Ui Conall III
CENEL CONAILL AND CENEL EOGAIN
NORTHERN BRANCHES OF Ui NEILL
Extracts from the Annals of Ireland
~~~ Section III ~~~
REFERENCES
AI = Annals of Inisfallen 438-1450
AT = Annals of Tigernach 488-1178
AU = Annals of Ulster 431-1541
CS = Chronicon Scotorum 353-1150
FM = Annals of the Four Masters 123-1616
Names underlined refer to the kings of Cenel Conaill.
THE CHRONOLOGY FROM AD 562 TO AD 690
AT 562
Cath Mona Daire Lothair for Cruithnib ria n-Uib Neill in tuaiscirt, a n-dorcratar .uii. righ Cruithnech im Aed m-Brecc*. Baedan mac Cuind co n-dib Chruithnib nod-fig fri Cruithniu, & Cenel n-Eoghain & Conaill nod-fichset conducti mercede na Lea & Arda Eolairg. De quo Cend Faeladh cecinit:
Sinsit faebuir, sinsit fir
a Mo�n deirg Daire Lothair,
adhbur comrainne nad cert,
secht rig Cruithneach im Aedh m-Brecc.
Fichthir cath Cruithe n-uile.
ocus for-loiscther Elne,
fichthir cath Gabra Liffi
ocus cath Cuile Dremne.
Bensat giallu iar congail
as siar im chnuas n-uach,
Fergus, Domnall, Ainmire
ocus Nindidh mac Duach.
Fillis da mac Meic Earca
ar cend in chatha cetna
ocus in r� Ainmire
ad-bath a selbaib Setna.
[Translation] The battle of M�in Daire Laothair gained over the Cruithne by the U� N�ill of the north, wherein fell seven Cruithne kings, including Aodh Brecc. Baet�n son of Conn, with two Cruithne fought it against the Cruithne, and the Kindred of Eogan and of Conall fought it, hired by the recompense of the Lea and Ard Eolairg. Whereof Cennfaelad sang:
Weapons stretched, men stretched
On the red bog of Daire Lothair
Cause of an unjust partition
Seven Cruithne kings with Aodh Brecc.
The battle of all the Cruithne is fought
And Elne is burned
Fought is the battle of Gabra Life
And the battle of C�il Dremne.
They took away hostages after conflict
Thence, westward, together with a ... gathering
Fergus, Domnall, Ainmire
And Nindid son of Dua.
Mac Erca's two sons turned
To meet the same battle
And the king Ainmire
Died in the possessions of Setna.
* Book of Leinister, �Aed Brecc. i cath Monad Daire Lothair ro marbad & cethri rig Cruthen�, that is, fourth king of the Dail Araide.
AU 563
Bellum Mona Daire Lothair for Cruithniu re n-Uib Neill in Tuaisceirt*. Baetan m. Cinn co n-dib Cruithnibh nod-fich fri Cruithniu. Genus Eugain & Conaill mercede conducti inna Lee & Airde Eolargg.
Sinsit faebra, sinsit fir
i Moin moir Daire Lothair;
adbur comroma do-cert
im righ Cruithne im Aedh m-Brec.
Fichtir cath Cruithne n-uile,
for-loiscset Eilne,
fichtir cath n-Gabra Liphe
ocus cath Cuile Dreimhne.
Berthair giallno iar congail
ass siar im chnuass n-�uch,
Forggus, Domnall, Ainmire,
ocus Nandidh macc D�uach.
Fillsit da macc Maicc Erca
cummai in chetnai;
fillis in ri Ainmere
le selbaibh Setnai,
Is alaind feras a l-luadh
gabair Baetain for in sluagh;
fo-la Baetan fuilt buidhe,
beraid a eren fuiri.
The battle of M�in Daire Lothair won over the Cruithin by the U� N�ill of the North. Baet�n son of Cenn with two branches of the Cruithin(?) fight it against the Cruithin. Cen�l nE�gain and Cen�l Conaill were hired, being given the Lee and Ard Eolarg as recompense.
Weapons press forward, men press forward
In the great bog of Daire Lothair,
A cause of strife discomfited
Around the king of the Cruithin, Aed Brecc.
The battle of all the Cruithin is fought,
They burn Eilne;
The battle of Gabar Liphi is fought,
And the battle of C�il Dreimne.
Hostages are taken away after conflict,
Away west, with a human harvest(?)
