Toirdelbach Ua Briain facts for kids

Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain (born 1009, died 14 July 1086), also known as Turlough O'Brien, was a powerful King of Munster and effectively the High King of Ireland. He was the grandson of the famous Brian Bóruma, who was a very important High King. Toirdhealbhach's father, Tadc mac Briain, was killed in 1023 by his half-brother, Donnchad mac Briain.

For the first 40 years of his life, not much is known about Toirdhealbhach. In the 1050s, he started to find strong friends in other parts of Ireland, like Connacht and Leinster. His most important ally was Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, the powerful King of Leinster. These allies helped Toirdhealbhach claim his right to rule Munster. It took about ten years of constant effort to remove his uncle Donnchad from power. Donnchad was eventually sent away, and Toirdhealbhach became the ruler of Munster, loyal to Diarmait.

After Diarmait died, Toirdhealbhach took control. He became the ruler of more than half of Ireland. He wasn't known as a great warrior, but he was a very smart politician. His influence reached far north to Ulaid, and he even helped choose or remove kings in Connacht. Toirdhealbhach ruled for over 20 years. He died after a long illness, but he was still in charge of things. Both his son, Muirchertach Ua Briain, and his grandson, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, would later become important Irish kings themselves.

Becoming King: Family and Friends

Toirdhealbhach was the son of Tadc mac Briain, who was a son of Brian Bóruma. His mother was Mór. Toirdhealbhach's father was killed in 1023. It is thought that his half-brother, Donnchad mac Briain, ordered the killing. Donnchad then made himself king of Munster. Donnchad ruled Munster for 40 years, but he never became as powerful as Brian Bóruma had been. He wanted to be the High King of Ireland, but historians at the time did not agree.

Fighting His Uncle Donnchad

The old records don't say much about Toirdhealbhach until the 1050s. At that time, he began looking for help from outside Munster to fight his uncle. Donnchad had two main rivals: Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, who became King of Leinster in 1042, and Áed in Gaí Bernaig, King of Connacht from 1046. Diarmait was a very serious threat. He teamed up with Niall mac Eochada, the King of Ulster. In 1052, Diarmait put his son Murchad in charge of Dublin. This forced Donnchad's ally, Echmarcach mac Ragnaill, out of Dublin.

From the early 1050s, Donnchad was constantly attacked by both Áed and Diarmait. Toirdhealbhach first joined Áed in the early 1050s. In 1052, they raided into Tuadmumu. In 1055, they badly defeated Donnchad's son Murchad in Corco Mruad, which is in the northwest of modern County Clare. By 1058, Toirdhealbhach had gained Diarmait's support. He was with Diarmait, the people of Leinster, and the Osraige when they drove Donnchad from Limerick. Donnchad burned Limerick so his enemies couldn't use it. They then defeated him at Sliabh gCrot in the Galtee Mountains.

In 1060, Donnchad tried to divide his enemies by making a deal with Áed. This didn't work. Áed attacked again in 1061, destroying the Dál gCais fortress at Kincora. He also burned their church at Killaloe. To make things worse for Donnchad, Diarmait brought an army, with Toirdhealbhach, to Munster in 1062. Donnchad's son Murchad tried to fight back but failed. Even when Diarmait went back to Leinster, Toirdhealbhach defeated his own relatives who were still loyal to Donnchad. By 1063, Donnchad was defeated. He was removed from power and went on a religious journey to Rome, where he died the next year. Diarmait then made Toirdhealbhach the new king of Munster, but Toirdhealbhach was still under Diarmait's influence.

Toirdhealbhach's Rule and Alliances

After Donnchad was removed, Toirdhealbhach became one of Diarmait's most important allies. This was especially true in Diarmait's last years, when his power was being challenged in Leinster. In 1066, Diarmait and Toirdhealbhach each paid gold to the king of Ciarraige Luachra in West Munster for help in defeating their enemies. In 1067, they worked together to defeat and kill that king. Toirdhealbhach's nephew Murchad, Donnchad's son, was killed in 1068 while raiding in the middle of Ireland.

Making Laws and Expanding Power

The Annals of Innisfallen, which are old Irish records, say that Toirdhealbhach was a lawmaker. In 1068, they reported: "A law and order was made by Tairdelbach Ua Briain—and no better law was made in Mumu for a long time—with the result that neither cow nor horse was kept inside [at night] but allowed to wander freely." In the same year, a very important church leader, Máel Ísu mac Amalgada, the abbot of Armagh, visited Munster for the first time. He received many gifts and tributes, which showed Toirdhealbhach's growing power.

Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, Toirdhealbhach's friend and protector, faced more and more problems in his final years. These problems led Toirdhealbhach to help Diarmait against his enemies in Leinster. Diarmait's sons, Murchad and Glúniairn, died in 1070. This made it unclear who would rule next. Later in 1070, Toirdhealbhach led an army into Leinster. He took important people as hostages and gained control over the king of Osraige. Toirdhealbhach had to go back to Leinster in 1071. There was open fighting between Diarmait's grandson Domnall and his nephew Donnchad. The records say that the hostages Toirdhealbhach took were given to Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó for safekeeping.

Toirdhealbhach was also busy with his own plans during these years. In 1071, he led an army on a raid into the middle of Ireland. He also had his soldiers build wooden bridges across the River Shannon. These bridges were clearly for military use, at places like Áth Caille (perhaps modern O'Briensbridge) and Killaloe.

Diarmait visited Munster in 1071 and gave out many gifts. Diarmait had previously given Toirdhealbhach valuable items, including Brian Bóruma's sword and "the flag of the king of the Saxons." These were some of Diarmait's last known actions before he died in battle on 7 February 1072.

