What is "thomond"

Thomond (; Modern Irish: Tuamhain) was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Clare and County Limerick, as well as parts of County Tipperary. The kingdom represented the core homeland of the Dál gCais people and although they ruled, there were smaller groups of other Gaels in the area. It existed from the collapse of the Kingdom of Munster in the 12th century as competition between the Ó Briain and the Mac Cárthaigh led to the schism between Thomond (North Munster) and Desmond (South Munster). It continued to exist outside of the Anglo-Norman controlled Lordship of Ireland until the 16th century.

The exact origin of Thomond, originally as an internal part of Munster, is debated. It is generally held that the Déisi Muman pushed north-west starting from the 5th to the early 8th century, taking the area from the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne of the Connachta. Eventually, the Dál gCais rose to power in all of Munster, to the detriment of the Eóganachta. The person most famously associated with this is Brian Bóruma, High King of Ireland, best known for his feats at the Battle of Clontarf. Four generations down the line and after providing three more High Kings, the Dál gCais were unable to hold onto all of Munster and so Thomond came into being as a separate entity.

For over 400 years, when much of Gaeldom fell or was greatly reduced, the Kings of Thomond and the people of their realm resisted the Norman invasion of Ireland, winning several notable battles. They contended with the de Clare, Butler and FitzGerald families among others, largely due to the King of England deciding to "grant" their realm to these Normans. A Gaelic resurgence following the Battle of Dysert O'Dea saw the rise of men such as Brian Sreamhach Ó Briain and Tadhg an Chomhaid Ó Briain who earned Ireland-wide renown. Thomond only joined the Tudor Kingdom of Ireland in the 16th century, after being caught up in the Silken Thomas affair.

Thomond may refer to:

• The Kingdom of Thomond, ruled by the Dal gCais
• Thomond College of Education, Limerick, a teacher training college
• Thomond Park, Limerick, a sports stadium of Munster Rugby
• Thomond Villas, old army barracks at Clarecastle
• Thomond Bridge, an old bridge across the River Shannon
• Thomondgate, a district associated with Limerick