Muirchertach mac Néill (died 26 February 943), called Muirchertach of the Leather Cloaks (Old Irish: Muirchertach na Cochall Craicinn), was a King of Ailech.
Melkorka Mýrkjartansdóttir, whose story is told in the Icelandic Laxdæla saga, claimed to be the daughter of Muirchertach. Melkorka was sold as a slave to the Icelandic chieftain Höskuldur Dala-Kollsson, with whom she had an illegitimate son named Ólafur “Pái” Höskuldsson. Ólafur became a successful chieftain in Iceland, and is one of the major characters of Laxdæla saga.
Early lifeedit
Muirchertach's father was killed in battle against the Norse-Gaels of Ireland near Dublin on 14 September 919 along with many other Irish kings. Muirchertach's mother's brother, Donnchad Donn mac Flainn, became the new High King, while Muirchertach became King of Ailech.
Careeredit
Muirchertach married Donnchad's daughter Flann, but relations between the two men were not good. Conflict between them is recorded in 927, 929, and 938, but it was not until 941, following Flann's death the year previously, that Muirchertach and Donnchad came to blows. That year Muirchertach raided Mide, Osraige, and Munster, taking the Munster king Cellachán Caisil hostage as a demonstration of his power and Donnchad's limited authority. He is also said to have defeated a group of Norsemen at the Crown Mound near Newry in 924.[2]
Muirchertach was a hardened warrior, and finally met his death in battle in 943 at the hands of Blácaire mac Gofrith, King of Dublin. His obituary in the Annals of Ulster calls him "the Hector of the western world", and the "heir designate of Ireland".
Muirchertach's son Domnall ua Néill was passed over for the succession on Donnchad Donn's death the year after Muirchertach's, but eventually became High King following the death of Donnchad's successor Congalach Cnogba in 956.
^Newry.ie. newry.ie https://www.newry.ie/history/a-brief-history-of-the-crown-mound. Retrieved 28 August 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |ref= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
Byrne, Francis John, Irish Kings and High-Kings. Batsford, London, 1973. ISBN0-7134-5882-8
muirchertach, néill, died, february, called, muirchertach, leather, cloaks, irish, muirchertach, cochall, craicinn, king, ailech, contents, family, early, life, career, family, tree, referencesfamily, editmuirchertach, belonged, cenél, neógain, sept, northern,. Muirchertach mac Neill died 26 February 943 called Muirchertach of the Leather Cloaks Old Irish Muirchertach na Cochall Craicinn was a King of Ailech Contents 1 Family 2 Early life 3 Career 4 Family tree 5 ReferencesFamily editMuirchertach belonged to the Cenel nEogain sept of the northern Ui Neill He was the son of Niall Glundub and Gormlaith thus his father and both of his grandfathers Niall s father Aed Finnliath and Gormlaith s father Flann Sinna had been High King of Ireland Mael Muire ingen Cinaeda died 913 his father s mother had after the death of Aed been married to Flann Sinna and had borne him Domnall died 921 and Liagnach died 932 She was a daughter of king of the Picts Cinaed mac Ailpin His wife was Dubhdara ingen Cellaig daughter of Cellach mac Cerbaill and sister of Donnchad mac Cellaig both kings of Osraige 1 Melkorka Myrkjartansdottir whose story is told in the Icelandic Laxdaela saga claimed to be the daughter of Muirchertach Melkorka was sold as a slave to the Icelandic chieftain Hoskuldur Dala Kollsson with whom she had an illegitimate son named olafur Pai Hoskuldsson olafur became a successful chieftain in Iceland and is one of the major characters of Laxdaela saga Early life editMuirchertach s father was killed in battle against the Norse Gaels of Ireland near Dublin on 14 September 919 along with many other Irish kings Muirchertach s mother s brother Donnchad Donn mac Flainn became the new High King while Muirchertach became King of Ailech Career editMuirchertach married Donnchad s daughter Flann but relations between the two men were not good Conflict between them is recorded in 927 929 and 938 but it was not until 941 following Flann s death the year previously that Muirchertach and Donnchad came to blows That year Muirchertach raided Mide Osraige and Munster taking the Munster king Cellachan Caisil hostage as a demonstration of his power and Donnchad s limited authority He is also said to have defeated a group of Norsemen at the Crown Mound near Newry in 924 2 Muirchertach was a hardened warrior and finally met his death in battle in 943 at the hands of Blacaire mac Gofrith King of Dublin His obituary in the Annals of Ulster calls him the Hector of the western world and the heir designate of Ireland Muirchertach s son Domnall ua Neill was passed over for the succession on Donnchad Donn s death the year after Muirchertach s but eventually became High King following the death of Donnchad s successor Congalach Cnogba in 956 Family tree editFlann SinnaHigh King 879 916GormlaithAed FindliathHigh King 862 879Mael MuireDonnchad DonnHigh King 919 944GormlaithNiall GlundubHigh King 916 919FlannMuirchertachKing of Ailech 938 943ConaigFlaithbertachDomnallHigh King 956 980DomnallO Neill dynastyFergalKing of Ailech 980 989References edit The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory Vol 1 by William Carrigan p 44 https books google com books id 74QNAAAAYAAJ Newry ie newry ie https www newry ie history a brief history of the crown mound Retrieved 28 August 2023 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a External link in code class cs1 code ref code help Missing or empty title help Byrne Francis John Irish Kings and High Kings Batsford London 1973 ISBN 0 7134 5882 8 Moore Norman 1894 Muircheartach d 943 In Lee Sidney ed Dictionary of National Biography Vol 39 London Smith Elder amp Co Muirchertach mac NeillCenel nEogainRegnal titlesPreceded byFergal mac Domnaill King of Ailech938 943 Succeeded byDomnall ua Neill and Flaithbertach mac Muirchertaig meic Neill nbsp This biography of a member of an Irish royal house is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Muirchertach mac Neill amp oldid 1174568179, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
