This article lists some of the attested Gaelic kingdoms of early medieval Ireland prior to the Norman invasion of 1169-72.
For much of this period, the island was divided into numerous clan territories and kingdoms (known as túatha). These túatha often competed for control of resources and thus they continually grew and shrank (in both size and number). In addition to kingdoms or túatha, Gaelic Ireland was also divided into five prime overkingdoms (Old Irish cóiceda, Modern Irish cúige). These were Ulaid (in the north), Connacht (in the west), Laighin (in the southeast), Mumhan (in the south) and Mide (in the centre).
After the Norman invasion, much of the island came under the control of the Lordship of Ireland, although some parts remained under the control of Gaelic dynasties. After 1350, Norman control began to weaken, and a "Gaelic resurgence" took place which resulted in the direct influence of the Parliament of Ireland shrinking to an area known as The Pale by 1500. In 1541 the Kingdom of Ireland was established by Henry VIII and the Tudor conquest of Ireland commenced. The repudiation of the terms of the Treaty of Mellifont by the Crown resulted in the Nine Years War and the Flight of the Earls, which marked the end of the Gaelic order.
Ulster
Earliest times
- Darini, in Tyrone, Armagh and Down, possibly a branch of the Érainn and linked with their supposed ancestor deity Dáire
- Erdini in County Fermanagh
- , in Antrim and Londonderry
- in County Donegal
- Voluntii, probably the people later known as the Ulaid, in Armagh, Down, Monaghan and Cavan
Early Christian
- Airgíalla or Oirghialla or Oriel
- Cairpre Droma Cliab
- Cenél Conaill (Tir Chonaill)
- Cenél nEogain (Tir Eogain)
- Conaille Muirtheimne
- Cruithne
- Dál nAraidi
- Dál Fiatach
- Dál Riata
- Dartraige
- Dartraige Con-innsi
- Eilne
- Fir Manach
- Iveagh
- Uí Echach Cobo
- Northern Uí Néill
- Ulaid
From the 12th century
- East Breifne
Meath
Earliest times
- Ebdani, Eblani or Blanii (probably variants of the same name)
Early Christian
- Ciannachta
- Southern Uí Néill
- Brega
- Lagore
- Cnogba
Leinster
Earliest times
- Brigantes in south Wexford, also known from northern Britain; possibly linked with the goddess Brigit
- Cauci around Dublin
- Coriondi north Wexford
- Menapii in County Wicklow, also known from Gaul; their name is linked to Fermanagh and Monaghan, although they are much further north
- Osraige
Early Christian
- Kingdom of Dublin
- Uí Ceinnselaig
- Uí Dúnlainge
From the 12th century
- Kingdom of Leinster, see also Kings of Leinster.
Munster
Earliest times
- Gangani or Concani in Counties Limerick and Clare; also lived in Wales - Ptolemy calls the Llŷn Peninsula the "Promontory of the Gangani"
- Iverni in County Cork, later known as the Érainn
- in Counties Kerry and Limerick
- , or in Counties Waterford and Cork, possibly related to the later Osraige
- in Cork
- or in Kerry
Early Christian
- Builg
- Corcu Baiscind
- Corcu Duibne
- Corcu Loígde
- Dáirine
- Dál gCais
- Deirgtine
- Déisi
- Eóganachta
- Érainn
- Iarmuman
- Mairtine
- Múscraige
- Uí Fidgenti
- Uí Liatháin
From the 12th century
- Kingdom of Desmond
Connacht
Earliest times
- Auteini in County Galway, identified with the later Uaithne
- Nagnatae in County Mayo and County Sligo, possibly linked with the Ol nÉcmacht; Cóiced Ol nEchmacht was an ancient name for Connacht.
Early Christian
- Aidhne or Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
- Breifne
- Conmaicne Mara
- Connachta
- Corco Moga
- Delbhna
- Delbhna Nuadat
- Delbhna Tir Dha Locha
- Fir Domnann (aka Irrus Domnann)
- Hy Briuin Ai
- Hy Diarmata
- Hy Fiachrach Aidhne
- Hy Fiachrach Fionn
- Hy Fiachrach Muaidhe
- Hy-Many
- Iar Connacht
- Moylurg
- Muintir Murchada
- Partraige
- Síol Anmchadha
- Síol Muirdeach
- Soghan
- Tyrconnell
- Uí Fiachrach
From the 12th century
- Clanricarde
- Mac William Íochtar
- West Breifne
See also
- Irish nobility
- Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups
- Irish clans
- List of Irish clans
- MacDunleavy (dynasty)
- Monarchy of Ireland
- O'Donnell dynasty
References
- Bhreathnach, Edel (ed.), The Kingship and Landscape of Tara. Four Courts Press for The Discovery Programme. 2005.
