthann III who invaded France, Britain and Scotland during his reign.

Alternating High Kings from Tír Chonaill, Tír Eoghain and Midhe and from the 9th century only Tír Eoghain and Midhe.

(Uí Néill = descendents of Niall i.e. Niall Naoighiallach)

Some notable Kings from this Dynasty were:

Niall Naoighiallach (Niall of the 9 Hostages) who is famous for bringing St Patrick to Ireland as a slave, and for a short time captured Britain and parts of Gaul, with the aid of the Picts, from the decaying Roman Empire. He was "assassinated in 405 in Gaul" by Eochaidh, the deposed King of Laighin, during an expedition. He also gave the name of Scotia Minor to Scotland, Ireland being Scotia Major. He is also known as Niall Mór (Niall the Great).

Daithí who was killed "by a flash of ligthning" on the Alps during a Continental expedition. He was the last pagan King.

Laoghaire II was the first Christian King although he may have lapsed back into paganism before he died. He was converted by St Patrick.

Diarmuid I was the last Ard Rí to sit at Teamhair (Tara) as it was cursed by St Rhodanus when Diarmuid broke the Right of Santuary. After Diarmuid "each Ard Rí dwelt in his own ancestral territory, at Aileach in the north and Dún-na-Sciath (in Midhe)" or in the case of Brian Bórú- Ceann Coradh in Dál gCais.

Aodh II (Mac Ainmhire) (son of Ainmhire) who granted Dál Riada independence from Ireland in 590 at the Convention of Druim Ceat in what is modern day county Derry. Dál Riada subsequently went on to dominate Scotland but it wasn't until 843 that Cionaodh Mac Ailpín unified the Dál Riada and Pictish crowns becoming the first King of Alba (Scotland).

Fionnachta II abolished the Bórú Tribute. However it was revived later by Fearghal and eventually was the undoing of Brian.

Loingseach held the last Feis Teamhrach (Assembly at Tara to make laws etc) in 697.

Maoilsheachlainn I who, as King of Midhe, killed the hated Viking Thorgils (who had conquered much of Ireland at the time.) When he was Ard Rí he "vigorously attacked the invaders and was ably seconded by some of the provincial kings. The Danes were defeated in Westmeath (848), losing 700 in battle; in Tipperary they lost 240; at Balrothery (850), 200; at Rathmullen, near Duleek, 300; they were also defeated at Farragh............ they were much weakened and discouraged by their losses and abandoned several of their conquests."

Aodh Finnliath (Aodh White Hair), who succeeded Maoilsheachlainn I, "inflicted upon them (the Vikings) two serious defeats at Lough Foyle (867) and at Kilmore, near Drogheda (869), besides the battle of Kiladerry in Dublin (866)."

Muircheartach na gCochall Craicneach (Muircheartach of the leather cloaks), son of Niall Glúin Dubh. "His father had fallen in battle with the Danes -the Battle of Kilmashoge- and he seems to have sworn that his father's death would be avenged. With his own forces of Tirowen (Tír Eoghain) he fought the Danes for twenty years, inflicting on them many defeats, and died (943), falling at the battle of Ardee, in which the Danes, under Blacar, were victors."

Conghalach III who defeated the Vikings in 944 at Dublin and who in 948 inflicted heavy loss on the them "Blacar being among the slain". He defeated them again at Muine Breacain but in 956 was killed in battle with the Vikings.

Domhnall Ard Mhacha Ó Néill who had one of the first surnames in Ireland. Ó Néill signifies grandson of Niall. His grandfather was Niall Glúin Dubh (Niall Black Knee).

Maoilsheachlainn II who was the last Ard Rí of the Uí Néill Dynasty and who was also one of it's best. Maoilsheachlainn when "announcing his accession, issued a noble proclaimation "Let all the Irish who are suffering servitude in the land of the stranger return home to their respective houses and enjoy themselves in gladness and in peace" To this end he went about smashing the power of the Vikings- "The very year he became Ard Rí (980) he defeated them at Tara, were Regnall, son of Olaf, King of Dublin was killed......... he followed up his successes at Tara by attacking and capturing the city of Dublin." However in 988 he was forced to recognise Brian (Bórú) as King of Leath Mhogha (Southern half of Ireland). By that stage Brian had become supreme ruler of Munster and Leinster. But Brian did not stop there and when the Ulster Kings refused to support Maoilsheachlainn he was forced to acknowledge Brian as Ard Rí in 1002. When Brian Bórú was killed at Clontarf in 1014 he re-assumed the High Kingship and shortly before his death "he entered a lonely retreat- Cro-Innis........ where he spent his last years in penance and mortification. "

