Editing Brian Boru (section)

==Family background==
Brian Boru was one of the twelve sons of [[Cennétig mac Lorcáin]] (d. 951), who was King of [[Dál gCais]] and king of Tuadmumu ([[Thomond]]), modern [[County Clare]], then a sub-kingdom in the north of [[Munster]]. Cennétig was described as ''rígdamna Caisil'', meaning that he was either heir or candidate ("king material") to the kingship of [[Cashel, County Tipperary|Cashel]] or Munster,<ref name=ODNB>Duffy, "Brian Bóruma"</ref> although this might be a later interpolation. Brian's mother was [[Bé Binn inion Urchadh]], daughter of [[Urchadh mac Murchadh]] (d. 945), king of [[Maigh Seóla]] in west Connacht.<ref name=Jaski45>Jaski, "Brian Boru", p. 45.</ref><ref name=ODNB /> That they belonged to the [[Uí Briúin Seóla]] may explain why he received the name Brian, which was rare among the Dál gCais.<ref name=ODNB />

Brian's family were descended from the Ui Tairdelbach branch of the Dal gCais (or Deis Tuisceart). This branch had recently taken power from the Ui Óengusso branch which had traditionally supplied the kings of the Dal gCais (also known as the Deisi Tuaiscirt). The Uí Toirdhealbhach had extended their influence over Thomond and in 925 the annals note that Ánrothán son of Máel Gorm assumed the kingship of [[Corcomroe (barony)|Corco Mruad]]. In 934 Reabachán mac Mothla died and was named as "King of the Dál gCais" in the Annals (the earliest usage of this term). The same year of his death, his son Dub Gilla was killed by Brian's uncle Conghalach and Brian's grandfather Lorcáin is said to have succeeded to the kingship. He enjoyed a short reign before being succeeded by his own son [[Cennétig mac Lorcáin|Cinnéidigh]] who was the first King of Dál gCais to lead an army outside his own territory and lead an expedition as far north as [[Athlone]]. By his death in 951, he had been acknowledged as "[[List of monarchs of Thomond|King of Tuadmumu]]".<ref>Brian Boru and The Battle of Clontarf, Seán Duffy</ref> His brother, [[Mathgamain mac Cennétig|Mathgamain]], built on these achievements and was the first to capture [[Rock of Cashel|Cashel]] and become [[List of kings of Munster|King of Munster]].