Uí Fiachrach
Encyclopedia
The Uí Fiachrach were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the coicead or fifth of Connacht
(a western province
of Ireland
) 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
. Fiachrae and his two full brothers, Brion
and Ailill
, were the collective ancestors of the Connachta
dynasty that eventually became the new name of the province. Their mother was Mongfind
.
The other two dynasties within the Connachta were the Uí Briúin
- descendants of Brion - and the Uí nAilello - descendants of Ailill. The latter sank into obscurity at an early stage but both the Uí Fiachrach and Ui Briuin and their many sub-sept
s featured prominently in the history of Connacht for one thousand years. In the 12th century, an Ui Briuin descendant, Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, became High King of Ireland
.
The Uí Fiachrach separated into two distinct branches, situated widely apart from each other. The Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
settled in the kingdom of Aidhne
and established themselves as its new ruling dynasty. The Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
were based along the River Moy
in what is now part of County Mayo
and County Sligo. It appears that they once constituted a single overkingdom, and ruled or took tribute from the older tribes and nations situated between Aidhne and Muaide, but lost their grip on power by the early 8th century leaving them confined to their own strict territory.
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne was bounded on the north and east by the powerful independent kingdom of Hy-Many
or Ui Maine; to the west by Lough Lurgan (Galway Bay
) and the Corco Mo Druad (Corcomroe
); and to the south by Déisi Tuisceart (later the Dál gCais
, later still the O'Brian
's of Thomond
). The territorial gains made by the Uí Fiachrach were lost and the kingdom seems to have reverted to something of its original size for its subsequent history.
For eight hundred years up to the mid-12th century its kings were from the[Cenel Guire] the Clan O'Cleary. Their kinsmen Clan O'Shaughnessy and Clan O'Hynes remained rulers of the territory until the land confiscations of the late 1690s and early 18th century.
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe covered all of what is now county Sligo and much of north and central County Mayo
. In 982 Aedh ua Dubhda (Aedh grandson of Dubhda), King of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, died "an untroubled death". He was the first of his dynasty to use the surname O Dubhda (anglicised to O'Dowd
, Dowd
). Brian, Melaghlin Carragh, Connor Oge, and Murtogh mac Connor O Dubhda fought at the Second Battle of Athenry
in 1316
, only Brian surviving. However by the 14th century their power was much reduced, as was their territory which now almost entirely consisted of the barony of Tireragh. For this reason they were no longer referred to as Kings, but as Taoiseach
(Chieftain) of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe.
Here the family became sponsors of the Clan Mac Fhir Bhisigh, a family of hereditary historians and judges. Because of this, the O Dubhda is singular in having his inauguration ceremony preserved in an old book, the Great Book of Lecan
. Written between 1397
and 1418
at Enniscrone in Tireagh, it was commissioned by Tadhg Riabhach O Dubhda.
A later Tadgh O Dubhda, Tadhg Buí, became Taoiseach in 1595
. In 1601
he led the men of Uí Fiachrach south to Kinsale, never to return. A tradition states that "he survived the battle and settled in Co. Kerry, where his family later became known as Doody". The last true O Dubhda of Uí Fiachrach was Dathi Og, patron and lord of Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. Bearers of the name are still found scattered through Sligo, Mayo and Galway.
Eochaid Mugmedon
=Mongfind + Cairenn
| |
_________|_________ |
| | | |
| | | |
Brion Fiachrae Ailill Niall, died c.450.
| (Ui Néill)
_________|________________________
| | |
| | |
Amalgaid Nath Í Macc Ercae
|
___________________|_____________________
| | |
| | |
Fiachnae Ailill Molt, d.482. Echu
| |
| |
(Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe) (Uí Fiachrach Aidhne)
|
|
Elgach
|
|
Maeldubh
|
|
Tipraite
|
|
Dunchad Muirisci
|
|_______________________________________________
| | |
| | |
Indrechtach, d.707. mac Dunchad Ailill
| | |
| | |
Ailill Medraige, d.764. Tipraite, d.719 Cathal
| |
| |
Cathal, d.816. Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
, d.787.
|
|
Eogan
|
|
Conall
|
|____________
| |
| |
Gabran Goibnenn, fl. 538.
|
|
Cobthach
|
|
Colman, d. 622.
|
|_____________________________________
| |
| |
Laidgnen/Loingsech, d. 655. Guaire Aidne, d. 663.
|
____________________________________|
| |
| |
Muirchertach Nar, d.668. Artgal
|
|
Fergal Aidne, d. 696.
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...
(a western province
Provinces of Ireland
Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...
of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. They claimed descent from Fiachrae
Fiachrae
Fiachrae was an Irish prince, the son of the high king Eochaid Mugmedón by his wife Mongfind, sister of Crimthann mac Fidaig. He was ancestor of the Uí Fiachrach dynasties of Connacht. He lived in the late 4th century....
, an older half-brother of Niall Noigiallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages
Niall of the Nine Hostages
Niall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...
. Fiachrae and his two full brothers, Brion
Brion (Irish)
Brión , son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was a legendary and possibly historical Irish king, fl. 4th/5th century.-Biography:The older half-brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages and one of the three brothers whose descendants were known as the Connachta, Brión is said to have been king of Connacht....
and Ailill
Ailill
Ailill a popular male given name in medieval Ireland and may refer to:* Ailill mac Máta, legendary king of Connacht and husband of queen Medb* Ailill mac Slanuill, legendary High King of Ireland of the 12th century BC...
, were the collective ancestors of the Connachta
Connachta
The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
dynasty that eventually became the new name of the province. Their mother was 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...
.
The other two dynasties within the Connachta were the Uí Briúin
Uí Briúin
The Uí Briúin were an Irish kin-group. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brion, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the Uí Fiachrach and Uí Ailello, putative descendants of Eochaid Mugmedon's...
- descendants of Brion - and the Uí nAilello - descendants of Ailill. The latter sank into obscurity at an early stage but both the Uí Fiachrach and Ui Briuin and their many sub-sept
Sept
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
s featured prominently in the history of Connacht for one thousand years. In the 12th century, an Ui Briuin descendant, Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, became 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...
.
The Uí Fiachrach separated into two distinct branches, situated widely apart from each other. The Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
settled in the kingdom of Aidhne
Aidhne
Aidhne also known as, Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne, Maigh Aidhne / Maigh nAidhne was the territory of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a tuath located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. Aidhne is coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh...
and established themselves as its new ruling dynasty. The Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe were a branch of the Ui Fiachrach dynasty of the Connachta. They were centered in the Moy River valley of Co. Mayo. The Uí Fiachrach Muaide territory at its widest reach included the baronies of Erris and Tirawley in Co. Mayo, and the barony of Tireragh in Co. Sligo...
were based along the River Moy
River Moy
The River Moy rises at the foot of Knocknashee in the Northwest of Ireland.- Geography :The River Moy rises at the foot of Knocknashee in the Ox Mountains in County Sligo. It flows for 110 km...
in what is now part of County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
and County Sligo. It appears that they once constituted a single overkingdom, and ruled or took tribute from the older tribes and nations situated between Aidhne and Muaide, but lost their grip on power by the early 8th century leaving them confined to their own strict territory.
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne was bounded on the north and east by the powerful independent kingdom of Hy-Many
Hy-Many
Uí Maine, often incorrectly Anglicised as Hy Many, was one of the oldest and largest kingdoms located in Connacht, Ireland. Its territory of approximately encompassed all of what is now north, east and south County Galway, south and central County Roscommon, an area near County Clare, and at one...
or Ui Maine; to the west by Lough Lurgan (Galway Bay
Galway Bay
Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city is located on the northeast side of the bay. It is about long and from to in breadth...
) and the Corco Mo Druad (Corcomroe
Corcomroe
Corcomroe is the anglicised form of the tuath of Corco Modhruadh in the north of County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. It is also the name of the obsolete barony which covers the south-western half of this tuath...
); and to the south by Déisi Tuisceart (later the Dál gCais
Dál gCais
The Dál gCais were a dynastic group of related septs located in north Munster who rose to political prominence in the 10th century AD in Ireland. They claimed descent from Cormac Cas, or Cas mac Conall Echlúath, hence the term "Dál", meaning "portion" or "share" of Cas...
, later still the O'Brian
O'Brian
-Forename:* O'Brian White , Jamaican footballer* O'Brian Woodbine , Jamaican footballer-Surname:* Hugh O'Brian , U.S...
's of Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
). The territorial gains made by the Uí Fiachrach were lost and the kingdom seems to have reverted to something of its original size for its subsequent history.
For eight hundred years up to the mid-12th century its kings were from the[Cenel Guire] the Clan O'Cleary. Their kinsmen Clan O'Shaughnessy and Clan O'Hynes remained rulers of the territory until the land confiscations of the late 1690s and early 18th century.
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe covered all of what is now county Sligo and much of north and central County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. In 982 Aedh ua Dubhda (Aedh grandson of Dubhda), King of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, died "an untroubled death". He was the first of his dynasty to use the surname O Dubhda (anglicised to O'Dowd
O'Dowd
O'Dowd is an uncommon Irish surname. Many modern variants of the O'Dowd surname exist. The prefix has been widely retained, O'Dowd being more usual than Dowd. Other modern variants are Dawdy, Dowdy, O'Dowda and Dowds, with Doody and Duddy, found around Killarney, where a branch of the Connacht...
