Congalach mac Conaing
Encyclopedia
Congalach mac Conaing was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of Conaing mac Amalgado
(died 742), a previous king.
He is listed as the successor to his uncle Dúngal mac Amalgado
(died 759) in a poem in the Book of Leinster it appears that this was just to leadership of the Uí Chonaing who were called kings of Ciannachta at this time. The annals mention Coirpre mac Fogartaig
(died 771), of the rival Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore in south Brega, as King of Brega. Congalach would have ruled all Brega from 771 to 778.
The Ciannachta are mentioned as having participated in the expedition of the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) against Leinster. They separately attacked the Uí Théig branch of the Laigin and crushed them at the Battle of Ath Cliath. However many of them were drowned in the full tide when returning.
Donnchad and Congalach appear as enemies in the annals and this may be due to a rivalry regarding succession to the high kingship on the abdication of Niall Frossach
(died 778) of the Cenél nEógain
. In 777, Donnchad led a hosting of the Laigin against Brega. Then in that same year Donnchad caused a disturbance at an assembly versus the Ciannachta leading to outright war. This war ended in the Battle of Forchalad in 778 in victory for Donnchad with Congalach and many others slain including Dúnchad mac Aléni, king of Mugdorna. The Annals of Ulster say of this event:
His sons included Flann mac Congalaig
(died 812), Cernach mac Congalaig
(died 818]], Cummascach mac Congalaig
(died 839), all kings of Brega, and a son named Cellach.
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...
) 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 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), a previous king.
He is listed as the successor to his uncle Dúngal mac Amalgado
Dúngal mac Amalgado
Dúngal 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 and brother of Conaing mac Amalgado , previous kings...
(died 759) in a poem in the Book of Leinster it appears that this was just to leadership of the Uí Chonaing who were called kings of Ciannachta at this time. The annals mention Coirpre mac Fogartaig
Coirpre mac Fogartaig
Coirpre mac Fogartaig was a King of 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 771), of the rival Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore in south Brega, as King of Brega. Congalach would have ruled all Brega from 771 to 778.
The Ciannachta are mentioned as having participated in the expedition of the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) against Leinster. They separately attacked the Uí Théig branch of the Laigin and crushed them at the Battle of Ath Cliath. However many of them were drowned in the full tide when returning.
Donnchad and Congalach appear as enemies in the annals and this may be due to a rivalry regarding succession to the high kingship on the abdication of 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 777, Donnchad led a hosting of the Laigin against Brega. Then in that same year Donnchad caused a disturbance at an assembly versus the Ciannachta leading to outright war. This war ended in the Battle of Forchalad in 778 in victory for Donnchad with Congalach and many others slain including Dúnchad mac Aléni, king of Mugdorna. The Annals of Ulster say of this event:
"From the battle of Forchalad which was fought on a gloomy sad Sunday, many a fond mother was sorrowful the Monday on the morrow."
His sons included Flann mac Congalaig
Flann mac Congalaig
Flann mac Congalaig 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 Congalach mac Conaing , a previous king...
(died 812), Cernach mac Congalaig
Cernach mac Congalaig
Cernach mac Congalaig 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 Congalach mac Conaing and brother of Flann mac Congalaig , previous kings...
(died 818]], Cummascach mac Congalaig
Cummascach mac Congalaig
Cummascach mac Congalaig 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 Congalach mac Conaing and brother of Flann mac Congalaig and Cernach mac Congalaig , previous kings...
(died 839), all kings of Brega, and a son named Cellach.