- Byrne, Francis J., Irish Kings and High-Kings. Four Courts Press. 3rd edition, 2001.
- Charles-Edwards, T.M., Early Christian Ireland. Cambridge University Press. 2000.
- Curley, Walter J.P., Vanishing Kingdoms: The Irish Chiefs and their Families. Dublin: Lilliput Press. 2004.
- Dillon, Myles, The Cycles of the Kings. Oxford. 1946. / Four Courts Press. Revised edition, 1995.
- Duffy, Seán (ed.), Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. 2005.
- Keating, Geoffrey, with David Comyn and Patrick S. Dinneen (trans.), The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating. 4 Vols. London: David Nutt for the Irish Texts Society. 1902-14.
- MacKillop, James, A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford. 1998.
- Koch, John T. (ed.), Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. 5 volumes or single ebook. ABC-CLIO. 2006.
- Lalor, Brian, The Encyclopedia of Ireland. Yale University Press. 2003.
- Mac Niocaill, Gearóid, Ireland before the Vikings. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. 1972.
- Meyer, Kuno (ed.), "The Laud Genealogies and Tribal Histories", in Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie 8. Halle/Saale, Max Niemeyer. 1912. Pages 291-338.
- Ó Corráin, Donnchadh (ed.), Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502 University College, Cork: Corpus of Electronic Texts. 1997.
- Ó Corráin, Donnchadh, Ireland before the Normans. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. 1972.
- O'Donovan, John (ed. and tr.), Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters, from the Earliest Period to the Year 1616. 7 vols. Royal Irish Academy. Dublin. 1848-51. 2nd edition, 1856.
- O'Rahilly, Thomas F., Early Irish History and Mythology. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. 1946.
- Rynne, Etienne (ed.), North Munster Studies: Essays in Commemoration of Monsignor Michael Moloney. Limerick. 1967.
- Sproule, David, "Origins of the Éoganachta", in Ériu 35 (1984): pp. 31–37.
External links
- Ancient Kings, Kingdoms, and Territories of Ireland
- Ptolemy's Geography of Ireland
This article lists some of the attested Gaelic kingdoms of early medieval Ireland prior to the Norman invasion of 1169 72 Ireland circa 900Ireland in 1014Maximal extent of the Norman Lordship of Ireland in 1300 Ireland in 1450 For much of this period the island was divided into numerous clan territories and kingdoms known as tuatha These tuatha often competed for control of resources and thus they continually grew and shrank in both size and number In addition to kingdoms or tuatha Gaelic Ireland was also divided into five prime overkingdoms Old Irish coiceda Modern Irish cuige These were Ulaid in the north Connacht in the west Laighin in the southeast Mumhan in the south and Mide in the centre After the Norman invasion much of the island came under the control of the Lordship of Ireland although some parts remained under the control of Gaelic dynasties After 1350 Norman control began to weaken and a Gaelic resurgence took place which resulted in the direct influence of the Parliament of Ireland shrinking to an area known as The Pale by 1500 In 1541 the Kingdom of Ireland was established by Henry VIII and the Tudor conquest of Ireland commenced The repudiation of the terms of the Treaty of Mellifont by the Crown resulted in the Nine Years War and the Flight of the Earls which marked the end of the Gaelic order UlsterEarliest times Darini in Tyrone Armagh and Down possibly a branch of the Erainn and linked with their supposed ancestor deity Daire Erdini in County Fermanagh in Antrim and Londonderry in County Donegal Voluntii probably the people later known as the Ulaid in Armagh Down Monaghan and CavanEarly Christian Airgialla or Oirghialla or Oriel Cairpre Droma Cliab Cenel Conaill Tir Chonaill Cenel nEogain Tir Eogain Conaille Muirtheimne Cruithne Dal nAraidi Dal Fiatach Dal Riata Dartraige Dartraige Con innsi Eilne Fir Manach Iveagh