Uí Dúnlainge
Encyclopedia
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach
, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig.
Their claims to the kingship of Leinster were unopposed after the death of Áed mac Colggen
in the Battle of Ballyshannon 738 (Aug 19). The dynasty then divided into three kindreds which rotated the kingship between 750-1050. This is unusual in early Irish history, according to Professor Francis John Byrne
of University College Dublin
as it was the equivalent of “keeping three oranges in the air” (the east Ulster kingdom of Ulaid
also rotated the kingship between families). 14 Uí Muiredaig kings (later to become the O'Toole family) were based at Mullaghmast
/Máistín 9 Uí Faelain kings (later to become the O'Byrne family
) were based at Naas/Nás na Ríogh and 10 Uí Dúnchada kings (later the FitzDermots) were based at Lyons Hill
/ Líamhain nearest to Dublin city. Fitzdermots later gave their names to the placenames Dolphin's Barn
and Ballyfermot
. The influence of the family helped secure place-myths for prominent Kildare landmarks in the heroic and romantic literature such as the Dindeanchas, Dinnshenchas Érenn as one of the “assemblies and noted places in Ireland”. After the death of the last Kildare-based King of Laighin, Murchad Mac Dunlainge in 1042, the Kingship of Leinster reverted to the Uí Cheinnselaig
kindred based in the south east.
Énnae Cennsalach
Énnae Cennsalach was a King of Leinster and founder of the Uí Cheinnselaig sept of the Laigin. He was the grandson of Bressal Bélach , a previous king.The chronology of Leinster kings in the 5th century is contradictory...
, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig.
Their claims to the kingship of Leinster were unopposed after the death of Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of Leinster. Some sources incorrectly make him joint king of Leinster with Bran Becc mac Murchado, but it appears that Áed was main ruler of Leinster in 738 His father Colcú mac Bressail was called king of Ard Ladrann at his death obit in the...
in the Battle of Ballyshannon 738 (Aug 19). The dynasty then divided into three kindreds which rotated the kingship between 750-1050. This is unusual in early Irish history, according to Professor Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne is an Irish historian.Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II...
of University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
as it was the equivalent of “keeping three oranges in the air” (the east Ulster kingdom of Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
also rotated the kingship between families). 14 Uí Muiredaig kings (later to become the O'Toole family) were based at Mullaghmast
Mullaghmast
Mullaghmast , is a hill in the south of County Kildare, Leinster, near the village of Ballitore. It was an important site in prehistory, in early history and again in more recent times...
/Máistín 9 Uí Faelain kings (later to become the O'Byrne family
O'Byrne family
The O'Byrne family is an Irish clann that descend from Bran mac Máelmórda, King of Leinster, of the Uí Faelain of the Uí Dúnlainge. During the Norman invasion of Ireland they lost their ancestral lands around Kildare and settled in south Wicklow in the late 12th century.The seat of the junior sept...
) were based at Naas/Nás na Ríogh and 10 Uí Dúnchada kings (later the FitzDermots) were based at Lyons Hill
Lyons Hill
Lyons Hill is a restored village, and former parish with church, now part of the community of Ardclough in north County Kildare. At a time when canal passenger boats travelled at Lyons was the nearest overnight stop to Dublin on the Grand Canal. On the hilltop is a trigonometrical point used by...
/ Líamhain nearest to Dublin city. Fitzdermots later gave their names to the placenames Dolphin's Barn
Dolphin's Barn
Dolphin's Barn is an inner city suburb of Dublin, Ireland, situated on the Southside of the city in the Dublin 8, and partially in the Dublin 12, postal district. Its name derives from a family named Dolphyn who once owned a storehouse there. Surrounding areas include The Liberties, Inchicore,...
and Ballyfermot
Ballyfermot
Ballyfermot is a suburb in the city of Dublin.Celebrities such as the famous Furey Brothers and the brilliant Keenan family have all resided in Ballyfermot.Ireland, located 7 kilometres due west from the city centre, and to the south of the Phoenix Park...
. The influence of the family helped secure place-myths for prominent Kildare landmarks in the heroic and romantic literature such as the Dindeanchas, Dinnshenchas Érenn as one of the “assemblies and noted places in Ireland”. After the death of the last Kildare-based King of Laighin, Murchad Mac Dunlainge in 1042, the Kingship of Leinster reverted to the Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
kindred based in the south east.
Further reading
- O'Brien, Michael A. "A Middle Irish poem on the Christian kings of Leinster." ÉriuÉriuIn Irish mythology, Ériu , daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was the eponymous matron goddess of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Gréine ....
17 (1955). pp. 35–51.