Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn
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Cenn Fáelad hua Mugthigirn (died 872) was a King of Munster of the Eoganachta
, the ruling dynasty of Munster. He ruled from 861-872. He was also abbot of Emly
from 851-872, an important monastery in County Tipperary where he succeeded a previous King of Munster, Ólchobar mac Cináeda
(died 851).
He was originally considered a member of the Eóganacht Airthir Cliach
as a 5th generation descendant of Cormac Sriabderg, brother of Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
(died 582), King of Munster. Recent research has shown this pedigree to be faulty and it is more likely he was of the Eóganacht Áine
branch and a 6th generation descendant of Garbán mac Éndai
(flourished 596), King of Munster. The Laud Synchronisms also refer to him as from this branch. This branch of the family was centered at Cnoc Áine (Knockaney, Limerick County) in the region of Cliú (eastern Limerick) not far from Emly. His uncle Rechtibrae mac Mugthigirn (died 819) was abbot of Emly from 787-819 and his grandfather Mugthigern mac Cellaig (d.785) was abbot of Innis Celtra (Holy Island in Loch Derg) His father's name may have been Murchad.
Cenn Fáelad acquired the throne in 861 after a two year interregnum. The high king, Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid (died 862) of Clann Cholmáin
had reduced munster to complete submission in 858 and detached Osraige from Munster in 859. The King of Munster, Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
(died 859) was then captured by the Norse and stoned to death. In 860 the men of Munster accompanied the forces of the high king in his expedition to the north against the Northern Ui Neill.
The Norse Vikings in Munster remained active in this period. In 866 Vikings from Limerick led by Tomrar plundered Clonfert but were then defeated and Tomrar went mad and died on the Isle of Man. The Ciarraige tribe then attacked his followers and with the aid of the sea they were victorious. Also in 866, The Norse of Cork, led by a man named Gním Cinnsiolaigh, led an attack on the Fir Maige Fén, a tribe centered at (Fermoy, County Cork). The Déisi
however joined forces with the attacked and defeated the Norse leader who fled to a fort for refuge. The Norse leader appealed to Cenn Fáelad for protection but he refused it and the Norse leader was dragged from his refuge and killed. In 871 an attack on Munster by the powerful Osraige king Cerball mac Dunlainge
is recorded as far as West Munster across the Sliabh Luachra.
The death of Cenn Fáelad is recorded in 872 after prolonged suffering. His son Eógan mac Cinn Fáelad (died 690) was abbot of Emly from 887-890.
Eóganachta
The Eóganachta or Eoghanachta were an Irish dynasty centred around Cashel which dominated southern Ireland from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of Desmond, and its offshoot Carbery, well into the 16th century...
, the ruling dynasty of Munster. He ruled from 861-872. He was also abbot of Emly
Emly
Emly or Emlybeg is a village in South Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Clanwilliam. It is also an Ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly....
from 851-872, an important monastery in County Tipperary where he succeeded a previous King of Munster, Ólchobar mac Cináeda
Ólchobar mac Cináeda
Ólchobar mac Cináeda was King of Munster from 847 until his death. He may be the "king of the Irish" who sent an embassy to Frankish Emperor Charles the Bald announcing a series of victories over Vikings in Ireland in 848.-Origins:...
(died 851).
He was originally considered a member of the Eóganacht Airthir Cliach
Eóganacht Airthir Cliach
Eóganacht Airthir Cliach were a branch of the Eóganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster during the 5th-10th centuries. They took their name from Cliú, a territory in eastern Co.Limerick and parts of Tipperary. Airthir meant east and their territrory was in the eastern section of this territory in...
as a 5th generation descendant of Cormac Sriabderg, brother of Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn
Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn was a king of Munster from the Eóganacht Airthir Cliach branch of the Eoganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster. He was the son of Crimthann Dearcon mac Eochaid and great-grandson of Óengus mac Nad Froích the first Christian king of Munster...
(died 582), King of Munster. Recent research has shown this pedigree to be faulty and it is more likely he was of the Eóganacht Áine
Eóganacht Áine
Eóganacht Áine or Eóganacht Áine Cliach was a princely house of the Eóganachta, dynasty of Munster during the 5th–12th centuries. They took their name from the Hill of Aine near the present day village of Knockainy, County Limerick. This region of Cliú is centred around the barony of Small...
branch and a 6th generation descendant of Garbán mac Éndai
Garbán mac Éndai
Garbán mac Éndai was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Áine branch of the Eoganachta and appears as the first king from this branch with his brother Amalgaid mac Éndai.The chronology of the Munster kings from this period is confusing...
(flourished 596), King of Munster. The Laud Synchronisms also refer to him as from this branch. This branch of the family was centered at Cnoc Áine (Knockaney, Limerick County) in the region of Cliú (eastern Limerick) not far from Emly. His uncle Rechtibrae mac Mugthigirn (died 819) was abbot of Emly from 787-819 and his grandfather Mugthigern mac Cellaig (d.785) was abbot of Innis Celtra (Holy Island in Loch Derg) His father's name may have been Murchad.
Cenn Fáelad acquired the throne in 861 after a two year interregnum. The high king, Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid (died 862) 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...
had reduced munster to complete submission in 858 and detached Osraige from Munster in 859. The King of Munster, Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
Máel Gualae mac Donngaile
Máel mac Donngaile , known as Máel Gualae, was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eoganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster. He was of the Clann Faílbe sept of this branch and a grandson of Tnúthgal mac Donngaile , whom some sources name as King of Munster and brother of...
(died 859) was then captured by the Norse and stoned to death. In 860 the men of Munster accompanied the forces of the high king in his expedition to the north against the Northern Ui Neill.
The Norse Vikings in Munster remained active in this period. In 866 Vikings from Limerick led by Tomrar plundered Clonfert but were then defeated and Tomrar went mad and died on the Isle of Man. The Ciarraige tribe then attacked his followers and with the aid of the sea they were victorious. Also in 866, The Norse of Cork, led by a man named Gním Cinnsiolaigh, led an attack on the Fir Maige Fén, a tribe centered at (Fermoy, County Cork). The Déisi
Déisi
The Déisi were a class of peoples in ancient and medieval Ireland. The term is Old Irish, and derives from the word déis, meaning "vassal" or "subject"; in its original sense, it designated groups who were vassals or rent-payers to a landowner. Later, it became a proper name for certain septs and...
however joined forces with the attacked and defeated the Norse leader who fled to a fort for refuge. The Norse leader appealed to Cenn Fáelad for protection but he refused it and the Norse leader was dragged from his refuge and killed. In 871 an attack on Munster by the powerful Osraige king Cerball mac Dunlainge
Cerball mac Dúnlainge
Cerball mac Dúnlainge was king of Osraige in south-east Ireland. The kingdom of Osraige occupied roughly the area of modern County Kilkenny and lay between the larger provincial kingdoms of Munster and Leinster....
is recorded as far as West Munster across the Sliabh Luachra.
The death of Cenn Fáelad is recorded in 872 after prolonged suffering. His son Eógan mac Cinn Fáelad (died 690) was abbot of Emly from 887-890.