Cernach mac Fogartaig
Encyclopedia
Cernach mac Fogartaig was a king in southern Brega
of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of the high king Fogartach mac Néill
(died 724). He appears as a leader of the Uí Chernaig in the years 737-738.
The Uí Chernaig sept had a feud with the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
) in North Brega going back to the assassination of Cernach's grandfather Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
(died 701) by Írgalach mac Conaing
(died 702). In 737 the Uí Chonaing King of Brega Conaing mac Amalgado
(died 742) defeated Cernach and his kinsman Cathal mac Áeda
at the Battle of Lia Ailbe in Mag nAilbe (Moynalvy,Co.Meath) and Cathal, leader of the Uí Chernaig, was slain.
Cernach seems to have had a bad reputation and the Annals of Ulster record in 738 at his death:
Kings of Brega
-Overview:Brega took its name from Mag Breg, the plain of Brega, in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the Uí Néill kindred, belonging to the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. The kingdom of Brega included the Hill of Tara, the site...
of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore 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 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....
. He was the son of the high king Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
(died 724). He appears as a leader of the Uí Chernaig in the years 737-738.
The Uí Chernaig sept had a feud with the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
Knowth
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave and an ancient monument of Brú na Bóinne in the valley of the River Boyne in Ireland.Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs...
) in North Brega going back to the assassination of Cernach's grandfather Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine...
(died 701) by Írgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre , also called Írgalach ua Conaing, was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile and brother of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre , previous kings of Brega...
(died 702). In 737 the Uí Chonaing King of Brega Conaing mac Amalgado
Conaing mac Amalgado
Conaing mac Amalgado was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Amalgaid mac Congalaig , a previous king...
(died 742) defeated Cernach and his kinsman Cathal mac Áeda
Cathal mac Áeda
Cathal mac Áeda was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the son of Áed Laigin mac Néill and great-great grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine . His father had been slain at the Battle of Allen in the great defeat of the Ui Neill...
at the Battle of Lia Ailbe in Mag nAilbe (Moynalvy,Co.Meath) and Cathal, leader of the Uí Chernaig, was slain.
Cernach seems to have had a bad reputation and the Annals of Ulster record in 738 at his death:
"Cernach, son of Fogartach, is treacherously killed by his own criminal adherents, and the calves of the cows and the women of this lower world for long bewailed him."