Early History - Kings of Leinster Caomhánach

1 history - kings of leinster

1.1 12th century - origin , meaning of name
1.2 14th century - art mór mac murchadha caomhánach
1.3 17th century - 9 years war

early history - kings of leinster

the caomhánach family branch of mac murchada dynasty descended domhnall caomhánach, eldest son of diarmait, king of leinster.

the dynasty family descend known uí ceinnselaig, territory included of county carlow , county wexford, parts of counties wicklow , kilkenny included. caomhánach family maintained control of kingship of leinster until 17th century. claim @ times disputed , resulted in consistent clashes anglo-norman settlers in ireland. lion passant on caomhánach arms classic heraldic device associated feudal power unusual family of gaelic extraction; may intended signify centuries-long connection of family kingship of leinster.

12th century - origin , meaning of name

it referenced in translation of historical annals of 4 masters john o donovan domhnall caomhánach fostered training , education @ monastery of saint cóemgen @ kilcavan in barony of gorey, county wexford. according irish custom, because of domhnall assumed name caomhánach in form of descriptive byname meaning student or follower of cóemgen . contrary usual irish practice, name adopted descendants inherited surname. in several gaelic dictionaries, caomhánach defined friend, companion , merciful .

14th century - art mór mac murchadha caomhánach

art mór riding meet earl of gloucester, depicted in illustration jean creton s histoire du roy d angleterre richard ii

art mór mac murchadha caomhánach regarded formidable of later kings of leinster. throughout course of reign, art managed reclaim control on of kingdom of leinster. drove descendants of anglo-norman settlers out of north wexford , coastal wicklow , threatened anglo-irish towns of wexford, carlow , dublin. territory of caomhánachs @ period huge , became known kavanagh s country , reason: art held complete control on it, reigning forty-two years, , receiving dues english crown, black rent known.

art became such threat english interest in ireland richard ii of england made 2 expeditions ireland bring him submission, latter costing richard ii throne captured , murdered upon return england. art remained @ large king of leinster until 1416 or 1417, when poisoned in new ross. although domhnall caomhánach first bearer of name, in fact majority of septs proliferated fifteenth century on descend art.

17th century - 9 years war

in 16th century, cahir mac art kavanagh took part in desmond rebellions. art kavanagh, companion of hugh o neill s took part in dramatic escape dublin castle in 1590. chiefs of family continued take ruling title mac murchadha, mid-sixteenth century power on wane, , decisively broken start of seventeenth century. last king of leinster domhnall spainneach mac murrough caomhanach, submitted @ end of 9 years war in 1603.

despite family s loss of power , property, line of descent last duly inaugurated chief of name, brian kavanagh, mac murchadha, remained unbroken down recent times. not surprising, then, caomhánachs prominent among great wave of native irish aristocrats emigrating europe in wake of final defeat of gaelic ireland @ end of seventeenth century, becoming officers in armies of catholic france, spain , austria.

in 17th century brian kavanagh fought house of stuart in scotland , described tallest man in king james army. charles kavanagh rose military governor of prague in 1766. several caomhánachs officers in irish brigade in jacobin army of france , branch of family settled in country. caomhánachs rose high rank in empire of austria-hungary.