Cathal mac Dúnlainge
Encyclopedia
Cathal mac Dúnlainge was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig
of South Leinster
. He was of the Sil Máeluidir sept of this branch of the Laigin, who were found in the later baronies of Shelmalier on the lower reaches of the Slaney River in southern modern County Wexford. He ruled from 809 to 819.
The Uí Dróna had been the dominant sept in Uí Cheinnselaig for much of the last half of the 8th century and the last member of the Sil Máeluidir sept to hold the throne had died in 770. Cathal acquired the throne after the death of his predecessor Cellach Tosach mac Donngaile
of the Uí Dróna in 809. In 814 Cathal came into conflict with the Uí Dúnlainge
over kings of Leinster under Muiredach mac Brain (died 818)
in which the Uí Cheinnselaig were overthrown.
Cathal appears to have attempted to take control of the local monasteries to strengthen his sept. In 817 he led forces which included men from the monastery of Tech Munnu (Taghmon) in an attack on the community of Ferns where 400 were slain by him. At his death obit in 819 he is styled King of the Uí Cheinnselaig and prior or vice abbot of Ferns
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...
of South Leinster
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...
. He was of the Sil Máeluidir sept of this branch of the Laigin, who were found in the later baronies of Shelmalier on the lower reaches of the Slaney River in southern modern County Wexford. He ruled from 809 to 819.
The Uí Dróna had been the dominant sept in Uí Cheinnselaig for much of the last half of the 8th century and the last member of the Sil Máeluidir sept to hold the throne had died in 770. Cathal acquired the throne after the death of his predecessor Cellach Tosach mac Donngaile
Cellach Tosach mac Donngaile
Cellach Tosach mac Donngaile was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of South Leinster. He belonged to the Sil Chormaic sept of this branch of the Laigin and specifically to a branch which took over leadership of the Uí Dróna -the baronies of Idrone in modern County Carlow. He was the son of Donngal mac...
of the Uí Dróna in 809. In 814 Cathal came into conflict with 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....
over kings of Leinster under Muiredach mac Brain (died 818)
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...
in which the Uí Cheinnselaig were overthrown.
Cathal appears to have attempted to take control of the local monasteries to strengthen his sept. In 817 he led forces which included men from the monastery of Tech Munnu (Taghmon) in an attack on the community of Ferns where 400 were slain by him. At his death obit in 819 he is styled King of the Uí Cheinnselaig and prior or vice abbot of Ferns