Meic Torcaill

The first member of the family is a certain Torcall, whose rise to power appears to have occurred by 1133, as evidenced by the Annals of Loch Cé, at about a time when Dublin was closely aligned with Diarmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster (died 1171).

[11] The latter lost control of the Dublin in 1141, however, as the Annals of the Four Masters reveals that the town was seized and held by Conchobar Ua Briain, King of Munster (died 1142).

[17] In 1146, several sources, such as the Annals of Tigernach, Chronicon Scotorum, and Mac Carthaigh's Book, record the slaying of the aforesaid Ragnall, styling him King of Dublin.

[20] Although Ottar may well have enjoyed the cooperation of the Meic Torcaill in the early part of his reign, the Annals of Tigernach and Chronicon Scotorum reveal that they were responsible for his slaying in 1148.

One such grant, to Áed Ua Cáellaide, Bishop of Louth, dating between 1162 and 1166, concerned the lands of Baldoyle, and was witnessed by several members of the Meic Torcaill: a certain Echmarcach and Aralt.

[24] In 1167, the Annals of the Four Masters record that a certain Ragnall mac Ragnaill, styled tigerna Gall ("lord of the foreigners"), attended a great assembly convened by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht (died 1198).

[26] Whatever the case, according to Expugnatio Hibernica, Ascall was driven from the kingship in 1170 by the forces of Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke.

[32] With the fall of the last Meic Torcaill monarch, and the consolidation of the English control of Dublin, the family's territories were evidently declared forfeit.

[33] Lands lost by the family at this point include a tract from Tully to Bray, stretching to Glencullen, granted to Walter de Ridlesford.