Cellach Cualann
Encyclopedia
Cellach Cualann mac Gerthidi (died 715) was the last Uí Máil
king of Leinster. Cellach's byname is derived from the land of Cualu which lay around Glendalough
.
The name Uí Máil may mean "grandsons of the princes". This, along with their ownership of certain objects symbolic of the kingship of Leinster, has suggested that they may once have been considered the rightful rulers of Leinster, at least by themselves. Alternatively, Uí Máil may have derived their name from the Glen of Imaal
, in the west of modern County Wicklow
, which lay in the centre of their historic lands.
Cellach's father was not king of Leinster, but his second cousin Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile (died 680) was. Cellach succeeded his cousin as king of Uí Máil when Fiannamail was murdered by a servant named Fochsechán, probably on the orders of Fínsnechta Fledach
. The kingship of Leinster passed to the Uí Dúnlainge
in the person of Bran Mut mac Conaill
who died in 693, to be followed as king by Cellach.
is recorded, but Cellach is not associated with this. Cellach was one of the guarantors of the Cáin Adomnáin
(Law of Adomnán) in 697 promulgated at the Synod of Birr
.
In 704 he warred with his northern neighbours, the Uí Néill
of Clann Cholmáin
, led by Bodbchath mac Diarmata Déin, and of Síl nÁedo Sláine
, led by Fogartach mac Néill
. The Battle of Claenath, fought near Clane
in modern County Kildare
, was a victory for Cellach, with Bodbchath killed and Fogartach fled. In 707 the Uí Néill High King of Ireland
Congal Cennmagair
campaigned in Leinster and obtained Cellach's submission to his authority.
In 709, aided by British
allies—usually presumed to be mercenaries, exiled members of the warbands of the British kingdoms conquered by expansionist Northumbria
—he fought a battle at Serg where his sons Fiachra and Fiannamail were killed. Serg is unidentified, Whitley Stokes translates it as "the battle of the Hunt". The Annals of Tigernach
locate it somewhere in the fortuatha of Leinster, that part of the province east of the Wicklow Mountains
. His adversaries are not named. Cellach's death in 715 is reported without comment by the Irish annals
.
. Their daughter Conchenn (died 743) married Murchad mac Brain Mut
(died 727), his successor as king of Leinster. Mugain was also the mother of his sons Fiachra and Fianamail slain in 709.
Cellach's wife Bé Fáil, the third of four, was the daughter of Sechnassach
, the High King of Ireland
. Several of his sons died in his lifetime. His daughters married well. Muirenn (died 748) was the mother of High King Cináed mac Írgalaig
and perhaps of Cináed's successor Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
by a second marriage. Derbforgaill, wife of Fínsnechta Fledach, was probably Cellach's daughter. His daughter Caintigern (Saint Kentigerna
) was by his fourth wife, also Caintigern, daughter of Conaing Cuirre
of the Síl nÁedo Sláine.
Of Cellach's surviving sons, Áed was killed in 719 near Fennor, County Kildare, Crimthann died in battle, "at an immature age" according to the Annals of Ulster
in 726, and Eterscél in 727 fighting against Fáelán mac Murchado
. His two grandsons Cathal and Ailill were slain in 744.
Uí Máil
Uí Máil were an Irish dynasty of Leinster. They were descended from Maine Mál, the brother of the legendary high king Cathair Mór. The Uí Máil were a dominant dynasty in Leinster competing for the kingship in the 7th century before being eventually ousted by the Uí Dunlainge and retreating east...
king of Leinster. Cellach's byname is derived from the land of Cualu which lay around Glendalough
Glendalough
Glendalough or Glendaloch is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, a hermit priest, and partly destroyed in 1398 by English troops....
.
The name Uí Máil may mean "grandsons of the princes". This, along with their ownership of certain objects symbolic of the kingship of Leinster, has suggested that they may once have been considered the rightful rulers of Leinster, at least by themselves. Alternatively, Uí Máil may have derived their name from the Glen of Imaal
Glen of Imaal
The Glen of Imaal is a remote valley in the western Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. It is ringed by the Lugnaquilla massif and its foothills, including Table mountain and Keadeen...
, in the west of modern County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, which lay in the centre of their historic lands.
Cellach's father was not king of Leinster, but his second cousin Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile (died 680) was. Cellach succeeded his cousin as king of Uí Máil when Fiannamail was murdered by a servant named Fochsechán, probably on the orders of Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada was High King of Ireland. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine sept of the Uí Néill and was King of Brega, in modern County Meath, Ireland. He was a grandson of Áed Sláine. His father Dúnchad had died in 659...
. The kingship of Leinster passed to 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....
in the person of Bran Mut mac Conaill
Bran Mut mac Conaill
Bran Mut mac Conaill was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the grandson of Fáelán mac Colmáin , a previous king. He ruled from 680-693....
who died in 693, to be followed as king by Cellach.
