MacMurrough Kavanagh (MacMurchadha), Cathaoir

by Emmett O'Byrne

MacMurrough Kavanagh (MacMurchadha), Cathaoir (d. 1554), a son of Art MacMurrough, a principal captain of the Sliocht Diarmada Laimhdeirg, was the most politically astute Irish lord of east Leinster from the late 1530s to his death. Cathaoir first appears in the written record in 1526, burning the castle of Dromore in Kilkenny. By 1534 Cathaoir was already a major power within the MacMurrough dynasty, through his own efforts and through an advantageous marriage to a daughter of Gerald FitzGerald (qv), 9th earl of Kildare. When the MacMurroughs joined the rebellion of Thomas FitzGerald (qv), Lord Offaly, Cathaoir was captured and confined in Dublin castle. But he later escaped, with the alleged aid of Lord Leonard Grey (qv).

After the failure of the Kildare rebellion, the English recognised the potency of Cathaoir's position and regularly pressed him to reform his country and abolish Irish legal custom and dress. With their encouragement, Cathaoir exploited internal MacMurrough dissension in the early 1540s, eclipsing the ailing Cathaoir MacMurrough (qv). In 1545 he confirmed his military supremacy by defeating Gerald mac Cathaoir MacMurrough and the O'Byrnes of Glenmalure in a pitched battle near Hacketstown. But the MacMurrough title still eluded him as he had to recognise the primacy of Muircheartach mac Airt Buidhe MacMurrough. On the latter's death in 1547, Cathaoir was finally elected dynastic overlord. But he soon faced a threat posed by Richard Butler (qv), later Viscount Mountgarret, who had obtained a lease of the Norfolk lands. Many of these lands had been long lost to the MacMurroughs, but Butler was determined to have them. Consequently a war exploded between Cathaoir and Butler for regional suzerainty. The crisis was diffused by the swift intervention of the lord deputy, Sir Edward Bellingham (qv), who dispatched a reassuring letter to Cathaoir that September. But in early October Cathaoir, still wary of Butler intentions, formed an alliance with Aodh O'Byrne (qv) of Glenmalure.

The feud with the Butlers continued to gather momentum and Cathaoir seized Ferns castle from Richard Butler in March 1550, sparking widespread disturbance throughout the region. Later, in October 1550, the English devastated much of the territories under Cathaoir's control. Because of this, he renounced the title of MacMurrough in the presence of the lord deputy, Sir Anthony St Leger (qv), at Dublin on 4 November 1550. In return he was granted two titles; the first, baron of Ballyanne, allowed him to sit in the Irish house of lords. However, he was never to enjoy this privilege, as his patent was issued only a short period before his death. The second title was that of captain of his country, which was ostensibly a replacement for the abandonment of his right to the title of MacMurrough. He died at an uncertain date after February 1554, and was succeeded by his son Muircheartach, baron of Cowellyn.