Rivers, Kings and Fire
No single ruler governed Ireland as a unified kingdom. Muirchertach Ua Briain, king of Munster and great-grandson of Brian Bóruma, sought to rebuild the wide authority exercised by his father Tairdelbach. Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair ruled Connacht and resisted Munster’s expansion along the Shannon. Domnall Ua Máelsechlainn represented the powerful Clann Cholmáin dynasty in Meath, while Domnall Mac Lochlainn was establishing himself as the foremost ruler of the northern Uí Néill. Leinster, Dublin and Osraige possessed their own rulers and ambitions. Overkingship depended on military strength, alliances, hostages, tribute and the repeated demonstration of power rather than on a permanent central administration.