1151 CE - The Rape of Derbforgaill (Dervorgilla)

by Larry Chamberlin

Dairmait Mac Murchada (Dermot MacMurrough), king of Leinster, became involved with Derbforgaill (Dervorgilla), a princess of Meath, daughter of Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn and the wife of Tigernán Ua Ruairk (Tiernan "One Eyed" O'Rourke), king of Bréifne (present Cavan & Leitrim). Dairmait absconded with the lady, apparently with her consent, and kept her for nearly a year. During that period she bore him a daughter, Aifa (Aoife, Eva). Derbforgaill was then captured by Toirrdelbach Ua Conchobair (Turloch O'Connor), the Ard Rí, and returned to her husband; but Tigernán would not forgive Dairmait. Derbforgaill established the Nun's Church at Clonmacnoise. Dairmait himself remained in Leinster, consolidating his holdings, burning churches and monasteries in raids and rebuilding them once he captured them, and, incidently, sponsoring the Book of Leinster.

Sources:

Oxford History of Ireland, ed. R. F. Foster, Oxford University Press, (c)1989, ISBN 0-19-285271-X

A History of Ireland, Peter & Fiona Somerset Fry, Rutledge, (c)1988 & Barnes & Noble [reprint] 1993, ISBN: 1-56619-215-3

Chronicles of the Celts, Iain Zaczek, Collins & Brown, London, (c)1996, ISBN: 1-85585-407-4

The Geraldines, an Experiment in Irish Government, 1169 - 1601, Brian Fitzgerald, The Devin-Adair Company, New York, 1952; Staples Printers Ltd., Rochester, Kent, (c)1951

The World of the Celts, Simon James, Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1993, ISBN 0-500-0567-8

The People of Ireland, ed. Patrick Loughery, New Amsterdam Books, N.Y., (c)1989, ISBN: 0-941533-55-7

***The Celts, Jean Markale (orig. publ. as "Les Celts et la Civilsation Celtique" by Payot, Paris, 1976; U.S. ed. publ. by Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vermont, 1993, ISBN: 0-89281-413-6)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: *** = These tracts deal with mythical legends and historical events, without clearly distinguishing between the two. Markale, while presenting the historical texts of the contemporary writers in great detail and with a fine critical analysis, nonetheless includes events from Irish legend without properly disclaiming their authenticity. Despite this shortcoming, if one is cautious enough to note the sources, the books is excellent.

prepared by Larry Chamberlin

Back to Top

'Clannada na Gadelica' is a registered trademark of the Clannada na Gadelica.
©1999-2007 Clannada na Gadelica, all rights reserved.

WWW Clannada.org

Web Site Designed by Heather