Muintir Murchada

Early peoples and kingdoms of Ireland, c.800

Muintir Murchada was the name of an Irish territory which derived its name from the ruling dynasty, who were in turn a branchh of the Uí Briúin. The name was derived from Murchadh mac Maenach, King of Uí Briúin Seóla, who died 891.

Overview

They are first recorded as a lineage in 1061 and by 1238 the term denoted the territory. It came under the control of the Uí Briúin about the 11th century, its original rulers taking the surname Ó Flaithbheartaigh (O'Flaherty). They were expelled by the Ua Conchobhair Kings of Connacht to Iar Connacht where they are still to be found.

Muintir Murchada appears to have comprised the following parishes: Killursa, Kilkilvery, Killeany, Kilcoona, Cargin, Killower, Cummer. It also is though to have included parts of Belclare, Donaghpatrick, Corofin, Tuam, Kilbennan and Killererin.

Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada is a tract dating to the reign of its lord, Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh (died 1098), who ruled as King of Connacht from 1092-1098. It lists the main families and their estates within Muintir Murchada.

Kings of Maigh Seóla

• Donn mac Cumasgach, died 752
• Maelan mac Cathmogha, died 848
• Murchadh mac Maenach, died 891
• Cléirchén mac Murchadh, died 908
• Urchadh mac Murchadh, died 943
• Donnchadh mac Urchadh, died 959
• Brian mac Maelruanaidh, died 959
• Muireadhach ua Flaithbheartach, died 1034
• Murchadh an Chapail Ua Flaithbheartaigh, died 1036
• Cathal mac Ruaidhri, died 1043
• Amhalgaidh mac Cathal, died 1075

Kings of Iar Connacht

• Rúaidhri Ua Flaithbheartaigh, died 1061
• Aedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh, died 1079
• Mac meic Aedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh, died 1091
• Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh, died 1098
• Ruaidhri Ua Flaithbheartaigh, died 1145
• Áedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh, died 1178
• Ruadhri Ua Flaithbertaigh, alive 1197
• Murtough Ua Flaithbertaigh, died 1204
• Rudhraighe Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1214
• Áedh Mór Ó Flaithbheartaigh, died 1236
• Morogh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1244
• Ruaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1256-1273

Taoiseach of Iar Connacht

• Brian Ó Flaithbheartaigh, died 1377.
• Áedh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, c. 1377-1407; built the church at Annaghdown
• Domnell mac Áedh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, d. 1410
• Murchad mac Brian Ó Flaithbheartaigh, d. 1419
• Gilla Dubh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, d. 1442
• unnamed Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1503
• Áodh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1538

Ó Flaithbheartaigh Iarthair (the Western Ó Flaithbheartaigh)

• Domnall Crone Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1559

Ó Flaithbheartaigh Oirthir (the Eastern Ó Flaithbheartaigh)

• Murrough na dTuadh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, fl. 1560-1593.

Annalistic references

From The Annals of the Four Masters:

• M1417.5. Rory, the son of Murrough O'Flaherty; Rory, the son of Dermot Duv O'Flaherty, and sixteen others of the O'Flahertys, were drowned in the bay of Umallia.

• M1422.5. Donnell Finn O'Flaherty was slain by the sons of Donnell O'Flaherty.

• M1442.7. O'Flaherty, i.e. Gilladuv, the son of Brian, Lord of West Connaught died.

• M1565.5. Murrough, the son of Donnell, son of Rory O'Flaherty, was drowned.

See also

• Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
• Clann Fhergail
• Clann Taidg
• Delbhna Tir Dha Locha
• Trícha Máenmaige

References

• Medieval Ireland: Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions, Paul MacCotter, Four Courts Press, 2008, pp. 140–141. ISBN978 1 84682 098 4