Conall Guthbinn
Encyclopedia
Conall mac Suibni called Conall Guthbinn, was a King of Uisnech
in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin
. He was the son Suibne mac Colmáin (died 600), a previous king. He ruled from 621 to 635. His byname Guthbinn meant "sweet voiced".
His father Suibne had been killed in 600 by his uncle Áed Sláine
mac Diarmato (died 604) eponym
ous ancestor of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
. This set off a feud between the Clann Cholmáin and Síl nÁedo Sláine and in 604 a battle was fought in Faithche Mic Mencnain on the brink of Loch Semdid (Ballymore Loughsewdy in modern County Westmeath
). In this battle Conall was able to witness the slaying of Áed Sláine slain by his foster brother Áed Gustan. Áed Sláine's allies; Áed Rón of the Uí Failge and Áed Buide, king of Tebtha; were also slain.
Of this feud, the Annals of Ulster
record:
Conall then succeeded to the kingship of Uisnech in 621 on the death of Óengus mac Colmáin
, son of Colmán Bec
. In 622 he defeated a rival cousinly line led by two sons of Librén, son of Illand, son of Cerball. Illand was a brother of his great-grandfather the high king Diarmait mac Cerbaill
(died 565). This was fought at the Battle of Cenn Deilgthen (modern Kildalkey
in County Meath
) and Conall had the assistance of Domnall Brecc
(died 642), later king of Dál Riata
.
Conall next appears at the Battle of Áth Goan in western Liffey
in 633. In this battle, he allied to Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
(died 637), the king of Munster, to assist Fáelán mac Colmáin
(died 666?) of the Uí Dúnlainge
in defeating and slaying Crimthann mac Áedo
of the Uí Máil
to acquire the throne of Leinster
. The rise of the Ui Dunlainge to power appears to have been assisted by the Clann Cholmain who were looking to neutralize the border situation with the Ui Failgi so as to carry out their rivalry with the Síl nÁedo Sláine. Fáelán mac Colmáin was married to Conall's sister Uasal ingen Suibni (died 643).
Conall was now free to carry out the feud with Síl nÁedo Sláine. In 634, at the Battle of Loch Trethin at Fremainn (Loch Drethin at Frewin Hill, County Westmeath)
, he slew Congal mac Áedo Sláine
, king of Brega
, and his brother Ailill Cruitire
. However, in 635 he was killed in the house of a certain Nad Fraích's son by Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
(died 665).
His son Airmetach Cáech was slain at the Battle of Mag Roth in 637 fighting for Congal Cáech
of Ulaid
versus the high king Domnall mac Áedo
(died 642) of the Cenél Conaill
. Airmetach's son Fáelchú was also slain in this battle. Airmetach's other son, Diarmait Dian
mac Airmetaig Cáech (died 689), was a King of Uisnech.
Uisnech
The Hill of Uisneach, or Ushnagh, also Uisnech , formerly regarded as the centre of Ireland, is a historical site in County Westmeath . The 182 metre hill lies on the north side of the R390 road, 8 km east of the village of Ballymore, beside the village of Loughanavally...
in Mide 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...
. He was the son Suibne mac Colmáin (died 600), a previous king. He ruled from 621 to 635. His byname Guthbinn meant "sweet voiced".
His father Suibne had been killed in 600 by his uncle Áed Sláine
Áed Sláine
Áed mac Diarmato , called Áed Sláine , was the son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Legendary stories exist of Áed's birth. Saint Columba is said to have prophesied his death...
mac Diarmato (died 604) eponym
Eponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
ous ancestor 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....
. This set off a feud between the Clann Cholmáin and Síl nÁedo Sláine and in 604 a battle was fought in Faithche Mic Mencnain on the brink of Loch Semdid (Ballymore Loughsewdy in modern County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
). In this battle Conall was able to witness the slaying of Áed Sláine slain by his foster brother Áed Gustan. Áed Sláine's allies; Áed Rón of the Uí Failge and Áed Buide, king of Tebtha; were also slain.
Of this feud, the Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
record:
It was no time when counsel prevailed, for the warriors beyond Tuirbe: Conall slew Áed of Sláine, Áed Sláine slew Suibne.
Conall then succeeded to the kingship of Uisnech in 621 on the death of Óengus mac Colmáin
Óengus mac Colmáin
Óengus mac Colmáin Bec was an Irish king. He was the King of Uisnech in Mide from 618 to 621.He belonged to the southern Uí Néill. According to the genealogies, he was a son of Colmán Bec , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill...
