A Dictionary of British and Irish History

U

UA BRIAIN, MUIRCHERTACH

(fl. from 1075 in Ireland; d. March 1119 at Lismore, Munster, S Ireland). King of DUBLIN from 1075, Muirchertach succeeded his father Toirrdelbach Ua Briain as high‐king of MUNSTER and Ireland in 1086. Influenced by Continental European ideas, he began the practice of directly controlling other kingdoms rather than forcing the submission of kings (e.g., partitioning Meath and appointing subordinate kings in 1094). By the mid 1090s he dominated S and E Ireland but failed to impose authority in the N. From 1096 he intervened in the WESTERN ISLES (off Scotland). In 1102 he made a marriage alliance with Magnus Barelegs of Norway.

Muirchertach also promoted Church reform, presiding over synods at CASHEL (1101) and Ráith Bressail (1111). From 1114 illness and intradynastic opposition weakened his position. See also CHURCH REFORM, MEDIEVAL IRELAND; UA CONCHOBAIR, TOIRRDELBACH; O'BRIEN FAMILY.

UA CONCHOBAIR, RUAIDRÍ (O'CONNOR, RORY)

(b. c.1120 in Ireland; d. 2 Dec. 1198 at Cong, Connacht, W Ireland, aged about 78). Ruaidrí succeeded his father Toirrdelbach UA CONCHOBAIR as high‐king of CONNACHT in 1156 and challenged Muirchertach MAC LOCHLAINN (based in N Ireland) who had seized the high‐kingship of Ireland. When Muirchertach died (1166), Ruaidrí succeeded as high‐king of Ireland. He also ousted and exiled Muirchertach's ally Diarmait MAC MURCHADA, high‐king of LEINSTER (E Ireland).

Diarmait returned from overseas in 1167, retook his core lands, and was ...