By Forgus, Domnall. Ainmire,
And Nainnid son of Daui.
Mac Erca's two sons returned
In the same manner;
The king Ainmire came back
With the possessions of S�tna.
Splendidly moves
Baet�n's steed upon the host;
Well satisfied is Baet�n of the yellow hair,
It will carry its little load(?) upon it.
* This appears to be an anachronism. The word Tuaiscirt is generally applied to the Ui Neill of the north from the 8th century onwards.
CS 563
Cath Mona Daire Lothair for Cruithnechaibh re hUibh N�ll an tuaisgirt d� a ttorcrattar .uii. righ Cruithne um Aedh m-Brec. Baetan mac Cuind co ndibh Cruitnibh no fig fri Cruithne et Cinel nEoghain et Conaill no figset, conducti mercede na Lea & Ard Eolairg de quo Cennfaolad cecinit:
S�nsit faobair, sinsit fir
I m-M�in d�irg Doire Lothair;
Adbhar comranda nad cert
.uii. righ Cruithnioch um Aodh m-Brec.
Ficthir cath Cruithne n-ule,
& forloscctar Eilne;
Fichthir cath Gabra Life,
Et cash Cuile Dremhne.
Bersait gialla iar congail
Ass siar, in cn�as n-uach,
Fergus, Domnall, Ainmire
agus Nainnidh mac D�ach.
Fillsit da mac Meic Erca
Ar c�nd an catha ch�nda;
Agus an r� Ainmire
Fillis ar sellaibh Senna.
The battle of M�in Daire Lothair won over the Cruithin by the U� N�ill of the North, in which fell seven kings of the Cruithin including Aed Brec. Baet�n son of Cenn with two branches of the Cruithin fight it against the Cruithin, and Cen�l nE�gain and Cen�l Conaill fought it for hire, for the Lee and Ard Eolarg. Of this Cennfaelad sang:
Weapons press forward, men press forward
In the great bog of Daire Lothair,
A cause of strife discomfited,
Around the king of Cruithin, Aed Brecc.
The battle of all the Cruithin is fought,
They burn Eilne;
The battle of Gabar Liphi is fought,
And the battle of C�il Dreimne.
Hostages are taken way after conflict,
Away west, with a (human harvest),
Fergus, Domnall, Aimire,
And Nainnid son of Daui.
The two sons of Mac Erca return
To join in the same battle;
And the King, Ainmire,
Returns into the possessions of Senna.
CS 563: AU 563: AI 563
Nauigatio Coluim Cille ad insolam Iae .xl ii. anno aetatis suae.
The voyage of Colum Cille to the Island of � in the 42nd year of his age.
Prophecy of the blessed man [Colum Cille] regarding the Tumults of Battles fought at a distance.
ABOUT two years, as we have been told, after the battle of Cule-Drebene in Connaught, at which time the blessed man first set sail and took his departure from Scotia Ireland, it happened that on the very day and at the same hour when the battle, called in Scotic Ondemone near Coleraine, was fought in Scotia Ireland, the same man of God was then living in Britain with King Connall, the son of Comgell, and told him everything, as well about the battle itself, as also about those kings to whom the Lord granted the victory over their enemies. These kings were known as Ainmore, son of Setna, and the two sons of Mac Erca, Domnall and Forcus. And the saint, in like manner, prophesied of the king of the Cruithne, who was called Echoid Laib, and how, after being defeated, he escaped riding in his chariot.
[The Life of Columba, written by Adamnan c. 700]
AU 565
The slaying of Diarmait son of Cerball i.e. by Aed Dub son of Suibne; and the two sons of Mac Erca, Forgus and Domnall, succeeded him.
AU 566: CS 566: AT 565
The battle of Gabair Liphi. Forgus and Domnall were victors.
AU 566: CS 566: AT 565
Mors quoque Domnaill filii Muirchertaig mc. Earca cui successit Ainmire mc. Setni.
Also the death of Domnall son of Muirchertach Mac Erca, to whom succeeded Ainmire son of S�tna.
AT 568: CS 568
Bass Ainmireach maic Setna, r�g Erenn, la Fergus mac Nellin, de quo dictum est:
AU 569 or 576
The slaying of Ainmire son of S�tna by Fergus son of N�ill�ne.
Of this was said:
Feimen, when there was a king,
Was no abode lacking in valour;
Today its aspect is crimson
In the hands of Ainmire son of S�tna.
