Domhnall Caomhánach
Domhnall Caomhánach (Domhnall Mac Murchada or Domhnall Caomhánach Mac Murchada, anglicized as Donal Kavanagh) is the ancestor of the Caomhánach line of the Uí Ceinnselaig dynasty and was King of Leinster from 1171 to 1175. Domhnall was the eldest son of the 12th century King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada in Ireland.
| Domhnall Caomhánach | |
|---|---|
| King of Leinster in Ireland | |
| Reign | 1171–1175 |
| Predecessor | Diarmait Mac Murchada |
| Successor | Muirchertach Caomhánach son of Domhnall Oge Caomhánach |
| Born | c.1140 Leinster in Ireland |
| Died | 1175 (aged 34–35) Battle of Naas in 1175 |
| Burial | |
| Issue | (1) Connor Caomhánach (2) Domhnall Oge |
| Dynasty | Caomhánach |
| Father | Diarmait Mac Murchada |
| Mother | Sadb Ní Faeláin |
Domhnall was fostered for his training and education by the coarb of the monastery of St. Caomhán at Kilcavan near Gorey, County Wexford. Fosterage was common practice in Medieval Ireland, with some aristocrats being fostered by clergymen or monastic schools.
It was due to Domhnall's fosterage at the monastery that he adopted the name Caomhánach (an adjective of the name Caomhán, meaning "of Caomhán", in modern English "of Kevin"). This was contrary to the practice of using an inherited surname that had come into use from around the 10th century. His descendants subsequently adopted this name as an inherited surname.