Inside the lack Ruaidhri Ua Conchobhair (kid out-of Diarmuid’s previous opponent, Higher King Toirdhealbhach) had become the fresh new Large King out-of Ireland

After the loss of the popular Highest Queen Brian Boru when you look at the 1014, Ireland is at nearly ongoing municipal war for a few years. Following fall of O’Brien nearest and dearest (Brian Boru’s descendants) on the Irish throne, the many family members and this influenced Ireland’s four provinces was always attacking together to have command over all of Ireland. At the time Ireland are eg a federal kingdom, and never a unitary county, which have five provinces (Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and you will Connaught including Meath, that was the chair of Highest King) for every influenced from the leaders who had been the allowed to be dedicated or at least respectful into the Highest Queen out-of Ireland.

Inside the 1166, Ireland’s the new Large Queen and you may Diarmuid’s only ally Muircheartach Ua Lochlainn had dropped, and a massive coalition added by the Tighearnan Ua Ruairc (Diarmuid’s archenemy) marched toward Leinster. Diarmuid escaped so you’re able to Wales and you may after that to The united kingdomt and France, for having King Henry II’s consent to getting allowed generate soldiers to bring back to help you Ireland and you may reclaim their kingship. Towards to Wales, Robert Fitzstephen helped him plan out a great mercenary army of Norman and you can Welsh troops, plus Richard de Clare, second Earl away from Pembroke, alias Strongbow.

Diarmuid organized not only to retake Leinster, but so you can oust new Ui Conchobhair clan and become the new High Queen out of Ireland themselves. He quickly retook Dublin, Ossory, and also the former Viking payment away from Waterford, and you will contained in this a few days had every one of Leinster within his manage again. Then marched to your Tara (upcoming Ireland’s investment) so you can oust Ruaidhri. Diarmuid gambled one to Ruaidhri wouldn’t hurt the Leinster hostages and this he previously (together with Diarmuid’s earliest kid, Conchobhar Mac Murchadha). Although not Ua Ruairc pushed his hands and they was in fact the murdered.

Ua Ruairc and his allies got Leinster effortlessly, and you may Diarmuid with his wife barely escaped with their lifetime

Diarmuid’s military following shed the fight. The guy sent word to help you Wales and you will pleaded that have Strongbow to come so you’re able to Ireland immediately. Strongbow’s short force landed within the Wexford with Welsh and you may Norman cavalry and you can got more each other Waterford and you can Wexford. Then they took Dublin. Diarmuid was devastated following death of their boy, Domhnall, retreated so you can Ferns and you will died a few months later.

Inside the Irish records instructions created immediately following 1800 regarding the age of nationalism, Diarmuid MacMorrough are tend to thought to be good traitor–probably the most infamous traitor for the Irish records, in reality–however, their intention wasn’t to assist an English attack of Ireland, but instead to make use of Henry’s help get to be the High King away from Ireland themselves. He previously no way regarding knowing Henry II’s dreams inside the Ireland. In his date, government try based on dynasties and you will Ireland wasn’t influenced once the a single county. In turn, Henry II don’t imagine himself becoming English otherwise Norman, but French, and you may is only giving an answer to the new truth on to the floor.

Gerald out of Wales, a good Cambro-Norman historian who visited Ireland inside 1185 and you may whoever uncles and cousins was indeed prominent troops from the army of Strongbow, frequent its viewpoints off Diarmuid: «Today Diarmuid was one extreme out-of stature and you will stout from frame; a great soldier whoever heart was in this new fray, and you will held valiant one of his own country. Away from have a tendency to yelling their competition-scream their sound came into existence hoarse. Person who do oppress their deeper vassals, as he increased so you can higher station men from lowly birth. A good tyrant so you can his or her own victims, he had been disliked because of the complete strangers; their give try against all the man, each man’s hand facing your.»