Síl nÁedo Sláine
Encyclopedia
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine
(Áed mac Diarmato), 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
.
With the possible exception of Óengus mac Colmáin
, all Uí Néill kings descended from Diarmait mac Cerbaill belonged to the Síl nÁedo Sláine until the death of Cináed mac Írgalaig
in 728. Thereafter the southern Uí Néill were dominated by Clann Cholmáin
, or more precisely Clann Cholmáin Már, descended from Colmán Már. Only one member of the Síl nÁedo Sláine was High King of Ireland
after 728, Congalach Cnogba
, and he was the grandson and nephew of Clann Cholmáin kings.
Áed Sláine left five sons, and from each of these was descended one or more branches of the kindred.
The descendants of Congal mac Áedo Sláine
were the Uí Chonaing, named for Congal's son Conaing Cuirre. This branch ruled Knowth
, the northern part of Brega. Its notable members included Cináed mac Írgalaig
(High King; died 728), Cináed mac Conaing
(died 851) and Congalach Cnogba (High King; died 956).
The other main branch was that of Áed's son Diarmait
, which ruled southern Brega from its seat at Loch Gabhair
. This took the name Uí Chernaig from Diarmait's son Cernach. Its prominent members included Fogartach mac Néill
(High King; died 724) and Conall mac Cernaig (Conall Grant
; died 718).
From Blathmac
, whose sons Sechnassach
and Cenn Fáelad
were both High Kings, descended the Uí Chinn Fháelad. Of Dúnchad's descendants only his son Fínsnechta Fledach
was a significant figure. The Síl nDlúthaig took its name from a son of Ailill Cruitire
, Dlúthach, but this was another minor group.
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...
(Áed mac Diarmato), 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....
. Part of the Southern Uí Néill
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....
—they were the kings 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...
—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne
Conall Cremthainne
Conall Cremthainne , also called Conall Err Breg, was an Irish king. He was the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and one of the progenitors of the Uí Néill dynasty....
.
With the possible exception of 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...
, all Uí Néill kings descended from Diarmait mac Cerbaill belonged to the Síl nÁedo Sláine until the death of Cináed mac Írgalaig
Cináed mac Írgalaig
Cináed mac Írgalaig or Cináed Cáech, "the one-eyed", was an Irish King of Brega who was High King of Ireland.-Background:Cináed was the son of Írgalach mac Conaing , a previous King of Brega...
in 728. Thereafter the southern Uí Néill were dominated by 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...
, or more precisely Clann Cholmáin Már, descended from Colmán Már. Only one member of the Síl nÁedo Sláine was 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...
after 728, Congalach Cnogba
Congalach Cnogba
Conghalach Cnoghbha was High King of Ireland, according to the lists in the Annals of the Four Masters, from around 944 to 956...
, and he was the grandson and nephew of Clann Cholmáin kings.
Áed Sláine left five sons, and from each of these was descended one or more branches of the kindred.
The descendants of Congal mac Áedo Sláine
Congal mac Áedo Sláine
Congal mac Áedo Sláine was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato ....
were the Uí Chonaing, named for Congal's son Conaing Cuirre. This branch ruled Knowth
Knowth
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave and an ancient monument of Brú na Bóinne in the valley of the River Boyne in Ireland.Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs...
, the northern part of Brega. Its notable members included Cináed mac Írgalaig
Cináed mac Írgalaig
Cináed mac Írgalaig or Cináed Cáech, "the one-eyed", was an Irish King of Brega who was High King of Ireland.-Background:Cináed was the son of Írgalach mac Conaing , a previous King of Brega...
(High King; died 728), Cináed mac Conaing
Cináed mac Conaing
Cináed mac Conaing was King of Knowth in the medieval Irish province of Mide, succeeding his father Conaing mac Flainn in 849.Cináed's family belonged to the Knowth, or Uí Chonaing, branch of the Síl nÁedo Sláine, part of the southern branch of the dominant Uí Néill kin group...
(died 851) and Congalach Cnogba (High King; died 956).
The other main branch was that of Áed's son Diarmait
Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
Diarmait was a son of Áed Sláine. According to the Irish annals he was High King of Ireland.-Sons of Áed Sláine:Diarmait's father Áed Sláine was a son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, the apical ancestor of the southern branches of the Uí Néill kindred which dominated Ireland from the late 6th century...
, which ruled southern Brega from its seat at Loch Gabhair
Loch Gabhair
Loch Gabhair meaning "Lake of the Goats" is a townland in the parish of Ratoath, Ireland. It is located between the villages of Ratoath and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Ireland....
. This took the name Uí Chernaig from Diarmait's son Cernach. Its prominent members included 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...
(High King; died 724) and Conall mac Cernaig (Conall Grant
Conall Grant
Conall Grant mac Cernaig was a King of Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine . His father Cernach Sotal had died during plague years in 664...
; died 718).
From Blathmac
Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine
Blathmac was a son of Áed Sláine. According to the Irish annals he was High King of Ireland.-Sons of Áed Sláine:Blathmac's father Áed Sláine was a son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, the apical ancestor of the southern branches of the Uí Néill kindred which dominated Ireland from the late 6th century...
, whose sons Sechnassach
Sechnassach
Sechnassach mac Blathmaic followed his father Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine and uncle Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine as High King of Ireland and King of Brega...
and Cenn Fáelad
Cenn Fáelad
Cenn Fáelad mac Blathmaic followed his father Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine and his brother Sechnassach as High King of Ireland and king of Brega...
were both High Kings, descended the Uí Chinn Fháelad. Of Dúnchad's descendants only his son Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada was High King of Ireland. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine sept of the Uí Néill and was King of Brega, in modern County Meath, Ireland. He was a grandson of Áed Sláine. His father Dúnchad had died in 659...
was a significant figure. The Síl nDlúthaig took its name from a son of Ailill Cruitire
Ailill Cruitire
Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato . His byname meant "harper"....
, Dlúthach, but this was another minor group.