This article lists some of the attested Gaelic kingdoms of early medieval Ireland prior to the Norman invasion of 1169–1172.

For much of this period, the island was divided into numerous clan territories and kingdoms (known as túatha). These túatha often competed for control of resources and thus they continually grew and shrank (in both size and number). In addition to kingdoms or túatha, Gaelic Ireland was also divided into five prime overkingdoms (Old Irish cóiceda, Modern Irish cúige). These were Ulaid (in the north), Connacht (in the west), Laighin (in the southeast), Mumhan (in the south) and Mide (in the centre).

After the Norman invasion, much of the island came under the control of the Lordship of Ireland, although some parts remained under the control of Gaelic dynasties. After 1350, Norman control began to weaken, and a "Gaelic resurgence" took place which resulted in the direct influence of the Parliament of Ireland shrinking to an area known as The Pale by 1500. In 1541, the Kingdom of Ireland was established by Henry VIII, and the Tudor conquest of Ireland commenced. The repudiation of the terms of the Treaty of Mellifont by the Crown resulted in the Nine Years War and the Flight of the Earls, which marked the end of the Gaelic order.

Earliest times Darini, in Tyrone, Armagh and Down, possibly a branch of the Érainn and linked with their supposed ancestor deity Dáire Erdini in County Fermanagh Robogdii, in Antrim and Londonderry Venicnii in County Donegal Voluntii, probably the people later known as the Ulaid, in Armagh, Down, Monaghan and Cavan

Early Christian Airgíalla or Oirghialla or Oriel Airthir Cairpre Droma Cliab Cenél Conaill (Tir Chonaill) Cenél nEogain (Tir Eogain) Conaille Muirtheimne Cruithne Dál nAraidi Dál Fiatach Dál Riata Dartraige Dartraige Con-innsi Eilne Fir Manach Iveagh Osraige Uí Echach Cobo Northern Uí Néill Ulaid

From the 12th century East Breifne

Meath

Earliest times Ebdani, Eblani or Blanii (probably variants of the same name)

Early Christian Ciannachta Southern Uí Néill Brega Lagore Cnogba Tethbae (Old Irish pronunciation: [ˈt̠ʲeθβe]; also spelled Tethba, often anglicised Teffia Annaly Cairpre Gabra

Leinster

Earliest times Brigantes in south Wexford, also known from northern Britain; possibly linked with the goddess Brigit Cauci around Dublin Coriondi north Wexford Menapii in County Wicklow, also known from Gaul; their name is linked to Fermanagh and Monaghan, although they are much further north Osraige

Early Christian Kingdom of Dublin Uí Ceinnselaig Uí Dúnlainge

From the 12th century Kingdom of Leinster, see also Kings of Leinster.

Munster

Earliest times

Gangani or Concani in Counties Limerick and Clare; also lived in Wales – Ptolemy calls the Llŷn Peninsula the "Promontory of the Gangani" Iverni in County Cork, later known as the Érainn Luceni in Counties Kerry and Limerick Usdiae, Udiae or Vodiae in Counties Waterford and Cork, possibly related to the later Osraige Uterni in Cork Vellabori or Velabri in Kerry

Early Christian Builg Corcu Baiscind Corcu Duibne Corcu Loígde Dáirine Dál gCais Deirgtine Déisi Eóganachta Érainn Iarmuman Mairtine Múscraige Uí Fidgenti Uí Liatháin

From the 12th century Kingdom of Desmond Kingdom of Thomond Kingdom of Ormond

Connacht

Earliest times Auteini in County Galway, identified with the later Uaithne Nagnatae in County Mayo and County Sligo, possibly linked with the Ol nÉcmacht; Cóiced Ol nEchmacht was an ancient name for Connacht.

Early Christian Aidhne or Uí Fiachrach Aidhne Breifne Conmaicne Mara Connachta Corco Moga Delbhna Delbhna Nuadat Delbhna Tir Dha Locha Fir Domnann (aka Irrus Domnann) Hy Briuin Ai Hy Diarmata Hy Fiachrach Aidhne Hy Fiachrach Fionn Hy Fiachrach Muaidhe Hy-Many Iar Connacht Kinela Moylurg Muintir Murchada Partraige Síol Anmchadha Síol Muirdeach Soghan Tyrconnell Uí Fiachrach

From the 12th century Clanricarde Mac William Íochtar West Breifne

See also Irish nobility Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups Irish clans List of Irish clans MacDunleavy (dynasty) Monarchy of Ireland O'Donnell dynasty

References

Bhreathnach, Edel (ed.), The Kingship and Landscape of Tara. Four Courts Press for The Discovery Programme. 2005. Byrne, Francis J., Irish Kings and High-Kings. Four Courts Press. 3rd edition, 2001. Charles-Edwards, T.M., Early Christian Ireland. Cambridge University Press. 2000. Curley, Walter J.P., Vanishing Kingdoms: The Irish Chiefs and their Families. Dublin: Lilliput Press. 2004. Dillon, Myles, The Cycles of the Kings. Oxford. 1946. / Four Courts Press. Revised edition, 1995. Duffy, Seán (ed.), Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. 2005. Keating, Geoffrey, with David Comyn and Patrick S. Dinneen (trans.), The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating. 4 Vols. London: David Nutt for the Irish Texts Society. 1902–1914. MacKillop, James, A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford. 1998. Koch, John T. (ed.), Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. 5 volumes or single ebook. ABC–CLIO. 2006. Lalor, Brian, The Encyclopedia of Ireland. Yale University Press. 2003. Mac Niocaill, Gearóid, Ireland before the Vikings. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. 1972. Meyer, Kuno (ed.), "The Laud Genealogies and Tribal Histories", in Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie 8. Halle/Saale, Max Niemeyer. 1912. pp. 291–338. Ó Corráin, Donnchadh (ed.), Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502 University College, Cork: Corpus of Electronic Texts. 1997. Ó Corráin, Donnchadh, Ireland before the Normans. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan. 1972. O'Donovan, John (ed. and tr.), Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters, from the Earliest Period to the Year 1616. 7 vols. Royal Irish Academy. Dublin. 1848–1851. 2nd edition, 1856. O'Rahilly, Thomas F., Early Irish History and Mythology. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. 1946. Rynne, Etienne (ed.), North Munster Studies: Essays in Commemoration of Monsignor Michael Moloney. Limerick. 1967. Sproule, David, "Origins of the Éoganachta", in Ériu 35 (1984): pp. 31–37.

External links Ancient Kings, Kingdoms, and Territories of Ireland Ptolemy's Geography of Ireland