Diarmait mac Mail na mBo
| |
| Reign: | 1042â€"1072 |
| Predecessor: | Murchad mac Dunlaing |
| Successor: | Dommall mac Murchad |
| Date of Birth: | c. 1000 |
| Place of Birth: | Leinster,
Ireland |
| Wives: | |
| Buried: | Glendalough? |
| Date of Death: | 1072 |
| Parents: | Donnchad Mail na mBo mac Domnall Cloen |
Diarmait mac Mail na mBo (died
1072) was king of
Leinster and a contender for the title of
High King of Ireland. He was one of the most important and significant Kings in Ireland in the pre-Norman era.
His dynasty, the
Ui Cheinnselaigh, were based around
Ferns in the south-east of
Wicklow but had sunk into obscurity for several centuries.
It was their control of the
Norse town of
Wexford that ensured Ui Cheinnselaigh's rise to power and fame under Diarmait.
He made an alliance with
Niall mac Eochada, king of
Ulaid, which helped to put pressure both from the north and south on the kingdoms of
Mide,
Brega and
Dublin â€" ruled by the High King.
This alliance paid off handsomly as the High King, who up till then had Dublin as a subject kingdom, was unable to prevent it slipping into the hands of Diarmait.
In time he was able to claim the title "King of Leinster" and install his son,
Murchad, as king of
Dublin. Thus ruler of two of the most powerful and wealthy towns on the island, he was able to make a bid for the High-Kingship. It was during a battle against the king of Mide,
Conchobar Ua Maelsechalinn, that he was killed in
1072.
The surviving sons of King
Harald II of England escaped to Leinster after the
Battle of Hastings in
1066 where they were hosted by Diarmait. In
1068 and
1069 Diarmait lent them the fleet of
Dublin for their attempted invasions of
England.
He is also famous as the ancestor of
Diarmait MacMurrough.
"Diarmaid, son of Mael-na-mbo, King of Leinster, of the foreigners of Ath-cliath, and of Leath-Mogha-Nuadhat, was slain and beheaded in the battle of Odhbha, on Tuesday, the seventh of the Ides of February, the battle having been gained over him by Conchobhar O'Maeleachlainn, King of Meath. There were also slain many hundreds of the foreigners and Leinstermen, along with Diarmaid, in that battle. In it was killed Gillaphadraig O'Fearghaile, lord of the Fortuatha, &c. Of the death of Diarmaid was said:": Two, seven times ten above one thousand,: From the birth of Christ is reckoned, : To this year, in which Diarmaid,: First man in Leinster, fell.: Diarmaid, of the ruddy-coloured aspect,: A king who maintained the standard of war,: Whose death brought scarcity of peace,: The loss of the heroes of Ladhrann, with their ships.: Comely youths were cut down there,: Together with the head of Claire and Cualann.: It caused in the breeze an unpleasant noise, : The loss of the King of Riada of great valour.: Until at Muillenn-Chul was slain: A brave chieftain of a strong fortress,: Until the furious fire-brand fell by treachery,: They found no hero who dared with him contend. : It is a red wound through my firm heart;: For the host from Caindruim it was not just: To destroy our noble chief they had no right,: It has quenched their spirit greatly,: Diarmaid of the laughing teeth under violent sorrow;: There is not on account of his death banquet or feast;: There will not be peace, there will not be armistice.
*
Annals of the Four Masters*
Annals text* "Irish Kings and High Kings", Francis John Bryne, Dublin 1973.
