Amalgaid mac Congalaig
Encyclopedia
Amalgaid mac Congalaig was a King of Brega
from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
(died 696). He ruled in north Brega from 702 to 718.
Amalgaid's reign was dominated by the feuds among the septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine and the beginnings of the return to power of the Clann Cholmáin
of Uisnech
. The kingship of Brega at this time was in rivalry between the septs of Uí Chonaing and the southern sept of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore in south Brega. Two contemporary members of the rival sept, Fogartach mac Néill
(died 724) and Conall Grant
mac Cernaig Sotal (died 718) were also counted as kings of Brega during this time. The Uí Chonaing were allied with the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl Breg.
The feud among the southern and northern septs had been intensified by the murder of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
(died 701) by Amalgaid's uncle Irgalach mac Conaing
Cuirre (died 702).
This was intensified when Amalgaid's ally Flann mac Áedo
(died 714) of Síl nDlúthaig defeated and slew Maine mac Néill
of Uí Chernaig in battle in 712.
The high king Fergal mac Máele Dúin
(died 722) of the Cenél nEógain
seems to have favored Clann Cholmáin in Meath and intervened in the affairs of the midlands. In 711 the Battle of Sliab Fúait (in the Fews, Co.Armagh) is recorded where Fergal was victorious and Cú Raí mac Áedo of Síl nDlúthaig was slain along with the king of Uí Méith. In 714 Fergal's southern deputy Murchad Midi
(died 715) of Uisnech fought the Battle of Bile Tened (Billywood,Co.Meath) where Amalgaid's ally Flann was slain. The battle was not decisive however. The attention of Fergal then went on the Uí Chernaig.
In 718 the Battle of Cenannas (near Kells) was fought between the rival septs and Conall Grant of the Uí Chernaig was victorious. Amalgaid and his brother Fergal were slain along with their allies, Gormgal mac Áedo of Síl nDlúthaig and Tuathal Ua Fáelchon of Clann Cholmáin Bicc.
His sons Conaing mac Amalgado
(died 742) and Dúngal mac Amalgado
(died 759) were also 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...
from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (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...
) of 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....
branch of the southern Ui Neill
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 was the son of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile , a previous king of Brega. The territory of Brega that he ruled was called Cnogba or North Brega which he ruled from...
(died 696). He ruled in north Brega from 702 to 718.
Amalgaid's reign was dominated by the feuds among the septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine and the beginnings of the return to power of the 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...
of Uisnech
Uisnech
The Hill of Uisneach, or Ushnagh, also Uisnech , formerly regarded as the centre of Ireland, is a historical site in County Westmeath . The 182 metre hill lies on the north side of the R390 road, 8 km east of the village of Ballymore, beside the village of Loughanavally...
. The kingship of Brega at this time was in rivalry between the septs of Uí Chonaing and the southern sept of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore in south Brega. Two contemporary members of the rival sept, 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...
(died 724) and 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...
mac Cernaig Sotal (died 718) were also counted as kings of Brega during this time. The Uí Chonaing were allied with the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl Breg.
The feud among the southern and northern septs had been intensified by the murder of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal was a king in southern 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...
(died 701) by Amalgaid's uncle Irgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre , also called Írgalach ua Conaing, was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile and brother of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre , previous kings of Brega...
Cuirre (died 702).
This was intensified when Amalgaid's ally Flann mac Áedo
Flann mac Áedo
Flann mac Áedo was a King of Fir Cúl in Brega of the Síl nDlúthaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine of Brega. He was the son of Áed mac Dlúthaig , King of Fir Cúl and great-grandson of Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine , a king of Brega....
(died 714) of Síl nDlúthaig defeated and slew Maine mac Néill
Maine mac Néill
Maine mac Néill was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the son of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal and great-grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine ....
of Uí Chernaig in battle in 712.
The high king Fergal mac Máele Dúin
Fergal mac Máele Dúin
Fergal mac Máele Dúin was High King of Ireland. Fergal belonged to the Cenél nEógain sept of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich , a King of Ailech, and great grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach...
(died 722) 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...
seems to have favored Clann Cholmáin in Meath and intervened in the affairs of the midlands. In 711 the Battle of Sliab Fúait (in the Fews, Co.Armagh) is recorded where Fergal was victorious and Cú Raí mac Áedo of Síl nDlúthaig was slain along with the king of Uí Méith. In 714 Fergal's southern deputy Murchad Midi
Murchad Midi
Murchad mac Diarmato , called Murchad Midi , was an Irish king. One of four or more sons of Diarmait Dian, he succeeded his father as King of Uisnech at the latter's death in 689....
(died 715) of Uisnech fought the Battle of Bile Tened (Billywood,Co.Meath) where Amalgaid's ally Flann was slain. The battle was not decisive however. The attention of Fergal then went on the Uí Chernaig.
In 718 the Battle of Cenannas (near Kells) was fought between the rival septs and Conall Grant of the Uí Chernaig was victorious. Amalgaid and his brother Fergal were slain along with their allies, Gormgal mac Áedo of Síl nDlúthaig and Tuathal Ua Fáelchon of Clann Cholmáin Bicc.
His sons Conaing mac Amalgado
Conaing mac Amalgado
Conaing mac Amalgado was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Amalgaid mac Congalaig , a previous king...
(died 742) and Dúngal mac Amalgado
Dúngal mac Amalgado
Dúngal mac Amalgado was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Amalgaid mac Congalaig and brother of Conaing mac Amalgado , previous kings...
(died 759) were also Kings of Brega.