Fallomon mac Con Congalt
Encyclopedia
Fallomon mac Con Congalt (died 766), also written Follaman mac Con Congelt, was King of Mide, a kingdom of the Uí Néill
in central Ireland in modern County Westmeath
and County Meath
.
, son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill
and, rather less certainly, from Niall of the Nine Hostages
. Clann Cholmáin Bicc's own lands lay around Lough Lene
, in Mide, the west-central part of the southern Uí Néill kingdoms, from which the names Meath and Westmeath are derived. The remainder of the southern Uí Néill formed the kingdoms of Tethbae, in the north-west midlands, north and west of the River Inny
and east of the River Shannon
, and Brega
in the east midlands, east of the upper part of the River Boyne
and its tributary the River Blackwater. The leading branch of Clann Cholmáin Bicc was later known as the Coille Fallomain, or Caille Follamain, after Fallomon himself. Its name is preserved in that of Killallon, some miles north-west of Clonmellon
.
Clann Cholmáin Bicc were perhaps in the shadow of the neighbouring Clann Cholmáin
, in full Clann Cholmáin Máir, the descendants of Colmán Bec's brother Colmán Már, whose lands lay to the south-west around the hill of Uisnech
. Until the 8th century, both were in a secondary position, the leadership of the southern Uí Néill being held by the Síl nÁedo Sláine
of Brega, descended from Diarmait's son Áed Sláine
. During the period when the Síl nÁedo Sláine were dominant in the midlands, only one descendant of Colmán Bec was prominent, his son Óengus mac Colmáin
who may, perhaps, have been King of Tara, or more probably was appointed as deputy in the midlands—he is called "king of the Uí Néill" at his death—by northerner Suibne Menn
.
In the 8th century, a prolonged internal struggle among the various branches of the Síl nÁedo Sláine led to their decline and the rise of Clann Cholmáin Máir and perhaps also Clann Cholmáin Bicc.
is his great-grandfather Fáelchú, who died in the early 660s. The earliest record of Fallomon is in 733. Early in that year open warfare broke out among the northern Uí Néill, between Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
of Cenél Conaill
, who was the reigning High King of Ireland
, and Áed Allán
of Cenél nEógain
, who would eventually force Flaithbertach to abdicate and become a pilgrim or monk.
Later in the year, war is reported in the midlands. The Annals of Ulster
record that Cathal—usually taken to be Cathal mac Finguine
, King of Munster—was first of all defeated by Domnall Midi
and Clann Cholmáin Máir at Tailtiu
, site of the main Uí Néill óenach
, and then victorious against Fallomon and Clann Cholmáin Bicc at the Hill of Ward
, site of the óenach of Tlachtga
, second in importance only to that of Tailtiu. However, a recent reinterpretation of this record has been proposed. Rather than identifying Cathal with Cathal mac Finguine, Charles-Edwards suggests that this is Cathal mac Áeda
of the Síl nÁedo Sláine, King of Lagore.
Nothing further is recorded of Fallomon until after the death of Domnall Midi in 763, at which time he appears as an ally of Domnall's kin and, in particular, Domnall's son Donnchad Midi. This alliance is presumed to have existed from the earliest part of Domnall's reign, if not before, which began when he defeated and killed Áed Allán in 743.
In 765 Fallomon is recorded as aiding Donnchad against Murchad, another of Domnall Midi's sons. Murchad was killed at Carn Fiachach, near present-day Rathconrath
, fighting against Fallomon and Donnchad. Fallomon was killed in 766, at which time he is called king of Mide. The Annals of Ulster call the killing "treacherous", while the Annals of Tigernach
call it "deceitful". Since Donnchad was the main beneficiary—he became King of Mide after this—it has been suggested that the killing was on his orders.
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....
in central Ireland 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...
and 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...
.
Background
Fallomon belonged to the Clann Cholmáin Bicc branch of the southern Uí Néill, a kin group which traced its descent from Colmán BecColmán 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...
, son of 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....
and, rather less certainly, from Niall of the Nine Hostages
Niall of the Nine Hostages
Niall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...
. Clann Cholmáin Bicc's own lands lay around Lough Lene
Lough Lene
Lough Lene is a lake situated in north County Westmeath, Ireland, between the villages of Castlepollard, Collinstown and Fore....
, in Mide, the west-central part of the southern Uí Néill kingdoms, from which the names Meath and Westmeath are derived. The remainder of the southern Uí Néill formed the kingdoms of Tethbae, in the north-west midlands, north and west of the River Inny
River Inny
The River Inny is a river in Ireland. It flows from Lough Kinale under the Bridge of Finea into Lough Sheelin in County Cavan and heads south to Lough Derravaragh...
and east of the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
, and 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...
in the east midlands, east of the upper part of the River Boyne
River Boyne
The River Boyne is a river in Leinster, Ireland, the course of which is about long. It rises at Trinity Well, Newbury Hall, near Carbury, County Kildare, and flows towards the Northeast through County Meath to reach the Irish Sea between Mornington, County Meath and Baltray, County Louth. Salmon...
and its tributary the River Blackwater. The leading branch of Clann Cholmáin Bicc was later known as the Coille Fallomain, or Caille Follamain, after Fallomon himself. Its name is preserved in that of Killallon, some miles north-west of Clonmellon
Clonmellon
Clonmellon is a small town in County Westmeath, Ireland situated between Kells in County Meath and Delvin in Westmeath.-Buildings of note:* Ballinlough Castle* Clonmellon Market Yard* Killua Castle, Clonmellon Westmeath-See also:...
