Diarmait mac Mail na mBo

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Reign: 1042–1072
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.

Contents

[edit] Leinster, the Norse and the Dal gCais

His dynasty, the Ui Cheinnselaigh, were based around Ferns in the south-east of Wicklow but had sunk into obscurity for several centuries.

[edit] Capture of Wexford

It was their control of the Norse town of Wexford that ensured Ui Cheinnselaigh's rise to power and fame under Diarmait.

[edit] Niall mac Eochada

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 — 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.

[edit] The Man Who Would Be High King

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.

[edit] The Sons of Harold II

The surviving sons of King Harold Godwinson 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.

[edit] Death of Murchad and Diarmait

He is also famous as the ancestor of Diarmait MacMurrough.

[edit] Diarmait's Death in the Annals of the Four Masters

"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.


[edit] Source

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