Muircheartach mac Con Ceartaich Mac Liag

Who is Muircheartach mac Con Ceartaich Mac Liag?

Muircheartach mac Con Ceartaich Mac Liag, aka Muircheartach Beag, Irish poet, died 1015.

MacLiag was Chief Ollam of Ireland. He was a native of South Connacht and died in 1015. He was the chief poet and secretary of King Brian Boru. He is supposedly the source of the history of Brian Boru called Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib.

His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- “M1015.7 Macliag, i.e. Muircheartach, son of Cuceartach, chief poet of Ireland at that time, died. The following was Macliag's first quatrain: 1. Muircheartach Beag, son of Maelcertach, who has been herding the cows, It is more worthy that he retaliates not,—give him a handful of findraip. His last quatrain was this: 1. O Bell, which art at the head of my pillow, to visit thee no friends come; Though thou makest thy ‘ding dang,’ it is by thee the salt is measured.”.

His obit is given in the Annals of Ulster as follows- “U1016.3 Mac Liag, chief ollav of Ireland, died.”