.
Clann Cholmáin Bicc were perhaps in the shadow of the neighbouring 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...
, in full Clann Cholmáin Máir, the descendants of Colmán Bec's brother Colmán Már, whose lands lay to the south-west around the hill 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...
. Until the 8th century, both were in a secondary position, the leadership of the southern Uí Néill being held by 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....
of Brega, descended from Diarmait's son 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...
. During the period when the Síl nÁedo Sláine were dominant in the midlands, only one descendant of Colmán Bec was prominent, his son 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...
who may, perhaps, have been King of Tara, or more probably was appointed as deputy in the midlands—he is called "king of the Uí Néill" at his death—by northerner Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn was an Irish king who is counted as a High King of Ireland.Suibne belonged to the junior branch of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, the Cenél Feredaig, named for his grandfather Feredach, a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
.
In the 8th century, a prolonged internal struggle among the various branches of the Síl nÁedo Sláine led to their decline and the rise of Clann Cholmáin Máir and perhaps also Clann Cholmáin Bicc.
Life
The last of Fallomon's ancestors to be reported in the Irish annalsIrish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
is his great-grandfather Fáelchú, who died in the early 660s. The earliest record of Fallomon is in 733. Early in that year open warfare broke out among the northern Uí Néill, between Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig was a High King of Ireland. He was a member of the Cenél Conaill, a branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Loingsech mac Óengusso , a previous high king...
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....
, who was the reigning 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 Áed Allán
Áed Allán
Áed Allán was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill....
of 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...
, who would eventually force Flaithbertach to abdicate and become a pilgrim or monk.
Later in the year, war is reported in the midlands. 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 that Cathal—usually taken to be Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine was an Irish King of Munster or Cashel, and effectively High King of Ireland as well. He belonged to the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the dominant Eóganachta kin-group whose members dominated Munster from the 7th century to the 10th...
, King of Munster—was first of all defeated by Domnall Midi
Domnall Midi
Domhnall Mac Murchada , called Domnall Midi , was High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill...
and Clann Cholmáin Máir at Tailtiu
Tailtiu
Tailtiu or Tailltiu is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology. Telltown in County Meath, was named for her.-In Irish mythology:...
, site of the main Uí Néill óenach
Óenach
The Óenach, usually translated fair or assembly, was an annual gathering in Ireland which combined features of the popular assembly and fair. As well as the entertainment, the óenach was an occasion on which kings and notables met under truce and where laws were pronounced and confirmed.The most...
, and then victorious against Fallomon and Clann Cholmáin Bicc at the Hill of Ward
Hill of Ward
The Hill of Ward, also known as the Hill of Tlachtga, is a hill in County Meath, Ireland. During medieval times it was the site of great festivals, including one at which winter fires were lit at Samhain, the precursor of the modern Halloween...
, site of the óenach of Tlachtga
Tlachtga
Tlachtga is the name of a powerful druidess from Irish mythology and a festival celebrated in her honor in early Ireland.Tlachtga was the daughter of Mug Ruith, a druid from Irish legend. She accompanied him on his world travels, learning his magical secrets and discovering sacred stones in Italy...
, second in importance only to that of Tailtiu. However, a recent reinterpretation of this record has been proposed. Rather than identifying Cathal with Cathal mac Finguine, Charles-Edwards suggests that this is 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...
of the Síl nÁedo Sláine, King of Lagore.
Nothing further is recorded of Fallomon until after the death of Domnall Midi in 763, at which time he appears as an ally of Domnall's kin and, in particular, Domnall's son Donnchad Midi. This alliance is presumed to have existed from the earliest part of Domnall's reign, if not before, which began when he defeated and killed Áed Allán in 743.
In 765 Fallomon is recorded as aiding Donnchad against Murchad, another of Domnall Midi's sons. Murchad was killed at Carn Fiachach, near present-day Rathconrath
Rathconrath
Rathconrath is a village in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is situated on the R392 regional road west of Mullingar.Rathconrath is also one of the baronies in Co. Westmeath, see list of baronies of Ireland.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
, fighting against Fallomon and Donnchad. Fallomon was killed in 766, at which time he is called king of Mide. The Annals of Ulster call the killing "treacherous", while 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....
call it "deceitful". Since Donnchad was the main beneficiary—he became King of Mide after this—it has been suggested that the killing was on his orders.