Cináed mac Írgalaig
Encyclopedia
Cináed mac Írgalaig or Cináed Cáech, "the one-eyed", was an Irish
King of Brega who was High King of Ireland
.
(died 702), a previous King of Brega. He belonged to the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Uí Néill
.
Tradition records that Cináed was born half-blind to his mother Muirenn (died 748), after Saint Adomnán cursed his father Írgalach's descendants for the killing of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
(died 701) of the rival Uí Chernaig sept of South Brega. Muirenn was pregnant at the time and entreated the saint to relent. The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland
render the words of the saint as follows:
(died 718). However, Suibne mac Congalaig of the Uí Chonaing is listed as being slain at the Battle of Allen where the Uí Néill were crushed by the men of Leinster in 722. He won the kingship of Brega and the high kingship by defeating and slaying Fogartach mac Néill
of the Uí Chernaig sept at the Battle of Cenn Deilgden (possibly Kildalkey,Co.Meath).
The Annals of Tigernach
record events of his reign where he asserted his dominance over other areas of Ireland. These are not recorded in the Annals of Ulster
. In 725 is recorded his taking of Ulaid, and in 726, he defeated the Leinstermen at the Battle of Maíne and he received what he wanted from the Laigin. The remains of Saint Adomnán were brought over to Ireland and his law was promulgated anew in 727.
of the northern Cenél Conaill
, who then established himself as High King. Feradach mac Máele Dúin of the Cenél Lóegaire was also slain in this battle.
The historian T.M. Charles-Edwards links the definitive conquest of Ciannachta Breg between the Boyne and the Delvin by the Uí Chonaing and between the Delvin and the Liffey by the Uí Chernaig to his reign. With the exception of Congalach Cnogba
in the 10th century, he was the last Síl nÁedo Sláine High King of Ireland. His son Domnall mac Cináeda (died 749) was slain at the Battle of Ard Ciannachta.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
King of Brega who was 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...
.
Background
Cináed was the son of Írgalach mac ConaingÍrgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre , also called Írgalach ua Conaing, was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile and brother of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre , previous kings of Brega...
(died 702), a previous King of Brega. He belonged to the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
Knowth
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave and an ancient monument of Brú na Bóinne in the valley of the River Boyne in Ireland.Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs...
) of the 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....
branch of the southern 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....
.
Tradition records that Cináed was born half-blind to his mother Muirenn (died 748), after Saint Adomnán cursed his father Írgalach's descendants for the killing of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine...
(died 701) of the rival Uí Chernaig sept of South Brega. Muirenn was pregnant at the time and entreated the saint to relent. The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland
Fragmentary Annals of Ireland
The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland are a Middle Irish combination of chronicle from various Irish annals and narrative history. They were compiled in the kingdom of Osraige, probably in the lifetime of Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic , king of Osraige and of king of Leinster.The Fragmentary Annals were...
render the words of the saint as follows:
"The infant in your womb will be king indeed, but one of his eyes is now broken as a result of the cursing of his father."
Career
Cináed ruled Brega from 724-728 and in North Brega from 718. His accession to the rule of North Brega could date from 718 when he succeeded Amalgaid mac CongalaigAmalgaid mac Congalaig
Amalgaid mac Congalaig was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre...
(died 718). However, Suibne mac Congalaig of the Uí Chonaing is listed as being slain at the Battle of Allen where the Uí Néill were crushed by the men of Leinster in 722. He won the kingship of Brega and the high kingship by defeating and slaying 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...
of the Uí Chernaig sept at the Battle of Cenn Deilgden (possibly Kildalkey,Co.Meath).
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....
record events of his reign where he asserted his dominance over other areas of Ireland. These are not recorded in 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 725 is recorded his taking of Ulaid, and in 726, he defeated the Leinstermen at the Battle of Maíne and he received what he wanted from the Laigin. The remains of Saint Adomnán were brought over to Ireland and his law was promulgated anew in 727.
Death
In 728, he was defeated and killed at the battle of Druim Corcainn (or Druim Ciarain, the place is unidentified) by Flaithbertach mac LoingsigFlaithbertach 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...
of the northern Cenél Conaill
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
, who then established himself as High King. Feradach mac Máele Dúin of the Cenél Lóegaire was also slain in this battle.
The historian T.M. Charles-Edwards links the definitive conquest of Ciannachta Breg between the Boyne and the Delvin by the Uí Chonaing and between the Delvin and the Liffey by the Uí Chernaig to his reign. With the exception of Congalach Cnogba
Congalach Cnogba
Conghalach Cnoghbha was High King of Ireland, according to the lists in the Annals of the Four Masters, from around 944 to 956...
in the 10th century, he was the last Síl nÁedo Sláine High King of Ireland. His son Domnall mac Cináeda (died 749) was slain at the Battle of Ard Ciannachta.