O'Brien (Ó Briain), Toirrdelbach

O'Brien (Ó Briain), Toirrdelbach (d. 1306), one of the two sons of Tadc O'Brien, prince of Thomond, and Fionnuala, daughter of Ceinnéide O'Brien, was one of the most powerful and determined Irish kings of the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. Virtually nothing is known of his early life. In 1268 Toirrdelbach's grandfather Conchobar O'Brien (qv), king of Thomond, was killed by his cousin, throwing open the O'Brien succession. Into the void stepped the confident figure of Brian Ruad O'Brien (qv), who confirmed his kingship by launching waves of attacks on the colonists north of the Shannon. In these years Toirrdelbach first began to make his name by raising the standard of revolt against his uncle. In January 1276 the delicate balance between the protagonists shifted, through Edward I's grant of Thomond to Thomas de Clare (qv). Ostensibly de Clare's purpose was to bring Thomond back into the land of peace. Brian Ruad appealed to de Clare for help and formed an alliance which also included the FitzGeralds. In response Toirrdelbach then procured de Burgh help from Connacht, lest Brian Ruad gain the upper hand. On the battlefield Toirrdelbach proved his superiority over his uncle, routing him decisively in 1277. Brian Ruad fled the field to the refuge of de Clare's castle of Bunratty, only to be surprisingly executed by his ally. This about-face profoundly shocked not only the Irish nobility of Thomond but those throughout Ireland. The sons of Brian Ruad naturally retaliated, but the de Clare alliance had been renewed by 1278. However, the initiative now lay with Toirrdelbach; and in 1281, through the separate efforts of Domnall Ruad MacCarthy (qv) of Desmond and of the government, the O'Briens finally agreed to partition Thomond and accept the de Clare lordship. This peace was to be brief and soon the rivals were at each other's throats. For his part Toirrdelbach avoided conflict with de Clare, paying him an annual rent of £121. He was careful not to attack de Clare's settlements, but he did lay siege to Bunratty in 1298 when it was in the king's hand. Thus secure from de Clare censure, Toirrdelbach now concentrated on building his persona as a warrior king. In late 1287 he raided deep into Ormond and Limerick and revenged himself on the Butlers who had supported his enemies in 1281. In addition to de Clare goodwill, Toirrdelbach also maintained good relations with the de Burghs. This illustrious warrior married first Sadb, daughter of Tadc MacCarthy; secondly, Orflaith, daughter of Domnall Óg MacCarthy. When he died in 1306, he was succeeded by his son Donnchad O'Brien (c.1280–1311). Donnchad's succession sparked another O'Brien civil war between him and Diarmait Cléirech O'Brien, grandson of Brian Ruad. Donnchad drew support from the de Burghs, and Diarmait from the de Clares. In 1311 Diarmait Cléirech triumphed in a battle near Bunratty where William de Burgh (qv) was taken prisoner and Donnchad was forced to flee for his life. He was soon killed somewhere in Corcomroe, paving the way for the victor's elevation.