Áed Sláine
Encyclopedia
Áed mac Diarmato called Áed Sláine (Áed of Slane), was the son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill
. Legendary stories exist of Áed's birth. Saint Columba
is said to have prophesied his death. His descendants, the Síl nÁedo Sláine
—the seed of Áed of Slane—were prominent in 7th and early 8th century Ireland
.
of a Munster
sovereignty goddess. This Mugain is called the daughter of Conchrad mac Duach, the king of Osraige. Mugain and Diarmait's marriage is barren, and Mugain is humiliated by Diarmait's chief wife until she is given blessed holy water
to drink by Saint Finnian of Moville
, after which she gives birth to a lamb, then to a salmon, and finally to Áed.
Finnian prophesied that Áed would "surpass his brethren and more kings will come from him than from the sons of others". This prophecy may date to the period before 750, when the Síl nÁedo Sláine were dominant, after which the descendants of Áed's brother Colmán Már—Clann Cholmáin
—were clearly the most important group descended from Diarmait mac Cerbaill. A third brother of Áed, Colmán Bec
, was also an ancestor figure, but of the less important Caílle Follamain. The many legends surrounding his father name other brothers of Áed, but their historical existence is uncertain.
Áed and his kin were considered by later genealogies and histories to be members of the southern branch of the Uí Néill
kindred, but this may be a later addition to include the descendants of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, supposed to be great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages
, among the ranks of the dominant Uí Néill. The other branches of the Uí Néill, the great Cenél Conaill
and the Cenél nEógain
, and the lesser Cenél Lóegairi, Cenél Maine, Cenél nÉndai, Cenél Coirpri and Cenél Fiachach, traced their ancestry rather to sons of Niall.
or in other sources such as hagiography
or heroic verse.
Adomnán recounts Columba
's prophecy to Áed in his Life of St Columba. Columba told Áed that he would be as great a king as his father—Adomnán calls Diarmait king of Ireland—only if he avoided kinslaying. If he killed a kinsman he would be king only of his own people and that for only a short time.
According to some later king lists, Áed was jointly High King of Ireland
with Colmán Rímid
of the Cenél nEógain after the death of Áed mac Ainmuirech
in 598. Áed mac Ainmuirech died in battle near Baltinglass
, modern County Wicklow
, fighting against Brandub mac Echach
, King of Leinster.
It was to distinguish him from that Áed and from others that Áed mac Diarmato received his cognomen
, "Áed of Slane", referring to the Hill of Slane, a prehistoric site near the Hill of Tara
, which lay within his lands. Some sources omit Áed from the list of kings, including the earliest, that found in the Baile Chuind Chétchathaig, a work of dynastic propaganda compiled in the reign of Áed's grandson Fínsnechta Fledach
. His omission from this is believed to be a transcription error, and it very likely that he was High King.
In 600 Áed had his nephew, Suibne mac Colmáin Már
, killed, "treacherously" says Adomnán. According to Marianus Scotus
, Suibne, rather than Áed and Colmán Rímid, had been High King. In 604 both Áed and Colmán Rímid died by violence. Colmán was murdered by a kinsman and Suibne's son Conall Guthbinn
killed Áed. This may have happened in battle and Áed may have been allied with the Uí Failgi, neighbours of Conall's. Áed and Colmán Rímid were followed as High King by Áed Uaridnach
.
Áed's recorded children are at least six sons, including Diarmait
and Blathmac
, and a daughter named Rontud. Áed's grandchildren included Fínsnechta Fledach, Sechnassach
and Cenn Fáelad
. His wife's name is recorded as Eithne.
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....
. Legendary stories exist of Áed's birth. Saint Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
is said to have prophesied his death. His descendants, 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....
—the seed of Áed of Slane—were prominent in 7th and early 8th century 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...
.
Origins
Áed's mother is said to have been Mugain Mór, perhaps an euhemerisationEuhemerus
Euhemerus was a Greek mythographer at the court of Cassander, the king of Macedon. Euhemerus' birthplace is disputed, with Messina in Sicily as the most probable location, while others champion Chios, or Tegea.-Life:...
of a Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south 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 administrative and judicial purposes...
sovereignty goddess. This Mugain is called the daughter of Conchrad mac Duach, the king of Osraige. Mugain and Diarmait's marriage is barren, and Mugain is humiliated by Diarmait's chief wife until she is given blessed holy water
Holy water
Holy water is water that, in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism, the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil.The use for baptism and...
to drink by Saint Finnian of Moville
Finnian of Moville
Finnian of Movilla Abbey, Irish Christian missionary, 495–589.-Origins and life:Finnian was a Christian missionary who became a legendary figure in medieval Ireland. He should not to be confused with his namesake Finnian of Clonard...
, after which she gives birth to a lamb, then to a salmon, and finally to Áed.