Reign
Immediately after the death of Bran Mut a battle between the Leinstermen and their western neighbours the kingdom of OsraigeKingdom of Osraige
The Kingdom of Osraighe , anglicized as Ossory, was an ancient kingdom of Ireland. It formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province of Munster until the middle of the 9th century, after which it attached itself to Leinster...
is recorded, but Cellach is not associated with this. Cellach was one of the guarantors of the Cáin Adomnáin
Cáin Adomnáin
The Cáin Adomnáin , also known as the Lex Innocentium was promulgated amongst a gathering of Irish, Dál Riatan and Pictish notables at the Synod of Birr in 697. It is named after its initiator Adomnán of Iona, ninth Abbot of Iona after St...
(Law of Adomnán) in 697 promulgated at the Synod of Birr
Synod of Birr
The Synod of Birr, held at Birr in modern County Offaly, Ireland in 697 was a meeting of churchmen and secular notables. Best remembered as the occasion on which the Cáin Adomnáin—the Law of Innocents—was guaranteed, the survival of a list of the guarantors of the law sheds some light...
.
In 704 he warred with his northern neighbours, the Uí Néill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
of 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...
, led by Bodbchath mac Diarmata Déin, and of Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne....
, led by Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
. The Battle of Claenath, fought near Clane
Clane
Clane is a town on the River Liffey and in the barony of Clane in County Kildare, Ireland, from Dublin.Its population of 4,968 makes it the eighth largest town in Kildare and the 78th largest in the Republic of Ireland....
in modern County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, was a victory for Cellach, with Bodbchath killed and Fogartach fled. In 707 the Uí Néill High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
Congal Cennmagair
Congal Cennmagair
Congal Cennmagair was High King of Ireland. He belonged to the northern Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. His father, Fergus Fanát, was not a high king, although his grandfather, Domnall mac Áedo , was counted as a High King of Ireland....
campaigned in Leinster and obtained Cellach's submission to his authority.
In 709, aided by British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
allies—usually presumed to be mercenaries, exiled members of the warbands of the British kingdoms conquered by expansionist Northumbria
Northumbria
Northumbria was a medieval kingdom of the Angles, in what is now Northern England and South-East Scotland, becoming subsequently an earldom in a united Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England. The name reflects the approximate southern limit to the kingdom's territory, the Humber Estuary.Northumbria was...
—he fought a battle at Serg where his sons Fiachra and Fiannamail were killed. Serg is unidentified, Whitley Stokes translates it as "the battle of the Hunt". The Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
locate it somewhere in the fortuatha of Leinster, that part of the province east of the Wicklow Mountains
Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into Counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin. Where the mountains extend into County Dublin, they are known locally as the Dublin Mountains...
. His adversaries are not named. Cellach's death in 715 is reported without comment by the Irish annals
Irish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
.
Family
His first wife was Mugain ingen Failbe of Uí BairrcheUí Bairrche
Uí Bairrche was an Irish kin-based group that originally held lands in the south of the ancient province of Leinster . Another south Leinster kin group associated with the Uí Bairrche were groups of the Fothairt. The south of Leinster was dominated by the Uí Chennselaig in the 8th century...
. Their daughter Conchenn (died 743) married 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), his successor as king of Leinster. Mugain was also the mother of his sons Fiachra and Fianamail slain in 709.
Cellach's wife Bé Fáil, the third of four, was the daughter of Sechnassach
Sechnassach
Sechnassach mac Blathmaic followed his father Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine and uncle Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine as High King of Ireland and King of Brega...
, the High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
. Several of his sons died in his lifetime. His daughters married well. Muirenn (died 748) was the mother of High King Cináed mac Írgalaig
Cináed mac Írgalaig
Cináed mac Írgalaig or Cináed Cáech, "the one-eyed", was an Irish King of Brega who was High King of Ireland.-Background:Cináed was the son of Írgalach mac Conaing , a previous King of Brega...
and perhaps of Cináed's successor Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig was a High King of Ireland. He was a member of the Cenél Conaill, a branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Loingsech mac Óengusso , a previous high king...
by a second marriage. Derbforgaill, wife of Fínsnechta Fledach, was probably Cellach's daughter. His daughter Caintigern (Saint Kentigerna
Kentigerna
Caintigern , or Saint Kentigerna, was a daughter of Cellach Cualann, King of Leinster, and of Caintigern, daughter of Conaing Cuirre. Her feast is listed in the Aberdeen Breviary for 7 January....
) was by his fourth wife, also Caintigern, daughter of Conaing Cuirre
Conaing Cuirre
Conaing mac Congaile , called Conaing Cuirre, was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Congal mac Áedo Sláine , a previous king of Brega...
of the Síl nÁedo Sláine.
Of Cellach's surviving sons, Áed was killed in 719 near Fennor, County Kildare, Crimthann died in battle, "at an immature age" according to the Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
in 726, and Eterscél in 727 fighting against 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...
. His two grandsons Cathal and Ailill were slain in 744.