Domnall Gerrlámhach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Domnall Gerrlámhach
King of Dublin
Domnall's name as it appears on folio 48r of Oxford Bodleian Library Rawlinson B 489 (the Annals of Ulster).
Died	1135 Lismore
House	Uí Briain
Father	Muirchertach Ua Briain
Mother	Derb Forgaill ingen Uí Laidcnén

Domnall Gerrlámhach (died 1135) was an important figure in Irish history during the 1100s. He was also known as Domnall Ua Briain or Domnall mac Muirchertaig. Domnall was a member of the powerful Uí Briain family and served as the King of Dublin.

He was one of two sons of Muirchertach Ua Briain, who was the High King of Ireland (the most powerful ruler). Domnall's father likely made him King of Dublin. This suggests Domnall was meant to take over from his father one day.

In 1115, Domnall won a great battle defending Dublin against an attack from the Kingdom of Leinster. However, he didn't achieve as much success as his father. After being forced out of Dublin by Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, the King of Connacht, Domnall isn't mentioned much until his death in 1135. He might have had two sons.

Who Was Domnall Gerrlámhach?

Domnall was one of two known sons of Muirchertach Ua Briain, the High King of Ireland. His brother was named Mathgamain. Domnall belonged to the Uí Briain family. This family was a branch of the Dál Cais and was descended from the famous Brian Boru, who was also a High King of Ireland.

Domnall's mother was Derb Forgaill. She was the daughter of Lethlobar Ua Laidcnén, who was the King of Airgíalla. The old historical book, the Annals of Tigernach, called Domnall "gerrlámhach." This means "short-armed." If taken literally, it might mean he had a physical difference.

Domnall's Family and Dublin's History

Domnall's father, Muirchertach Ua Briain, was one of three sons of Toirdelbach Ua Briain. Toirdelbach became the King of Kingdom of Munster in the 1060s. Less than ten years later, he became the High King of Ireland.

In 1075, Toirdelbach Ua Briain showed his power over Dublin. He made his son, Muirchertach Ua Briain, the King of Dublin. This was similar to what another powerful ruler, Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, had done with his own son, Murchad mac Diarmata, in 1052.

When Toirdelbach Ua Briain died in 1086, his sons fought fiercely for control of Munster. Muirchertach Ua Briain eventually won. By 1091, he seemed to control Dublin again. But then he lost it to Gofraid Crobán, who was the King of the Isles. Gofraid tried to combine Dublin with his own kingdom.

Gofraid's rule in Ireland was short. Muirchertach Ua Briain forced him out of Dublin in 1094. After Gofraid died the next year, Muirchertach Ua Briain made his nephew, Domnall mac Taidc, King of the Isles. But the Uí Briain family's power in the Isles didn't last long. Domnall mac Taidc was forced out.

Then, Magnús Óláfsson, the King of Norway, took control of the Isles. He might have even taken Dublin before he died in battle in 1103. Later, in 1111, Domnall mac Taidc briefly became King of the Isles again. The reasons he left the Isles are unclear. He might have been forced out or returned to Ireland because Muirchertach Ua Briain was becoming very ill.

Domnall's Time as King of Dublin

In 1114, Muirchertach Ua Briain became very sick, and his power started to weaken. His half-brother, Diarmait Ua Briain, temporarily took control of the kingship of Munster. There is a record of a gift to Christ Church Cathedral. In this record, Domnall is called "King of Ireland." This suggests he tried to claim the kingship himself.

An old book called Mac Carthaigh's Book says that Domnall's father made him King of Dublin in 1114. Muirchertach Ua Briain's problems lessened when Domnall mac Taidc died in 1115. However, that same year, the two kings of Leinster—Donnchad mac Murchada and Conchobar Ua Conchobair Failge—tried to take over Dublin. They launched a big attack on the town.

Domnall's father and grandfather had kept Leinster from controlling Dublin for 40 years. Conchobar was a strong opponent of Domnall's father. Donnchad also had ties to the kingship of Dublin. He was married to Domnall mac Taidc's sister. Plus, his own father and grandfather had been kings of Dublin.

The Battle for Dublin in 1115

The people of Dublin preferred being ruled by Munster, even if it was far away, rather than by nearby Leinster. So, they decided to fight against the Leinster forces. The battle was recorded in old books like the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Inisfallen. These records show that Domnall himself led the forces from Munster to victory.

Considering how weak Munster was at the time, Domnall's win in Dublin was a great achievement. Sadly for Donnchad, he died in the battle. According to a writer named Giraldus Cambrensis, the people of Dublin showed their disrespect by burying Donnchad's body with a dog.

It's not clear exactly when Domnall first became King of Dublin. His father might have made him king when he became High King of Ireland. Or perhaps after Gofraid Crobán was forced out in 1094. Another idea is that Domnall became king just before his victory over Leinster in 1115, or soon after. No matter when it happened, Domnall's kingship shows that his father was the third High King to appoint a chosen successor as King of Dublin.

Losing Control of Dublin

Even though Muirchertach Ua Briain recovered enough to regain power in Munster, Dublin was later lost. It was taken by Donnchad's relative and Leinster's next king, Diarmait mac Énna meic Murchada. He died there in 1117.

Meanwhile, Muirchertach Ua Briain's power continued to fade. The power of Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, the King of Connacht, grew stronger. In 1118, several historical sources say that Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair took control of Dublin. One source even says he drove Domnall from the kingship for good. This means Domnall had regained the kingship after Diarmait mac Énna's death in 1117.

This source also mentions that Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair took important people (called hostages) from the "northern half of Ireland" from Dublin. This might show that Domnall still had some power over northern areas that his father once ruled. However, Domnall could not match his father's many successes.

Domnall's victory in Dublin marked the beginning of the end for Munster's control over Dublin. Before the weak Muirchertach Ua Briain finally died in 1119, he had to give up the kingship of Munster to his half-brother. When his half-brother died in 1118, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair divided Munster. He gave one part to Tadc Mac Carthaig and another to the sons of Diarmait Ua Briain. Domnall himself was not given any part of the kingship.

Domnall's Death

After losing Dublin, Domnall is not mentioned in records until his death. He died as an old man in Lismore in 1135. This date is given by the Annals of the Four Masters.

The record of his death describes him as a former lord of Leinster. This could mean he tried to take control of Leinster at some point in his life. The Annals of Tigernach also seem to record Domnall's death. However, that entry calls him a grandson of Muirchertach Ua Briain.

Much later, in 1157, Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn, a powerful king, invaded Munster. He forced Diarmait Mac Carthaig to surrender. He also drove out Toirdelbach mac Diarmata Uí Briain (who was the son of Domnall's uncle, Diarmait Ua Briain). Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn replaced him with another Uí Briain family member, Conchobar mac Domnaill Uí Briain. Conchobar was likely the brother of Lughaid mac Domnaill Uí Briain, who died in the battle of Móin Mhór in 1151. Both Conchobar and Lughaid could have been Domnall's sons.

Images for kids

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  Excerpt from folio 34r of Oxford Bodleian Library Rawlinson B 503 (the Annals of Inisfallen) concerning Domnall's participation in the defence of Dublin in 1115. Domnall's name appears in the top two lines of script.

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  Excerpt from folio 486v of Dublin Royal Irish Academy C iii 3 (the Annals of the Four Masters), a seventeenth-century manuscript documenting Domnall's death in 1135. The annal-entry literally calls Domanall a lord of "the foreigners" and of Leinster.