Ernaine mac Fiachnai
Encyclopedia
Ernaine mac Fiachnai was a King of Ailech
and head of the Cenél nEógain
branch of the northern Uí Néill
. He was the brother of the high king of Ireland Suibne Menn
(died 628). He ruled in Ailech from 630 to 636.
A rival branch of the Cenél nEógain called the Cenél maic Ercae had dominated the kingship of Ailech until the reign of his brother Suibne Menn
(died 628) of the Cenél Feradaig branch. In 630 these two branches of the family clashed at the Battle of Leitheirbe and Ernaine was victorious over Máel Fithrich mac Áedo
, who was slain, of the Cenél maic Ercae. The Cenél Feradaig branch then dominated the kingship for most of the 7th century. Ernaine was killed in 636 but his killer is not named. According to the Laud Synchronisms he was killed by the Cenél nEógain, probably the Cenél maic Ercae.
Ailech
Ailech was a medieval kingdom in Ireland, roughly centred on modern-day County Tyrone and the Inishowen peninsula in Ulster....
and head 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 was the brother of the high king of Ireland Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn was an Irish king who is counted as a High King of Ireland.Suibne belonged to the junior branch of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, the Cenél Feredaig, named for his grandfather Feredach, a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
(died 628). He ruled in Ailech from 630 to 636.
A rival branch of the Cenél nEógain called the Cenél maic Ercae had dominated the kingship of Ailech until the reign of his brother Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn was an Irish king who is counted as a High King of Ireland.Suibne belonged to the junior branch of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, the Cenél Feredaig, named for his grandfather Feredach, a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
(died 628) of the Cenél Feradaig branch. In 630 these two branches of the family clashed at the Battle of Leitheirbe and Ernaine was victorious over Máel Fithrich mac Áedo
Máel Fithrich mac Áedo
Máel Fithrich mac Áedo was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the high king of Ireland Áed Uaridnach...
, who was slain, of the Cenél maic Ercae. The Cenél Feradaig branch then dominated the kingship for most of the 7th century. Ernaine was killed in 636 but his killer is not named. According to the Laud Synchronisms he was killed by the Cenél nEógain, probably the Cenél maic Ercae.