Bran Becc mac Murchado
Encyclopedia
Bran Becc mac Murchado was a King of Leinster
from the Uí Dúnlainge
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut
(died 727), a previous king. He ruled briefly in 738.
The Annals of Tigernach claim that in 738 Cathal mac Finguine
(died 742), king of Munster
led a hosting into Leinster and took hostages and treasure from Bran. However, the Annals of Ulster claim that it was his brother Fáelán mac Murchado
(died 738) who gave the hostages which is more likely. Bran Becc is referred to as king in the king lists of the Book of Leinster which ignore Áed mac Colggen
(died 738) of the Uí Cheinnselaig
who was more likely king at this time.
Bran and Áed, along with many other kings, were killed in battle against the high king Áed Allán
mac Fergaile of the Cenél nEógain
at the Battle of Áth Senaig (Ballyshannon, Co.Kildare) in 738. This fight known as the battle of the groans is described at length in the Irish annals. The Annals of Ulster say:
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
from the Uí Dúnlainge
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 Murchad mac Brain Mut
Murchad mac Brain Mut
Murchad mac Brain Mut was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Bran Mut mac Conaill , a previous king. He ruled from 715 to 727.- His reign :...
(died 727), a previous king. He ruled briefly in 738.
The Annals of Tigernach claim that in 738 Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine was an Irish King of Munster or Cashel, and effectively High King of Ireland as well. He belonged to the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the dominant Eóganachta kin-group whose members dominated Munster from the 7th century to the 10th...
(died 742), king 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...
led a hosting into Leinster and took hostages and treasure from Bran. However, the Annals of Ulster claim that it was his brother Fáelán mac Murchado
Fáelán mac Murchado
Fáelán 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...
(died 738) who gave the hostages which is more likely. Bran Becc is referred to as king in the king lists of the Book of Leinster which ignore Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of Leinster. Some sources incorrectly make him joint king of Leinster with Bran Becc mac Murchado, but it appears that Áed was main ruler of Leinster in 738 His father Colcú mac Bressail was called king of Ard Ladrann at his death obit in the...
(died 738) of 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 more likely king at this time.
Bran and Áed, along with many other kings, were killed in battle against the high king Áed Allán
Áed Allán
Áed Allán was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill....
mac Fergaile 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...
at the Battle of Áth Senaig (Ballyshannon, Co.Kildare) in 738. This fight known as the battle of the groans is described at length in the Irish annals. The Annals of Ulster say:
And men say that so many fell in this great battle that we find no comparable slaughter in a single onslaught and fierce conflict throughout all preceding ages.