AI 569
Death of Ainmire son of S�tna, and of Baet�n, son of Eochu.
CS 570: AU 570
The killing of Fergus son of N�ill�ne by Aed son of Ainmire.
AU 572: CS 572: AT 571: AI 571
Occisio da oea Muiredaigh, .i. Boet�n mc. Muirchertaigh & Echaid mc. Domnaill, .i. m. Muirchertaigh mc. Erca, tertio anno regni sui. Cronan m. Tigernaigh, ri Ciannachtae Ghlenna Geimin occisor eorum erat.
The slaying of two descendants of Muiredach i.e. Baet�n son of Muirchertach and Echaid son of Domnall son of Muirchertach Mac Erca, in the third year of their reign. Cr�n�n son of Tigernach, king of the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin, was their slayer.
A Prophecy of the blessed St. Columba regarding two other Kings, who were called the two grandsons of Muiredach Baitan, son of Maic Erc, and Eochoid, son of Domnall
AT another time, while travelling through the rough and rocky country which is called Artdamuirchol Ardnamurchan, he heard his companions, Laisran, son of Feradach, and Diormit, his minister, speaking on the way of the two above-named kings, and addressed them in these words, �O my dear children, why do you talk thus foolishly of these men? Both of these kings of whom you are now conversing are newly slain, and have had their heads cut off by their enemies. And this very day some sailors shall come here from Scotia Ireland, and tell you the same about these kings.� That same day some sailors arrived from Hibernia, at a place which is called Muirbolc Paradisi Portnamurloch in Lismore, and told the two above-named companions, who were now sailing in the same ship with the saint, how these kings had been slain, and thus the prophecy of the venerable man fulfilled.
[The Life of Columba, written by Adamnan c. 700]
CS 573: AU 573
The battle of Feimen won by Cormac son of Crimthann, king of Mumu, in which Colm�n Bec son of Diarmait was defeated; but he escaped.
CS 573: AU 574
Death in the sixteenth year of his reign of Conall son of Comgall, king of D�l Riata who granted the island of Ia to Colum Cille.
AU 575
The great convention of Druim Ceat at which were present Colum Cille and Aed son of Ainmire.
AU 577: CS 577
The killing of Aed son of Eochu Tirmcharna alias Timrim, son of Fergus son of Muiredach Mael son of E�gan Sreb son of Daui Galach son of Brion son of Eochu Muigmed�n, by the U� Bri�in.
AU 580 or 586: AI 578: AT 578
The battle of Druim Meic Erce in which Colgu son of Domnall son of Muirchertach son of Muiredach grandson of E�gan fell. Aed son of Ainmire emerged victor.
AT 584
Baedan mac N�ndedha, maic Conaill Gulban, r� Temrach, occisus est.
Baedan son of Nindid son of Dua son of Conall Gulban, king of Tara, was slain.
AU 586
The killing of Baet�n son of Ninnid son of Daui alias son of Fergus Cennfhata son of Conall of Gulbu, king of Temair, who reigned one year.
AU 592: AT 584
Beginning of the reign of Aed son of Ainmire.
CS 598: AU 598: AT 596: AI 601
The battle of D�n Bolg, won by Brandub son of Eochu with the Laigin, on the 4th of the Ides of January, in which fell Aed son of Ainmire by Brandub son of Eochu and B�c son of Cuanu, king of Airgialla, and other nobles; of this was said:
At Buach
The wave dashes against the brink;
Accounts report, though abhorrent,
That Aedh, son of Ainmire, was slain;
His wife said:
There were three beloved sides
Of whose return there is no hope;
The side of Taillten, the side of Temhair,
And the side of Aedh, son of Ainmire.
AT 596
Initium regni Colman Rimedha & Aedha Slane simul.
AU 598: CS 598: AI 601
Beginning of the joint-reign of Colm�n R�mid and Aed Sl�ine.
FM 598: AT 601: AU 603 - Ui Fiachrach
The battle of Eachros, in Muirisc, by Colman, chief of Cinel Cairbre, against Maelcothaigh, chief of Cinel Fiachrach, of Muirisc; and the battle was gained over Maelcothaigh.
AU 600
The slaying of Suibne son of Colm�n M�r son of Diarmait Derg son of Fergus Cerrb�l son of Conall of Cremthann son of Niall Na�giallach by Aed Sl�ine in Br� Dam in the Suaine, i.e. a stream.
