Énna Mac Murchada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Énna Mac Murchada |
|
|---|---|
| King of Uí Chennselaig, Leinster, and Dublin | |
.jpg){kind=small}
Énna's name as it appears on folio 36r of Oxford Bodleian Library Rawlinson B 503 (the Annals of Inisfallen): "Enna mc. Diarmata".
|
|
| Reign | 1122–1126 |
| Born | Leinster |
| Died | 1126 Wexford |
| House | Meic Murchada (Uí Chennselaig) |
| Father | Donnchad mac Murchada |
Énna Mac Murchada was an important ruler in Ireland during the 1100s. He was also known as Énna mac Donnchada. Énna ruled over areas called Uí Chennselaig, Leinster, and Dublin.
He belonged to the Meic Murchada family. This family was a powerful part of the Uí Chennselaig group. They became very important rulers in Leinster thanks to Énna's great-grandfather. Énna became king after his cousin, Diarmait mac Énna, passed away.
For most of his time as ruler, Énna accepted the leadership of Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, the powerful King of Connacht. Énna even joined a failed rebellion against Toirdelbach in 1124. But they later made peace. When Énna died in 1126, Toirdelbach quickly took advantage of the situation. He gained more control over the region.
Énna's Family and Rise to Power
Énna was the son of Donnchad mac Murchada, who was also a King of Leinster. Donnchad had two other sons. One of them was Diarmait Mac Murchada, who would become a very famous king later on.
Énna's family, the Uí Chennselaig, had been powerful for a long time. In the 1040s, Énna's great-grandfather, Diarmait mac Máel na mBó, became the King of Leinster. He even took control of Dublin and claimed to be the High King of Ireland. For over a hundred years after that, the kings of Leinster often came from this family.
Énna and his close family were part of the Meic Murchada. This was a special branch of the Uí Chennselaig family. It was named after Diarmait mac Máel na mBó's son, Murchad.
In 1117, Énna's cousin, Diarmait mac Énna, was the King of Uí Chennselaig, Leinster, and Dublin. When Diarmait died that same year, Énna took over as king of Uí Chennselaig and Leinster. Unlike some other rulers from his family, Énna didn't face much fighting from other family members when he became king.
Ruling Dublin
.jpg)
In 1118, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, the King of Connacht, took control of Dublin. He removed Domnall Gerrlámhach, who was the King of Dublin at the time. Domnall had likely taken over after Énna's cousin Diarmait died.
Later, Énna became the King of Dublin himself. The Annals of Ulster, a historical record, calls him "King of Leinster and the Foreigners" (meaning Dublin). This was recorded when Énna submitted to Toirdelbach in 1122. It seems Toirdelbach allowed Énna to rule Dublin, but Énna had to follow Toirdelbach's orders.
Even though they generally got along, Énna joined a rebellion against Toirdelbach in 1124. This revolt was led by Cormac Mac Cárthaigh. After the rebellion failed, they made peace again. Toirdelbach traveled to Dublin and officially gave the kingship back to Énna. Énna's rule in Dublin is also shown by a gift he made. He gave land called "Realgeallyn" to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dublin. This church was a very important religious center.
Énna died early in 1126. His death is mentioned in many old records, like the Annals of Inisfallen and the Annals of Ulster. The Book of Leinster says he died in Wexford. His death there suggests that his family, the Meic Murchada, supported this Norse-Gaelic town. It seems Wexford and Dublin were the main places where Leinster's wealth was concentrated.
After Énna's death, Toirdelbach quickly took advantage of the situation. The next year, he made his own son, Conchobar Ua Conchobair, the King of Dublin. Toirdelbach also invaded the main area of the Uí Chennselaig. He removed another Meic Murchada ruler and put Conchobar in charge there too.
