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Thomond

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This article is about the Gaelic kingdom. For other uses, seeThomond (disambiguation).

Thomond
Tuamhain
1118–1543
of Thomond
Coat of arms
Thomond before the Norman invasion of Ireland
Thomond before theNorman invasion of Ireland
CapitalClonroad
Common languagesMiddle Irish,Early Modern Irish,Latin
Religion
Catholic Christianity
GovernmentTanistry
Rí
• 1118–1142
Conchobhar Ó Briain
• 1539–1543
Murchadh Carrach Ó Briain
History
• Established
1118
• Disestablished
1543
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Kingdom of Munster
Kingdom of Ireland
Today part ofIreland
[1]

Thomond(Classical Irish:Tuadhmhumhain;Modern Irish:Tuamhain), also known as thekingdom of Limerick,[2]was a kingdom ofGaelic Ireland,associated geographically with present-dayCounty ClareandCounty Limerick,as well as parts ofCounty TipperaryaroundNenaghand its hinterland. The kingdom represented the core homeland of theDál gCaispeople, although there were otherGaelsin the area such as theÉileandEóganachta,and even theNorse of Limerick.It existed from the collapse of theKingdom of Munsterin the 12th century as competition between theÓ Briainand theMac Cárthaighled to the schism between Thomond ( "North Munster" ) andDesmond( "South Munster" ). It continued to exist outside of the Anglo-Norman-controlledLordship of Irelanduntil the 16th century.

The exact origin of Thomond, originally as an internal part of Munster, is debated. It is generally held that theDéisi Mumanpushed north-west starting from the 5th to the early 8th century, taking the area from theUí Fiachrach Aidhneof theConnachta.Eventually, the Dál gCais rose to power in all of Munster, to the detriment of theEóganachta.The person most famously associated with this isBrian Boru,High King of Ireland,best known for his feats at theBattle 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. Thede Clarefamily established a colony atBunratty,while theButlerandFitzGeraldfamilies also made inroads. However, from the time of theBattle of Dysert O'Dea,Thomond was restored as a kingdom, with its rulers reinstating Limerick within their overrule. Not until the 1540s did the rulingO'Brien dynastycome under English rule.

Geography[edit]

County Clarewas sometimes known as County Thomond in the period immediately after its creation from the District of Thomond.[3]In 1841, an estimation of the extent of the kingdom was undertaken by John O'Donovan and Eugene Curry[4]

"The principality of Thomond, generally called the Country of the Dal-Cais, comprised the entire of the present Co. of Clare, the Parishes ofIniscaltraandClonrushin 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. "[5]

History[edit]

Creation from Munster[edit]

The entire Province of Munster was under the control of the O'Brien (Ua Briain) clan under the leadership ofToirrdelbach Ua Briainand his sonMuirchertachfrom 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 kingMagnus Barelegand the Anglo-Norman baronArnulf de Montgomery,who were both united to the clan through marriage in 1102.[6]

Their claim to the High Kingship was countered by the O'Neill (Uí Néill) clan in Ulster under the leadership ofDomnall MacLochlainnof 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 brotherDiarmait.Muirchertach did briefly regain power, but after his death in 1119 his brother's sons took control of the clan.[6]

MacLochlainn's plans to restore the High Kingship to the north was thwarted by his allyTairrdelbach Ua ConchobairofConnachtwho 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 theMac CarthaighKingdom of Desmond(Deas Mhumhain"South Munster" ).[6]

Normans and civil wars[edit]

From the 12th to the 14th centuries, theNormaninvasion 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 having varied political alliances with different Norman families; this created a fractured political sphere in Thomond. At the time of theNorman invasion of Irelandin 1169,Domhnall Mór Ó Briainwas king of Thomond. Domhnall was a man ofrealpolitik;his main concern was upholding his position in Thomond and was not against collaborating withStrongbowand others against rival Gaelic kingdoms such asOssory,DesmondandConnacht.[7]Domhnall even acknowledgedHenry IIasLord of IrelandatCashelin 1171, but a mere two years later whenPlantagenettried to grant Thomond toPhilip de Braosethis situation was overturned. The Dál gCais defeated a Norman army at theBattle of Thurlesin 1174, where over 1,700 Normans were killed. The following year whenRaymond le Groscaptured Limerick through a naval invasion, Domhnall re-took it and burned it rather than have it in foreign hands.[nb 1]The twenty years after that were more secure for the Gaels of Thomond.[citation needed]

Corcomroe Abbeyis the final resting place ofConor na Siudane Ua Briain,who has a stone effigy there.

