List of kings of Munster

The kings of Munster (Rí Mumhain) ruled the Kingdom of Munster in Ireland from its establishment during the Irish Iron Age until the High Middle Ages. According to Gaelic traditional history, laid out in works such as the Book of Invasions, the earliest king of Munster was Bodb Derg of the Tuatha Dé Danann. From the Gaelic peoples, an Érainn kindred known as the Dáirine (also known as Corcu Loígde and represented today in seniority by the Ó hEidirsceoil) provided several early monarchs including Cú Roí. In a process in the Cath Maige Mucrama, the Érainn lost their ascendancy in the 2nd century AD to the Deirgtine, ancestors of the Eóganachta. Munster during this period was classified as part of Leath Moga, or the southern-half, while other parts of Ireland were ruled mostly by the Connachta.

After losing Osraige to the east, Cashel was established as the capital of Munster by the Eóganachta. This kindred ruled without interruption until the 10th century. Although the High Kingship of Ireland was dominated during this time by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta of Munster did provide Cathal mac Finguine and Fedelmid mac Crimthainn as serious contenders. This great tribe was broken down into different septs or branches, the most successful in terms of royalty being the Eóganacht Chaisil (represented by the Ó Súilleabháin and Mac Cárthaigh), the Eóganacht Glendamnach (represented by the Ó Caoimh), and the Eóganacht Áine (represented by the Ó Ciarmhaic).

Their hold was loosened by the rise of Brian Bóruma of the Dál gCais, who established the Ó Briain as kings of Munster. As well as this, Munster had to contend with the Normans. Finally, the kingdom ended as it was split into Thomond, Desmond and Ormond. The former two came to an end during the 16th century with the birth of the Tudor Kingdom of Ireland, with former rulers joining the Peerage of Ireland. There were a number of Gaelic attempts to reassert their power in Munster, such as that of Fínghin Mac Cárthaigh and Domhnall Cam Ó Súilleabháin Bhéara, but these were not successful.

Ancient and legendary Kings of Munster

 * Bodb Derg, king of the Sid Mumu, and later king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, succeeding The Dagda
 * Conmáel, first Milesian king based in Munster, and also High King of Ireland
 * Eochaid Faebar Glas, his son and High King of Ireland, possibly based in Munster also
 * Eochu Mumu, his grandson and High King of Ireland, and after whom Munster is said to be named
 * Énna Airgdech, his son and High King of Ireland
 * Eochu Apthach, a possibly fictitious very early High King of Ireland from the Corcu Loídge, but misplaced chronologically in any event
 * Íar mac Degad, ancestor of the Érainn, or those specifically named "Descendants of Iar mac Degad"
 * Eterscél Mór, his son and High King of Ireland
 * Conaire Mór, his son in most sources, and one of the most celebrated High Kings of Ireland
 * Conaire Cóem, High King of Ireland and great-great grandson of Conaire Mór
 * Note: both are ancestors of the Síl Conairi
 * Dáire mac Degad, ancestor of the Dáirine
 * Cú Roí mac Dáire, Munster king and/or deity known from the Ulster Cycle
 * Note: possibly the actual first of the Dáirine, for many generations the dominant military power from Munster, finally falling during the 6th century AD
 * Dáire Doimthech, if actually different from Dáire mac Degad, and thus ancestor of the "other" Dáirine
 * Lugaid Loígde, his son, if actually different from Lugaid Mac Con below
 * Eochaid Étgudach, another son of Dáire Doimthech, but misplaced chronologically
 * Nia Segamain, an actual ancestor or group of them of the Clanna Dergthened and thus the Eóganachta
 * Note (critical): actually attested in Munster ogham inscriptions, and in some pedigrees descendant(s) of the "other" Dáirine above
 * Note (in addition): probably wildly misplaced chronologically but considered of high status enough to make it to the legendary High King of Ireland lists
 * Mug Nuadat, king in late sagas of Leth Mogha, or Mug's Half, meaning Southern Ireland
 * Note: belonged to the Deirgtine, but may be a mythological figure (Nuada)
 * Ailill Aulom, Mug's son, aka Olioll Ólum, associated with the goddess Áine
 * Note: also called a druid in a very early source
 * Lugaid Mac Con, was High King of Ireland, and Ailill's foster-son
 * Note: ancestor of the Corcu Loígde, principal later (3rd century and after) Munster sept of the Dáirine
 * Éogan Mór, Ailill's son, from whom the Eóganachta took their name
 * Note: the Eóganachta were actually founded by Conall Corc, great-great-grandson of Eógan Mór
 * Fiachu Muillethan, son of Éogan Mór
 * Note: a king of the Deirgtine of curious career, supported by Mug Ruith
 * Ailill Flann Bec, son of Fiachu Muillethan
 * Note: almost nothing is known of this figure, except that he was adopted by and succeeded his elder brother, Ailill Flann Mór
 * Dáire Cerbba, born in Brega of unclear parentage, usually (and obviously) assumed Dáirine but later written a son of Ailill Flann Bec
 * Note: called King of Medon Mairtine, once a very early capital of Munster, in one source, and progenitor of yet "another" sept of the Dáirine
 * Óengus Bolg, an important late king of the Dáirine and (near) final sovereign ancestor (of Munster) from the Corcu Loígde
 * Note: features in early stories of Conall Corc, and is an ancestor of the Cashel Eóganachta septs, the "Inner Circle", through his daughter Aimend
 * Crimthann mac Fidaig, was High King of Ireland and of territories overseas, and brother of the Queen and Goddess Mongfind
 * Note: considered Eóganacht (if vehemently opposed by them) in some dynastic traditions, but possibly a grandson of Dáire Cerbba (other sources)
 * Bressal mac Ailello Thassaig, a King of Munster (one source only) from the early Uí Liatháin
 * Note: Angias, his sister, was the Queen of Lóegaire mac Néill, High King of Ireland and Emperor of the Barbarians

