Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin
Encyclopedia
Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin was a Dal Fiatach
king of Ulaid
, which is now Ulster
, Ireland. He reigned from 750 to 789. He was the son of Áed Róin
(died 735) and brother of Bressal mac Áedo Róin
(died 750),previous kings. This family had their base in modern County Down.
(died 743) of the Cenél nEógain
and the kingship of Ulaid passed to the rival Dal nAraide of southern County Antrim in the person of Cathussach mac Ailello
(died 749). However in 749 Cathussach was killed at Ráith Beithech (Rathveagh, modern County Antrim) probably in the interest of the Dal Fiatach and Fiachnae's brother, Bressal, became king. Bressal himself was killed in 750 but the Dal Fiatach retained the kingship. The historian Professor Byrne, however, believes that it is probable there was an interregnum in Ulaid between the reigns of Áed Róin and Fiachnae.
of the Ui Neill
of Brega
. Fiachnae defeated them at the Battle of Emain Macha, near Armagh, and Dúngal and his ally Donn Bó mac Con Brettan, king of Fir Rois were slain.
In 761 Fiachnae defeated the Uí Echach Cobo
(a branch of the Dal nAraide) of the west part of county Down in the Battle of Áth Duma where their king Ailill mac Feidlimid was slain. The Uí Echach Coba were to suffer another defeat in 776 this time at the hands of the Airthir (an Airgialla
tribe of modern County Armagh).
The Dal nAraide proper engaged in internecine civil wars in 776 and 783. In one of these conflicts in 776 Fiachnae's son Eochaid gave support to the claimant Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig
(died 790) and they defeated and slew the King of Dal nAraide, Cinaed Ciarrge mac Cathussaig, and his ally Dúngal, king of the Uí Tuirtri (an Airgialla tribe west of Lough Neagh) in the Battle of Drong.
The power of Fiachnae was such that the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) sought a conference with him at Inis na Ríg in eastern Brega. However, mutual distrust prevented Fiachnae from coming ashore and Donnchad from going out to sea to meet him. The purpose of the meetimg may have been to deliminate spheres of influence. Donnchad may have been seeking to settle affairs involving the Uí Echach Coba and Airthir and the border region of the Conailli Muirtheimne (in modern County Louth).
, traditionally a Dal nAraide monastery. He also converted Downpatrick into a royal monastery (or this was done by his father). The fist recorded abbot of Downpatrick in the annals has a death notice in 753.
His sons Eochaid mac Fiachnai
(died 810) and Cairell mac Fiachnai
(died 819) were Kings of Ulster. Another son, Loingsech mac Fiachnai (died 800) was abbot of Downpatrick. Fiachnae's nephew Diarmait Ua Áedo Róin (died 825) was a Céli Dé (Culdee
) church reformer and founded the monastery of Diseart Diarmad (Castledermot
, modern County Kildare) in 812 renewing the ties of Bangor with Leinster.
Dál Fiatach
The Dál Fiatach were a group of related dynasties located in eastern Ulster in the Early Christian and Early Medieval periods of the history of Ireland.-Description:...
king of Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
, which is now Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
, Ireland. He reigned from 750 to 789. He was the son of Áed Róin
Áed Róin
Áed Róin mac Bécce Bairrche was the Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He reigned from 708 to 735. He was the son of Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic, , a previous king of Ulaid who had abdicated in 707 to become a pilgrim....
(died 735) and brother of Bressal mac Áedo Róin
Bressal mac Áedo Róin
Bressal mac Áedo Róin was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He reigned from 749 to 750. He was the son of Áed Róin , a previous king...
(died 750),previous kings. This family had their base in modern County Down.
Background
His father had been slain in battle in 735 by the high king Áed AllánÁed 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....
(died 743) 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...
and the kingship of Ulaid passed to the rival Dal nAraide of southern County Antrim in the person of Cathussach mac Ailello
Cathussach mac Ailello
Cathussach mac Ailello was a Dal nAraide king of Ulaid . He was the son of Ailill mac Dúngaile Eilni , a previous King of Dál nAraidi and nephew of Cú Chuarán mac Dúngail Eilni , a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 735-749...