Finnian prophesied that Áed would "surpass his brethren and more kings will come from him than from the sons of others". This prophecy may date to the period before 750, when the Síl nÁedo Sláine were dominant, after which the descendants of Áed's brother Colmán Már—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...
—were clearly the most important group descended from Diarmait mac Cerbaill. A third brother of Áed, Colmán Bec
Colmán Bec
Colmán mac Diarmato was an Irish king, son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Early sources and older scholarship distinguish two sons of Diarmait, Colmán Bec and Colmán Már , although it is now supposed that only Colmán Bec was a historical figure, Colmán Már being a later genealogical invention...
, was also an ancestor figure, but of the less important Caílle Follamain. The many legends surrounding his father name other brothers of Áed, but their historical existence is uncertain.
Áed and his kin were considered by later genealogies and histories to be members of the southern branch of the 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....
kindred, but this may be a later addition to include the descendants of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, supposed to be great-grandson of 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...
, among the ranks of the dominant Uí Néill. The other branches of the Uí Néill, the great Cenél Conaill
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
and the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
, and the lesser Cenél Lóegairi, Cenél Maine, Cenél nÉndai, Cenél Coirpri and Cenél Fiachach, traced their ancestry rather to sons of Niall.
Life
Compared to his father and his sons, relatively little is said of Áed, either in the Irish annalsIrish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
or in other sources such as hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
or heroic verse.
Adomnán recounts Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
's prophecy to Áed in his Life of St Columba. Columba told Áed that he would be as great a king as his father—Adomnán calls Diarmait king of Ireland—only if he avoided kinslaying. If he killed a kinsman he would be king only of his own people and that for only a short time.
According to some later king lists, Áed was jointly 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...
with Colmán Rímid
Colmán Rímid
Colmán Rímid was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. Colmán was the son of Báetán mac Muirchertaig , also considered to be a high king, and belonged to the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill...
of the Cenél nEógain after the death of Áed mac Ainmuirech
Áed mac Ainmuirech
Áed mac Ainmuirech was high-king of the Northern Uí Néill. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill and was a distant cousin of Columba of Iona. He was the son of Ainmuire mac Sétnai , a previous possible high king....
in 598. Áed mac Ainmuirech died in battle near Baltinglass
Baltinglass
Baltinglass or Baltinglas is a town in south-west County Wicklow, Ireland. It is situated on the River Slaney near the border with County Carlow and County Kildare, on the N81 road. Its Irish name means "the way of Conglas", Conglas being a member of the mythological warrior collective, the Fianna...
, modern County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, fighting against Brandub mac Echach
Brandub mac Echach
Brandub mac Echach was an Irish king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of Leinster. His father, Echu mac Muiredaig had been a king of the Ui Cheinnselaig. They belonged to a branch known as the Uí Felmeda descended from Fedelmid, son of Énnae Cennsalach...
, King of Leinster.
It was to distinguish him from that Áed and from others that Áed mac Diarmato received his cognomen
Cognomen
The cognomen nōmen "name") was the third name of a citizen of Ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. The cognomen started as a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became hereditary. Hereditary cognomina were used to augment the second name in order to identify a particular branch within...
, "Áed of Slane", referring to the Hill of Slane, a prehistoric site near the Hill of Tara
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
, which lay within his lands. Some sources omit Áed from the list of kings, including the earliest, that found in the Baile Chuind Chétchathaig, a work of dynastic propaganda compiled in the reign of Áed's grandson 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...
. His omission from this is believed to be a transcription error, and it very likely that he was High King.
In 600 Áed had his nephew, Suibne mac Colmáin Már
Suibne mac Colmáin Már
Suibne mac Colmáin was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the son of Colmán Már mac Diarmato , also king of Uisnech. He ruled Uisnech from 587 to 600....
, killed, "treacherously" says Adomnán. According to Marianus Scotus
Marianus Scotus
Marianus Scotus , was an Irish monk and chronicler , was an Irishman by birth, and called Máel Brigte, or Devotee of St...
, Suibne, rather than Áed and Colmán Rímid, had been High King. In 604 both Áed and Colmán Rímid died by violence. Colmán was murdered by a kinsman and Suibne's son Conall Guthbinn
Conall Guthbinn
Conall mac Suibni , called Conall Guthbinn, was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the son Suibne mac Colmáin , a previous king. He ruled from 621 to 635. His byname Guthbinn meant "sweet voiced"....
killed Áed. This may have happened in battle and Áed may have been allied with the Uí Failgi, neighbours of Conall's. Áed and Colmán Rímid were followed as High King by Áed Uaridnach
Áed Uaridnach
Áed Uaridnach was an Irish king who was High King of Ireland. He is sometimes also known as Áed Allán, a name most commonly used for the 8th century king of the same name, this Áed's great-great-grandson....
.
Áed's recorded children are at least six sons, including 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...
and 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...
, and a daughter named Rontud. Áed's grandchildren included Fínsnechta Fledach, 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...
. His wife's name is recorded as Eithne.