Brian Mac Cinnéide (son of Cinnéide) grew up under the shadow of Viking rule in Dál gCais. His brother Donnchadh had been killed in 948 and his father Cinnéide was also killed by the Vikings when Brian was only ten years old (951). "Often he saw his clansmen go forth to battle in proud array, and come back, their ranks broken and thinned, leaving their best and bravest behind them, struck down by the Danish battle-axes."

Brian's older brother Mathghamhain became King of Tuathmhumhan (North Munster) in 951 and he planned to make peace with the Vikings but Brian convinced him not to and they both began a long campaign against the Vikings and "joined by the friendly tribes of the Eoghanacht and Muskerry (Muscraidhe) they wreaked ample vengeance on the Danes, and finally (964) they entered Cashel (Capital of Munster) in triumph."

However the head of the Munster Vikings, Ivar gathered together a force and aided by Maolmhuadh, King of Mumhain (Munster), attacked Mathghamhain and Brian at Solohead (968) but "the Irish had by that time learned to use the battle-axe as dexterously as the Danes themselves, recent victories had given them courage and the memory of past wrongs nerved their arms in the fight. After a furious contest lasting from sunrise to mid-day, the Danes retreated on all sides, pursued by the victorious Irish , and were slaughtered without mercy." Limerick was now captured and Mathghamhain was made King of Mumhain (When he became King of Tuathmhumhan he should also have become King of Mumhain -rule of alternate succession- but the chiefs of Deasmhumhan refused to recognise him and made their King- Maolmhuadh, King instead). Under Mathghamhain's "vigorous rule the Danes were kept in check."

But Ivar and Maolmhuadh, now back to being just the King of Deasmhumhan (South Munster), plotted together and assassinated Mathghamhain in 976, believing that Dál gCais couldn't last as a power without his leadership but little did they know that by killing Mathghamhain they unleased an even greater leader in Brian (by rule of alternate succession Maolmhuadh now became King of Mumhain and Brian became King of Tuathmhumhan). Brian then set about avenging his brother's murder. In 977 Brian attacked the Vikings at their fortress on Scattery Island and "almost annihilated the Danes, among the slain being Ivar". With Ivar dead he now turned against the King of Mumhain and in 978 at Bealach Leachta utterly defeated and killed Maolmhuadh. Now by rule of succession Brian became King of Mumhain.

By 984 Brian had received the submission of Domhnall Claen the King of Laighin (Leinster). In 990 Brian was defeated in battle by the Ard Rí Maoilsheachlainn II but by 998 at Plein-Pattoigi in Midhe, Maoilsheachlainn was forced to recognise Brian as King of Leath Mhogha (Eoghan's Half or Southern Half of Ireland) while Maoilsheachlainn remained in charge of Leath Chuinn (Conn's Half or Northern Half)- These terms date back to when Ard Rí Conn Céad Cathach and Eoghan Mór divided Ireland between themselves in the second century. Both Brian and Maoilsheachlainn joined forces in 1000AD, and at Gleann Máma in Wiclow defeated a joint Viking-Leinster army, Harold the Danish Crown Prince and 4,000 other Vikings perished and Dublin was captured. Brian now formed alliances with the Danish King of Dublin, Sitric and the Leinster King, Maolmórdha and in 1002 when Maoilsheachlainn II could gather no support from the Ulster Kings, Brian was made Ard Rí, the first from Dál gCais.

Brian Bórú's (Bórú refering to the Bórúmha Laighean- an ancient tribute imposed on Leinster) reign as Ard Rí is described here: "Roads and bridges were constructed, harbours built, new churches erected and ruined ones repaired............ under his vigorous rule justice was administered with impartiality, lawlessness was suppressed, the piracy of the Dane and the foray of the native chief were ended alike; and the legend has survived that a maiden, young, beautiful and richly dressed, and with a gold ring on her wand, might have passed from Tory Island to Glandore. In the churches the priest could offer Mass and the people worship in security, the monks in their convents chanted the psalms of old, the hermit fasted and prayed without his devotions being interrupted by a pagan foe, and in the schools and colleges erected and liberally endowed, the Ollamh (professor) was paid to teach and the children encouraged to learn. Engaged wholly in commerce, the Danes were rapidly enriching the seaport towns and paid regularly their tribute of wine to the Ard Rí; the Bórú tribute was revived- a fatal mistake- and was paid by Leinster (Laighin); the other chiefs paid their various contributions; and at Kincora (Ceann Coradh) Brian dispensed a hospitality not unworthy of a great king."

