Máel Dúin mac Fergusa
Encyclopedia
Máel Dúin mac Fergusa was King of South Brega
of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of Fergus mac Fogartaig
(died 751), a previous king of South Brega, and grandson of the high-king Fogartach mac Néill
(died 724). He ruled from 778 to 785.
The high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) had campaigned against Leinster in 780 and then made peace. The next year in 781 the Battle of the Rig was fought between the Síl nÁedo Sláine and the Uí Garrchon branch of the Laigin and their king Cú Chongalt was slain. Donnchad had subdued Brega in 778 and the annals do not mention whether this campaign versus the Uí Garrchon was part of Donnchad's campaign or an act of defiance by the men of Brega or simply a border warfare with no connection. The campaign is significant in that both septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine, both the Uí Chernaig and the Uí Chonaing of north Brega, participated together. These two septs had been fighting for much of the eighth century. Máel Dúin and his cousin Fogartach mac Cummascaig (died 786) were the Uí Chernaig leaders in this battle.
Máel Dúin is titled King of Loch Gabor at his death obit in the annals. The first time this title is used in the annals His sons, Óengus mac Máele Dúin (died 825) and Cairpre mac Máele Dúin (died 836) were also kings of Loch Gabor.
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...
of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of 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....
branch of the southern 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....
. He was the son of Fergus mac Fogartaig
Fergus mac Fogartaig
Fergus mac Fogartaig was King of South Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Fogartach mac Néill . He ruled from 738 to 751....
(died 751), a previous king of South Brega, and grandson of the high-king Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
(died 724). He ruled from 778 to 785.
The high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) had campaigned against Leinster in 780 and then made peace. The next year in 781 the Battle of the Rig was fought between the Síl nÁedo Sláine and the Uí Garrchon branch of the Laigin and their king Cú Chongalt was slain. Donnchad had subdued Brega in 778 and the annals do not mention whether this campaign versus the Uí Garrchon was part of Donnchad's campaign or an act of defiance by the men of Brega or simply a border warfare with no connection. The campaign is significant in that both septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine, both the Uí Chernaig and the Uí Chonaing of north Brega, participated together. These two septs had been fighting for much of the eighth century. Máel Dúin and his cousin Fogartach mac Cummascaig (died 786) were the Uí Chernaig leaders in this battle.
Máel Dúin is titled King of Loch Gabor at his death obit in the annals. The first time this title is used in the annals His sons, Óengus mac Máele Dúin (died 825) and Cairpre mac Máele Dúin (died 836) were also kings of Loch Gabor.