Comet Over Ireland
There was no single royal government controlling the island. Ireland was divided among provincial overkings, lesser kingdoms and local dynasties whose rulers relied upon kinship, hostages, tribute, fosterage, marriage and military support. Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, king of Leinster and master of Dublin, remained the strongest ruler in the southern half of Ireland. His former protégé Tairdelbach Ua Briain had secured the kingship of Munster after the removal of Donnchad son of Brian Boru. In Connacht, Áed Ua Conchobair, known as Áed in Gaí Bernaig, held an overkingship challenged by branches of the wider Uí Briúin, especially the rulers of Bréifne.