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List of kings of Leinster

The kings of Leinster (Irish: Rí Laighín) ruled from the establishment of Leinster during the Irish Iron Age until the 17th century Early Modern Ireland. According to Gaelic traditional history found in works such as the Book of Invasions, Leinster was created during the division of Ireland among the Irish Gaels, descendants of Milesius: Leinster was one of the territories held by the offspring of Heremon. In the 7th century BC, the branch of the Heremonians who would establish Leinster, starting with Úgaine Mór, were also High Kings of Ireland and Kings of Tara. Their ascent to hegemony in Ireland was associated with the decline in influence of their Ulster-based Heremonian kinsmen from the Érainn.

Kings of Leinster
Rí Laighin
Map of Leinster, c. 10th century.
Details
StyleRí Laighin
First monarchÚgaine Mór
Last monarchDomhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
FormationAncient
Abolition1603 or 1632 (de facto)
ResidenceDún Ailinne
AppointerTanistry

Apart from Úgaine Mór, other prominent Kings of Leinster from this period who were also High Kings of Ireland were Labraid Loingsech and Cathair Mór. A mythology developed that Labraid Loingsech had horses ears: he spent some time exiled in Transalpine Gaul (dated roughly to the period of the Roman–Gallic wars) where his grandmother was from and returned to Ireland with Gaullish mercenaries. He established a base in the area, which was renamed from "Gailian" to Leinster, in reference to the pointed-spears held by the Gaullish Gaesatae mercenaries who provided the backbone of Labraid Loingsech's powerbase and brought him to the High Kingship. Cathair Mór, who was also a High King of Ireland, is perhaps the most important figure genealogically in Leinster as all of the subsequent kinship groups which ruled Gaelic Leinster claimed descent and legitimacy to rule from one of his ten sons who had offspring.

By the time of Early Christian Ireland, the Laighín had lost their grip on Irish hegemony with the rise of the descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles (the Connachta and the Uí Néill). The latter pushed down into Leinster and created the Kingdom of Meath based at Uisnech, under the Southern Uí Néill from territories belonging to the Kingdom of Leinster and to the west Osraige was taken from the Laighín by the Corcu Loígde of Munster.

During the 5th to the early 8th centuries, the Kingship of Leinster was contested by various different branches of the Laighín, including the Uí Cheinnselaig (ancestors of the Mac Murchada and Caomhánach), the Uí Dúnlainge (ancestors of the O'Byrnes and the O'Tooles), the Uí Bairrche (ancestors of the Mac Gormáin), the Uí Máil (ancestors of the Ó Conchobhair Uí Failghe) and others.

From the 8th until the 11th century, the kingship of Leinster rotated in a remarkably stable arrangement between three branches of the North Leinster Uí Dúnlainge kinship, namelt the Uí Fáeláin (ancestors of the O'Byrnes), the Uí Muiredaig (ancestors of the O'Tooles) and the Uí Dúnchada (whose descendants became the MacGillaMoCholmóc and later the FitzDermots). In the 9th century, the Laighín also regained control of Osraige but it remained a largely independent realm under the Mac Giolla Phádrag, from the semi-autonomous Uí Failghe kinship group.

The Uí Cheinnselaig in South Leinster took back control of the kingship of Leinster in the 11th century, with Diarmait mac Máel na mBó, who became the first Leinsterman to be High King of Ireland in over a thousand years and claimed to the most senior line of the Laighín. An enemy of the Vikings of Dublin, he gave refuge to the sons of Harold Godwinson after the Normans conquered England. It is from this line that the Mac Murchada family originate and later Diarmait Mac Murchada would be implicated in the 12th century Norman invasion of Ireland after he tried to win back his Leinster throne. The reigning dynasty adopted the surname Caomhánach (Kavanagh) and continued to rule a rump Kingdom of Leinster until the early 17th century, with the last recorded King of Leinster being Domhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach. Throughout the centuries after the Norman invasion, several Kings and also leaders from dynasties who had previously held the Kingship of Leinster, continued to resist the invasion and hounded the English Pale periodically from the Wicklow Mountains: including the leaders of the O'Toole and O'Byrne clans (notable examples include Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach and Fiach McHugh O'Byrne) until the 17th century.

