Kingship

Cathal's reign had begun by 834 but it is not stated how long he had held the kingship, nor if he was a direct successor of Cathal mac Murchadh

Cathal mac Murchadh

Cathal mac Murchadh was 29th King of Uí Maine, died – 816.Cathal mac Murchadh was killed at "The battle of Rath Fhearadh by the chieftains of Ui Briuin, Diarmaid, son of Tomaltach, and Maelcothaigh, son of Fogartach in Dealbhna Nuadhat, between the Suca and the Sinnainn, where Cathal and many...

Activities

His era was puncutated by regular Viking

Viking

The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...

 attacks up and down the Shannon

River Shannon

The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...

, with nearby Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise

The monastery of Clonmacnoise is situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone....

 a regular target.

Cathal himself was not adverse to attacking Clonmacnoise. The Annals of the Four Masters

Annals of the Four Masters

The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...

 state that in 834:

Cluain Mic Nois was profaned by Cathal, son of Ailell, lord of Ui Maine, against the prior, Flann, son of Flaithbheartach, one of the Ui Forga of Munster, whom he cast into the Sinainn, and killed. The rights of seven churches were for this given to Ciaran, and a great consideration.

Munster

His military activities seem to have included a rare incursion by the Ui Maine against 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 the same year:

A defeat was given by Cathal, son of Ailill, to Feidhlimidh, son of Crimhthann, King of Caiseal, in Magh I, where many were slain; of which was said: "The Connaughtmen were mighty;/in Magh I they were not feeble;/Let any one inquire of Feidhlimidh,/whence Loch na Calla is named.

Incursions

Raids by the Vikings did occur in Ui Maine itself:

843:An expedition by Tuirgeis, lord of the foreigners, upon Loch Ribh, so that they plundered Connaught and Meath, and burned Cluain Mic Nois, with its oratories, Cluain Fearta Brenainn, Tir Da Ghlas, Lothra, and many others in like manner.

Death and descendants

Cathal's death is noted sub anno 844. No details are given. No descendants are named in Leabhar Ua Maine

Leabhar Ua Maine

Leabhar Ua Maine is an Irish genealogical compilation, created c...

.