Cathal mac Muirgiussa
Encyclopedia
Cathal mac Muirgiussa was a King of Connacht
from the Uí Briúin
branch of the Connachta
. He was the son of Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
(died 815), a previous king. He was of the Síl Muiredaig sept of the Uí Briúin. He ruled from 833-839 succeeding his uncle Diarmait mac Tommaltaig
(died 833).
His reign coincided with the renewal of Norse raids and in 836 the Vikings made a cruel devastation of all the lands of the Connachta from the Shannon and the west coast. In 838 Cathal's brother, Máel Dúin, was slain in a battle between the Connachta and the Norse.
In 837 the powerful King of Munster, Feidlimid mac Crimthainn (died 847), ravaged Uí Maine and invaded Connacht. However Cathal threw back this invasion in Mag nAi (a plain in central County Roscommon).
The virtual hereditary kingship that his father had established was broken upon his death but became restored when his nephew Conchobar mac Taidg Mór
(died 882) became king circa 855.
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
from the Uí Briúin
Uí Briúin
The Uí Briúin were an Irish kin-group. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brion, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the Uí Fiachrach and Uí Ailello, putative descendants of Eochaid Mugmedon's...
branch of the Connachta
Connachta
The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
. He was the son of Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
Muirgius mac Tommaltaig was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the great-grandson of Indrechtach mac Muiredaig Muillethan , a previous king. The death of his father Tommaltach mac Murgail is recorded in the annals where he is called king of Mag nAi. Muirgius...
(died 815), a previous king. He was of the Síl Muiredaig sept of the Uí Briúin. He ruled from 833-839 succeeding his uncle Diarmait mac Tommaltaig
Diarmait mac Tommaltaig
Diarmait mac Tommaltaig was a king of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the great-grandson of Indrechtach mac Muiredaig Muillethan, a previous king. The death of his father Tommaltach mac Murgail is recorded in the annals where he is called king of Mag nAi. He succeeded...
(died 833).
His reign coincided with the renewal of Norse raids and in 836 the Vikings made a cruel devastation of all the lands of the Connachta from the Shannon and the west coast. In 838 Cathal's brother, Máel Dúin, was slain in a battle between the Connachta and the Norse.
In 837 the powerful King of Munster, Feidlimid mac Crimthainn (died 847), ravaged Uí Maine and invaded Connacht. However Cathal threw back this invasion in Mag nAi (a plain in central County Roscommon).
The virtual hereditary kingship that his father had established was broken upon his death but became restored when his nephew Conchobar mac Taidg Mór
Conchobar mac Taidg Mór
Conchobar mac Taidg Mór was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the grandson of Muirgius mac Tommaltaig , a previous king. His father Tadg Mór had been slain fighting in Muirgius' wars versus the minor tribes of Connacht. He was of the Síl Muiredaig sept of the...
(died 882) became king circa 855.