Cummascach mac Congalaig
Encyclopedia
Cummascach mac Congalaig (died 839) was a King of Brega
from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of Congalach mac Conaing
(died 778) and brother of Flann mac Congalaig
(died 812) and Cernach mac Congalaig
(died 818), previous kings. He ruled from 818-839.
The Uí Chonaing sept had conquered the lands of the Ciannachta
(south of the Lower Boyne
in modern County Meath
, Ireland
) and were often styled Kings of Ciannachta in this period. In 822 Cummascach defeated the remnants of this population group, the Ard Ciannachta (in County Louth
), at the Battle of Carn Conain and their king, Eudus mac Tigernaig was slain. Cummascach then was confronted by a rival among his own sept named Dúnchad, they fought a skirmish in 824 in which Dúnchad was victorious and Cummascach escaped. Cummascach seems to have remained king, however, and the fate of this Dúnchad is unknown.
The Vikings became active in the midlands during his reign. In 827 they plundered Ciannachta. In 828 they slew the king of Ard Ciannachta, Cináed mac Cummascacig. In 832 The Vikings plundered Dom Líacc (Duleek
) and the sept of the Ciannacht with all their churches. The Vikings also plundered the church of Sláine in 834.
In 837 a great fleet appeared on the Boyne and ravaged the plain of Brega defeating the Ui Neill in the Battle of Inber na mBárc on the Boyne estuary. The Ciannacht were, however, able to eventually win a victory over the Norse and slew their leader Saxolb.
Cummascach died in 839 and is styled rex Ciannactai — King of Ciannachta — in the annals.
Kings of Brega
-Overview:Brega took its name from Mag Breg, the plain of Brega, in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the Uí Néill kindred, belonging to the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. The kingdom of Brega included the Hill of Tara, the site...
from 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 Ui Neill
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....
. He was the son of Congalach mac Conaing
Congalach mac Conaing
Congalach mac Conaing was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill...
(died 778) and brother of Flann mac Congalaig
Flann mac Congalaig
Flann 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 , a previous king...
(died 812) and Cernach mac Congalaig
Cernach mac Congalaig
Cernach 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 and brother of Flann mac Congalaig , previous kings...
(died 818), previous kings. He ruled from 818-839.
The Uí Chonaing sept had conquered the lands of the Ciannachta
Ciannachta
The Ciannachta were a population group of early historic Ireland. They claimed descent from the legendary figure Tadc mac Cein. They first appear in historical sources in the 6th century, and were found in several parts of the island, including in Brega and Tír Eoghain...
(south of the Lower Boyne
River Boyne
The River Boyne is a river in Leinster, Ireland, the course of which is about long. It rises at Trinity Well, Newbury Hall, near Carbury, County Kildare, and flows towards the Northeast through County Meath to reach the Irish Sea between Mornington, County Meath and Baltray, County Louth. Salmon...
in modern County Meath
County Meath
County Meath 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 ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
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...
) and were often styled Kings of Ciannachta in this period. In 822 Cummascach defeated the remnants of this population group, the Ard Ciannachta (in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
), at the Battle of Carn Conain and their king, Eudus mac Tigernaig was slain. Cummascach then was confronted by a rival among his own sept named Dúnchad, they fought a skirmish in 824 in which Dúnchad was victorious and Cummascach escaped. Cummascach seems to have remained king, however, and the fate of this Dúnchad is unknown.
The Vikings became active in the midlands during his reign. In 827 they plundered Ciannachta. In 828 they slew the king of Ard Ciannachta, Cináed mac Cummascacig. In 832 The Vikings plundered Dom Líacc (Duleek
Duleek
Duleek is a town in County Meath, Ireland, close to the Louth border.Duleek takes is name from the Irish word daimh liag, meaning house of stones and referring to an early stone-built church, St Cianan’s Church, the ruins of which are still visible in Duleek today...
) and the sept of the Ciannacht with all their churches. The Vikings also plundered the church of Sláine in 834.
In 837 a great fleet appeared on the Boyne and ravaged the plain of Brega defeating the Ui Neill in the Battle of Inber na mBárc on the Boyne estuary. The Ciannacht were, however, able to eventually win a victory over the Norse and slew their leader Saxolb.
Cummascach died in 839 and is styled rex Ciannactai — King of Ciannachta — in the annals.