Bruree
Encyclopedia
Bruree is a village in south-eastern County Limerick
, Ireland
, on the River Maigue
. It takes its name from the nearby ancient royal fortress, the alternative name of which from the earliest times into the High Middle Ages was Dún
Eochair Maigue or the Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue.
. At some point later it came into the possession of the Uí Fidgenti
and was their capital until the late 12th century. Before them it may have belonged to the Dáirine
or Érainn, being named by Geoffrey Keating
as a fortress built by Cú Roí mac Dáire. An early king and semi-mythological ancestor of the Eóganachta
and Uí Fidgenti, Ailill Aulom
, is then found at the fortress in the Cath Maige Mucrama cycle. The historical Eóganacht king Óengus mac Nad Froích
is also found here in one legend.
Former President of Ireland
Éamon de Valera
's mother Catherine Coll
was from Bruree and he was taken by her family to be raised here. De Valera attended school in the village.
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, on the River Maigue
River Maigue
The River Maigue, rises in the Milford area of North County Cork, Ireland.It is joined by the small River Glen and the larger River Loobagh in south County Limerick. It then flows north through Bruree, after which it augmented by the River Morning Star...
. It takes its name from the nearby ancient royal fortress, the alternative name of which from the earliest times into the High Middle Ages was Dún
Dun
Dun is now used both as a generic term for a fort and also for a specific variety of Atlantic roundhouse...
Eochair Maigue or the Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue.
History
A settlement on the River Maigue, Bruree was once a seat and alternative capital of the ancient Kings of MunsterKings of Munster
The name Munster is derived from the Gaelic God, Muman. The province of Munster was once divided into six regions: Tuadh Mhuman , Des Mhuman , Aur/Ur Mumhan , Iar mumhan or Iarmuman , Ernaibh Muman , and Deisi Muman...
. At some point later it came into the possession of the Uí Fidgenti
Uí Fidgenti
The Uí Fidgenti or Wood-Sprung People were an early kingdom of northern Munster, situated mostly in modern County Limerick, but extending into County Clare and County Tipperary, and possibly even County Kerry and County Cork, at maximum extents, which varied over time...
and was their capital until the late 12th century. Before them it may have belonged to the Dáirine
Dáirine
The Dáirine , later known dynastically as the Corcu Loígde, were the proto-historical rulers of Munster before the rise of the Eóganachta in the 7th century AD. They appear to have derived from the Darini of Ptolemy and to have been related to the Ulaid and Dál Riata of Ulster and Scotland...
or Érainn, being named by Geoffrey Keating
Geoffrey Keating
Seathrún Céitinn, known in English as Geoffrey Keating, was a 17th century Irish Roman Catholic priest, poet and historian. He was born in County Tipperary c. 1569, and died c. 1644...
as a fortress built by Cú Roí mac Dáire. An early king and semi-mythological ancestor of the Eóganachta
Eóganachta
The Eóganachta or Eoghanachta were an Irish dynasty centred around Cashel which dominated southern Ireland from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of Desmond, and its offshoot Carbery, well into the 16th century...
and Uí Fidgenti, Ailill Aulom
Ailill Aulom
In Irish traditional history Ailill Ollamh , son of Mug Nuadat, was a king of the southern half of Ireland. Sabia, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, was his wife. He divided the kingdom between his sons Éogan, Cormac Cas, and Cian. Éogan founded the dynasty of the Eóganachta...
, is then found at the fortress in the Cath Maige Mucrama cycle. The historical Eóganacht king Óengus mac Nad Froích
Óengus mac Nad Froích
Óengus mac Nad Froích was an Eoganachta and the first Christian king of Munster. He was the son of Nad Froich mac Cuirc by Faochan, a British lady...
is also found here in one legend.
Former President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
's mother Catherine Coll
Catherine Coll
Catherine Wheelwright , was the mother of Irish President and Taoiseach Éamon de Valera.-Biography:...
was from Bruree and he was taken by her family to be raised here. De Valera attended school in the village.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland