User:Angusmclellan/Eóganachta
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The Eóganachta, also Éoganachta, were one of the major dynastic groupings of early Christian Ireland. They dominated modern Munster, and styled themselves rulers of the Leth Moga, the southern part of Ireland. Their chief political centre was the Rock of Cashel, in modern County Tipperary, their chief church that of Emly.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Eoganachta.png/640px-Eoganachta.png)
The Eóganachta warred frequently and inconclusively with the Uí Néill, rulers of the Leth Cuinn, over their rival claims to be overlords of Leinster. While eighth century Kings of Tara fought to control Leinster, ninth century Uí Néill kings attacked Munster itself, seeking to subjugate the Eóganachta. In the same period, Vikings raided and settled on the Irish coasts, further weakening the power of the Eóganachta kings. During the tenth century, previously subject tribes, such as the Dál gCais led by Brian Bóruma, gained power in Munster, thus ending centuries of Eóganachta dominance.
Máel Sechnaill mac Maíl Ruanaid is said to have led an army raised from all Ireland against
In the Viking Age, the kingdom of Osraige was detached from Munster and added to Leinster, by then securely dominated by the Uí Néill. Viking attacks, and the loss of Osraige, weaked the Eóganachta kingdom. By the middle of the ninth century, Máel Sechnaill mac Maíl Ruanaid campaigned in Munster to obtain the submission of the Eóganachta. The tenth century saw further attacks by Vikings and the Uí Néill, and the rise of new dynasties in Munster to replace the weakened Eóganachta.