(died 749). However in 749 Cathussach was killed at Ráith Beithech (Rathveagh, modern County Antrim) probably in the interest of the Dal Fiatach and Fiachnae's brother, Bressal, became king. Bressal himself was killed in 750 but the Dal Fiatach retained the kingship. The historian Professor Byrne, however, believes that it is probable there was an interregnum in Ulaid between the reigns of Áed Róin and Fiachnae.
Reign
Fiachnae restored the fortunes of the Dal Fiatach during his long reign. In 759 he became involved in a dispute among the churchmen of Armagh. Fiachnae supported the abbot Fer-dá-Chrích versus a priest named Airechtach who had the support of Dúngal mac AmalgadoDúngal 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...
of the 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....
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...
. Fiachnae defeated them at the Battle of Emain Macha, near Armagh, and Dúngal and his ally Donn Bó mac Con Brettan, king of Fir Rois were slain.
In 761 Fiachnae defeated the Uí Echach Cobo
Uí Echach Cobo
Uí Echach Cobo were a branch of the Dál nAraidi in Ulster . They gave their name to the early medieval Kingdom of Coba located in the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh in modern County Down...
(a branch of the Dal nAraide) of the west part of county Down in the Battle of Áth Duma where their king Ailill mac Feidlimid was slain. The Uí Echach Coba were to suffer another defeat in 776 this time at the hands of the Airthir (an Airgialla
Airgíalla
Airgíalla or Airgialla was the name of an Irish federation and Irish kingdom which first formed around the 7th century...
tribe of modern County Armagh).
The Dal nAraide proper engaged in internecine civil wars in 776 and 783. In one of these conflicts in 776 Fiachnae's son Eochaid gave support to the claimant Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig
Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig
Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig was a King of Dal nAraide in Ulaid and possible King of all Ulaid. He was the son of Indrechtach mac Lethlobair , a previous King of Dal nAraide. He ruled from 776 to 790 and as King of all Ulaid from 789 to 790...
(died 790) and they defeated and slew the King of Dal nAraide, Cinaed Ciarrge mac Cathussaig, and his ally Dúngal, king of the Uí Tuirtri (an Airgialla tribe west of Lough Neagh) in the Battle of Drong.
The power of Fiachnae was such that the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) sought a conference with him at Inis na Ríg in eastern Brega. However, mutual distrust prevented Fiachnae from coming ashore and Donnchad from going out to sea to meet him. The purpose of the meetimg may have been to deliminate spheres of influence. Donnchad may have been seeking to settle affairs involving the Uí Echach Coba and Airthir and the border region of the Conailli Muirtheimne (in modern County Louth).
Expansion of Dal Fiatach Influence
The expansion of the Dal Fiatach northwards to the shores of Lough Neagh began in his reign and this cut off the Dal nAraide proper from their kinsmen the Uí Echach Coba in the south. Fiachnae also gave his patronage to BangorBangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
, traditionally a Dal nAraide monastery. He also converted Downpatrick into a royal monastery (or this was done by his father). The fist recorded abbot of Downpatrick in the annals has a death notice in 753.
His sons Eochaid mac Fiachnai
Eochaid mac Fiachnai
Eochaid mac Fiachnai was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin , a previous king. He ruled from 790 to 810....
(died 810) and Cairell mac Fiachnai
Cairell mac Fiachnai
Cairell mac Fiachnai was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin , a previous king. He ruled from 810 to 819....
(died 819) were Kings of Ulster. Another son, Loingsech mac Fiachnai (died 800) was abbot of Downpatrick. Fiachnae's nephew Diarmait Ua Áedo Róin (died 825) was a Céli Dé (Culdee
Culdee
Céli Dé or Culdees were originally members of ascetic Christian monastic and eremitical communities of Ireland, Scotland and England in the Middle Ages. The term is used of St. John the Apostle, of a missioner from abroad recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 806, and of Óengus...
) church reformer and founded the monastery of Diseart Diarmad (Castledermot
Castledermot
Castledermot is an inland village in the south-east of Ireland in County Kildare, about from Dublin, and from the town of Carlow. The N9 road from Dublin to Waterford passes through the village but completion of a bypass is due during 2010.-Demographics:...
, modern County Kildare) in 812 renewing the ties of Bangor with Leinster.