Kingdom of Osraige
Encyclopedia
The Kingdom of Osraighe (older spelling: Osraige, reformed spelling: Osraí), anglicized as Ossory, was an ancient kingdom
of Ireland
. It formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province of Munster
until the middle of the 9th century, after which it attached itself to Leinster
. Ossory was allied to the powerful Corcu Loígde
or Dáirine
of Munster for several centuries before the rise of the Eóganachta
in the 7th century, and is said to have provided a number of prehistoric kings of Munster under the alliance. The new political configuration, probably the result of an Uí Néill
-Eóganachta alliance against the Corcu Loígde, caused a reduction in Ossory's relative status, and its kings to thus seek their fortunes in Leinster.
The Osraige—their name means people of the Deer—inhabited much of modern County Kilkenny
and parts of neighbouring County Laois
. To the west and south, Osraige was bounded by the River Suir
, to the east the watershed of the River Barrow
marked the boundary with Leinster, and to the north it extended into and beyond the Slieve Bloom Mountains
. The medieval Diocese of Ossory covered much the same region. Its most significant neighbours were the Loígsi, Uí Cheinnselaig
and Uí Bairrche
of Leinster to the north and east and the Déisi Muman, Eóganacht Chaisil
and Éile
of Munster to the south and west.
In the earliest times, the church at Domnach Mór Roigni (now Donaghmore, County Laois
) may have been the chief church in Osraige, but in historic times it had been eclipsed by Aghaboe
(County Laois), chief church of Saint Cainnech, since replaced by Kilkenny
, and Seir Kieran (County Offaly
), chief church of Saint Ciarán of Saighir
. The record of the Irish annals
also points to Freshford
(County Kilkenny) being of some importance, while archaeological evidence suggests that Kilkieran, Killamery
and Kilree (all County Kilkenny) were significant ecclesiastical sites.
In historic times, the territory was ruled by the Mac Giolla Phádraig or FitzPatrick dynasty until their submission to Henry VIII
of England
in 1537. In 1541 The Mac Giolla Phádraig was ennobled as Baron Upper Ossory
, and other members of the family were subsequently created Earl of Upper Ossory
and Baron Castletown
.
A celebrated king of Osraige was Cerball mac Dúnlainge
, ancestor of the medieval and modern FitzPatricks. He was also so close to the Norse that he features in many medieval Icelandic pedigrees through his daughters, giving the FitzPatricks a unique and celebrated genealogical position in Northern Europe.
Gofraid mac Arailt
, King of Mann and the Isles, through his daughter Mael Muire, appears to have been the maternal grandfather of Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic, the Osraige King of Leinster. Thus the FitzPatricks are probably descendants of the Uí Ímair
. Cerball himself was in fact an ally of their (probable) founder Ivar Ragnarsson. It is also possible that Donnchad's father Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada was somehow a relation of Ivar of Waterford
, who had a son named Gilla Pátraic.
pedigree of the Osraige is a fabrication, invented to help them achieve their goals in Leinster. Francis John Byrne
suggests that it may date from the time of Cerball mac Dúnlainge.
The Osraige were probably either a southern branch of the Ulaid
or Dál Fiatach
of Ulster
, and/or quite possibly close kin to their former Corcu Loígde allies. In either case it would appear they should properly be counted among the Érainn.
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province 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...
until the middle of the 9th century, after which it attached itself to Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
. Ossory was allied to the powerful Corcu Loígde
Corcu Loígde
The Corcu Loígde , meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centered in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of Munster, the Dáirine, of whom they were the principal royal sept...
or 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...
of Munster for several centuries before the rise 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...
in the 7th century, and is said to have provided a number of prehistoric kings of Munster under the alliance. The new political configuration, probably the result of an Uí Néill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
-Eóganachta alliance against the Corcu Loígde, caused a reduction in Ossory's relative status, and its kings to thus seek their fortunes in Leinster.
The Osraige—their name means people of the Deer—inhabited much of modern County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
and parts of neighbouring County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
. To the west and south, Osraige was bounded by the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
, to the east the watershed of the River Barrow
River Barrow
The Barrow is a river in Ireland. It is one of The Three Sisters; the other two being the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest and most prominent of the three rivers...
marked the boundary with Leinster, and to the north it extended into and beyond the Slieve Bloom Mountains
Slieve Bloom Mountains
Situated close to the geographical centre of Ireland The Slieve Bloom Mountains rise from the central plain of Ireland to a height of 527 metres. While not very high, they are extensive by local standards...
. The medieval Diocese of Ossory covered much the same region. Its most significant neighbours were the Loígsi, Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
and Uí Bairrche
Uí Bairrche
Uí Bairrche was an Irish kin-based group that originally held lands in the south of the ancient province of Leinster . Another south Leinster kin group associated with the Uí Bairrche were groups of the Fothairt. The south of Leinster was dominated by the Uí Chennselaig in the 8th century...
of Leinster to the north and east and the Déisi Muman, Eóganacht Chaisil
Eóganacht Chaisil
Eóganacht Chaisil were a branch of the Eóganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster during the 5th-10th centuries. They took their name from Cashel which was the capital of the early Christian kingdom of Munster...
and Éile
Éile
Éile, Éle or Éli, commonly anglicised Ely, was an ancient and medieval kingdom of northern Munster in Ireland.-Overview:They claimed descent from Céin , a possibly mythical or spurious younger son of Ailill Aulom and brother of Éogan Mór, and thus kinship with the Eóganachta...
of Munster to the south and west.
In the earliest times, the church at Domnach Mór Roigni (now Donaghmore, County Laois
Donaghmore, County Laois
Donaghmore is a small village in County Laois in Ireland.It is located in the south of the county near Rathdowney on the main R435 regional road, on the River Erkina, a tributary of the Nore.-The Workhouse:...
) may have been the chief church in Osraige, but in historic times it had been eclipsed by Aghaboe
Aghaboe
Aghaboe is a village and parish in County Laois, Ireland. It is located on the R434 regional road in the rural hinterland west of the town of Abbeyleix....
(County Laois), chief church of Saint Cainnech, since replaced by Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, and Seir Kieran (County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
), chief church of Saint Ciarán of Saighir
Ciarán of Saighir
Saint Ciarán mac Luaigne or Ciarán of Saigir was an early Irish bishop and patron saint of Ossory, who was supposed to have flourished in the second half of the 5th century. He is also referred to as Ciarán the Elder in order to distinguish him from Ciarán of Clonmacnoise...
. The record of the Irish annals
Irish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
also points to Freshford
Freshford, Ireland
Freshford is a village in the barony of Crannagh, County Kilkenny, Ireland.-History:The village is the site of a monastery dating to the early 7th century...
(County Kilkenny) being of some importance, while archaeological evidence suggests that Kilkieran, Killamery
Killamery
Killamery is a village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It was the site of a monastery and has a High Cross.Two bullauns and a holy well are also found nearby....
and Kilree (all County Kilkenny) were significant ecclesiastical sites.
In historic times, the territory was ruled by the Mac Giolla Phádraig or FitzPatrick dynasty until their submission to Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1537. In 1541 The Mac Giolla Phádraig was ennobled as Baron Upper Ossory
Baron Upper Ossory
The title of Baron Upper Ossory in the Peerage of Ireland was created on 11 June 1541 for Barnaby Fitzpatrick. This was in pursuance of the Surrender and regrant policy of King Henry VIII of England. Under the policy, Gaelic chiefs were actively encouraged to surrender their lands to the king and...
