Murtogh O'Brien was an Anglican bishop of Killaloe, in County Clare

County Clare

-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...

, Ireland.

He was a 17th generation descendant of Brian Boru

Brian Boru

Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...

, in the branch of the clan O'Brien

O'Brien

The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...

 known as O'Brien-Arra, from County Tipperary

County Tipperary

County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...

. His seat was St. Flannan's Cathedral in Killaloe

Killaloe, County Clare

Killaloe is a large village in east County Clare, Ireland, situated in the midwest of Ireland. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina...

, which was actually built by his 10-Great Grandfather, Donal Ó Briain, King of Thomond, King of Munster, in the later 12th century. It is named for Saint Flannan Uí Thoirdhealbhaigh, son of Toirdhealbhach Uí Bloid, a direct ancestor of Bishop O'Brien.

Murtogh was born to Roman Catholic parents, Turlogh Ó Briain and Máire Ó Cearbhaill. He was educated in England at Magdalene College, Cambridge

Magdalene College, Cambridge

Magdalene College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene...

, and became an Anglican priest. On May 15, 1570, he was appointed Protestant Bishop of Killaloe by Elizabeth I; however, he was not conescrated until six years later.

Even before his appointment, because of his family's position of power in the kingdom of Thomond

Thomond

Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...

, O'Brien received all of the profits from that see. O'Brien ruled his diocese for 36 years before voluntarily retiring in 1612. He married Slaney O'Brien, of Clan O'Brien

O'Brien

The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...

, Inchiquin branch. She was the daughter of Murrough O'Brien

Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond

Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond was the last King of Thomond.A member of the Irish nobility, he was the son of Turlough O'Brien, King of Thomond and Raghnailt McNamara and also brother of Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond, who was inaugurated King of Thomond in 1528...

, Baron of Inchiquin

Baron Inchiquin

Baron Inchiquin is one of the older titles in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1543 for Murrough O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, who was descended from the great high king Brian Boru)...

. They were known to have two sons; Turlogh O'Brien and John O'Brien. O'Brien died on April 30, 1613 in Killaloe

Killaloe, County Clare

Killaloe is a large village in east County Clare, Ireland, situated in the midwest of Ireland. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina...

.

Genealogy of Murtogh O'Brien and O'Brien-Arra

Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig Uí Thoirdhealbhaigh, High King of Ireland
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Teige Ó Briain, King of Munster
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Toirrdelbach Ó Briain, High King of Ireland
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Diarmait Ó Briain, King of Munster
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Toirrdelbach Ó Briain, King of Munster
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Donnell Mor Ó Briain, King of Munster (built St. Flannan's Cathedral)
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Donough Cairbreach Ó Briain, King of Thomond
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Conor Na Siudaine Ó Briain, King of Thomond
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Brian Roe Ó Briain
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Donald Ó Briain
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Brian Bane Ó Briain
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Morrogh na Raithnidha Ó Briain
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Torlogh Ó Briain
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Teige Ó Briain
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Donaldmore Ó Briain
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Mortogh Cacch Ó Briain
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Turlogh Ó Briain

Máire Ó Cearbhaill
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Bishop Murtogh O'Brien of Killaloe

Slaney O'Brien
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John O'Brien Turlogh O'Brien