AU 602: CS 602: AT 600
Bellum Slenne in quo Colman Rimidh, rex Generis Eugain, uictor erat, & Conall Cuu m. Aedho m. Ainmirech fugitiuus alias fugitiuus euasit.
The battle of Slemain in which Colm�n R�mid, king of Cen�l n�ogain, was victor, and Conall C�, son of Aed son of Ainmire, took flight or escaped by flight.
AU 603:AT 601 - Ui Fiachrach
Cath Eachrois i Muiriusc inter Genus Cairpri et Nepotes Fiachrach Muirsce. Mael Cothaigh, r� h-�a Fiachrach in fugam uersus est. Colman r� Cairpri uictor erat.
The battle of Echros in Muiresc between Cen�l Cairpri and U� Fhiachrach Muirsce. Mael Cothaid, king of U� Fhiachrach, was put to flight.
AU 604: CS 603: AT 602
The slaying of Colm�n R�mid son of Baet�n Br�ge son of Muirchertach Mac Erca by a man of his own kindred i.e. by one of his kindred called Loch�n Dilmana.
Of what value kingship, of what value law
Of what value power over princes
Since it is king Colm�n the Counter
Whom Lochan Dithnadha has slain?
AU 604
The slaying of Aed Sl�ine son of Diarmait Derg son of Fergus Cerrb�l son of Conall of Cremthann son of Niall Na�giallach by Conall son of Suibne. They reigned together with equal power at Temair.
AU 604
Death of Conall C�, son of �ed son of Ainmire.
AU 604
Mors Aed Buidi, r� Ceniul Maeni.
Aed Buide, king of Cen�l Maine, died.
AU 605
Bellum Slaebhre in quo uictus est Brandubh mc. Eathach. Nepotes Neill uictores erant, .i. Aed Uaredac in quo tempore regnauit.
The battle of Slaebre in which Brandub son of Eochu was vanquished. The U� N�ill were the victors, i.e. �ed Uairidnach, who reigned at that time.
CS 608: AU 609
The killing of Sechnusach son of Garb�n, king of Cen�l B�gaine, by Domnall son of Aed.
AU 611
Death of E�gan son of Eochu Laib.
AU 612: AT 610
Mael Coba begins to reign this year.
AU 615: AI 616
The slaying of Mael Coba son of �ed in the battle of Sliab Tuath B�lgadhain, alias in the battle of Sliab Truim. Suibne Menn was victor.
AU 620
The slaying in Mag Sl�cht in the territory of Connacht of the kindred of Baet�n i.e. of Ailill son of Baet�n and of Mael D�in son of Fergus son of Baetan.
CS 620
The slaying of the kindred of Baet�n, i.e. of Ailill son of Baet�n and of Mael D�in son of Fergus son of Baet�n and of D�ucaill, in Mag Leced in the territory of Connacht.
CS 620: AU 620
The death of Fiachra son of Ciar�n son of Ainmire son of S�tna i.e. a second founder of Daire Calgaigh.
AU 621
Iugulatio Aengusa mc. Colmain Maghni, .i. regis Nepotum Neill.
The killing of Aengus son of Colm�n M�r i.e. king of the U� N�ill.
AT 627
Fiacha F�nd, r� Cen�oil Boghuine, mortuus est.
AU 628: CS 628
The battle of Both, in which Suibne Menn son of Fiachna was victor, and Domnall son of Aed took flight.
AU 628: CS 628
The slaying of Suibne Menn�the king of Ireland, Suibne Menn son of Fiachna son of Feradach son of Muiredach son of E�gan�in Taerr Br�ni, i.e. by Congal Caech son of Scanl�n.
AU 628: CS 628
Domnall son of Aed son of Ainmire begins to reign.
AU 630
Bellum Leithirbhe inter Genus Eugain inuicem, in quo Mael Fithrich cecidit.
The battle of Leitheirbe between the Cen�l nE�gain themselves, in which Mael Fithrich fell.
AU 630
Uel sic in Libro Duibh Da Lethe narratur: bellum Lethirbe eter Cenel Mc. Erca & Cenel Feradaig in quo Mael Fithrich cecidit. Ernaine m. Fiachna uictor erat.
Or thus it is related in the book of Dub d� Leithe: The battle of Leitheirbe between the descendants of Mac Erca and the descendants of Feradach, in which Mael Fithrich fell. Ernaine son of Fiachna, was victor.