After the death of Domhnall Mór a period of destructive feuding among his offspring caused a great territorial decline in Thomond. The brothersMuircheartach Finn Ó BriainandConchobhar Ruadh Ó Briainfought 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 beingrighdamhna.Donnchadh Cairprech Ó Briainhad to deal with dissent from the Mac Con Mara andÓ Coinnagainst his rule, so brought in theLaigin'sMac Gormáinas his standard bearers. Donnchadh also enlisted the support of thede Burghand other Normans in this fight, which came at a costly price; Limerick and lands surrounding it in what would later becomeCounty LimerickandCounty Tipperary.[nb 2]Under pressure from the Butlers, Thomond was now not too different from what would becomeCounty Clare,protected by the River Shannon. Donnchadh moved his capital toClonroad.[citation needed]

The Normans' advance continued during the reign ofConchobhar na Suidaine Ó Briain,asHenry III"granted" lands toRobert de MuscregosandJohn Fitzgeoffrey.[7]Of the two de Muscregos was most active, constructingClare CastleandBunratty Castlewith 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 sonTadhg Cael Uisce Ó Briaintook up arms and slaughtered many of the Norman settler-colonists in 1257.[7]The following year, the Gaelic chiefs from all over Ireland had resolved to form an anti-Norman pact and met atCael Uisce,nearLough Erneto discuss terms. They planned to resurrect theHigh Kingship of Ireland,with most supportingBrian Ó Néillas the choice. Tadhg was proud and stubborn, declaring his father should be High King; the Dál gCais thus did not take part in theBattle of Druim Dearg,which the Gaels lost, damaging the reputation of Thomond as a consequence.[citation needed]

Donnchadh mac Brian Ó Briain's quest ended when he drowned in theRiver Fergus.

Brian Ruadh Ó Briainkept the pressure up by burning Clare Castle and forcing the de Muscregos' to flee toWales,but he had troubles from his own countrymen. The Mac Con Mara,Ó Deághaidhand Mac Gormáin clans supported his nephewToirdelbach Ó Briain,a son of Tadhg Cael Uisce, for the kingship instead and revolted. Seeing an opportunity,Edward IIoffered Thomond toThomas de Clareif he could take advantage of the Ó Briain feud. The events which followed have passed down to history as theCathreim Thoirdhealbhaigh.After Brian briefly regained Clonroad withde Clare's help, Toirdelbach arrived with support fromGalwayin 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 sonDonnchadh mac Brian Ó Briainand supported him against Toirdelbach. The feud continued until Donnchadh drowned at a party onIslandmagrath,on theRiver Fergus.With Toirdelbach now undisputed king, the Mac Con Mara were able to hound de Clare.[citation needed]

The conflict between the two lines continued into the next generation betweenDonnchadh mac Toirdelbach Ó Briain(backed byWilliam Liath de Burgh) andDiarmuid Cléirech Ó Briain(backed byRichard de Clare). There was military success at Bunratty in 1311 for Diarmuid and his cousin Donnchadh was killed atCorcomroe.Following this, Clann Tadhg's leader wasMuircheartach mac Toirdelbach Ó Briainand after Diarmuid's "sudden" death, Clann Briain Ruadh's leader becameDonnchadh mac Domhnall Ó Briain.TheBruce Wars in Irelandadded an unpredictable element and saw some surprisingad hocalliances come into play. Donnchadh elected to supportEdward the Bruce,which made his patron de Clare an enemy. Muircheartach who now reigned supreme in Thomond, was nominally on the side of theLordship of Irelanddue to his connection to de Burgh. The cousins fought at theSecond Battle of Athenry.Muircheartach's brotherDiarmuid mac Toirdelbach Ó Briainmanaged to destroy Donnchadh and most of Clann Briain Ruadh's supporters at theBattle of Corcomroein 1317. The end of the de Clares and Norman territorial claims in Thomond came the following year at theBattle 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.[8][9][10]

Unity and resurgence[edit]

The last successful attempt by a Norman to playdivide and conquerwithin the Thomond kingship was the case ofMaurice 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 sponsoredBrian Bán Ó Briainin 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 byThomas de Rokebyfrom 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, theBlack Deathof 1349–1350 (which disproportionally hit Norman controlled towns) and besides that English forces were more invested with theHundred Years' Warin France and their own internal conflict theWars of the Rosesto 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 ofthe Pale.[citation needed]

Sioda Cam Mac Con Marawho was made warden of Limerick in 1369, also rebuiltQuin Abbeyin the 1350s.

