Bran Ardchenn
Encyclopedia
Bran Ardchenn mac Muiredaig (died 795) was a King of Leinster of the Uí Muiredaig sept of the Uí Dúnlainge
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Muiredach mac Murchado
(died 760), a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu (Mullaghmast) in South Kildare. He ruled from 785-795.
Bran was a rival of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
(died 785) of the Uí Fáeláin sept for the throne. In 780 the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) campaigned against Leinster and defeated Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin, devastating the territory of his adherents. That same year a congress of the synods of Uí Néill and Laigin was held at Tara and peace was restored. Donnchad may have been campaigning in the interests of Bran and he may have been installed as king at this congress.
In 782 Bran was defeated and captured at the battle of Curragh (near Kildare) by Ruaidrí. Brans's allies Mugrón mac Flainn, king of Uí Failgi, and Dub dá Crích son of Laidcnén of the Uí Cheinnselaig were slain. Bran succeeded to the throne in 785.
Bran had married Eithne ingen Domnaill (died 795), the sister of Donnchad Midi, the high king of the Clann Cholmáin
. This relationship ensured good relations with the high king during his reign. In 794 Donnchad led a hosting into Munster to protect the Laigin.
On May 6, 795 Bran and his queen were assassinated in a church at Cell Cúile Duma (near Stradbally, Co.Leix) by his successor Fínsnechta Cethardec
mac Cellaig (died 808) of the Uí Dúnchada sept. This was a ruthless political gesture directed at the high king Donnchad.
His sons included Muiredach mac Brain
(died 818) and Cellach mac Brain
(died 834), both kings of Leinster.
Uí Dúnlainge
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....
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Muiredach mac Murchado
Muiredach mac Murchado
Muiredach mac Murchado was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut , a previous king. He ruled from 738 to 760....
(died 760), a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu (Mullaghmast) in South Kildare. He ruled from 785-795.
Bran was a rival of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin was a King of Leinster of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Fáelán mac Murchado , a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Naas in the eastern part of the Liffey plain, Airthir Liphi...
(died 785) of the Uí Fáeláin sept for the throne. In 780 the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) campaigned against Leinster and defeated Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin, devastating the territory of his adherents. That same year a congress of the synods of Uí Néill and Laigin was held at Tara and peace was restored. Donnchad may have been campaigning in the interests of Bran and he may have been installed as king at this congress.
In 782 Bran was defeated and captured at the battle of Curragh (near Kildare) by Ruaidrí. Brans's allies Mugrón mac Flainn, king of Uí Failgi, and Dub dá Crích son of Laidcnén of the Uí Cheinnselaig were slain. Bran succeeded to the throne in 785.
Bran had married Eithne ingen Domnaill (died 795), the sister of Donnchad Midi, the high king 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...
. This relationship ensured good relations with the high king during his reign. In 794 Donnchad led a hosting into Munster to protect the Laigin.
On May 6, 795 Bran and his queen were assassinated in a church at Cell Cúile Duma (near Stradbally, Co.Leix) by his successor Fínsnechta Cethardec
Fínsnechta Cethardec
Finsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig was a King of Leinster of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Cellach mac Dúnchada , a previous king. He ruled from 795 to 808...
mac Cellaig (died 808) of the Uí Dúnchada sept. This was a ruthless political gesture directed at the high king Donnchad.
His sons included Muiredach mac Brain
Muiredach mac Brain (died 818)
Muiredach mac Brain was a King of Leinster of the Uí Muiredaig sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu in South Kildare. He was the son of Bran Ardchenn mac Muiredaig , a previous king...
(died 818) and Cellach mac Brain
Cellach mac Brain
Cellach mac Brain was a King of Leinster of the Uí Muiredaig sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu in South Kildare. He was the son of Bran Ardchenn mac Muiredaig , a previous king and brother of Muiredach mac Brain...
(died 834), both kings of Leinster.