Historical Kings of Cashel, Iarmuman, and Munster
There were not verifiable Eóganacht overkings of (all or most of) Munster until the early 7th century, after the Corcu Loígde had fallen entirely from power, some time after losing their grip on the Kingdom of Osraige and the support of the Muscraige and others. Thus the earlier kings below are best described as Kings of Cashel, Kings of Iarmuman, or Kings of the Eóganachta. Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib was the first Eóganacht to powerfully project outside Munster, but his Iarmuman relations were a significant rival of Cashel in his time, and not enough is known of many of his successors before Cathal mac Finguine, although the fragmentary nature of the surviving sources can to an extent be blamed.

At this time also flourished the semi-independent Uí Fidgenti and Uí Liatháin, a pair of shadowy sister kingdoms whose official origins appear to have been adjusted in the 8th century in a semi-successful (if ambiguously necessary) attempt to integrate them into the Eóganachta political structure and genealogical scheme. Effective relations and an alliance were achieved with the Uí Fidgenti, to the credit of Eóganacht strength, wealth and finesse, but for unknown reasons the Uí Liatháin remained effective outsiders except to Eóganacht Glendamnach.

Of the Eóganachta, unless noted.

Eóganacht Chaisil, –500
–|| || Son of Luigthech mac Ailill Flann Bec ||Aimend several children|| unknown –453|| || Son of Corc mac Luigthig ||unknown|| 453 453–489|| || Son of Nad Froích mac Cuirc ||Eithne Uathach purported to have had twenty-four sons and twenty-four daughters|| 489 489–500|| || Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích ||unknown|| 500
 * Corc mac Luigthig
 * Corc mac Luigthig
 * Nad Froích mac Cuirc
 * Nad Froích mac Cuirc
 * Óengus mac Nad Froích
 * Óengus mac Nad Froích
 * Feidlimid mac Óengusa
 * Feidlimid mac Óengusa
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 500–596
500–522|| || Son of Óengus mac Nad Froích||unknown|| 522 522–542|| || Son of Eochaid mac Óengusa||unknown|| 542 542–577|| || Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado||unknown|| 577 577–596 (possible) || || Son of Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn||unknown|| 596
 * Eochaid mac Óengusa
 * Eochaid mac Óengusa
 * Crimthann Srem mac Echado
 * Crimthann Srem mac Echado
 * Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn
 * Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn
 * Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm
 * Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Airthir Cliach, 577–582
577–582|| || Son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado||unknown|| 582
 * Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
 * Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Raithlind, 582–588
582–588|| || Son of Tighearnach mac Aedh||unknown|| 588
 * Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
 * Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 596–601
596–601|| || Son of Éndai||unknown || 601 596–601|| || Son of Éndai||unknown || 601
 * Amalgaid mac Éndai
 * Amalgaid mac Éndai
 * Garbán mac Éndai
 * Garbán mac Éndai
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 601–618
601–618|| || Son of Áedo Duib||Mór Muman several children|| 618
 * Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
 * Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 618
618|| || Son of Crimthainn mac Cobhtach||unknown|| 618
 * Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
 * Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 618–627
618–627|| || Son of Áed Fland Cathrach||Mór Mumanseveral children|| 627
 * Cathal mac Áedo
 * Cathal mac Áedo
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 627–639
627–639|| || Son of Áedo Duib||unknown|| 639
 * Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
 * Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 639–641
639–641|| || Son of Amalgaid mac Éndai||unknown || 641
 * Cúán mac Amalgado
 * Cúán mac Amalgado
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 641–661
641–661|| || Son of Fíngen mac Áedo Duib and Mór Muman||unknown|| 661
 * Máenach mac Fíngin
 * Máenach mac Fíngin
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 661–665
661–665|| || Son of Cathal mac Áedo||several children|| 665
 * Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
 * Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 665–678
665–678|| || Son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib||unknown|| 678
 * Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
 * Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 678–701
678–696|| || Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair||several children|| 696 696–701|| || Son of Cathal Cú-cen-máthair||unknown|| 701
 * Finguine mac Cathail
 * Finguine mac Cathail
 * Ailill mac Cathail
 * Ailill mac Cathail
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 701–712
701–712|| || Son of Ailello mac  Máenach||unknown|| 712
 * Cormac mac Ailello
 * Cormac mac Ailello
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 712–721
712–721|| || Son of Máel Umai mac Cúán||unknown || 721
 * Eterscél mac Máele Umai
 * Eterscél mac Máele Umai
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 721–742
721–742|| || Son of Finguine mac Cathail||several children|| 742
 * Cathal mac Finguine
 * Cathal mac Finguine
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 742–769
742–769|| || Son of Eterscél mac Máele Umai||unknown || 769
 * Cathussach mac Eterscélai
 * Cathussach mac Eterscélai
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Locha Léin, 769–786
769–786|| || Son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing ||unknown|| 786
 * Máel Dúin mac Áedo
 * Máel Dúin mac Áedo
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 786–805
786–805 || || Son of Duib-Indrecht||unknown || 805
 * Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
 * Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Glendamnach, 805–820
805–820|| || Son of Cathal mac Finguine||one son|| 820 – (possible) || || Son of Artrí mac Cathail||unknown|| 807
 * Artrí mac Cathail
 * Artrí mac Cathail
 * Tnúthgal mac Artrach
 * Tnúthgal mac Artrach
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 820–847
807–820 (possible) || || Son of Máel Donngaile||unknown|| 820 820–847|| || Son of Crimthainn||unknown|| 28 August 847
 * Tnúthgal mac Donngaile
 * Tnúthgal mac Donngaile
 * Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
 * Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 847–851
847–851|| || Son of Cináeda ||unknown || 851
 * Ólchobar mac Cináeda
 * Ólchobar mac Cináeda
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 851–859
851–853|| || Son of Donngaile||unknown|| 853 853–859|| || Son of Donngaile||one son|| 859
 * Áilgenán mac Donngaile
 * Áilgenán mac Donngaile
 * Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
 * Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Áine, 859–872
859–872|| || Son of Mugthigirn ||unknown || 872
 * Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
 * Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 872–908
872–888|| || Son of Duib-dá-Bairenn mac Crundmáel||unknown|| 888 888–895|| || Son of Máel Gualae mac Donngaile||unknown|| 895 895–902|| || Son of Loégairi mac Duib-dá-Bairenn||unknown|| 902 902–908|| || Son of Cuilennáin mac Selbach||unknown|| 908
 * Dúnchad mac Duib-dá-Bairenn
 * Dúnchad mac Duib-dá-Bairenn
 * Dub Lachtna mac Máele Gualae
 * Dub Lachtna mac Máele Gualae
 * Finguine Cenn nGécan mac Loégairi
 * Finguine Cenn nGécan mac Loégairi
 * Cormac mac Cuilennáin
 * Cormac mac Cuilennáin
 * }
 * }