, Dowd
Dowd
Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname which was once common in Ireland but is now quite rare. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ui Dubhda, through its more common form O'Dowd. The Ui Dubhda are one of the Clann Ui Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans.- People :*...
). Brian, Melaghlin Carragh, Connor Oge, and Murtogh mac Connor O Dubhda fought at the Second Battle of Athenry
Second Battle of Athenry
The Second Battle of Athenry took place at Athenry in Ireland on 10 August 1316 during the Bruce campaign in Ireland.-Overview:The collective number of both armies are unknown, and can only be estimated. Martyn believes the royal army to have been as much as or more than a thousand, while that of...
in 1316
1316 in Ireland
-Events:*10 August - Battle of Athenry; rebellious Irish chiefs of Connacht defeated and killed .*The Earl of Kildare founds the Augustinian Adare Friary in County Limerick....
, only Brian surviving. However by the 14th century their power was much reduced, as was their territory which now almost entirely consisted of the barony of Tireragh. For this reason they were no longer referred to as Kings, but as Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
(Chieftain) of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe.
Here the family became sponsors of the Clan Mac Fhir Bhisigh, a family of hereditary historians and judges. Because of this, the O Dubhda is singular in having his inauguration ceremony preserved in an old book, the Great Book of Lecan
Great Book of Lecan
The Book of Lecan is a medieval Irish manuscript written between 1397 and 1418. It is in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy....
. Written between 1397
1397 in Ireland
-Events:* The Great Book of Lecan was started at Enniscrone. ....
and 1418
1418 in Ireland
-Events:* The Great Book of Lecan was completed at Enniscrone. ....
at Enniscrone in Tireagh, it was commissioned by Tadhg Riabhach O Dubhda.
A later Tadgh O Dubhda, Tadhg Buí, became Taoiseach in 1595
1595 in Ireland
-Events:*Rebellion of Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone .*March - Battle of Clontibret...
. In 1601
1601 in Ireland
-Events:*30 November - Prince Hugh Roe O'Donnell, on his way to the Battle of Kinsale, visited and venerated a relic of the True Cross on the Feast of St. Andrew, at Holy Cross Abbey....
he led the men of Uí Fiachrach south to Kinsale, never to return. A tradition states that "he survived the battle and settled in Co. Kerry, where his family later became known as Doody". The last true O Dubhda of Uí Fiachrach was Dathi Og, patron and lord of Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. Bearers of the name are still found scattered through Sligo, Mayo and Galway.
Genealogy of the early Uí Fiachrach
Bold print indicates Kings of ConnachtEochaid Mugmedon
=Mongfind + Cairenn
| |
_________|_________ |
| | | |
| | | |
Brion Fiachrae Ailill Niall, died c.450.
| (Ui Néill)
_________|________________________
| | |
| | |
Amalgaid Nath Í Macc Ercae
|
___________________|_____________________
| | |
| | |
Fiachnae Ailill Molt, d.482. Echu
| |
| |
(Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe) (Uí Fiachrach Aidhne)
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Fiachnae|
|
Elgach
|
|
Maeldubh
|
|
Tipraite
|
|
Dunchad Muirisci
|
|_______________________________________________
| | |
| | |
Indrechtach, d.707. mac Dunchad Ailill
| | |
| | |
Ailill Medraige, d.764. Tipraite, d.719 Cathal
| |
| |
Cathal, d.816. Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
Donn Cothaid mac Cathail, King of Connacht, died 773.Donn Cothaid was a King of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe branch of the Connachta. He was the great-grandson of Dúnchad Muirisci mac Tipraite...
, d.787.
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Echu|
|
Eogan
|
|
Conall
|
|____________
| |
| |
Gabran Goibnenn, fl. 538.
|
|
Cobthach
|
|
Colman, d. 622.
|
|_____________________________________
| |
| |
Laidgnen/Loingsech, d. 655. Guaire Aidne, d. 663.
|
____________________________________|
| |
| |
Muirchertach Nar, d.668. Artgal
|
|
Fergal Aidne, d. 696.
Sources
- Byrne, Francis John (1973). Irish Kings and High Kings. Dublin.
- MacFhirbhisigh, Dubhaltach; O Muraile, Nollaig, editor (2004). Leabhar Genealach. The Great Book of Irish Genealogies. Dublin: DeBurca. (Alternate names by which it may be referenced include Leabhar Mor nGenealach, and Leabhar Mor na nGenealach)
- http://www.fatherdowd.net/dowdstuff/dowdclan.htm
- http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060117/sc_nm/science_ireland_dc