Within the 1166, Ireland’s this new High King and you can Mac computer Murchadha’s simply ally Muircheartach Ua Lochlainn got fell, and you will a huge coalition added from the Tighearnan Ua Ruairc (Mac be2 computer Murchadha’s arch enemy) marched on Leinster. Ua Ruairc and his awesome allies grabbed Leinster with ease, and you may Mac Murchadha and his girlfriend scarcely escaped due to their existence. Mac Murchadha fled so you’re able to Wales and you will from that point to help you The united kingdomt and you can France, in order to have Queen Henry II’s agree to getting acceptance hire soldiers to replace in order to Ireland and you will recover his kingship. Towards returning to Wales, Robert Fitzstephen aided your organize a beneficial mercenary military off Norman and Welsh soldiers, in addition to Richard de- Clare, 2nd Earl away from Pembroke, alias Strongbow

In his absence, Ruaidhri Ua Conchobhair (man out of Mac Murchadha’s former adversary, Highest Queen Toirdhealbhach) came into existence the brand new High King regarding Ireland. Mac Murchadha organized not just to retake Leinster, but to oust the new Ui Conchobhair clan and start to become the newest High King out-of Ireland themselves. He rapidly retook Dublin, Ossory plus the previous Viking settlement out of Waterford, and inside a short time got each one of Leinster inside the handle once more. Then he marched into the Tara (upcoming Ireland’s capital) to help you oust Ruaidhri. Mac Murchadha wagered one to Ruaidhri would not damage the newest Leinster hostages that he had (in addition to Mac Murchadha’s eldest boy, Conchobhar Mac Murchadha). Yet not Ua Ruairc pressed his hands as well as have been all the slain.

Diarmaid’s military next shed the fight. He sent word to help you Wales and you will pleaded which have Strongbow in the future to help you Ireland as quickly as possible. Strongbow’s small force arrived into the Wexford having Welsh and you will Norman cavalry and grabbed more than one another Waterford and you can Wexford. Then they got Dublin. MacMurrough is actually devastated after the loss of his kid, Domhnall, retreated to Ferns and you may passed away a couple months later.

Gerald of Wales, a great Cambro-Norman historian who decided to go to Ireland and you can whoever uncles and you can cousins was in fact well-known troops on the army from Strongbow, said off Mac computer Murchadha:

Strongbow partnered Dermot’s daughter Aoife out of Leinster for the 1170, due to the fact she are an effective heiress, and thus much of their (along with his followers’) property are offered so you’re able to your in Irish Brehon law, and later reconfirmed below Norman laws. The marriage was imagined and you will coated throughout the Romantic style for the 1854 by the Daniel Maclise.

In the Irish record courses created just after 1800 regarding period of nationalism, Diarmaid Mac computer Murchadha are usually recognized as an effective traitor, however, their intention wasn’t to assist an English attack out-of Ireland, but alternatively to make use of Henry’s assistance to end up being the Higher Queen out of Ireland himself. He previously no way regarding once you understand Henry II’s goals when you look at the Ireland. Inside the go out, government was considering dynasties and you can Ireland wasn’t ruled since the one single county. Therefore, Henry II failed to think himself are English otherwise Norman, however, French, and you may are just giving an answer to the fresh insights on to the ground.

The guy additional “Lord of Ireland” in order to their many other headings

“Now Dermot is a man tall out of stature and you will stout of frame; an effective soldier whose heart was in brand new arena, and you may kept valiant among his own country. Off tend to yelling their competition-scream their voice has been around since hoarse. Individual that carry out oppress their better vassals, as he raised to help you large channel boys of lowly birth. An effective tyrant so you can his personal subjects, he was hated of the strangers; his hands was facing all of the child, and each mans hand against him.”

Immediately after Strongbow’s successful intrusion, Henry II mounted a second and you will huge intrusion inside 1171 so you can make sure their control over their Norman victims, hence been successful. He then accepted the new distribution of Irish leaders within the Dublin. He including ensured you to definitely his moral state they Ireland, provided because of the 1154 papal bull Laudabiliter, try reconfirmed inside 1172 by the Pope Alexander III and also by a great synod of the many Irish bishops during the Cashel.