Áed mac Ainmuirech
Encyclopedia
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
(died 569), a previous possible high king.
He came to power some decades after the death of the last old, pagan style high-king of Tara, Diarmait mac Cerbaill
(d. 565), after a period in which it is not clear that the Uí Néill had a high-king, nor is it certain that his contemporaries would have acknowledged Áed as such. The high kingship of Ireland rotated between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches in the late 6th century. It is difficult to disentangle the reign of Áed from that of his older second cousin Báetán mac Ninneda
(died 586). Various lengths are given to the reign of Áed in the kinglists all of which would put the start of his reign before the death of Báetán. Both kings are omitted fron the Baile Chuinn, the earliest Irish king list of the late 7th century, but this was probably a partisan document. It is possible that Báetán was not actually high king but was given this position by the synthetic historians to explain away the rule of Báetán mac Cairill
(died 581) of the Dal Fiatach
of Ulster as high king. The kinglists only assign him a reign of one year. Whether Báetán was king of Tara or not, the real effective power among the northern Ui Neill was Áed mac Ainmuirech.
He is known to have met with Áedán mac Gabráin
, king of Dál Riata
, in 575 at The Synod or Convention of Drumceat, to agree an alliance, presumably arranged by his cousin Columba. Áed and Áedán were both threatened by the activities Ulaid
king Báetán mac Cairill
of the Dál Fiatach
, and it served both interests that Dál Riada not be subjected to the ambitious Báetán. In this they succeeded. Áed may have become high king after this possibly in 576. It is also quite possible that this conference did not take place until circa 587 which is the date recorded in the Annals of Clonmacnoise. The death of Báetán mac Ninneda had occurred in 586 and the Annals of Ulster record two death dates for Báetán mac Cairill, one being in 587.
A challenge to the rule of Áed among the northern Ui Neill was launched by Colcu mac Domnaill
of the Cenél nEógain
branch. However they clashed at the Battle of Druim Meic Erce (Drumhirk, modern County Tyrone) in 580 and Colcu was slain. Then in 586, Báetán mac Ninneda was killed at Léim in Eich at the instigation of Colmán Bec
(died 587), the southern Ui Neill king of Uisnech who was making a bid for the high kingship. (who may have made an earlier bid in 573). In 587 Áed ended this threat when Colman was slain at the battle of Belach Dathi.
Another challenge to Áed may have come from the direction of Ulster in the person of Fiachnae mac Báetáin
(died 626) of the Dál nAraidi
. At the royal conference at Druim Cett the affairs of Osraige had been discussed implying an influence by Áed over the affairs of Munster
. In 597 Fiachnae won the Battle of Sliab Cua in the territory of Munster. Fiachnae had earlier won a battle over the Ciannachta of Brega in 594. The possibility is that Fiachnae was a possible king of Tara in the 590's
Áed came into conflict with Brandub mac Echach
, King of Leinster from the Uí Cheinnselaig
who was resisting Ui Neill encroachment. According to the saga tradition preserved in the Borúma Laigin (Cattle Tribute of Leinster), Brandub had killed Cummascach, the son of Áed for demanding the right to sleep with Brandub's wife during a royal tour. The annals record Brandub's killing of Áed's son Cummascach in 597 at Dún Buchat. However, at the battle of Dún Bolg (Dunboyke, modern County Wicklow) in 598, Áed was defeated and killed by Brandub.
Áed had close relations with his cousin Saint Columba. He may have commissioned a eulogy upon the saint's death and most likely granted the land for the monastery of Durrow. Áed was followed as king of the Northern Uí Néill by Colmán Rímid
, son of Báetán mac Muirchertaig
, of the Cenél nEógain
. Áed's son Conall Cú mac Áedo
(died 604) failed in a bid for the high kingship after his death but his sons Máel Cobo (died 615) and Domnall
(died 642) were later high kings of the Northern 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....
. He belonged to the 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 was a distant cousin of 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...
of Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
. He was the son of Ainmuire mac Sétnai
Ainmuire mac Sétnai
Ainmuire mac Sétnai or Ainmire or Ainmere was a High King of Ireland from the Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. He was the great grandson of Conall Gulban , founder of this branch. He ruled from 566-569...
(died 569), a previous possible high king.
He came to power some decades after the death of the last old, pagan style high-king of Tara, 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....
(d. 565), after a period in which it is not clear that the Uí Néill had a high-king, nor is it certain that his contemporaries would have acknowledged Áed as such. The high kingship of Ireland rotated between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches in the late 6th century. It is difficult to disentangle the reign of Áed from that of his older second cousin Báetán mac Ninneda
Báetán mac Ninneda
Báetán mac Ninneda was an Irish king of the Cenél Conaill, a sept of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Ninnid mac Duach and great grandson of Conall Gulban . He was a member of the Cenél nDuach branch of the Cenél Conaill...
(died 586). Various lengths are given to the reign of Áed in the kinglists all of which would put the start of his reign before the death of Báetán. Both kings are omitted fron the Baile Chuinn, the earliest Irish king list of the late 7th century, but this was probably a partisan document. It is possible that Báetán was not actually high king but was given this position by the synthetic historians to explain away the rule of Báetán mac Cairill
Báetán mac Cairill
Báetán mac Cairill, , was king of the Dál Fiatach, and high-king of Ulaid, from circa 572 until his death. He was the son of Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg and brother of Demmán mac Cairill , previous Kings of Ulaid...
