Bran mac Fáeláin
Encyclopedia
Bran mac Fáeláin was a King of Leinster of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge
branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Líamhain (Lyons Hill, on the Dublin-Kildare border). He was the nephew of Fínsnechta Cethardec
mac Cellaig (died 808) and grandson of Cellach mac Dúnchada
(died 776), previous kings. His father Fáelán (died 804) had been abbot of Kildare. Bran ruled from 835 to 838.
The annals record that in 835, the high king Niall Caille of the Cenél nEógain
led an army into Leinster and set up Bran as king. The previous king Cellach mac Brain
(died 834) of the Uí Muiredaig sept had been aligned with Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
(died 847), the powerful king of Munster. The annals mention a co-ruler, his cousin Riacán mac Fínsnechtai who died in 837.
Viking raids occurred during his reign. In 837 a Viking force of sixty ships operated on the Liffey river and plundered the surrounding plain.
Bran's sons Muiredach mac Brain (died 885) and Ruarc mac Brain (died 862) were also 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. This sept had their royal seat at Líamhain (Lyons Hill, on the Dublin-Kildare border). He was the nephew of 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) and grandson of Cellach mac Dúnchada
Cellach mac Dúnchada
Cellach mac Dúnchada was a King of Leinster of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Dúnchad mac Murchado , a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Líamhain...
(died 776), previous kings. His father Fáelán (died 804) had been abbot of Kildare. Bran ruled from 835 to 838.
The annals record that in 835, the high king Niall Caille 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...
led an army into Leinster and set up Bran as king. The previous king 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) of the Uí Muiredaig sept had been aligned with Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
Feidlimid mac Cremthanin
Fedelmid mac Crimthainn was the King of Munster between 820 and 846. He was numbered as a member of the Céli Dé, an abbot of Cork Abbey and Clonfert Abbey, and possibly a bishop...
(died 847), the powerful king of Munster. The annals mention a co-ruler, his cousin Riacán mac Fínsnechtai who died in 837.
Viking raids occurred during his reign. In 837 a Viking force of sixty ships operated on the Liffey river and plundered the surrounding plain.
Bran's sons Muiredach mac Brain (died 885) and Ruarc mac Brain (died 862) were also Kings of Leinster.