Above : Picture Of Diarmuid Macmurrough

It was, apparently, towards the close of the year 1166 that Diarmuid furtively left his dun of Ferns and sailed across the Irish Sea for the coast of Wales. He first made his way to Bristol, then the chief city of the West of England, with close associations with the people of Leinster. Thence lie journeyed to seek Henry of Anjou. That King was then in Aquitaine, a great province lying south of France, of which he was Duke under the nominal suzerainty of the King of France. Henry was busily engaged at the time in fighting his own subjects of Aquitaine and also his liege lord, the King of France. He was so much occupied by his ambitions for Continental power that he was unable to give personal assistance to Diarmuid. But he welcomed the exile, and sympathised with his story of revolted subjects and an unjust suzerain. Besides, he had for some time fostered designs upon the western island. Accordingly, he gave liberty to Diarmuid to recruit such of the Norman adventurers on the Welsh marches as might be enticed into an enterprise in Ireland.

Returning to Bristol, Diarmuid first secured the promise of Strotigbow’s services. In that warrior’s needy circumstances the prospect held out by Diarmuid-of a marriage with the latter’s daughter and the succession to his Kingdom was sufficiently alluring. Next, Mac Murrough won over Robert Fits-Stephen and Maurice Fitz-Gerald and others of the Geraldine clan. To these he promised the town of Wexford. This promise cost Diarmuid as little as did that to Strongbow ; the succession to his throne was not.his to give, for it depended upon the free will of his people ; the town of Wexford was not at his disposal, for it was held by the Norse descendants of its founders. Untroubled by any scruples regarding the rights of others Diarmuid concluded his arrangements, and quietly returned to Ui Cinnsealaigh towards the close of the year n68. That winter he spent in Ferns making secret preparations for his allies.