Legendary Kings

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Kings of Leinster

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Laigin, classical antiquity

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Main articles: Laigin and Kingship of Tara
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Úgaine Mór
634–594 BC
   Son of Eochu Buadach unknown 594 BCE
Lóegaire Lorc
594–592 BC
   Son of Úgaine Mór unknown 592 BCE
Ailill Áine
592–592 BC
   Son of Lóegaire Lorc unknown 592 BCE
Cobthach Cóel Breg
592–542 BC
   Son of Úgaine Mór unknown 542 BCE
Labraid Loingsech
542–523 BC
   Son of Ailill Áine mac Lóegaire Lorc unknown 523 BCE
Cathair Mór
119–122 AD
   Son of Fedlimid Fir Urglais mac Cormaic Gealtach 11 children 122 AD

Uí Cheinnselaig, 5th century

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Main article: Uí Cheinnselaig
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fiacha Baicheda mac Cathair Mór
–
   Son of Cathair Mór unknown 416
Bressal Bélach mac Fiacha Baicheda
–436
   Son of Fiacha Baicheda mac Cathair Mór unknown 436
Énnae Cennsalach mac Labhradh
–
   Son of Labhradh mac Bressal Bélach unknown unknown

Uí Bairrche, 5th century

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Main article: Uí Bairrche
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Muiredach Mo Sníthech mac Dáire Barrach
–
(claimant)		   Son of Dáire Barrach mac Cathair Mór unknown unknown
Móenach mac Muiredach Mo Sníthech
–
(claimant)		   Son of Muiredach Mo Sníthech mac Dáire Barrach unknown unknown

Uí Enechglaiss, –446

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Main article: Uí Enechglaiss
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth
–446
 unknown Son of Cóelbad unknown 446

Uí Cheinnselaig, 446–483

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Crimthann mac Énnai
446–483
   Son of Énnae Cennsalach unknown 483

Uí Garrchon, 483–495

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Main article: Uí Garrchon
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fincath mac Garrchu
483–485
 unknown Son of Garrchú mac Fothaid unknown 485
Fráech mac Finchada
485–495
 unknown Son of Fincath mac Garrchu unknown 495

Uí Dúnlainge, 495–592

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Main article: Uí Dúnlainge
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Ailill mac Dúnlainge
495–527
   Son of Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada Etromma Ui Tellain 527
Cormac mac Ailillo
527–535
   Son of Ailill mac Dúnlainge unknown 535
Coirpre mac Cormaic
535–546
   Son of Cormac mac Ailillo unknown 546
Colmán Már mac Coirpre
546–576
   Son of Coirpre mac Cormaic unknown 576
Áed Dub mac Colmáin
576–592
   Son of Colmán Már mac Coirpre unknown 639

Uí Máil, 592–595

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Main article: Uí Máil
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Áed Dibchine
592–595
   Son of Seanach Diodhach mac Carthann Muadh unknown 595

Uí Cheinnselaig, 595–624

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Brandub mac Echach
595–605
   Son of Echu mac Muiredaig unknown 605
Rónán mac Colmáin
605–624
   Son of Colmán mac Cormaic unknown 624

Uí Máil, 624–633

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Crimthann mac Áedo
624–633
   Son of Áed Dibchine unknown 633

Uí Dúnlainge, 633–666

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fáelán mac Colmáin
633–656
656–666
   Son of Colmán Már mac Coirpri unknown 666

Uí Cheinnselaig, 656

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Crundmáel Erbuilc
656
   Son of Rónán mac Colmáin unknown 656

Uí Máil, 666–680

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile
666–680
   Son of Máele Tuile mac Rónán Crach unknown 680

Uí Dúnlainge, 680–693

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Bran Mut mac Conaill
680–693
   Son of Conall mac Fáelán unknown 693

Uí Máil, 693–715

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cellach Cualann
693–715
   Son of Gertighe mac Diocolla Dana unknown 715

Uí Dúnlainge, 715–728

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Murchad mac Brain Mut
715–727
   Son of Bran Mut mac Conaill unknown 727
Dúnchad mac Murchada
727–728
   Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown 728

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 728–738

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Main articles: Ó Broin and O'Byrne family
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fáelán mac Murchada
728–738
   Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown 738

Uí Dúnlainge, 738

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Bran Becc mac Murchada
738
   Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown 738

Uí Cheinnselaig, 738

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Áed mac Colggen
738
   Son of Colcú mac Bressail unknown 738