Brian Bán was the last of Clann Briain Ruadh to hold the kingship and from 1350 onwards, Clann Tadhg held sway.Mathghamhain Maonmhaighe Ó Briaincame to power before the death of his uncle Diarmuid and he was named as such because he spent time as a foster child inMáenmaige.His succession was disputed by his uncle and brother;Toirdelbhach Maol Ó BriainandBrian Sreamhach Ó Briain.Of the two Brian Sreamhach gained the upper hand and when his uncle tried to enlist the help of theEarl of Desmondto wrestle back the realm, Brian thoroughly routed them atCroomin 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 whenRichard IIwas atWaterfordin 1399, he paid nominal homage and was well received. Thomond was now in such a position thatConchobhar mac Mathghamhna Ó Briain's twenty six-year reign was marked as a time of peace and plenty.[citation needed]

The years 1426–1459 were marked by a succession of three sons of Brian Sreamhach reigning;Tadhg an Glemore Ó Briain,Mathghamhain Dall Ó BriainandToirdelbhach 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 sonTadhg an Chomhaid Ó Briain.FromInchiquin,Tadhg took advantage of the Wars of the Roses, forming an alliance with theÓ Néillin 1464. He managed to ride south through Desmond (the rest of the old Munster) and enforce thecíos dubhon the Anglo-Normans. This was a kind of Gaelicpizzowhich 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 Fhirbhisighhints 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 sinceBrian Bórumahimself.[citation needed]

Thomond was wealthy in the 15th century;Domhnall Mac Gormáin(died 1484) was described as the richest man in Ireland in terms of live stock. During the reign ofConchobhar na Srona Ó Briain,Thomond maintained alliances with theMac William UachtarofClanricardeand the Butlers. In the latter case, they were opposing the Kildare FitzGeralds, earning the ire ofGerald FitzGerald,Earl of Kildare who had earned the favour of the new Tudor kingHenry VIIas Lord Deputy of Ireland. Despite Kildare's fearsome reputation, Conchobhar met him in battle at Ballyhickey, nearQuin,in 1496 and was successful in turning him back.Toirdelbhach Donn Ó Briainas part of his pact withUlick Fionn Burketook part in theBattle of Knockdoein 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 theUi Maine.Ó Briain later defeated Kildare at Moin na Brathair, near Limerick. Thomond intended to support the Ó Néill against theÓ Domhnaillin 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 theEarl of Ormondat Camus, near Cashel; he died "by the shot of a ball."[citation needed]

Downfall of the realm[edit]

The downfall of Thomond was set off by the rebellion ofSilken Thomas.

The downfall of Thomond occurred in the 16th century. The series of events leading up to it, were set into process by the rebellion ofFitzGerald familymember, the Earl of Kildare,Silken Thomas.In 1534, a rumour had spread that his father, theLord Deputy of Ireland,had been executed inEnglandon the orders of kingHenry VIIIand that the same fate was planned for him and his uncles. Under this impression, Thomas threw off his offices in theKingdom of Irelandand rose up in rebellion. He took refuge with theÓ CearbhaillofÉileand then withConchobhar mac Toirdhealbaig Ó Briainat Clonroad,Ennis.In hot pursuit, at the head of an army, was LordLeonard Grey,who destroyed theKillaloe Bridge,which had the result of isolating Thomond from the rest of Ireland and also attacked the Dál gCais east of the River Shannon.[citation needed]

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 sonDonnchadh Ó Briainwho had cemented an alliance with theButler familyby marrying the daughter of theEarl of Ormond.According to Butler, Donnchadh pledged to help them conquer Thomond, aid English colonisation, adopt English laws and help them take overCarrigogunnellCastle. 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 ofO'Brien's Bridge,Thomond was in a lot of trouble. Conchobhar, along with loyal supporters such as theMac Con Mara,continued to fight on and managed to conclude a truce with Grey in 1537.[citation needed]

