Leinster

Southeastern historic province of the Republic of Ireland, comprising the counties of Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow; area 19,630 sq km/7,580 sq mi; population (2002) 2,105,600.

The MacMurroughs were kings of Leinster until the mid-12th century. Their descendants ruled independently in Wexford and Carlow until the 16th century. Richard ‘Strongbow’ accepted Leinster from Henry II in 1171, although it was still under the control of the crown.