Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig
Encyclopedia
Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig 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 (Mullaghmast) in South Kildare. He was the son of Muiredach mac Brain
(died 818), a previous king. He ruled from 863 to 869.
There is much confusion in the king lists during this period for Leinster. Between 838-871 the title King of Leinster is not recorded in the Annals of Ulster. The death of Dúnlaing is not recorded in this annal but is recorded in other annals. Francis John Byrne
suggests that the root of this apparent confusion lay in the fact that the Uí Dúnlainge kings exercised little real authority due to the aggressions of their western neighbour Cerball mac Dúnlainge
(died 888), King of Osraige. Cerball, while unable to install himself as king of Leinster, was able to prevent any rival king exercising real power there.
In 868 the annals record that the Laigin participated with the Uí Néill
of Brega
and Norse at the Battle of Cell Ua nDaigri on the Boyne estuary. They were defeated by the high king Áed Findliath (died 879). Dúnlaing's name is not mentioned with connection to this event.
His son Ailill mac Dúnlainge
(died 871) was also a King of Leinster. Another son Cairpre mac Dúnlainge (died 884) was King of Iarthair Liffey or western Liffey.
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....
branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu (Mullaghmast) in South Kildare. He was the son of Muiredach mac Brain
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...
(died 818), a previous king. He ruled from 863 to 869.
There is much confusion in the king lists during this period for Leinster. Between 838-871 the title King of Leinster is not recorded in the Annals of Ulster. The death of Dúnlaing is not recorded in this annal but is recorded in other annals. Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne is an Irish historian.Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II...
suggests that the root of this apparent confusion lay in the fact that the Uí Dúnlainge kings exercised little real authority due to the aggressions of their western neighbour Cerball mac Dúnlainge
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....
(died 888), King of Osraige. Cerball, while unable to install himself as king of Leinster, was able to prevent any rival king exercising real power there.
In 868 the annals record that the Laigin participated with 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 Brega
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...
and Norse at the Battle of Cell Ua nDaigri on the Boyne estuary. They were defeated by the high king Áed Findliath (died 879). Dúnlaing's name is not mentioned with connection to this event.
His son Ailill mac Dúnlainge
Ailill mac Dúnlainge (died 871)
Ailill mac Dúnlainge 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 in what is now Ireland. He was the son of Dúnlaing mac Muiredaig , a previous king. He ruled from 869-871.There is much...
(died 871) was also a King of Leinster. Another son Cairpre mac Dúnlainge (died 884) was King of Iarthair Liffey or western Liffey.