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 738–760

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Main article: Ó Tuathail
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Muiredach mac Murchada
738–760
   Son of Murchad mac Brain Mut unknown 760

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 760–776

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Main articles: Uí Dúnchada and Mac Gilla Mo-Cholmóg
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cellach mac Dúnchada
760–776
 unknown Son of Dúnchad mac Murchada unknown 776

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 776–785

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
776–785
   Son of Fáelán mac Murchada unknown 785

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 785–795

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Bran Ardchenn
785–795
   Son of Muiredach mac Murchada unknown 795

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 795–808

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Fínsnechta Cethardec
795–808
 unknown Son of Cellach mac Dúnchada unknown 808

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 808–818

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Muiredach mac Brain
808–818
   Son of Bran Ardchenn unknown 818

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 818–829

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Muiredach mac Ruadrach
818–829
   Son of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin unknown 829

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 829–834

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cellach mac Brain
829–834
   Son of Bran Ardchenn unknown 834

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 834–838

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Bran mac Fáeláin
834–838
 unknown Son of Fáelán mac Cellaig unknown 838

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 838–854

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Lorcán mac Cellaig
838–851
   Son of Cellach mac Brain unknown unknown
Túathal mac Máele-Brigte
851–854
   Son of Muiredach mac Brain unknown 854

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 854–862

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Ruarc mac Brain
854–862
 unknown Son of Bran mac Fáeláin unknown 862

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 862–863

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Muirecán mac Diarmata
862–863
   Son of Diarmata mac Ruadrach unknown 863

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 863–871

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig
863–869
   Son of Muiredach mac Brain unknown 869
Ailill mac Dúnlainge
869–871
   Son of Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig unknown 871

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 871–884

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Domnall mac Muirecáin
871–884
   Son of Muirecán mac Diarmata unknown 884

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 884–885

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Muiredach mac Brain
884–885
 unknown Son of Bran mac Fáeláin unknown 885

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 885–909

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cerball mac Muirecáin
885–909
   Son of Muirecán mac Diarmata unknown 909

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 909–917

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Augaire mac Aililla
909–917
   Son of Ailill mac Dúnlainge unknown 917

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 917–943

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Faelan mac Muiredach
917–942
 unknown Son of Muiredach mac Brain unknown 942
Lorcán mac Fáelán
942–943
 unknown Son of Faelan mac Muiredach unknown 943

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 943–947

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Bran Fionn mac Máel Mórda
943–947
   Son of Máel Mórda mac Murchada unknown 947

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 947–958

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Túathal mac Úgaire
947–958
   Son of Augaire mac Aililla unknown 958

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 958–966

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Cellach mac Faelan
958–966
 unknown Son of Faelan mac Muiredach unknown 966

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 966–972

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Murchad mac Brain Fionn
966–972
   Son of Bran Fionn mac Máel Mórda unknown 972

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 972–978

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Úgaire mac Túathail
972–978
   Son of Túathal mac Úgaire unknown 978

Uí Dúnchada (Uí Dúnlainge), 978–1003

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Domnall Claen
978–984
 unknown Son of Lorcán mac Fáelán unknown 984
Donnchad mac Domnall Claen
984–1003
 unknown Son of Domnall Claen unknown unknown

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 1003–1014

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Máel Mórda mac Murchada
1003–1014
   Son of Murchad mac Brain Fionn unknown 1014

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1014–1016

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Dúnlaing mac Tuathal
1014
   Son of Túathal mac Úgaire unknown 1014
Donncuan mac Dúnlainge
1014–1016
   Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown 1016

Uí Fáeláin (Uí Dúnlainge), 1016–1018

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Bran mac Máel Mórda
1016–1018
   Son of Máel Mórda mac Murchada unknown 1052

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1018–1033

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Augaire mac Dúnlainge
1018–1024
   Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown 1024
Donnchad mac Dúnlainge
1024–1033
   Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown unknown

Mac Giolla Phádraig (Dál Birn), 1033–1039

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Main articles: Mac Giolla Phádraig and Dál Birn
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic
1033–1039
   Son of Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada unknown 1039

Uí Muiredaig (Uí Dúnlainge), 1039–1042

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Murchad mac Dúnlainge
1039–1042
   Son of Dúnlaing mac Tuathal unknown 1042