Múscraige, 908–944
908–944||  || Son of Inmainén||unknown || 944
 * Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
 * Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 944–957
944–|| || Son of Coinlígáin mac Corcrán||unknown|| unknown –954|| || Son of Buadacháin mac Lachtnae||one son|| 954 954–957|| || Son of Flann mac Donnchad||one son|| 957
 * Lorcán mac Coinlígáin
 * Lorcán mac Coinlígáin
 * Cellachán Caisil
 * Cellachán Caisil
 * Máel Fathardaig mac Flann
 * Máel Fathardaig mac Flann
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Raithlind, 957–959
957–959||  || Son of Domnall mac Dub-dá-Bairenn||unknown || 959
 * Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill
 * Dub-dá-Bairenn mac Domnaill
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 959–963
959–961|| || Son of Clérig mac Áilgenán||unknown|| 961 959–963|| || Son of Cellachán Caisil||unknown|| 963
 * Fer Gráid mac Clérig
 * Fer Gráid mac Clérig
 * Donnchad mac Cellacháin
 * Donnchad mac Cellacháin
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Raithlind, 959–978
959–970 976–978|| || Son of Brian||one son || 978
 * Máel Muad mac Brain
 * Máel Muad mac Brain
 * }
 * }

Uí Ímair, 960–977
960–977 (de facto) || ||uncertain||several children || 977
 * Ivar of Limerick
 * Ivar of Limerick
 * }
 * }

Dál gCais, 970–1014
970–976|| || Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin ||unknown || 976 978–1014 || || c. 941 Son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin and Bé Binn inion Urchadh || (1) Mór three sons (2) Echrad one son (3) Gormflaith one son || 23 April 1014
 * Mathgamain mac Cennétig
 * Mathgamain mac Cennétig
 * Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig
 * Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig
 * }
 * }

Eóganacht Chaisil, 1014–1025
1014–1025|| || Son of Máel Fathardaig mac Flann||unknown|| 1025
 * Dúngal Hua Donnchada
 * Dúngal Hua Donnchada
 * }
 * }

Ó Briain, 1025–1119
1025–1064|| || Son of Brian Bóruma and Gormflaith ingen Murchada ||Cacht ingen Ragnaill Three children || 1064 1064–1068|| || Son of Donnchad mac Briain and Cacht ingen Ragnaill||unknown || 1068 1068–1086|| ||1009 Son of Tadc mac Briain and Mór||(1) Dubchoblaig One son (2) Derbforgaill Two sons|| 1086 1086–1114 1118–1119|| ||1050 Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain||Derb Forgaill ingen Uí Laidcnén Three children|| 1119 1114–1118|| || 1060 Son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain||unknown || 1118 1118|| || Son of Murchad mac Donnchada||unknown || 1118
 * Donnchad mac Briain
 * Donnchad mac Briain
 * Murchad mac Donnchada
 * Murchad mac Donnchada
 * Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain
 * Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain
 * Muircheartach Ua Briain
 * Muircheartach Ua Briain
 * Diarmait Ua Briain
 * Diarmait Ua Briain
 * Brian Ua Briain
 * Brian Ua Briain
 * }
 * }

Mac Cárthaigh, 1127–1138
1127–1138|| || Son of Muireadach Mac Carthaigh||unknown|| 1138
 * Cormac Mac Carthaigh
 * Cormac Mac Carthaigh
 * }
 * }

Ó Briain, 1138–1194
1138–1142 (claimant) 1142–1167 (claimant) 1167–1168 (claimant) 1168–1194 (claimant)
 * Conchobar Ua Briain
 * Conchobar Ua Briain
 * Sword of Nuada.png || Son of Diarmait Ua Briain ||unknown || 1142
 * Toirdhealbhach mac Diarmada Ua Briain
 * Toirdhealbhach mac Diarmada Ua Briain
 * Sword of Nuada.png || Son of Diarmait Ua Briain ||unknown || 1167
 * Muirchertach mac Toirdelbhach Ua Briain
 * Muirchertach mac Toirdelbhach Ua Briain
 * Sword of Nuada.png || Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain ||unknown || 1168
 * Domnall Mór Ua Briain
 * Domnall Mór Ua Briain
 * Sword of Nuada.png || Son of Toirdelbhach mac Diarmaida Ua Briain ||Orlacan Ní Murchada Four children|| 1194
 * }
 * }