Eochaid mac Domnaill
Encyclopedia
Eochaid mac Domnaill also Eochaid Find ("the fair"), was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland
. He was the son of Domnall Ilchelgach
(died 566) and grandson of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig
(died 534), also considered high kings. He was a member of the Cenél nEógain
branch of the northern Uí Néill
. He ruled in Ailech from 565 to 571.
The high kingship of Ireland rotated between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill
branches in the late 6th century. Eochaid ruled jointly with his uncle Báetán mac Muirchertaig
(died 572) from 569. The middle Irish king lists have misplaced their reign putting it earlier than the annalistic tradition but other king lists have them in the correct order. They are also omitted from the earliest list of Kings of Tara, the Baile Chuind (The Ecstasy of Conn), a late 7th century Irish poem. It is possible that the Ulaid king, Báetán mac Cairill
(died 581), was the actual high king at this time.
In 572 the two kings were defeated and slain by Crónán mac Tigernaig, king of the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin (Glengiven in modern County Londonderry
).
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...
. He was the son of Domnall Ilchelgach
Domnall Ilchelgach
Domnall mac Muirchertaig , called Domnall Ilchelgach and Domnall mac Maic Ercae, was said to be a High King of Ireland....
(died 566) and grandson of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig
Muirchertach mac Muiredaig
Muirchertach mac Muiredaig , called Mac Ercae, Muirchertach Macc Ercae and Muirchertach mac Ercae, was said to be High King of Ireland. The Irish annals contain little reliable information on his life, and the surviving record shows signs of retrospective modification...
(died 534), also considered high kings. He was a member of the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
branch of the northern 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....
. He ruled in Ailech from 565 to 571.
The high kingship of Ireland rotated between the Cenél nEógain and 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....
branches in the late 6th century. Eochaid ruled jointly with his uncle Báetán mac Muirchertaig
Báetán mac Muirchertaig
Báetán mac Muirchertaig , also Baetán Bríge, was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. He was the son of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig , also considered a high king. He was a member of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill...
(died 572) from 569. The middle Irish king lists have misplaced their reign putting it earlier than the annalistic tradition but other king lists have them in the correct order. They are also omitted from the earliest list of Kings of Tara, the Baile Chuind (The Ecstasy of Conn), a late 7th century Irish poem. It is possible that the Ulaid king, Báetán mac Cairill
Báetán mac Cairill
Báetán mac Cairill, , was king of the Dál Fiatach, and high-king of Ulaid, from circa 572 until his death. He was the son of Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg and brother of Demmán mac Cairill , previous Kings of Ulaid...
(died 581), was the actual high king at this time.
In 572 the two kings were defeated and slain by Crónán mac Tigernaig, king of the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin (Glengiven in modern County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
).