Edel Bhreathnach is an Irish historian and academic.

Bhreathnach was a Tara Research Fellow for the Discovery Programme

The Discovery Programme

The Discovery Programme a public institution for advanced research in Irish archaeology. As distinct from the other public bodies that deal with Irish archaeology, the Discovery Programme’s sole activity is to engage in full-time archaeological and related research, in order to enhance our...

 from 1992 to 2000. As of 2005 she is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh

Mícheál Ó Cléirigh

Mícheál Ó Cléirigh , sometimes known as Michael O'Clery, was an Irish chronicler, scribe and antiquary and chief author of the Annals of the Four Masters, assisted by Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh, Fearfeasa Ó Maol Chonaire, and Peregrinus Ó Duibhgeannain.-Background and early life:Grandson of Tuathal...

 Institute for the study of Irish History and Civilization, at University College Dublin

University College Dublin

University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...

. Her particular areas of interest concern the history of Tara

Hill of Tara

The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...

 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...

, dynastic politics in the kingdoms of Mide and 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...

.

Articles

• Killeskin: An Irish Monastery Surveyed in Cambridge/Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies, pp. 33-47. 1994.
• Tara: A Select Bibliography, in Discovery Programme Reports No. 3. 1995.
• Temoria: Caput Scotorum? in Éiru No. 47, pp. 67-88. 1996.
• 'Topographical note: Moynagh Lough, Nobber, Co. Meath in Ríocht na Midhe No. 9, pp.16-19, 1998.
• Authority and supremacy in Tara and its Hinterland c.950-1200 in Discovery Reports Programme No. 5, pp.1-23. 1999.
• Kings, the kingship of Leinster and the regnal poems of 'Laídshenchas Laigen': A reflection of dynastic politics of Leinster, 650-1150 in Seachas: Studies in Early and Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis J. Byrne, ed. Alfred P. Smyth, Four Courts Press, Dublin, pp.299-312. 2000. ISBN 1-85182-489-8.
• Abesses, minor dynasties and kings 'in clericatu': Perspectives of Ireland 700-850 in Mercia: An Anglo-Saxon kingdom in Europe, M.P. Brown and C.A. Farr (eds.), pp. 113-125, Leicester University Press, 2001.
• 'Two contributors to the Book of Leinster
  Book of Leinster
  The Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
  
  : Bishop Finn of Kildare and Gilla na Náem Úa Duinn' in Michael Richter and Jean-Michel Picard (eds.) Ogma: essays in Celtic studies in honour of Próinséas Ní Chatháin (Dublin, 2002) pp. 105-111
• The Red Line of Luas: Ley Lines in the Liffey Valley in Visions of a Past: The Earth Mysteries Tradition in Irish Archeology ed. Muiris O Suilleabhain
  Muiris Ó Súilleabháin
  Muiris Ó Súilleabháin became famous for his memoir of growing up on the Great Blasket Island off the western coast of Ireland, Fiche Bliain ag Fás , published in Irish and English in 1933...
  
  , Irish Archaeological Press, UCD School of Archaeology, Dublin 2006. ISBN 1-85182-568-9
• Medieval sub-kingdoms 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...
  
  : The kingships of Calatruim, Déssi Breg, Mugdornae Breg and Uí maic Uais Breg in The Island of St. Patrick: Church and ruling dynasties in Fingal
  Fingal
  Fingal is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. With its county seat located in Swords, it has a population of 239,992 according to the 2006 census...
  
   and Meath, 400-1148, pp.38-51, Ailbhe MacShamhráin, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2005. ISBN 1-85182-867-2.

For the following see The Kingship and Landscape of Tara, below.

• • Níell cáich úa Néill nasctar géill':The political context of 'Baile Chuinn Chétchthaig, pp. 49-68;
  • Baile Chuinn Chétchthaig: Edition with Kevin Murray, pp. 73-94.
  • The Airgíalla Charter Poem: The political context, pp. -157.
  • The Airgíalla Charter Poem: Edition with Kevin Murray, pp. 124-158.
  • The Medieval Kingdom 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...
    
    , pp. 410-422.

Books

• The Kingship and Landscape of Tara, (ed.), Four Courts Press for the Discovery Programme, Dublin, 2005.