Brian Bórú is also sometimes called Impire na nGael (Emperor of the Irish).

However by 1013 the King of Laighin (Leinster), Maolmórdha, while delivering part of the Bórú Tribute had been insulted by Brian's son Murchadh and was so angry that he "hurried home to prepare for war." After some fighting between Brian with Maoilsheachlainn against the Leinstermen and Dublin Danes both sides spent the Winter months preparing "for the great struggle which all felt to be near."

Brian Bórú gathered an army of 20,000 men from Mumhain (Munster), Connachta, Midhe, from allies in Alba (Scotland) and about 1,000 Vikings who remained loyal to him. While the Leinstermen and especially the Vikings brought together an army at least of equal size from "Norway and Denmark, from the Orkney and Shetland Isles, from Northumbria and Man, from Skye and Lewis and Cantire and Cornwall, these Northmen came. The two best known of their leaders Brodir of Man and Sigurd, Earl of the Orkneys."

On Good Friday the 23rd of April 1014 at Cluain Tarbh (Clontarf) both armies met. "Each army was in three divisions. The Danish left wing on the Tolka, consisting of the Dublin Danes and a thousand Norwegians in coats of mail, was commanded by Armud and Carlus, princes of Denmark; in the centre Maolmórdha commanded the Leinstermen; while on the right the foreign Danes were under Brodir and Sigurd. Facing the Dublin Danes on the Irish right were the Dalcassians (men from Dál gCais) under Murchadh (Brian's son); in the centre were the Munstermen under Cian and Domhnall, Conaing and Mothla; on the left were the Connaughtmen under Ó hÉidhin and Tadhg Ó Ceallaigh." The battle eventually swung towards the Irish. "It was past six o'clock, the Danish ships were being carried out by the ebbing tide, and the Danes, unable to reach them, retreated by the shore and across the Tolka and across to the Liffey, then spanned by Dubh-gall's bridge. Many perished in the sea, many in crossing the Tolka and the Liffey." Victory was completed when the former Ard Rí, Maoilsheachlainn with fresh troops chased after the retreating Vikings and and utterly slaughtered them in their hundreds. At last their power had been broken but at a high price; most of the Dál gCais leaders were dead, including Brian's sons Murchadh, Conchubhar, Domhnall and Flann, his grandson Toirdealbhach and his nephew Conaing.

Brian Bórú was 73 and spent the battle in his tent and while praying there, he was killed just as the Battle had been won by the Irish.

It is described here: "His (Brian's) bodyguard had gone in pursuit of the flying Danes and Brodir and a few followers hiding in the wood noted the unprotected tent, rushed in, and with a single stroke of his battle-axe clove in the King's skull. "Now" he said "let man tell man that Brodir killed Brian". The Dane was quickly surrounded and taken prisoner, and, according to Norse Saga, his body was cut open and his entrails slowly wound out of him and thus he died."

The losses on both sides had been terrible "A moderate estimate places the loss on the Irish side at 4,000 and on the Danish side at least 7,000. Scarce any of the leaders were left and it was this lose the Irish had most reason to bewail. Alone of all their Kings, Brian had been able to crush the Danes...... after Clontarf native unity and strength were over, and the reign of discord and chaos was about to begin."

The bodies of Brian and Murchadh were taken north; "For twelve days, Offices and Masses were said for the souls of Brian and his son, and at length, in the Cathedral of Armagh, amid all the pomp and splendour of the church's liturgy, the body of the greatest of the Irish kings was laid to rest."

With Brian and Murchadh dead Maoilsheachlainn II once again became High King.

When Maoilsheachlainn II died there was some confusion over who would succeed to the throne so Corcrán Claireach, an anchoret, and Conn Ó Lochlainn, Chief Poet of Ireland, were placed in charge. However the extent of their power is unclear.

