Cellach mac Dúnchada
Encyclopedia
Cellach mac Dúnchada was a King of Leinster
of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Dúnchad mac Murchado
(died 728), a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Líamhain (Lyons Hill, on the Dublin-Kildare border). He ruled from 760 to 776.
During his reign the southern dynasty of Uí Cheinnselaig
were preoccupied with war with the Osraige in 761 and civil wars in 769–770. The first mention of Cellach in the annals involves the Battle of Áth Orc (in Co.Offaly) in 770. In this battle Cellach defeated Cináed mac Flainn of the Uí Failge and Cathnio mac Bécce of the Fothairt, who were slain.
Leinster had suffered a major defeat at the hands of the high king Áed Allán
of the Cenél nEógain
at the Battle of Áth Senaig (Ballyshannon, Co.Kildare) in 738. A period of peace under the high kings Domnall Midi
(died 763) of the Clann Cholmáin
and Niall Frossach
(died 778) of the Cenél nEógain
. In 770, however, the new high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) of the Clann Cholmáin asserted his suzerainity over Leinster. Donnchad invaded with the army of the Ui Neill
and the Laigin eluded him. Donnchad remained seven days in the vicinity of the ancient hill fort of Ráith Ailenn (in Co.Kildare) and ravaged the country with fire until the men of Leinster submitted to him.
That same year of 770 the two septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Uí Néill made border attacks on leinster territory. The sept of Uí Chonaing defeated the Uí Théig at the Battle of Áth Cliath in Cualu (southern Dublin Co.) with a slaughter of Laigin but many of the victors drowned in a high tide on their way home. The sept of Uí Chernaig was defeated at the Battle of Bolg Bóinne.
Cellach's son, Fínsnechta Cethardec
mac Cellaig (died 808), was also King of Leinster. His sons Fáelán (died 804) and Áed (died 829) were abbots of Kildare and his daughter Muirenn (died 831) was abess of Kildare.
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Dúnchad mac Murchado
Dúnchad mac Murchado
Dúnchad mac Murchado was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut , the previous king. He ruled from 727 to 728....
(died 728), a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Líamhain (Lyons Hill, on the Dublin-Kildare border). He ruled from 760 to 776.
During his reign the southern dynasty of Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
were preoccupied with war with the Osraige in 761 and civil wars in 769–770. The first mention of Cellach in the annals involves the Battle of Áth Orc (in Co.Offaly) in 770. In this battle Cellach defeated Cináed mac Flainn of the Uí Failge and Cathnio mac Bécce of the Fothairt, who were slain.
Leinster had suffered a major defeat at the hands of the high king Áed Allán
Áed Allán
Áed Allán was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill....
of the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
at the Battle of Áth Senaig (Ballyshannon, Co.Kildare) in 738. A period of peace under the high kings Domnall Midi
Domnall Midi
Domhnall Mac Murchada , called Domnall Midi , was High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill...
(died 763) of the Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin is the name of the dynasty descended from Colmán Mór , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.Related dynasties descended through Conall...
and Niall Frossach
Niall Frossach
Niall Frossach was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech, sometimes considered to have been High King of Ireland. Brother of high king Áed Allán , Niall was the son of high king Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill...
(died 778) of the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
. In 770, however, the new high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) of the Clann Cholmáin asserted his suzerainity over Leinster. Donnchad invaded with the army of the Ui Neill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
and the Laigin eluded him. Donnchad remained seven days in the vicinity of the ancient hill fort of Ráith Ailenn (in Co.Kildare) and ravaged the country with fire until the men of Leinster submitted to him.
That same year of 770 the two septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne....
branch of the southern Uí Néill made border attacks on leinster territory. The sept of Uí Chonaing defeated the Uí Théig at the Battle of Áth Cliath in Cualu (southern Dublin Co.) with a slaughter of Laigin but many of the victors drowned in a high tide on their way home. The sept of Uí Chernaig was defeated at the Battle of Bolg Bóinne.
Cellach's son, Fínsnechta Cethardec
Fínsnechta Cethardec
Finsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig was a King of Leinster of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Cellach mac Dúnchada , a previous king. He ruled from 795 to 808...
mac Cellaig (died 808), was also King of Leinster. His sons Fáelán (died 804) and Áed (died 829) were abbots of Kildare and his daughter Muirenn (died 831) was abess of Kildare.