Rival Kings and Raids
The year’s most important development was the intensification of civil war within the Uí Briain dynasty. Donnchad son of Brian Bórama still ruled Munster, but his authority had been weakened by external attack and by the ambitions of his nephew, Toirdelbach Ua Briain. Toirdelbach’s father, Tadc, had been killed in 1023 at Donnchad’s instigation. The resulting feud divided Brian’s descendants and allowed neighbouring rulers to cultivate Toirdelbach as a useful challenger.