5 famous Irish Kings and Queens

5 famous Irish Kings and Queens

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Ireland was ruled by the monarch until the early 20th Century, though Nothern Ireland is still part of a monarchy under the United Kingdom. After 1922, most of Ireland left the United Kingdom to become the Irish Free State. 

These five kings ruled Ireland during times of different times in history. 

1. Brian Boru

Brian Boru was a deeply religious king, a staunch Christian who was killed on the Good Friday of 1014, during the Battle of Clontarf. He refused to fight saying that he would not spill blood on a Good Friday defending the children of Adam! His son Murchad and grandson Toirdelbach were also killed during the battle. Brian Boru was the last great High King of Ireland and a very good military general. His brother Mahon was the King of Munster and was killed during a battle against the Norsemen. Brian in retaliation killed the king of Limerick, King Imar. During his rule, some of the things that earned him the title Brian of Tributes were because he collected tributes from minor rulers to set up monasteries and libraries and restore those that had been destroyed.

Brian was married twice and he married off his nine children to nobility so that he could strengthen his alliances. Brian is still such an important icon in Ireland, so much so that his harp, the Brian Boru harp is on the Guinness logo and is among things that make him very influential even to this day! 

The battle, where Brian met his death at the age of 74, was fought between the High King of Ireland, he, and an alliance of several people; King of Dublin, King of Leinster, and Earl of Orkney. When he died, his comrade Mael Sechnaill assumed power instead of his remaining sons.

At the time, Ireland had about 30 kings who went into battle regularly. 

2. Mael Sechnaill

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Mael Sechnaill succeeded Brian Boru as the High King of Ireland in 976, he secured his kingship during a battle where he defeated Hamlaib Tara, the Hiberno-Norse King of Dublin. He belonged to the clan Cholmain Dynasty, a branch of Uá Néill which had dominated Ireland for generations and monopolized the kingship of Tara, the most prestigious kingship in Ireland at the time. 

He is credited with ending slavery of the Irish in England. He, for a long time, opposed Brian Boru and after Brian gained the trust of other Irish kings, Mael had no option but to submit to him. 

They agreed to share kingship of Ireland; Brian leading the South, while he headed the North. Brian died during the Battle of Clontarf, and Mael retained kingship of both the south and the north and retained it until his death in 1022.  

3. Elizabeth I of England 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Queen Elizabeth, I was the Queen of England and Ireland from 1588 until her death in 1603. She was the last of the five monarchs of the House of Tudor. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn who was his second wife; was also referred to by people as ‘Virgin Queen’ because she often said she was married to her country.

Elizabeth was initially not supposed to be queen. During her time, it was almost impossible to have a girl inherit the throne; only boys/ men could be heirs to thrones. She was third in line but her brother Henry VIII’s died only six years after taking the throne and so did her eldest sister Mary after five years. 

Her elder siblings had caused chaos in the kingdom. Mary, for example, had ordered the execution of 300 protestants in her bid to return the kingdom into Catholicism and had left the kingdom at war with France. Elizabeth had to work hard to bring some order, and she started by allowing Protestantism and with the help of her advisor William Cecil, she was able to resolve the issues they had with France. 

Elizabeth was loved by everyone, she had her father’s charm and successfully led her kingdom wisely. One of the seasons that made her a legend was her win against the Spanish Armada in 1588. She ruled in the 16th Century during the Elizabethan Age or England’s Golden Age, a period when England asserted herself as a political, commercial and artistic power in Europe, and also a very peaceful era. She left a huge impact in administration in politics and religion and demonstrated her prowess in being a shrewd, strategic, and diplomatic leader. She also is known to have been the one who established Protestantism in her country. She ruled the country for 44 years until her death. She had been ruling since she was 25 years old.  

4. Flann Sinna 

Image: Wikipedia

Flann Sinna, the King of Ireland from the Kingdom of Mide is famous for his victory at the Battle of Ballaghmoon in 908 CE after his numerous successes, he is known to have erected monuments in his honor! He was not a stranger to rebellion some opposing his reign, some from other kingdoms, and even got opposition twice from his sons. He was named king after the death of his cousin and stepfather Áed Findliath. His kingship was marred by propaganda; even though his military and diplomatic prowess were also outstanding. In his time also, the power of a king was gauged by how many hostages had from other kingdoms, and Flann had many which made him a powerful king.   

So how did Flann Sinna get his kingship? Well, legend says that he and his brothers were out hunting when they met a frail old woman who insisted that they should kiss her before she could give them water. While everyone else gave her a peck on the cheek, Flann kissed the woman who then transformed into a beautiful young lady who then granted him the kingship of Ireland! 

The Ui Niall Dynasty ruled Ireland for generations, they divided Ireland to Nothern Ui Niall and Southern Ui Niall kingdom where both produced a king in turns to rule the land. While there were other smaller kingdoms, they were either independent or semi-independent. 

His authority went down when his favorite son was killed by Áed Findliath’s son Niall Glunúndub who eventually took the throne, and his other sons also revolted against him!

5. Dermot MacMurrough 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Dermot MacMurrough is known as the guy who invited England to Ireland. He was the king of Leinster during the 12th Century. He was known to use force and brutality when dealing with his opponents by blinding them, he even blinded and killing 17 of them! He also formed alliances like he did with King Rory O’Connor who at the time was the King of Ireland. 

In 1166, MacMurrough was exiled to France by Gaelic Chieftains and since he did not want to lose his kingdom, he approached Court of Henry II of England and he offered to be a vassal and in return, he would get military aid that would help him reclaim his kingdom. He received assistance by giving him an army to Ireland. They surprised the chieftains by defeating them and reclaiming the kingdom. Even though they were constantly attacked, he fought back and did not relent and even captured Dublin and Waterford, taking his opponents by surprise. He remained in a cordial relationship with Henry II and even married his daughter as a form of gratitude and to cement their alliance.