Murchad mac Diarmait mac Mail na mBo was a king of Leinster and Dublin, a son of Diarmait mac Mail na mBo (died 1072). He was a member of Leinster's Ui Cheinnselaigh dynasty who had only recently wrested the kingship from the Ui Dunlaigne . The last Ui Cheinnselaigh king of Leinster was Aed mac Colcu who died in 798, but Murchad's last direct ancestor to reign as king was Crimthann mac Enna Cennsalagh who died in 483.
Murchad was survived by his father Diarmait mac Mail na mBo (died 1072). He was succeded as king of Leinster by his son Domnall (died 1075), his brother Enna (died 1092) and Enna's son Diarmait (died 1098).
The family of MacMurrough or MacMurrough-Cavanagh take their name from him. His grandson, Diarmait MacMurrough was king of Leinster 1126–1171.
Murchadh, son of Diarmaid, son of Mael-na-mbo, lord of the foreigners and of Leinster, under his father, died at Ath-cliath, precisely on Sunday, the festival of Mary, in winter. It was in lamentation of him the poet composed these quatrains:
- There is grief for a chief king at Ath Cliath ,
- Which will not be exceeded till the terrible Judgment Day;
- Empty is the fortress without the descendant of Duach ,
- Quickly was the vigour of its heroes cut down.
- Sorrowful every party in the fortress
- For their chief, against whom no army prevailed;
- Since the body of the king was hidden from all,
- Every evil has showered ever constant.
- For Murchadh, son of Diarmaid the impetuous,
- Many a fervent prayer is offered;
- In sorrow for the death of the chief is every host
- That was wont to defeat in the battle,
- Great the sorrow that he was not everlasting;
- Pity that death hath attacked him.
- Too early it was that he removed from him his complexion,
- That he removed one like him from his body.
- Liberal of wealth was the grandson of Mael-na-mbo;
- He bestowed horses, and he distributed cows,
- For the sake of his going to God.
- Who is it to whom 'tis best to give fleeting wealth?
Sources:
Last updated: 07-29-2005 19:28:03
