Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, known as Brian Boru born probably 941 (near Killaloe in modern County Clare). His father was Cennétig mac Lorcáin, King of Thomond; his mother was Bé Binn ingen Aurchada, daughter of the King of West Connacht . He was King of Munster from 976 and High King of Ireland from 1002. He was killed on Good Friday April 23, 1014 during the Battle of Clontarf against the Norsemen of Dublin. Brian was buried at Ard Macha (Armagh).

He became known as Brian of the Tributes (Boru), because he collected monies from the minor rulers of Ireland and used these to rebuild monasteries and libraries that had been destroyed during Norsemen (Viking) invasions. The family descended from him (the O'Briens) subsequently ranked as one of the chief dynastic families of the country (see Chiefs of the Name).

Brian was married four times:

• First to Mór. She was the mother of Murchad, who was slain with Brian at Clontarf.
• Secondly to Echrad. She was mother of his successor Tadc.
• Thirdly to Gormflaith. She is the best known of his wives. She was the daughter of Murchad MacFinn, King of Leinster and also widow of Olaf Cuaran, the Viking king of Dublin and York. She was the mother of Donnchad, who succeeded Brian as King of Munster.
• Fourthly to Dub Choblaig. She was daughter of the King of Connacht.

In the 12th century his O'Brien descendents commissioned a dynastic propaganda tract known as Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh (the War of the Irish with the Foreigners) in which he takes the leading role. Uncritical reading of this tract in the past has given rise to the inflated position he holds in the popular imagination.

The term the Brian Boru is also used to refer to the Brian Boru harp, the national symbol of Ireland.

Sources

• Annals of Tigernach
• Annals of Ulster
• Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh