Máireg Béan Ó Conchubhair Fáilghe
Encyclopedia
Máireg Bean Ui Chonchubhair Fáilghe (died 1451) was an Irish
noblewoman and arts patron.
of the Kingdom of Uí Failghe
(Offaly), her husband being An Calbach Mor Ó Conchubhair Fáilghe, one of the last Kings of Ui Failghe
.
Máireg was famous in her day as a patron of bardic classes of Ireland. On 25 March 1433 she issued "a general invitation ... about the feast of Dasinchell ... at Killeigh, and [another] about the first festival of Mary in the autumn at Rathangen for the people who were not with her at Killeigh, so that she satisfied fully all the suppliants (poets, musicians and chroniclers, besides gamesters and poor men) of Ireland."
Her death in 1451 was greeted with sadness by those whom she patronised; the chronicler of the Annals of Connacht
remarked that she was "the best woman of the Gaedil and the one who made the most causeways, churches, books, chalices and all articles useful for the service of a church ... she died of a cancer in the breast this year ... the darling of all the Leinster
people" (do ec do galur cigí in hoc anno)." However, later in the same passage it is stated that she actually "died of a disease which is not fitting to mention with her, namely leprosy
." This might be as a result of confusion in the original text, as her son, Feidlim, is also stated to have died in the same year.
She appears to have been buried in Killeigh, where her husband was buried after his death in 1458. She was survived by at least four children: Conn, who became king and reigned till 1474; Cáthaoir; two other sons who were captured with Cáthaoir in 1476 by Conn for rebellion; and at least one daughter.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
noblewoman and arts patron.
Biography
A daughter of Tadc Ó Céarbhaill of Ely and QueenQueen consort
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king. A queen consort usually shares her husband's rank and holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles. Historically, queens consort do not share the king regnant's political and military powers. Most queens in history were queens consort...
of the Kingdom of Uí Failghe
Kingdom of Uí Failghe
Uí Failghe was a Gaelic-Irish kingdom, which is preserved in the name of County Offaly, Ireland.-Background:Uí Failghe may have existed as a kingdom since the early historic era, and successfully fought off encroachments by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta, and the Normans.From the mid eleventh century...
(Offaly), her husband being An Calbach Mor Ó Conchubhair Fáilghe, one of the last Kings of Ui Failghe
Kings of Ui Failghe
Ui Failghe seems to have existed as a kingdom in Ireland since at least the early historic era, and successfully fought off encrochments by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta, and most especially the Normans...
.
Máireg was famous in her day as a patron of bardic classes of Ireland. On 25 March 1433 she issued "a general invitation ... about the feast of Dasinchell ... at Killeigh, and [another] about the first festival of Mary in the autumn at Rathangen for the people who were not with her at Killeigh, so that she satisfied fully all the suppliants (poets, musicians and chroniclers, besides gamesters and poor men) of Ireland."
Her death in 1451 was greeted with sadness by those whom she patronised; the chronicler of the Annals of Connacht
Annals of Connacht
The Annals of Connacht, covering the years 1224 to 1544, are drawn from a manuscript compiled in the 15th and 16th centuries by at least three scribes, all believed to be members of the Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin....
remarked that she was "the best woman of the Gaedil and the one who made the most causeways, churches, books, chalices and all articles useful for the service of a church ... she died of a cancer in the breast this year ... the darling of all the Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
people" (do ec do galur cigí in hoc anno)." However, later in the same passage it is stated that she actually "died of a disease which is not fitting to mention with her, namely leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
." This might be as a result of confusion in the original text, as her son, Feidlim, is also stated to have died in the same year.
She appears to have been buried in Killeigh, where her husband was buried after his death in 1458. She was survived by at least four children: Conn, who became king and reigned till 1474; Cáthaoir; two other sons who were captured with Cáthaoir in 1476 by Conn for rebellion; and at least one daughter.