Mac Murchada (Uí Cheinnselaig), 1042–1115

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Diarmait mac Máel na mBó
1042–1072
   Son of Donnchad Máel na mBó Derbforgaill, daughter of Donnchad mac Briain 7 February 1072
Murchad mac Diarmata
1052–1070
   Son of Diarmait mac Máel na mBó unknown 1070
Domnall mac Murchada
1072–1075
   Son of Murchad mac Diarmata unknown 1075
Donnchad mac Domnaill Remair
1075–1089
   Son of Domnall Remar mac Máel na mBó unknown 1089
Énna mac Diarmata
1089–1092
   Son of Diarmait mac Máel na mBó unknown 1092
Diarmait mac Énna
1092–1098
   Son of Énna mac Diarmata unknown 1098
Donnchadh mac Murchada
1098–1115
   Son of Murchad mac Diarmata unknown 1115

Ó Conchobhair Uí Failghe, 1115

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Main article: Uí Failghe
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Conchobar mac Congalaig
1115
   Son of Congalach Ua Conchobair unknown 1115

Mac Murchada (Uí Cheinnselaig), 1115–1171

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Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Diarmait mac Énna meic Murchada
1115–1117
   Son of Énna Mac Murchada unknown 1117
Énna mac Donnchada mic Murchada
1117–1126
   Son of Donnchadh mac Murchada unknown 1126
Diarmait Mac Murchada
1126–1166
1169–1171
   Son of Donnchad mac Murchada unknown 1171

Caomhánach, 1171–1603 (Uí Cheinnselaig)

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Main article: Caomhánach
Name Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchada
1171–1175
   Son of Diarmait Mac Murchada unknown 1175
Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach
–
   Son of Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchada unknown unknown
Muirchertach mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach
–1282
   Son of Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach unknown 1282
Muiris mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1282–1314
   Son of Muirchertach mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1314
Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1314–1323
   Son of Domhnall Óg mac Domhnall Caomhánach unknown 1361
Domhnall mac Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1323–1338
   Son of Art mac Domhnall Óg Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1338
Domhnall mac Domhnall Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1338–1347
   Son of Domhnall mac Art Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1338
Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1347–1354
   Son of Muiris mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1354
Art Mór Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1354–1362
   Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1362
Diarmait Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1362–1369
   Son of Domhnall mac Domhnall Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1369
Donnchadh mac Muirchertach Mac Murchada Caomhánach
1369–1375
   Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1375
Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1369–1375
   Son of Muirchertach mac Muiris Mac Murchada Caomhánach unknown 1375
Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1375–1417
   Son of Art Mór Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1417
Donnchadh mac Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1417–1478
   Son of Art Óg Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1478
Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1478
   Son of Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1478
Muircheartach mac Donnchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1478–1512
   Son of Donnchadh mac Art Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1512
Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1512–1517
   Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1517
Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1517–1523
   Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1523
Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1523–1531
   Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1531
Muircheartach mac Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1531–1547
   Son of Art Buidhe Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1547
Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1523–1531
   Son of Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1531
Murchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1531–1557
   Son of Muiris mac Domhnall Riabhach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1531
Criomthann Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1557–1582
   Son of Murchadh Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1582
Domhnall Spáinneach Mac Murchadha Caomhánach
1582–1603
   Son of Donnchadh mac Cathaoir Mac Murchadha Caomhánach unknown 1632

See also

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References

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  • Book of Leinster, formerly Lebar na Núachongbála, section 26, page 181, Ríg Lagen; http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G800011A/text026.html
  • Kings of Leinster Genealogical Tables, pages 288–290,"Irish Kings and High Kings", Francis John Byrne, Dublin, 1973.
  • Kings, Saints and Sagas, Alfred. P. Smyth, in Wicklow:History and Society, 1994. ISBN 978-0-906602-30-0
  • Kings, the kingship of Leinster and the regnal poems of "laidshencfhas Laigen:a reflection of dynastic politics in Leinster, 650–1150, Edel Bhreathnach, in Seanchas: Studies in Early and Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis John Byrne, ed. Alfred P. Smyth, pp. 299–312, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2000
  • Kings of Leinster Genealogical Tables, pages 247–249, "War, Politics and the Irish of Leinster 1156–1606", Emmett O'Bryne, Dublin, 2004.
  • Register of Irish Chiefs as compiled by genealogist Sean J. Murphy: http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/register.htm
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