Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
Encyclopedia
Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre (died 696) was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Uí Néill
. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre
mac Congaile (died 662), a previous king of Brega. The territory of Brega that he ruled was called Cnogba (Knowth
) or North Brega which he ruled from 662 to 696. He was king of all Brega from 695 to 696.
The Síl nÁedo Sláine dominated the midlands in this period and began to engage in internecine strife among its various lineages. Congalach's first mention in the annals is in 688 when he was defeated at the Battle of Imlech Pich by Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
(died 701) of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore in south Brega. Congalach survived the battle but his allies Dub dá Inber, king of Ard Ciannachta, and Uarchride Ua Oissíne, of the Conaille Muirtheimne, were slain. According to the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland
, the Ciannachta tribe came under foreign rule and were deprived of sovereignty as a result.
In 695 Congalach and his kinsman Áed mac Dlúthaig
(died 701) of the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl Breg killed Fínsnechta Fledach
, the High King of Ireland
, and his son Bresal of the Clan Fínsnechtai sept at Grellaigh Dollaith. According to the Annals of Tigernach
, this occurred in battle, but the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland state that Finsnechta was murdered in a tent by Congalach and Áed. Congalach now became ruler of Brega.
The record in Annals of Ulster
may show that Congalach was a candidate for the high kingship after the killing of Fínsnechta, in competition with Loingsech mac Óengusso
of the northern Uí Néill kindred of Cenél Conaill
. It is not until after Congalach's death that the annal, probably based on a contemporaneous chronicle kept on Iona
, announces the beginning of Loingsech's reign.
Congalach's son Amalgaid mac Congalaig
(died 718) was also King of Brega. Another son was Fergal mac Congalaig (died 718). They were both slain at the Battle of Cenannas (near Kells
) by the Uí Chernaig sept.
Another son Suibne mac Congalaig (died 722) was slain at the Battle of Allen where the Ui Neill were crushed by the men of Leinster.
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
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 Cuirre
Conaing Cuirre
Conaing mac Congaile , called Conaing Cuirre, was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Congal mac Áedo Sláine , a previous king of Brega...
mac Congaile (died 662), a previous king of Brega. The territory of Brega that he ruled was called 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...
) or North Brega which he ruled from 662 to 696. He was king of all Brega from 695 to 696.
The Síl nÁedo Sláine dominated the midlands in this period and began to engage in internecine strife among its various lineages. Congalach's first mention in the annals is in 688 when he was defeated at the Battle of Imlech Pich by 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) of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore in south Brega. Congalach survived the battle but his allies Dub dá Inber, king of Ard Ciannachta, and Uarchride Ua Oissíne, of the Conaille Muirtheimne, were slain. According to the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland
Fragmentary Annals of Ireland
The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland are a Middle Irish combination of chronicle from various Irish annals and narrative history. They were compiled in the kingdom of Osraige, probably in the lifetime of Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic , king of Osraige and of king of Leinster.The Fragmentary Annals were...
, the Ciannachta tribe came under foreign rule and were deprived of sovereignty as a result.
In 695 Congalach and his kinsman Áed mac Dlúthaig
Áed mac Dlúthaig
Áed mac Dlúthaig was a King of Fir Cúl in Brega of the Síl nDlúthaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine of Brega. He was the grandson of Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine , a king of Brega....
(died 701) of the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl Breg killed Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada was High King of Ireland. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine sept of the Uí Néill and was King of Brega, in modern County Meath, Ireland. He was a grandson of Áed Sláine. His father Dúnchad had died in 659...
, the High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
, and his son Bresal of the Clan Fínsnechtai sept at Grellaigh Dollaith. According to the Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
, this occurred in battle, but the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland state that Finsnechta was murdered in a tent by Congalach and Áed. Congalach now became ruler of Brega.
The record in 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...
may show that Congalach was a candidate for the high kingship after the killing of Fínsnechta, in competition with Loingsech mac Óengusso
Loingsech mac Óengusso
Loingsech mac Óengusso was an Irish king who was High King of Ireland. Loingsech was a member of the northern Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill...
of the northern Uí Néill kindred of 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....
. It is not until after Congalach's death that the annal, probably based on a contemporaneous chronicle kept on Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
, announces the beginning of Loingsech's reign.
Congalach's son Amalgaid mac Congalaig
Amalgaid mac Congalaig
Amalgaid 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 Cuirre...
(died 718) was also King of Brega. Another son was Fergal mac Congalaig (died 718). They were both slain at the Battle of Cenannas (near Kells
Kells
Kells may refer to the following people:* Machine Gun Kelly , Cleveland Rapper/poet #LTFU #EST the movement.* R. Kelly, an American R&B musician...
) by the Uí Chernaig sept.
Another son Suibne mac Congalaig (died 722) was slain at the Battle of Allen where the Ui Neill were crushed by the men of Leinster.