, and other members of the family were subsequently created Earl of Upper Ossory
Earl of Upper Ossory
Earl of Upper Ossory was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created on 5 October 1751 for John FitzPatrick, 2nd Baron Gowran, who later represented Bedfordshire in the House of Commons. He was the son of Richard FitzPatrick, who had been created Baron Gowran on 27 April 1715, also in the...
and Baron Castletown
Baron Castletown
Baron Castletown, of Upper Ossory in the Queen's County, was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 10 December 1869 for John FitzPatrick, the former Liberal Member of Parliament for Queen's County. He was the illegitimate son of John FitzPatrick, 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory...
.
A celebrated king of Osraige was Cerball mac Dúnlainge
Cerball mac Dúnlainge
Cerball mac Dúnlainge was king of Osraige in south-east Ireland. The kingdom of Osraige occupied roughly the area of modern County Kilkenny and lay between the larger provincial kingdoms of Munster and Leinster....
, ancestor of the medieval and modern FitzPatricks. He was also so close to the Norse that he features in many medieval Icelandic pedigrees through his daughters, giving the FitzPatricks a unique and celebrated genealogical position in Northern Europe.
Gofraid mac Arailt
Gofraid mac Arailt
Gofraid mac Arailt , in Old Norse Guðrøðr Haraldsson, was a Scandinavian or Norse-Gael king. He and his brother Maccus were active in the lands around the Irish Sea in the 970s and 980s.-Origins:...
, King of Mann and the Isles, through his daughter Mael Muire, appears to have been the maternal grandfather of Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic, the Osraige King of Leinster. Thus the FitzPatricks are probably descendants of the Uí Ímair
Uí Ímair
The Uí Ímair , or Dynasty of Ivar, were an enormous royal and imperial Norse dynasty who ruled Northern England, the Irish Sea region and Kingdom of Dublin, and the western coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides, from the mid 9th century, losing control of the first in the mid 10th, but the rest...
. Cerball himself was in fact an ally of their (probable) founder Ivar Ragnarsson. It is also possible that Donnchad's father Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada was somehow a relation of Ivar of Waterford
Ivar of Waterford
Ivar of Waterford was the Norse king of Waterford from at least 969 until his death in the year 1000, and also reigned as King of Dublin, possibly from 989 to 993, and certainly again for less than a year between 994 and 995, returning after his expulsion from the city in 993 by Sigtrygg...
, who had a son named Gilla Pátraic.
Origins
Scholars believe that the LaiginLaigin
The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin , were a population group of early Ireland who gave their name to the province of Leinster...
pedigree of the Osraige is a fabrication, invented to help them achieve their goals in Leinster. Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne is an Irish historian.Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II...
suggests that it may date from the time of Cerball mac Dúnlainge.
The Osraige were probably either a southern branch of the Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
or Dál Fiatach
Dál Fiatach
The Dál Fiatach were a group of related dynasties located in eastern Ulster in the Early Christian and Early Medieval periods of the history of Ireland.-Description:...
of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. 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...
, and/or quite possibly close kin to their former Corcu Loígde allies. In either case it would appear they should properly be counted among the Érainn.
See also
- Irish kingsIrish kingsThis page serves as an index of lists of kings of the Gaelic kingdoms of Ireland of the Early Medieval period.*List of High Kings of Ireland*Kings of Ailech*Kings of Airgíalla*Kings of Brega*Kings of Breifne*Kings of Connacht*Kings of Dál nAraidi...
- Irish Royal FamiliesIrish Royal FamiliesThe Irish Royal Families were dynasties who ruled large overkingdoms and smaller petty kingdoms on the island of Ireland over the last two millennia.-Locality:...
- Kings of OsraigeKings of OsraigeThe Kings of Osraige reigned over Osraige, which was largely a buffer state between Leinster and Munster, in Ireland. Its southern border were the Suir and Barrow rivers, though it originally extended to the sea and its rulers had some influence over the Norse kings of Waterford...
- Fitzpatrick (name)
- Piers Butler, 1st Earl of Ossory
- Bishop of OssoryBishop of OssoryThe Bishop of Ossory is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient of Kingdom of Ossory in the Province of Leinster, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:The diocese of Ossory...