Ui Echach Cobo Northern Ui Neill UlaidFrom the 12th century East BreifneMeathEarliest times Ebdani Eblani or Blanii probably variants of the same name Early Christian Ciannachta Southern Ui Neill Brega Lagore CnogbaLeinsterEarliest times Brigantes in south Wexford also known from northern Britain possibly linked with the goddess Brigit Cauci around Dublin Coriondi north Wexford Menapii in County Wicklow also known from Gaul their name is linked to Fermanagh and Monaghan although they are much further north OsraigeEarly Christian Kingdom of Dublin Ui Ceinnselaig Ui DunlaingeFrom the 12th century Kingdom of Leinster see also Kings of Leinster MunsterEarliest times Gangani or Concani in Counties Limerick and Clare also lived in Wales Ptolemy calls the Llŷn Peninsula the Promontory of the Gangani Iverni in County Cork later known as the Erainn in Counties Kerry and Limerick or in Counties Waterford and Cork possibly related to the later Osraige in Cork or in KerryEarly Christian Builg Corcu Baiscind Corcu Duibne Corcu Loigde Dairine Dal gCais Deirgtine Deisi Eoganachta Erainn Iarmuman Mairtine Muscraige Ui Fidgenti Ui LiathainFrom the 12th century Kingdom of DesmondConnachtEarliest times Auteini in County Galway identified with the later Uaithne Nagnatae in County Mayo and County Sligo possibly linked with the Ol nEcmacht Coiced Ol nEchmacht was an ancient name for Connacht Early Christian Aidhne or Ui Fiachrach Aidhne Breifne Conmaicne Mara Connachta Corco Moga Delbhna Delbhna Nuadat Delbhna Tir Dha Locha Fir Domnann aka Irrus Domnann Hy Briuin Ai Hy Diarmata Hy Fiachrach Aidhne Hy Fiachrach Fionn Hy Fiachrach Muaidhe Hy Many Iar Connacht Moylurg Muintir Murchada Partraige Siol Anmchadha Siol Muirdeach Soghan Tyrconnell Ui FiachrachFrom the 12th century Clanricarde Mac William Iochtar West BreifneSee alsoIrish nobility Pre Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups Irish clans List of Irish clans MacDunleavy dynasty Monarchy of Ireland O Donnell dynastyReferencesBhreathnach Edel ed The Kingship and Landscape of Tara Four Courts Press for The Discovery Programme 2005 Byrne Francis J Irish Kings and High Kings Four Courts Press 3rd edition 2001 Charles Edwards T M Early Christian Ireland Cambridge University Press 2000 Curley Walter J P Vanishing Kingdoms The Irish Chiefs and their Families Dublin Lilliput Press 2004 Dillon Myles The Cycles of the Kings Oxford 1946 Four Courts Press Revised edition 1995 Duffy Sean ed Medieval Ireland An Encyclopedia Routledge 2005 Keating Geoffrey with David Comyn and Patrick S Dinneen trans The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating 4 Vols London David Nutt for the Irish Texts Society 1902 14 MacKillop James A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology Oxford 1998 Koch John T ed Celtic Culture A Historical Encyclopedia 5 volumes or single ebook ABC CLIO 2006 Lalor Brian The Encyclopedia of Ireland Yale University Press 2003 Mac Niocaill Gearoid Ireland before the Vikings Dublin Gill and Macmillan 1972 Meyer Kuno ed The Laud Genealogies and Tribal Histories in Zeitschrift fur Celtische Philologie 8 Halle Saale Max Niemeyer 1912 Pages 291 338 o Corrain Donnchadh ed Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502 University College Cork Corpus of Electronic Texts 1997 o Corrain Donnchadh Ireland before the Normans Dublin Gill and Macmillan 1972 O Donovan John ed and tr Annala Rioghachta Eireann Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the Earliest Period to the Year 1616 7 vols Royal Irish Academy Dublin 1848 51 2nd edition 1856 O Rahilly Thomas F Early Irish History and Mythology Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 1946 Rynne Etienne ed North Munster Studies Essays in Commemoration of Monsignor Michael Moloney Limerick 1967 Sproule David Origins of the Eoganachta in Eriu 35 1984 pp 31 37 External linksAncient Kings Kingdoms and Territories of Ireland Ptolemy s Geography of Ireland
