Fiachrae
Encyclopedia
Fiachrae was an Irish prince, the son of the high king Eochaid Mugmedón
(d.362) by his wife Mongfind
, sister of Crimthann mac Fidaig
(d.367). He was ancestor of the Uí Fiachrach
dynasties of Connacht
. He lived in the late 4th century.
"The Violent Death of Crimthann mac Fidaig and of the Three Sons of Eochaid Muigmedón" gives the story of the sons of Eochaid Mugmedón. According to this saga, his half-brother the high king Niall Noigiallach (d.405) made Fiachrae's full brother Brion
his champion and Brion seized the kingship of Connacht. This led to war between Brion and Fiachrae and they fought a battle at Damchluain (near Tuam, Co.Galway). Fiachrae was captured and taken to Tara. However Fiachrae's son Nath Í rallied forces and defeated and slew Brion at a second battle at Damchluain.
Fiachrae was now released by Niall and given Brion's position as champion and levier of his hostages and rents. With his brother Ailill, he then went to take hostages from Munster. they defeated Eochaid mac Crimthainn and took loot and hostages. However, Fiachrae was severely wounded and died at Ferrach in Meath on the way home. The hostages of Munster were buried alive with him as a tribute to him.
Eochaid Mugmedon
-Biography:According to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, Eochaid was a High King of Ireland, best known as the father of Niall of the Nine Hostages and ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties...
(d.362) by his wife Mongfind
Mongfind
Queen Mongfind was the wife, of apparent Munster origins, of the legendary Irish High King Eochaid Mugmedón and mother of his eldest three sons, Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae, ancestors of the historical Connachta, through whom she is an ancestor of many Irish and European nobility today...
, sister of Crimthann mac Fidaig
Crimthann mac Fidaig
Crimthann Mór, son of Fidach , also written Crimthand Mór, was a semi-mythological king of Munster and High King of Ireland of the 4th century. He gained territory in Britain and Gaul, but died poisoned by his sister Mongfind. It is possible that he was also recognized as king of Scotland or Alba...
(d.367). He was ancestor of the Uí Fiachrach
Uí Fiachrach
The Uí Fiachrach were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the coicead or fifth of Connacht at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. They claimed descent from Fiachrae, an older half-brother of Niall Noigiallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages...
dynasties of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. 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...
. He lived in the late 4th century.
"The Violent Death of Crimthann mac Fidaig and of the Three Sons of Eochaid Muigmedón" gives the story of the sons of Eochaid Mugmedón. According to this saga, his half-brother the high king Niall Noigiallach (d.405) made Fiachrae's full brother Brion
Brion
Brion may refer to:In France*Brion, Ain*Brion, Indre*Brion, Isère*Brion, Lozère*Brion, Maine-et-Loire*Brion, Saône-et-Loire*Brion, Vienne*Brion, Yonne*Brion-près-Thouet*Brion-sur-Ource*Manoir de Brion, a Benedictine prioryElsewhere...
his champion and Brion seized the kingship of Connacht. This led to war between Brion and Fiachrae and they fought a battle at Damchluain (near Tuam, Co.Galway). Fiachrae was captured and taken to Tara. However Fiachrae's son Nath Í rallied forces and defeated and slew Brion at a second battle at Damchluain.
Fiachrae was now released by Niall and given Brion's position as champion and levier of his hostages and rents. With his brother Ailill, he then went to take hostages from Munster. they defeated Eochaid mac Crimthainn and took loot and hostages. However, Fiachrae was severely wounded and died at Ferrach in Meath on the way home. The hostages of Munster were buried alive with him as a tribute to him.