Battle of Belach Lechta
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Belach Lechta or Bealach Leachta was an important battle fought in 978 in Munster
between Máel Muad mac Brain
, King of Munster, and Brian Bóruma, younger brother of Mathgamain mac Cennétig
and future High King of Ireland
. Almost no contemporary details of the battle have survived, but Máel Muad was slain, thus making Brian de facto king of Munster.
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
between Máel Muad mac Brain
Máel Muad mac Brain
Máel Muad mac Brain , commonly anglicised Molloy, was King of Munster, first possibly from 959 or alternatively 963 to around 970, when he may have been deposed by Mathgamain mac Cennétig of the Dál gCais, and then again from 976, following his putting to death of the latter, until his own death...
, King of Munster, and Brian Bóruma, younger brother of Mathgamain mac Cennétig
Mathgamain mac Cennétig
Mathgamain mac Cennétig was King of Munster from around 970 to his death in 976. He is the elder brother of Brian Bóruma and the ancestor of the McMahon family of County Clare in Western Ireland ....
and future High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
. Almost no contemporary details of the battle have survived, but Máel Muad was slain, thus making Brian de facto king of Munster.