CS 630
Cath Letairbi eidir Cinel Feradhaigh et Cinel Meic Erca in qu� Maelfithrigh cecidit. Ernan mac Fiachna uictor erat.
The battle of Leitheirbe between the Cen�l Feradaigh and the Cen�l Meic Erca, in which Mael Fithrich fell. Ernaine son of Fiachna was victor.
AU 630: CS 630
Taerr Br�ni is burned, and the killing of Brandub, son of Mael Cobo.
AU 636: CS 636: AT 638
The killing of Ern�ine son of Fiachna, who defeated Mael Fithrich son of Aed All�n alias Uairidnach in the battle of Leitheirbe.
AU 637
The battle of Mag Roth and the battle of Sailt�r were fought on the same day. of the Cen�l nE�gain, and adherent of Domnall, was victor in the battle of Sailt�r.
CS 637
The battle of Mag Roth won by Domnall son of Aed and the sons of Aed Sl�ine but Domnall son of Aed ruled Temair at that time, in which fell Conall Caech king of Ulaid and Faelch� son of Airmedach king of Mide in a counterattack, with many nobles.
CS 637
The battle of Sailt�r on the same day, won by Conall Cael son of Mael Cobo against the Cen�l nE�gain.
FM 641
Maelbreasail and Maelanfaidh died; and Flann Enaigh was mortally wounded. These were of the Cinel Conaill Gulban.
CS 642
Death of Domnall son of Aed, king of Ireland, at the end of January.
Afterwards Domnall Brec was slain at the end of the year, in December, in the battle of Srath Caruin, by Hoan, king of the Britons. He reigned 15 years.
AU 643
Here it is uncertain who reigned after Domnall. Some historigraphers state that four kings, i.e. Cellach, Conall Cael, and two sons of Aed Sl�ine son of Diarmait son of Fergus Cerrb�l son of Conall of Cremthann son of Niall Na�giallach, namely Diarmait and Blathmac, reigned in mingled rule.
AU 643
Cellach and Conall Cael i.e. two sons of Mael Cobo son of Aed son of Ainmire, begin to reign, as some state.
AU 650: CS 650
The battle of D�n Cremthainn in which Aengus son of Domnall fell. The victors were the sons of Mael Coba, i.e. Cellach and Conall Cael.
AU 654
The killing of Conall son of Mael Cobo i.e. by Diarmait son of Aed Sl�ine.
AT 655
Cath Flescaigh, ubi cecidit Cumascach mac Ailello, r� h-Ua Cremthainn, in quo Crundmael mac Suibne, r� Ceneoil Eogain, uictor erat.
AU 656
The battles of Cumascach son of Ailill, in which he fell. Crunnmael son of Suibne was victor.
CS 656: AU 656
The battle of Flescach in which fell Cumuscach son of Ailill, king of U� Crimthann, in which Crunnmael son of Suibne, king of Cen�l nE�gain was victor.
AU 658 or 664
Death of Cellach son of Mael Cobo and of Cellach son of S�r�n or R�n�n, and of Fiachra Teln�n, and of Blathmac son of R�n�n son of Colum.
AU 663
The killing of the two sons of Domnall son of Aed i.e. Conall and Colcu.
AU 664: CS 643
Death of Cernach son of Diarmait son of Aed Sl�ine son of Diarmait Cerrb�l son of Conall of Cremthann.
AU 666: CS 666
Death of Ailill Flann Esa, son of Domnall son of Aed son of Ainmire.
FM 670
Dungal, son of Maeltuile, chief of Cinel Boghaine, was slain by Loingseach, son of Aenghus, chief of Cinel Conaill.
AT 672
Cath Dungaile maic Maile tuile, r� Ceneoil Bogu�ne. Lo�ngsceach uictor fuit. Dungal cecidit.
AU 679
Cenn Faelad son of Ailill son of Baet�n, the learned, rested.
CS 681: AU 681
The burning of the kings in D�n Ceithirn i.e. D�ngal son of Scannal, king of the Cruithin, and Cenn Faelad son of Suibne, king of the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin, Mael D�in son of Mael Fithrich, at the beginning of summer.
The battle of Bla Sl�ibe afterwards at the beginning of winter in which Mael D�in son of Mael Fithrich was slain by the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin and by Flann Finn son of Mael Tuile.
Section III AD 690 To AD 899
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