ROBBINS-AGNEW:Information about Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster
Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster (b. 1110, d. 1171)
Notes for Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster:
Dermot MacMurrough was the King of Leinster during the twelfth century and is most remembered as the man who invited the English into Ireland.
He was born circa 1100 and succeeded to the throne of his father, Enna, in 1126. He was a ruthless leader and demonstrated the ferocity of the times by killing or blinding 17 rivals in 1141. He became involved in a dispute with the King of Breffney, Tiernan O'Ruark, whose wife he kidnapped in 1153. O'Ruark formed an alliance with Rory O'Connor who was the recognised High King of Ireland at the time. In 1166 this long-running and bitter feud resulted in MacMurrough being driven into exile by the Gaelic Chieftains. He fled to France.
Dermot MacMurrough (or Dermod naNGhall, meaning Dermot, king of the Foreigners) was born in 1110 AD and died in 1171. At an early age he was fostered out to a minor family on the border of Leinster, in the neighboring state of Ossory and here he grew to manhood. At age 16, upon the unexpected death of his older brother (the king of Leinster), he was elected king of Ui Cinnsealaigh. What followed was the turning point in Irish history.
Dermot MacMurrough was the Irish King of Leinster who succeeded his father Enna's throne in 1126. MacMurrough faced many rivals for the throne and he settled his problems by killing or blinding the 17 Chieftans in Northern Leinster who disputed his kingship. In 1153 MacMurrough abducted the wife of Tiernan O'Ruark, king of Breifne (what we know today as the modern counties of Leitrim and Cavan). Within a year, MacMurrough was attacked and the stolen wife returned but his powerful northern allies prevented the punishment he so deserved.
Children of Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster are:
- +Aoife MacMurrough, d. 1189.