Taking Control After Diarmait's Death

Toirdhealbhach gained the most from Diarmait's death. The Annals of Innisfallen recorded:

• "Toirdelbach Ua Briain went to Osraige and Leinster."
• "He burned Uí Cheinnselaig and took away much treasure and cows."
• "He took hostages from there and from Leinster."
• "The foreigners gave him the kingship of Dublin."
• "He captured the sons of Domnall, son of Máel na mBó, in Dublin."
• "He brought back the hostages of Osraige at that time."

The next year, Conchobar Ua Máel Shechnaill, the king of Mide, was killed. Toirdhealbhach used this chance to attack the middle of Ireland. Then he went on a trip to Connacht, where he took hostages from two important families, the Uí Conchobair and the Uí Ruairc. He divided Leinster among different rivals. This was a smart strategy called "divide and rule", which helped him keep control. In Dublin, he put a man named Gofraid mac Amlaíb meic Ragnaill in charge as his client king, meaning Gofraid ruled for Toirdhealbhach.

A military campaign in 1075 against the Uí Néill and their allies in the north did not go as well. Toirdhealbhach's son Muirchertach was defeated by the Airgíalla near Áth Fhirdia (modern Ardee, County Louth), and many of his soldiers were lost. Around the same time, Gofraid was removed from Dublin by Toirdhealbhach. He was replaced by Domnall, son of Murchad, son of Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó. Domnall ruled for only a short time before he died. Toirdhealbhach's son Muirchertach then took over in Dublin. With Muirchertach firmly in charge of Dublin, and another son, Diarmait, ruling over Waterford, Toirdhealbhach controlled half of Ireland.

Ireland and Beyond

While Toirdhealbhach's son Diarmait, who ruled Waterford, raided Wales in 1080, Toirdhealbhach himself seemed less interested in matters outside Ireland. This was different from his protector Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, or his own son Muirchertach.

Church Connections

During Gofraid's short time ruling Dublin, on 6 May 1074, Donatus, the first archbishop of Dublin, died. This made the archbishop of Canterbury, Lanfranc of Pavia, in England, take an interest in Irish church matters. Lanfranc believed that Dublin was part of his church area. He wrote to the Irish kings, including Toirdhealbhach, being careful not to cause offense. His letter called Toirdhealbhach a "magnificent king of Ireland." This title might seem very impressive, but Lanfranc also called Gofraid of Dublin a "glorious king of Ireland."

The Annals of Innisfallen also mention that "five Jews came from over sea with gifts to Toirdelbach, and they were sent back again over sea." The meaning of this event is not clear. Some historians think that if they wanted Toirdhealbhach's permission to settle in Ireland, they were disappointed.

Keeping Control: Divide and Rule

Toirdhealbhach used the "divide and rule" strategy to keep control of Leinster. He also used it to stop any rivals from becoming too strong in Connacht. In the north, he supported the Ulaid people to weaken the Cenél nEógain kings of Ailech. This strategy worked well in keeping Leinster peaceful. However, it was less successful when dealing with the Cenél nEógain in the north and the kings of Connacht in the west.

Rivals and Battles

The Cenél nEógain, who didn't have a clear leader, chose Conchobar Ua Briain as their king. He was the grandson of Toirdhealbhach's uncle Donnchad mac Briain, and therefore Toirdhealbhach's main rival for the kingship of Munster. Conchobar was king for only a short time before he and his wife were killed. His brother Cennétig was then chosen to replace him.

In Connacht, three rival families were fighting for power: the Ua Conchobair, the Ua Flaithbertaig, and the Ua Ruairc. Ruaidrí na Saide Buide of the Ua Conchobair family was king of Connacht when he submitted to Toirdhealbhach in 1076. Toirdhealbhach removed Ruaidrí from power in 1079. He replaced him with an Ua Ruairc, Áed son of Art Uallach.

The Ua Ruairc family proved to be a threat to Toirdhealbhach and their neighbors. Máel Sechnaill, king of Mide, submitted to Toirdhealbhach in 1080, possibly because he feared the Ua Ruairc. War broke out in 1084 between Toirdhealbhach and the Ua Ruairc, who were joined by Cennétig Ua Briain. Toirdhealbhach raided Mide. While he was away, the Conmaicne, who were loyal to the Ua Ruairc, raided Munster. A battle was fought at Monecronock, near modern Leixlip, on 19 October 1082. Toirdhealbhach's sons Muirchertach and Tadc won the battle, killing Domnall Ua Ruairc and Cennétig Ua Briain.

Death and Legacy

Toirdhealbhach became very ill in 1085 and lost his hair. The Annals of the Four Masters, an old record, says he had been sick for many years. He may never have fully recovered from his earlier illness. The Annals of Ulster reported that he "died in Kincora [near Killaloe] after great suffering and long repentance, and after receiving the Body of Christ and His Blood, on [14 July] in the seventy-seventh year of his age [1086]." This northern record, which usually didn't praise southern kings much, called him "king of Ireland." The Annals of Tigernach, another northern record, called Toirdhealbhach rí urmóir Erenn, meaning "king of the greater part of Ireland."

Family and Succession

Toirdhealbhach likely married three times. Dubchoblaig was the mother of his son Diarmait. Derbforgaill was the mother of Tadc and Muirchertach. The mother of his daughter Mór is not known.

His daughter Mór married Ruaidrí na Saide Buide. Her son, Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair, became one of the most important kings in medieval Ireland. Mór died in 1088. Toirdhealbhach had planned to divide his lands among his three sons. However, Tadc died only a few weeks after his father, from natural causes at Kincora. After this, Muircheartach and Diarmait fought over who would rule next. Diarmait lost and was sent away by his half-brother. He went to live with his mother's family in Leinster.