Conchobhar was succeeded on his death by his brotherMurchadh Carrach Ó Briain,a man who initially attempted to assistConn Bacach Ó Néillin the defence ofTír Eoghainbut had come to see the futility of his opposition and agreed tosurrender and regrantto the Tudor state. TheParliament of the Kingdom of Irelandwas called toLimerickin 1542 by Lord DeputyAnthony St. Legerregarding the terms of submission of Murchadh Carrach Ó Briain and Sioda Mac Con Mara. Becoming members of thePeerage of Irelandand converting to theAnglican Church,Murchadh was madeEarl of Thomondand Donnchadh alsoBaron Ibrackan.Dissent took place in the form of Donchadh's brotherDomhnall Ó Briain(and his allyTadhg 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 theEarl of Sussexbut was not able to decisively defeat his uncle, indeed Domhnall scored a victory at theBattle of Spancel Hillin 1559. The discord dragged on and Thomond was under themartial lawofWilliam Druryas late as 1577. The issues pertaining to tax and land were finalised at theComposition of Thomondin 1585.[citation needed]

Diocese of Killaloe[edit]

Main articles:Roman Catholic Diocese of KillaloeandCatholic Church in Ireland
Ennis Friary,under theFranciscans,was founded in 1242 and was greatly favoured by the kings of Thomond.

The religion which predominated at an official level in Thomond wasCatholic Christianity.The territory of Thomond was associated with theDiocese of Killaloeunder theBishop of Killaloe,the diocese having been formed in 1111 at theSynod of Ráth Breasail,seven years before Thomond broke fully from theKingdom of Munster.Dál gCais influence over theBishop of Limerickdiffered from time to time, with Norman influence also being part of the picture. At theSynod of Kellsin 1152, three more sees in Thomond were created in the form of theDiocese of Kilfenora,theDiocese of Roscreaand theDiocese of Scattery Island.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.[citation needed]

Some of the Bishops of Killaloe attendedEcumenical Councilsof the Catholic Church inRome;this includes Constantín Ó Briain who participated in theThird Lateran Counciland Conchobhar Ó hÉanna who was at theFourth Lateran Council.Religious orders were present in Thomond and had establishments founded by them under the patronage of Kings of Thomond. This includes; theCanons Regularof theAugustiniansatCanon Island Abbey,Clare Abbey,Inchicronan Priory,Killone AbbeyandLimerick Priory,theCisterciansatHoly Cross Abbey,Corcomroe Abbey,Kilcooly AbbeyandMonasteranenagh Abbey,theFranciscansatEnnis Friary,Galbally FriaryandQuin Abbey(the latter of which became a formidable college)[11]and theDominicansat Limerick Blackfriars. There were also many monasteries which predated Thomond such asInis CealtraMonastery,Scattery IslandMonastery andDysert O'Dea Monastery.BothSt. Flannan's CathedralinKillaloeandSt. Mary's Cathedralin Limerick can be traced to Domhnall Mór Ó Briain.[citation needed]

Monarchs[edit]

Main article:List of monarchs of Thomond

Annalistic references[edit]

SeeAnnals 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 theSinann,and they abandoned their vessels and were drowned.
  • AI1018.2 Ciarmacán Ua Maíl Chaisil, bishop of Tuadmutnu, rested in Christ.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^The psychological effect that this gesture had on the Normans is evident from when Philip de Braose,Robert FitzStephenandMiles de Coganrode 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.
  2. ^The Normans also attempted to takeover the key religious post ofBishop of Killaloe.Geoffrey de Mariscopromoted his nephew Robert Travers into the post in 1215, with support of the English monarchy. The Gaels disputed his election toPope Honorius IIIand in this case Rome took their side, deposing Travers in 1221 in favour of Domhnall Ó hÉanna.


References[edit]

  1. ^"O'Brien (No. 1.) King of Thomond".LibraryIreland.com.Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  2. ^Duffy, Sean.Medieval Ireland An Encyclopedia.p. 58.
  3. ^Luminarium Encyclopedia: Biography of Sir Henry Sidney (1529–1586).
  4. ^John O'Donovan and Eugene Curry, "Ordnance Survey Letters", Part II. Letters and Extracts relative to Ancient Territories of Thomond, 1841
  5. ^Clare library, retrieved 21 March 2012.
  6. ^abcByrne, F.J. (6 November 2008). Cosgrove, Art (ed.).A New History of Ireland II:The trembling sod: Ireland in 1169.Royal Irish Academy.ISBN9780199539703.
  7. ^abc"The Normans in Thomond".Joe Power. 21 July 2015.
  8. ^"The Battle of Dysert O'Dea and the Gaelic Resurgence in Thomond".Katharine Simms. 21 July 2015.
  9. ^"Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh".
  10. ^"O'Dea Clan History to 1318".www.odeaclan.org.Archived fromthe originalon 20 January 2008.Retrieved12 January2022.
  11. ^"Killaloe".Catholic Encyclopedia. 28 November 2015.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

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