(Ó Briain = descendant of Brian i.e. Brian Bórú)

Only two of Brian Bórú's sons survived the battle of Clontarf; Donnchadh and Tadhg. However in 1023 Donnchadh had Tadhg killed and he became King of Mumhain and in 1024 he also became Ard-Rí. Donnchadh's reign is described here: "He enacted salutory laws, sternly repressed robbery, caused the Sabbath to be observed". In his old age he went on a pilgrimage to Rome and died there in 1064.

Under the guardianship of Diarmuid, King of Laighin, Toirdhealbhach Ó Briain, Tadhg's son, became Ard-Rí. When he died in 1086 "he was the foremost in power and influence among the Irish kings, in ability and energy, both in peace and war, not unworthy of the grandson of Brian. Abroad also his fame was great. By Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, who corresponded with him, he is styled the magnificent King of Ireland, and he congradulated the people of Ireland that God had given them such a king."

Muircheartach Mór Ó Briain (Muircheartach the Great) was the next Ard Rí but Domhnall Ó Lochlainn, King of Tír Eoghain, was descended from Niall Naoighiallach and regarded Muircheartach and his family as usurpers and set about regaining what he believed was his. From 1088 to 1118 a struggle between the Ó Briain and Ó Lochlainn clans for the High Kingship of Ireland ensued. However Muircheartach was not easily subdued "he was equally ambitious and equally powerful as Domhnall, and between the two chiefs- both men of the highest capacity- a life long struggle, fierce, bitter, and persistent, and which, at the close of their lives, was undecided still."

In 1088 Domhnall Ó Lochlainn with the aid of Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair of Connachta marched south and took Muircheartach Mór Ó Briain by surprise. They destroyed Ceann Coradh and "captured many of the Munster chiefs". Ó Briain was determined to retaliate and in 1089 sailed up the Shannon but Ó Conchubhair blocked his boats and Ó Maoilsheachlainn "attacked him from Meath." "Chastened by defeat" Muircheartach Mór Ó Briain consented to meet with Domhnall Ó Lochlainn and at this meeting Ó Conchubhair, Ó Maoilsheachlainn, and Muircheartach Mór agreed to recognise Domhnall as Ard-Rí.

But the submission of Muircheartach was "hollow and insincere". In 1094 he entered Midhe and killed Ó Maoilsheachlainn. Enraged by this, the Ard-Rí Domhnall Ó Lochlainn took up arms but the Archbishop of Armagh prevented a battle and "three times subsequently, when North and South were face to face, he (the Archbishop) again made peace." However by 1101 Muircheartach with the support of Laighin, Midhe and Connachta marched North. Domhnall unable to cope, retreated before him and so Muircheartach Mór Ó Briain captured and destroyed the palace of Aileach and received the submission of the Ulster chiefs "at last it seemed as if he could truthfully declare he was Ard-Rí and had reached the position once occupied by Brian Bórú". However Domhnall remainded unconquered and he even defeated Muircheartach heavily at Armagh in 1103. When Muircheartach abdicated to spend his last years in the monastery at Lios Mór he left his brother Diarmuid to rule.

However Diarmuid died in 1118 and Domhnall Ó Lochlainn regained the High Kingship. Domhnall is decribed by the Annals of Ulster "the most distingushed of the Irish for personal form, family, sense, prowess, prosperity and happiness, for bestowing of jewels and food upon the mighty and the needy."

When Domhnall died in 1121 there was no one to fill the throne as "no prince of the Tirowen or Dalcassian race was strong enough to establish a supremacy over the whole island, nor indeed over his own province."

(Ó Conchubhair = descendent of Conchubhar. Conchubhar was King of Connachta d971.)

In 1106 Toirdhealbhach Mór Ó Conchubhair was made King of Connachta when his was only 18 years old after the Ard-Rí Muircheartach Ó Briain deposed his brother Domhnall and put him on the throne. However Toirdhealbhach "was not disposed to play the role of vassal but of master". By 1115 he had subdued all resistance to his rule in Connachta but this did not satisfy his ambitions and when Muircheartach Mór Ó Briain retired to the monastery at Lios Mór "the time was opportune for his designs".

