Mathgamain mac Cennétig


Mathgamain mac Cennétig was King of Munster from around 970 to his death in 976. He was the elder brother of Brian Bóruma.
Mathgamain was the son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin of the Dál gCais. His father died in 951 and is called king of Tuadmumu in the report of his death, and was probably succeeded by Mathgamain's brother Lachtna, who was assassinated in 953 by rival septs of the Dál gCais. After this Mathgamain succeeded him.
In 967, Mathgamain is called "king of Cashel", by the Annals of Ulster. However he is not believed to have become king of Munster until 970 or shortly after, deposing Máel Muad mac Brain. In 967, Mathgamain defeated Ivar of Limerick in the celebrated Battle of Sulcoit, following raids by Mathgamain into Ui Fidgente territory in 964. The most common account of Mathgamain's death was that he was captured in 976 by Donovan, Tiarna of Uí Fidgenti, with whom the Dál gCais were vying for territory, and who were then in alliance with Ivar of Limerick. Donnubán handed him over to his most powerful ally Máel Muad mac Brain previous king of Munster, who had Mathgamain killed. This is not universally accepted, however; other accounts indicate that he was betrayed by his own subjects.