This week we chat to Anthony Candon about one of the greatest men in Irish history — Muirchertach Ua Briain (c.1050–1119), king of Munster, arguably king of all Ireland, and great-grandson of Brian Bóru. Tony tells us all about Muirchertach's reputation as a great military leader, his influence on the Irish Church, his international status outside of Ireland, the astute marriage alliances he brokered for his daughters with famous Norwegian king Magnus Barelegs and Arnulf de Montgomery, brother of Robert de Bellême, earl of Shrewsbury. We also chat how appropriate a camel is as a diplomatic gift, the Rock of Cashel and decapitated head trophies in medieval Irish warfare.

You can find Anthony Candon's published articles on academia.edu

Suggested reading:

Anthony Candon, “Power, politics and polygamy: women and marriage in late pre-Norman Ireland”, in: Damian Bracken, and Dagmar Ó Riain-Raedel (eds), Ireland and Europe in the twelfth century: reform and renewal (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2006) 06–127

Anthony Candon, ‘Muirchertach Ua Briain, politics and naval activity in the Irish Sea, 1075 to 1119’, Gearóid Mac Niocaill and Patrick F. Wallace (ed.), Keimelia: studies in medieval archaeology and history in memory of Tom Delaney (1987), 397–415

Anthony Candon, ‘Barefaced effrontery: secular and ecclesiastical politics in early twelfth-century Ireland’, Seanchas Ard Mhacha, xiv, no. 2 (1991), 1–25

For the 12th century Church see Marie Therese Flanagan, The transformation of the Irish church in the twelfth century (Woodbridge, 2013).

For the Rock of Cashel listen to Dr Patrick Gleeson on the Amplify Archaeology Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/63Sv8kZNbP12NT4HoRAgUp?si=1dda663e986b4e53

Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday).

Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com

X (formerly Twitter): @EarlyIrishPod

Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, & Taighde Éireann (formerly Science Foundation Ireland/Irish Research Council).

Views expressed are the speakers' own.

Production: Tiago de Oliveira Veloso Silva.

Logo design: Matheus de Paula Costa

Music: Lexin_Music