(died 581) of the Dal Fiatach
Dál Fiatach
The Dál Fiatach were a group of related dynasties located in eastern Ulster in the Early Christian and Early Medieval periods of the history of Ireland.-Description:...
of Ulster as high king. The kinglists only assign him a reign of one year. Whether Báetán was king of Tara or not, the real effective power among the northern Ui Neill was Áed mac Ainmuirech.
He is known to have met with Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin was a king of Dál Riata from circa 574 until his death, perhaps on 17 April 609. The kingdom of Dál Riata was situated in modern Argyll and Bute, Scotland, and parts of County Antrim, Ireland...
, king of Dál Riata
Dál Riata
Dál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...
, in 575 at The Synod or Convention of Drumceat, to agree an alliance, presumably arranged by his cousin Columba. Áed and Áedán were both threatened by the activities Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
king Báetán mac Cairill
Báetán mac Cairill
Báetán mac Cairill, , was king of the Dál Fiatach, and high-king of Ulaid, from circa 572 until his death. He was the son of Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg and brother of Demmán mac Cairill , previous Kings of Ulaid...
of the Dál Fiatach
Dál Fiatach
The Dál Fiatach were a group of related dynasties located in eastern Ulster in the Early Christian and Early Medieval periods of the history of Ireland.-Description:...
, and it served both interests that Dál Riada not be subjected to the ambitious Báetán. In this they succeeded. Áed may have become high king after this possibly in 576. It is also quite possible that this conference did not take place until circa 587 which is the date recorded in the Annals of Clonmacnoise. The death of Báetán mac Ninneda had occurred in 586 and the Annals of Ulster record two death dates for Báetán mac Cairill, one being in 587.
A challenge to the rule of Áed among the northern Ui Neill was launched by Colcu mac Domnaill
Colcu mac Domnaill
Colcu mac Domnaill was a member of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Domnall Ilchelgach and grandson of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig and brother of Eochaid mac Domnaill , considered high kings of Ireland...
of 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...
branch. However they clashed at the Battle of Druim Meic Erce (Drumhirk, modern County Tyrone) in 580 and Colcu was slain. Then in 586, Báetán mac Ninneda was killed at Léim in Eich at the instigation of 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...
(died 587), the southern Ui Neill king of Uisnech who was making a bid for the high kingship. (who may have made an earlier bid in 573). In 587 Áed ended this threat when Colman was slain at the battle of Belach Dathi.
Another challenge to Áed may have come from the direction of Ulster in the person of Fiachnae mac Báetáin
Fiachnae mac Báetáin
Fiachnae mac Báetáin , also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was king of the Dál nAraidi and high-king of the Ulaid in the early 7th century. He was a son of Báetán mac Echdach and brother of Fiachra Cáech Fiachnae mac Báetáin (died 626), also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was...
(died 626) of the Dál nAraidi
Dál nAraidi
Dál nAraidi was a kingdom of the Cruthin in the north-east of Ireland in the first millennium. The lands of the Dál nAraidi appear to correspond with the Robogdii of Ptolemy's Geographia, a region shared with Dál Riata...
. At the royal conference at Druim Cett the affairs of Osraige had been discussed implying an influence by Áed over the affairs of 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...
. In 597 Fiachnae won the Battle of Sliab Cua in the territory of Munster. Fiachnae had earlier won a battle over the Ciannachta of Brega in 594. The possibility is that Fiachnae was a possible king of Tara in the 590's
Áed came into conflict with 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 from 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...
who was resisting Ui Neill encroachment. According to the saga tradition preserved in the Borúma Laigin (Cattle Tribute of Leinster), Brandub had killed Cummascach, the son of Áed for demanding the right to sleep with Brandub's wife during a royal tour. The annals record Brandub's killing of Áed's son Cummascach in 597 at Dún Buchat. However, at the battle of Dún Bolg (Dunboyke, modern County Wicklow) in 598, Áed was defeated and killed by Brandub.
Áed had close relations with his cousin Saint Columba. He may have commissioned a eulogy upon the saint's death and most likely granted the land for the monastery of Durrow. Áed was followed as king of the Northern Uí Néill by 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...
, son of Báetán mac Muirchertaig
Báetán mac Muirchertaig
Báetán mac Muirchertaig , also Baetán Bríge, was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. He was the son of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig , also considered a high king. He was a member of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill...
, of 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...
. Áed's son Conall Cú mac Áedo
Conall Cú mac Áedo
Conall Cú mac Áedo was a chief of the Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Ui Neill. He was the son of Áed mac Ainmuirech , high king of Ireland.Upon the death of his father in 598, rivalry broke out among the Ui Neill for his succession...
(died 604) failed in a bid for the high kingship after his death but his sons Máel Cobo (died 615) and Domnall
Domnall mac Áedo
Domnall mac Áedo , also known as Domnall II, was a son of Áed mac Ainmuirech. Domnall was High King of Ireland from 628 until his death. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill kindred of the northern Uí Néill....
(died 642) were later high kings of the Northern Uí Néill.