With his allies Murchadh Ó Maoilsheachlainn of Midhe and Ó Ruairc of Breifne he entered Mumhain and revived the old rule of alternate succesion which had disappeared after the reign of Brian Bórú. He gave Deasmhumhan to Mac Cárthaigh and Tuathmhumhan to Conchubhar Ó Briain. He also destroyed the Ó Briain Palace, Ceann Coradh. "Before the year expired he had got submission from Leinster and Ossory and the Dublin Danes, and had reached a position of authority and influence never reached by a Connaught King". However Toirdhealbhach Mór had a disagreement with his ally Ó Maoilsheachlainn and entered his territory but the Ard Rí Domhnall Ó Lochlainn came to Ó Maoilsheachlainn's aid and forced Toirdhealbhach to leave Midhe in peace. In 1120 Toirdhealbhach Mór held the Fair of Tailteann "in the manner of the ancient Ard-Rí........thus indicating his title to the monarchy of all Ireland".

In 1121 the Ard-Rí, Domhnall died and for several years no King was strong enough to become High King. It was not until 1127 that Toirdhealbhach Mór Ó Conchubhair defeated his rival Conchubhar Ó Briain, King of Tuathmhumhan. However Toirdhealbhach Ó Briain, Conchubhar Ó Briain's successor, remained a problem until 1152 when he too was defeated by the High King and deposed in favour of Tadhg Ó Briain.

The defeated Toirdhealbhach Ó Briain then journeyed north to Tír Eoghain and got the support of Aodh Ó Lochlainn who became Ard-Rí when he defeated Toirdhealbhach Mór Ó Conchubhair in Midhe. Toirdealbhach Ó Briain was restored to the Tuathmhumhan throne. However Aodh was Ard-Rí only for one year.

In 1154 Toirdhealbhach Mór defeated Aodh at Inis Eoghain (Inishowen) and had finally re-united the country under one King. However in 1156 Toirdhealbhach Mór died and was buried beneath the High Altar of St. Ciarán at Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis).

Toirdhealbhach Mór Ó Conchubhair's entire reign is described here: "He sternly punished injustice..... he was liberal to the monasteries, especially to Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis); he set up a mint and coined money; he built bridges over the Shannon; the Abbey of Cong, the picturesque ruins of which still stand on the Corrib, was built and endowed by him, and the stone cross of Tuam and the processional cross of Cong show that he encouraged Irish art. No King since Brian Bórú had such influence or power. Sometimes he has been called Turlogh the Great (Toirdhealbhach Mór) and if we remember the age in which he lived and compare him with his contemporaries, we may allow that he has some title to the name."

With Toirdhealbhach Mór dead Aodh Ó Lochlainn received the submission of all the chiefs and was Ard-Rí once again- "unity of government at last appeared but he soon showed that he was unworthy of his position and by an act of treachery and cruelty he lost both his throne and his life." He was the last Ard-Rí descended from Niall Naoighiallach. The power of the Ó Lochlainn's in Tír Eoghain also began to wain and they subsequently became eclipsed by the Clann Uí Néill (the O'Neills). Sometime during the 1200's they changed their name to Mac Lochlainn.

With Aodh Ó Lochlainn dead Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair, Toirdhealbhach Mór's son, was made Ard-Rí in 1166.

Disgusted by the actions of Aodh Ó Lochlainn "the native chiefs no longer looked to Tirowen for a leader and with singular unanimity, they agreed to give to Roderick O'Connor (Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair) the hostages which he sought. Tirconnell, Brefny, Meath and the Dublin Danes submitted to him and at Dublin (Duibhlinn), whither he had marched, Roderick (Ruaidhrí) was inaugurated King, "as honourably as any King of the Gael was ever inaugurated." Ossory, and Leinster and all Munster at once recognised him".

During his rule "he convoked at Athboy (1167) a great council of princes and ecclesiastics, where many useful regulations for the government of the entire country were made." He also celebrated the last Fair of Tailteann in 1168 at which 13,000 horsemen attended (The Tailteann Games were the Irish equivalent of the Greek Olympic Games).

However Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair was a bad choice as Ard-Rí and when the deposed King of Laighin (Leinster), Diarmuid Mac Murchadha / Diarmuid na nGall (Dermot Mac Murrough), sought Anglo-Norman aid to regain his kingdom from Murchadh na nGael, Ruaidhrí proved himself to be an "imbecile and a coward."

