Art Mac Murchadha’s Passing
Archived: 21 October 2026
In 1417, the death of Art Mac Murchadha, king of Leinster, ended the career of a Gaelic ruler who had challenged English authority through warfare, negotiation and cross-community alliances. Annals disagree over the date and alleged poisoning, but emphasise his piety, hospitality and power; his son Donnchadh succeeded amid uncertainty after Diarmait Red-hand also died. Elsewhere, John Talbot’s cattle raid demonstrated uneven royal reach. Connacht saw Ruaidhrí Ó Dubhda’s succession, drownings, kin conflicts and hostage settlements. Burnings, killings and ecclesiastical involvement reveal pervasive local violence. Annalistic records also stress penitent deaths, kinship, burial and generosity, showing a fragmented Irish authority.