Donnubán mac Cathail facts for kids

Donnubán (died 980), also known as Donovan, was an important ruler in Ireland during the 900s. He was the king of a region called Uí Fidgenti and possibly also of a smaller area called Uí Chairbre Áebda. Donnubán is famous for being the ancestor of the well-known O'Donovan family.

He played a big part in the history of Munster, a province in Ireland. Donnubán is especially known for his alliance with Ivar of Limerick, the last Norse king of Limerick, and with Máel Muad mac Brain, the king of Desmond. They teamed up against the rising power of the Dál gCais, led by Mathgamain mac Cennétig and his famous brother Brian Bóruma. Brian later became the High King of Ireland. The Dál gCais eventually won, which completely changed the political map of Munster and Ireland. Donnubán's help allowed Máel Muad to become the King of Munster from 976 to 978.

Donnubán's Background

Donnubán was a king of the Uí Fidgenti, a powerful group in Munster. He is considered the founder of the O'Donovan family. His family's history and how they became kings have been discussed by historians. Some old writings suggest his family was linked to other important groups in Munster, like the Uí Chairpre.

One important early home for the O'Donovans was near Croom, where they are mentioned in an old story called the Caithréim Chellacháin Chaisil. This story describes events in Munster during Donnubán's time and later.

It is believed that Donnubán's wife was the daughter of Ivar of Limerick, his ally. This marriage would have created a strong bond between their families. Some historians also think Donnubán's mother might have been Norse, which would explain the close ties between his family and the Norse people.

Battle of Sulcoit

It's not certain if Donnubán fought against the Dál gCais at the Battle of Sulcoit. However, an old story, the Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib (CGG), says that both Máel Muad and Donnubán supported Ivar in this battle. But other historical records from that time don't confirm this.

• AI967.2: The foreigners of Limerick were defeated by Mathgamain, son of Cennétig, at Sulchuait. Limerick was then burned by him the next day.

Capture of Mathgamain

The alliance between Ivar, Donnubán, and Máel Muad worried Mathgamain greatly. Máel Muad had been King of Munster before Mathgamain and wanted to get his kingdom back. Mathgamain was also raiding many parts of Munster, which made him unpopular.

For reasons that are not fully clear today, Mathgamain agreed to meet with his enemies at Donnubán's house. Some think Donnubán was chosen because he seemed neutral, or perhaps Mathgamain hoped to break Donnubán away from the alliance. However, the meeting ended badly for Mathgamain.

Historical records describe what happened:

• AI972.3 (976): Mathgamain, son of Cennétig, King of Cashel, was captured. Donnubán treacherously seized him and handed him over to Máel Muad's son. This was a betrayal of a promise of safety, and Mathgamain was killed by Máel Muad's son.
• AT976.2: Mathghamhain, son of Cennédigh, King of Munster, was killed by Maelmuadh, son of Bran, King of the Uí Eachach. He was handed over by Donnabhán, son of Cathal, King of the Uí Fidgente, in a treacherous act.
• CS976: Mathgamain, son of Cendétigh, King of Mumu, was killed by Maelmuad, son of Bran, the King of Uí Echach, after Donndubán, son of Cathal, King of Uí Fidgente, handed him over in an act of betrayal.
• AFM974.9 (976): Mathghamhain, son of Ceinneidigh, the supreme King of all Munster, was treacherously captured by Donnabhan, son of Cathal, lord of Ui-Fidhgeinte. Donnabhan delivered him to Maelmhuaidh, son of Bran, lord of Desmond, who then killed him, going against promises of protection.

Later historians sometimes called Mathgamain the "supreme King of all Munster," but he faced a lot of opposition. His younger brother, Brian Boru, became a very powerful king, which influenced how people remembered Mathgamain.

The CGG story also claims that Ivar's involvement led to Mathgamain's capture, not Máel Muad's. This makes sense because Donnubán was very close to the Limerick Norse.

Final Battles and Death

The exact details of Donnubán's death are a bit unclear, as different historical accounts tell slightly different stories.

According to the CGG, Brian Boru led an attack into Uí Fidgenti against Donnubán and Aralt (Harald), who was the new Norse king of Munster and a son of Ivar. The story says that Donnubán and Aralt were killed in a battle at a place called Cathair Cuan, which was likely one of Donnubán's forts. Many Norse fighters were also killed there.

• Then Donnabhán invited Aralt, the son of Imar, to join him after his father was killed. The foreigners of Mumhain made Aralt king. Brian then went on a raid into Ui Fidhgenti, taking many cattle. They plundered Cathair Cuan and killed its people. They killed Donnabhán, son of Cathal, the king of Ui Fidhgenti, and Aralt, son of Imar, king of the foreigners. They caused a huge slaughter of the foreigners and took many cattle. This happened two years after Mathgamhain was killed.

However, the Annals of the Four Masters, another historical record, mentions a similar battle but does not say Donnubán or Harald died there.

• M976.9 (978): Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, won a battle against the foreigners of Limerick and Donnabhan, son of Cathal, lord of Ui-Fidhgeinte. The foreigners of Limerick were defeated and slaughtered.

The Annals of Inisfallen also mention a raid by Brian into Uí Fhidgeinte around the same time, but they don't mention Donnubán.

• AI977.3: A raid by Brian, son of Cennétig, on Uí Fhidgeinte, where he killed many foreigners.

These accounts suggest Donnubán might have survived the battle with Brian. Some family histories say he was killed later in the "battle of Croma" by Dunchuan mac Cennétig, Brian's brother. These stories also mention a Norse companion named Auliffe (Olaf) who died with Donnubán.

Finally, the Annals of Inisfallen record Donnubán's death in 980, but they don't say how he died.

• AI980.2: Death of Donnubán, king of Ress.

Because Donnubán was still alive in 978, he might have supported Máel Muad in the important Battle of Belach Lechta, but this is not recorded.

Donnubán's Territory

Donnubán was called "king of Ress" when he died, but the exact location of "Ress" is not fully known. Some historians believe it was an old name for Uí Chairpre or one of its parts. Donnubán's son, Uainide, was called king of Uí Chairpre when he died two years later in 982. This suggests that Donnubán's family, the Uí Dhonnabháin, were local kings of Uí Chairpre Íochtarach.

This area was the northeastern part of Uí Fidgenti and was next to Norse Limerick. A large part of the area around Limerick city was likely within Donnubán's kingdom. Across the River Shannon to the north was the territory of Brian Boru's family, the Dál gCais.

Family and Descendants

It is a family tradition that Donnubán married a daughter of his ally, Ivar of Limerick. This connection to the Norse people is seen in the names of some of Donnubán's descendants, who carried Norse names for hundreds of years. For example, Amlaíb Ua Donnubáin was killed in 1201.

Donnubán had at least two known sons:

• Uainide mac Donnubáin, who became king of Uí Chairpre and died in 982.
• Cathal mac Donnubáin, who may also have been a king of Uí Chairpre or Uí Fidgenti. Cathal's son, Amlaíb ua Donnubáin, is an ancestor of the O'Donovan family.

It is also thought that a daughter (or sister) of Donnubán married Ivar of Waterford. Their son, Donndubán mac Ímair, was killed in 996.

In Fiction and Popular History

Donnubán appears in Morgan Llywelyn's popular novel Lion of Ireland (1980), which tells the story of Brian Boru. In the book, Donnubán is mistakenly called king of "Hy Carbery" (Uí Chairpre), which is not a title he is given in historical records.

Because Brian Boru is such a famous figure in Irish history, Donnubán is often shown as his main Irish enemy in many popular stories and accounts.