Munster

Lore & Background

In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a 'king of over-kings'. Following the Norman invasion, the ancient kingdoms were shired into counties. In the early centuries AD, Munster was the domain of the Iverni peoples and the Clanna Dedad familial line. In the 5th century, Saint Patrick spent several years in the area and founded Christian churches and ordained priests. The area was ruled by the Dáirine and Corcu Loígde overlords. During the Early Middle Ages, most of the area was part of the Kingdom of Munster, ruled by the Eóganachta dynasty. In the 9th century, Norse Vikings founded towns such as Cork, Waterford and Limerick. In 1118, Munster fractured into the Kingdom of Thomond, the Kingdom of Desmond, and the short-lived Kingdom of Ormond. The three crowns of the flag of Munster represent these three late kingdoms. There was Norman influence from the 14th century. The area was colonized in the mid to late 16th century by the British plantations of Ireland. In the mid-19th century much of the area was hit hard in the Great Famine. The province was affected by events in the Irish War of Independence, and there was a brief Munster Republic during the Irish Civil War.

Reader's Guide

Munster is noted for its traditions in Irish folk music, and with many ancient castles and monasteries. During the fifth century, St. Patrick spent seven years founding churches and ordaining priests in Munster, but a fifth-century bishop named Ailbe is the patron saint of Munster. In Irish mythology, a number of ancient goddesses are associated with the province. The province has long had trading and cultural links with continental Europe. The majority of Irish ogham inscriptions are found in Munster. The School of Ross in Munster was one of Europe's leading centres of learning in the Early Middle Ages. Several sports are organised on a provincial basis, including hurling, Gaelic football, rugby union, soccer, cricket, and hockey. The Irish language, specifically Munster Irish, is spoken as a first language in Gaeltachtaí in West Kerry, South Kerry, West Cork, south-west Cork, and parts of Waterford. There are about 35,000 Irish language speakers in Munster, with 9,737 native speakers in the Munster Gaeltacht areas.

Did You Know?

• Munster is the largest of Ireland's four provinces by land area, and the third largest by population.
• The province is divided into six traditional counties: Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
• Munster is the province with the most cities (three) in Ireland: Cork, Limerick, and Waterford.
• The druid-god of Munster is Mug Ruith and Tlachtga is his daughter.