, son of Colmán Bec
Colmán Bec
Colmán mac Diarmato was an Irish king, son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Early sources and older scholarship distinguish two sons of Diarmait, Colmán Bec and Colmán Már , although it is now supposed that only Colmán Bec was a historical figure, Colmán Már being a later genealogical invention...
. In 622 he defeated a rival cousinly line led by two sons of Librén, son of Illand, son of Cerball. Illand was a brother of his great-grandfather the high king Diarmait mac Cerbaill
Diarmait mac Cerbaill
Diarmait mac Cerbaill was King of Tara or High King of Ireland. According to traditions, he was the last High King to follow the pagan rituals of inauguration, the ban-feis or marriage to goddess of the land....
(died 565). This was fought at the Battle of Cenn Deilgthen (modern Kildalkey
Kildalkey
Kildalkey or Kildalky is a village and a parish in the Barony of Lune, county and diocese of Meath, Ireland.-Population:The population of the village was 137 at the time of the 1996 Census. By the 2002 Census the village had a massive 278% growth to 518.-History:The patron saint is Saint Dymphna,...
in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
) and Conall had the assistance of Domnall Brecc
Domnall Brecc
Domnall Brecc was king of Dál Riata, in modern Scotland, from about 629 until 642...
(died 642), later king of Dál Riata
Dál Riata
Dál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...
.
Conall next appears at the Battle of Áth Goan in western Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
in 633. In this battle, he allied to Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eoganachta. He succeeded Cathal mac Áedo Flaind Chathrach of the Glendamnach branch in 628. He was the younger brother of a previous king Fíngen mac Áedo Duib...
(died 637), the king of Munster, to assist Fáelán mac Colmáin
Fáelán mac Colmáin
Fáelán mac Colmáin was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Colmán Már mac Coirpri, a previous king...
(died 666?) 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....
in defeating and slaying Crimthann mac Áedo
Crimthann mac Áedo
Crimthann mac Áedo was a King of Leinster from the Uí Máil branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Áed Dibchine mac Senaig , a previous king. He would have succeeded sometime after the death of Rónán mac Colmáin...
of the Uí Máil
Uí Máil
Uí Máil were an Irish dynasty of Leinster. They were descended from Maine Mál, the brother of the legendary high king Cathair Mór. The Uí Máil were a dominant dynasty in Leinster competing for the kingship in the 7th century before being eventually ousted by the Uí Dunlainge and retreating east...
to acquire the throne of Leinster
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...
. The rise of the Ui Dunlainge to power appears to have been assisted by the Clann Cholmain who were looking to neutralize the border situation with the Ui Failgi so as to carry out their rivalry with the Síl nÁedo Sláine. Fáelán mac Colmáin was married to Conall's sister Uasal ingen Suibni (died 643).
Conall was now free to carry out the feud with Síl nÁedo Sláine. In 634, at the Battle of Loch Trethin at Fremainn (Loch Drethin at Frewin Hill, County Westmeath)
, he slew Congal mac Áedo Sláine
Congal mac Áedo Sláine
Congal mac Áedo Sláine was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato ....
, king of Brega
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...
, and his brother Ailill Cruitire
Ailill Cruitire
Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato . His byname meant "harper"....
. However, in 635 he was killed in the house of a certain Nad Fraích's son by Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
Diarmait was a son of Áed Sláine. According to the Irish annals he was High King of Ireland.-Sons of Áed Sláine:Diarmait's father Áed Sláine was a son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, the apical ancestor of the southern branches of the Uí Néill kindred which dominated Ireland from the late 6th century...
(died 665).
His son Airmetach Cáech was slain at the Battle of Mag Roth in 637 fighting for Congal Cáech
Congal Cáech
Congal Cáech was a king of the Cruithne of Dál nAraidi, in modern Ulster, from around 626 to 637. He was king of Ulster from 627-637 and, according to some sources, High King of Ireland.-Sources:...
of Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
versus the high king Domnall mac Áedo
Domnall mac Áedo
Domnall mac Áedo , also known as Domnall II, was a son of Áed mac Ainmuirech. Domnall was High King of Ireland from 628 until his death. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill kindred of the northern Uí Néill....
(died 642) of the Cenél Conaill
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
. Airmetach's son Fáelchú was also slain in this battle. Airmetach's other son, Diarmait Dian
Diarmait Dian
Diarmait Dian mac Airmetaig was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the grandson of Conall Guthbinn mac Suibni , a previous king. His father Airmetach Cáech was slain at the Battle of Mag Rath in 637...
mac Airmetaig Cáech (died 689), was a King of Uisnech.