1169 Anglo-Norman invasion

In 1170 Diarmuid Mac Murchadha's daughter Aoife married Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow, in the captured Danish city of Waterford where all the inhabitants had been slaughtered; "The nuptials were celebrated amid unusual surroundings. The streets ran red with the blood of it's citizens, all around were scenes of death and slaughter." That same year Diarmuid died leaving his son-in-law, Strongbow in command although he never assumed the title of King of Laighin (Leinster) and in any way "hardly any of the Leinster chiefs would recognize Strongbow as his successor".

Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair now moved against Strongbow and the other Anglo-Normans who where in Dublin. With the aid of Godred, King of Man, who with his ships blockaded the city, Ruaidhrí commanding an army of 30,000 men laid siege to Dublin. After two months, with no aid from England, Strongbow's provisions were running out and so he sent the Archbishop of Dublin to negotiate terms. Strongbow offered "to become Roderick's (Ruaidhrí's) vassal and to hold Leinster from him as from his superior lord and king." However Ruaidhrí "scouted such terms, told Strongbow that he should quit Leinster, surrender the towns of Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford, and by a certain day........ all the English should leave Ireland and go back to their own country".

E.A. D'Alton laments "it has often been the melancholy fate of Ireland to have a leader without the capacity to lead, and never had she one so unfit for his position as Roderick O'Connor (Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair). He had inherited the name but not the courage of his ancestors. Vain, frivolous, weak-minded, unable to form a descision or to carry it out when formed, he spent his time round Dublin reviewing his troops, indulging in childish display; and with such little conception of a commanders duties had he that he had placed no sentinels on guard to warn the army of a possible attack."

Strongbow and the Anglo-Normans had two choices "to abandon everything their swords had won, or to sally forth from the city and attack their assailants. To delay was to starve, for their provisions were failing fast. It seemed madness for so small a force to attack so large an army....... Leaving behind them their Irish allies, whom they distrusted, and also a small garrison for the city, they formed their whole army into three divisions, two hundred in each........The whole army thus formed and fell upon the Irish camp at Finglas (Fionnghlas). The surprise was great and the victory complete. The Irish fled almost without striking a blow; numbers were slain, and Roderick (Ruaidhrí) who was bathing at the time, narrowly escaped with his life, nor would his soldiers have had any reason for regret if he had been pierced by some English lance."

In 1175 fearing for his own Kingdom of Connachta, Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair signed the Treaty of Windsor with the King of England, Henry II. Under the terms of this Treaty Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair ceased to be Ard-Rí and so, ingloriously, the Milesian Royal Dynasty was at an end. However it wasn't long before this Treaty was broken- in 1177 Milo De Cogan invaded Connachta (but his army was almost completely destroyed) and shortly afterwards Henry II granted Connachta to De Burgo.

In 1183 Ruaidhrí was forced to retire, by his son Conchubhar, to the Monastery at Cong. However in 1185 he left the monastery wishing to return to the throne but his son exiled him. Ruaidhrí returned, when his son was murdered, to once again claim the throne but he could gather no support and so he again retired to the monastery at Cong and stayed there until his death in 1198.

When Cathal Crobh Dearg (Cathal of the Wine Red Hand), Ruaidhrí's younger brother, became King of Connachta in 1201 (succeeding Cathal Carrach Ó Conchubhair) he was able to keep the English at bay and E.A. D'Alton says- "His death occurred in 1224. It may be truthfully declared that he was one of the ablest of the O'Connor princes, and in contrasting him with his brother Roderick (Ruaidhrí) the regret must always be felt that it was not the younger brother who was Ard-Rí during those critical times when the Anglo-Normans first came."

In 1315 Edward Bruce (Scottish = Eideard de Brus), brother of Robert the King of Scotland (Scottish = Roibeirt de Brus), was invited to Ireland by the King of Ulster Domhnall Ó Néill in the hope that he would drive the English invaders out of Ireland as his brother had done in Scotland. In 1316 he was crowned King of Ireland under the title of Éadbhard I or Edward I.

"He set up his Headquarters at Dundalk (Dún Dealgan) and there on the 1st of May 1316, in the presence of the Scotch and Irish, he was crowned King of Ireland".

After early successes at Connor, Cells and Arscoll (near Athy in county Kildare) de Brus failed to capture Dublin or Limerick and was forced back north where he was killed at the Battle of Faughart in 1318 never having ruled the entire country.

"While the battle raged , a powerful English knight, Sir John de Maupas, rushed into the Scottish ranks, sought out Edward Bruce with whom he engaged in single combat, and both fell mortally wounded."

"Governments in Ireland" by William Field