'Thomond' (
Irish: ''Tuadh Mumhan'', meaning ''North
Munster'') The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is
County Limerick, north
County Tipperary and east
County Clare, effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region. ''
Thomond College of Education, Limerick'' was a teacher training college in ''Limerick City'', until it was amalgamated with the
University of Limerick. ''
Thomond Park'' in Limerick is the rugby stadium used by the
Munster Rugby team. Thomond Villas is the name given to the old army barracks at
Clarecastle. The ''Thomond Bridge'' was for centuries the only bridge crossing the
Shannon River in the ancient walled city of Limerick and still leads from the city of
Limerick through a district now known as ''Thomondgate''. The name indicates that there was a gate in the city defenses leading to 'Thomond'.
Historically Thomond is referred to as one of the 'Kingdoms' which existed in the island of Ireland before the
Norman invasion.
Brian Boru, head of the
O'Brien Clan, (the dominant Clan in Thomond -
Dalcassians) and regarded as 'King of Thomond', is historically credited with freeing Ireland from the control of the Vikings in the
battle of Clontarf -
1014 AD. The Vikings had originally established most of the seaports of Ireland including
Limerick,
Dublin,
Waterford,
Galway,
Wexford and
Cork. Brian Boru who died in the battle was a High King of Ireland having defeated other contenders for the position.
The name Thomond is said to have been used by an Irish car manufacturer located in Dublin which produced only four cars from
1925 to
1933 and did not survive the
Great Depression.
Postage stamps inscribed "Thomond" appeared in the
1960s but these can be regarded as bogus.
External links
★
Tribes, History & Maps of Thomond Region
See also
★
Munster
★
Connacht