Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair (old spelling: Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair) (1088–1156), anglicized Turlough Mór O'Connor / O'Conor, was King of Connacht (1106–1156) and High King of Ireland (c. 1120-1156).
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The youngest son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide (died 1118), his mother was Mór, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Briain (1009–14 July 1086). His brothers were Niall (killed 1093), Tadc (killed 1097), Conchobar (murdered 1103), Domnall, King of Connacht (deposed 1106). There was at least one sister, Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra of Luighne Connacht (died 1131). Ruaidrí was married to four or more women.
In 1092, King Ruaidrí was blinded by Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh, an incident which led to the domination of Connacht by the Dal gCais of Munster, led by Tairrdelbach's uncle, Muirchertach Ua Briain, who possibly took Tairrdelbach into his household to groom him for the day when he would be king of Connacht. (p.471,MIAE 2005)
However this would not occur until 1106; until then, Connacht endured a prolonged period of civil strife between different factions of the Uí Conchobair, Uí Ruairc of Bréifne as well as more minor families of the Uí Briúin and Síol Muireadaigh, including the long-displaced Ui Fiachrach Aidhne. Tairrdelbach's brothers Tadc and Domnall both gaining the kingship at different times, but depended upon the support of Ua Briain.
Dal gCais, Kings of Munster.
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Uí Conchobair, Kings of Connacht. |
| Toirdelbach Ua Briain (d. 1086)
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Aed in Gai Bernaig (d. 1067) |______________________________________________________
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Ruaidrí na Saide Buide Ua Conchobair (died 1118) = Mór (died 1088) Tadc (d. 1086) Diarmait (d. 1119) Muirchertach (d.1119)
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Niall Tadc Conchobar Domnall Dubhchobhlaigh Tairrdelbach, 1088-1156. Toirrdelbach Conchobar Tadg Glae Donnchad
d.1093 | d.1103 | d.1131. | |
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| | Domnall Kings of Connacht. Kings of Munster and Thomond.
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Cathal Aed |
| Ruaidri
| d.1151.
Domnall
d. 1153.
In 1106, with the support of his uncle Muirchertach Ua Briain, eighteen-year old Tairrdelbach deprived his older brother Domnall of the kingship of Connacht. He would remain king of Connacht for fifty years.
"Tairrdelbach carefully maintained his alliance with Ua Briain, sending troops to aid the high king agains the Ui Ruaric of Bréifne in 1109. But he was also determined to defend his kingdom against predators such as Domnall Mac Lochlainn (d. 1121), king of the north of Ireland." (O'Byrne, p. 471)
Tairrdelbach constructed Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe (“Fort at the Mouth (bottom) of the Gaillimh”) in 1124. A small settlement grew up around this fort and eventually this developed into Galway city.
The Cross of Cong, made at the behest of Tairrdelbach was designed to be placed on top of a religious staff or crosier. It was made for the Cathedral church at Tuam. The cross was subsequently moved to Cong Abbey. He is also believed to have refounded Cong Abbey circa 1135.
Tairrdelbach had the following known wives:
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, writing in 1649, wrote the following account of Tairrdelbach's family (219.16 - 220.13, pp. 486–489):
" Toirdehealbach Mor s. Ruaidhri, high-king of Ireland, had many sons; Ruaidhri, king of Ireland also, Cathal Croibhdhearg, king of Connacht, Domhnall Mor, tainst of Connacht (to him was finally granted the hundredfold increase) were his three sons by his wife; Maol Iosa, coarb of Coman, was the eldest of his family (and his heir), and Aodh Dall and Tadhg Alainn and Brian Breifneach and Brian Luighneach, Maghnus and Lochlainn, Muircheartach Muimneach, Donnchadh, Maol Seachlainn, Tadhg of Fiodhnacha, Cathal Mioghran, two [sons named] Conchabhar, Diarmaid, Domhnall, Muirgheas, Tadhg of Dairean, Murchadh Fionn."
Via his son, Brian Luighnech O Conchobhair, descended the dynasty of the Ó Conchobhair Sligigh, and from Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair his youngest son both the O Conchobhair Ruadh and the Ó Conchubhair Donn.
| Preceded by Domnall Ua Conchobair |
King of Connacht 1106–1156 |
Succeeded by Ruaidri Ua Conchobair |
| Preceded by Muircheartach Ua Briain |
High King of Ireland 1119–1156 |
Succeeded by Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn |
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