Eógan Bél
Encyclopedia
Eógan Bél mac Cellaig was a king of Connacht
from the Ui Fiachrach
branch of the Connachta
. He was the grandson of the high king Ailill Molt
. His reign began sometime after 500.
During his reign he feuded with the northern Ui Neill
and the Connachta suffered a defeat at Aidne in 531 during the reign of the powerful high king Muirchertach mac Ercae of the Cenél nEógain
. Also during his reign a victory was one at the Battle of Claenloch (near Kinelea,Co.Galway) by the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
branch in the south under its king Goibnenn mac Conaill
over Maine mac Cerbaill (brother of Diarmait mac Cerbaill
) of the southern Ui Neill who was slain in 537. Goibnenn was defending the right to take hostages from the Ui Maine. This battle was significant in separating the Ui Maine fron the Cenel Maine of Meath and in separating the Ui Neill from the Connachta.
Eogan's feud with the northern Ui Neill finally led to the Battle of Slicech(Sligo) in 542 in which Eogan is slain. According to the annals the victors were Muichertach's sons Fergus and Domnall along with Ainmuire mac Sétnai
and Ninnid mac Duach of the Cenel Conaill
.
The Annals of the Four Masters say this of the battle:
" The battle of the Ui Fiachrach was fought with fury of edged weapons against Bel,The kine of the enemy roared with the javelins,the battle was spread out at Crinder. The Sligeach bore to the great sea the blood of men with their flesh,
They carried many trophies across Eabha, together with the head of Eoghan Bel."
A Middle Irish poem Caithréim Cellaig gives a different view of this battle. it states that Eogan won the battle but was mortally wounded and died afterwards. He was buried standing up in pagan style at Ráith Ua Fiachrach on Knocknarea with his red spear in his hand as a challenge to the northern Ui Neill. The Ui Neill later dug up his body and buried it face down at Óenach Locha Gile on Lough Gill in Cenél Caipre territory of the Ui Neill. Eogan is mentioned as a great warrior and honorable.
The poem also mentions that his son Cellach was a pupil of Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise
but was treacherously slain by the Ui Fiachrach Aidne. Prof. Byrne believes that though the poem introduces characters of a later date it does reflect a tradition of feud between the northern and southern branches of the Ui Fiachrach.
He was succeeded by his son Ailill Inbanda
.
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
from the Ui Fiachrach
Uí Fiachrach
The Uí Fiachrach were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the coicead or fifth of Connacht at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. They claimed descent from Fiachrae, an older half-brother of Niall Noigiallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages...
branch of the Connachta
Connachta
The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
. He was the grandson of the high king Ailill Molt
Ailill Molt
Ailill mac Nath Í , called Ailill Molt, is included in most lists of the High Kings of Ireland and is also called King of Connacht. His cognomen, molt, means "ram" but its origin is unknown....
. His reign began sometime after 500.
During his reign he feuded with the northern 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....
and the Connachta suffered a defeat at Aidne in 531 during the reign of the powerful high king Muirchertach mac Ercae 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...
. Also during his reign a victory was one at the Battle of Claenloch (near Kinelea,Co.Galway) by the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
branch in the south under its king Goibnenn mac Conaill
Goibnenn mac Conaill
Goibnenn mac Conaill was the first king of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne mentioned in the annals. He was the great-grandson of the high king Nath Í ....
over Maine mac Cerbaill (brother of Diarmait mac Cerbaill
Diarmait mac Cerbaill
Diarmait mac Cerbaill was King of Tara or High King of Ireland. According to traditions, he was the last High King to follow the pagan rituals of inauguration, the ban-feis or marriage to goddess of the land....
) of the southern Ui Neill who was slain in 537. Goibnenn was defending the right to take hostages from the Ui Maine. This battle was significant in separating the Ui Maine fron the Cenel Maine of Meath and in separating the Ui Neill from the Connachta.
Eogan's feud with the northern Ui Neill finally led to the Battle of Slicech(Sligo) in 542 in which Eogan is slain. According to the annals the victors were Muichertach's sons Fergus and Domnall along with Ainmuire mac Sétnai
Ainmuire mac Sétnai
Ainmuire mac Sétnai or Ainmire or Ainmere was a High King of Ireland from the Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. He was the great grandson of Conall Gulban , founder of this branch. He ruled from 566-569...
and Ninnid mac Duach of the Cenel 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....
.
The Annals of the Four Masters say this of the battle:
" The battle of the Ui Fiachrach was fought with fury of edged weapons against Bel,The kine of the enemy roared with the javelins,the battle was spread out at Crinder. The Sligeach bore to the great sea the blood of men with their flesh,
They carried many trophies across Eabha, together with the head of Eoghan Bel."
A Middle Irish poem Caithréim Cellaig gives a different view of this battle. it states that Eogan won the battle but was mortally wounded and died afterwards. He was buried standing up in pagan style at Ráith Ua Fiachrach on Knocknarea with his red spear in his hand as a challenge to the northern Ui Neill. The Ui Neill later dug up his body and buried it face down at Óenach Locha Gile on Lough Gill in Cenél Caipre territory of the Ui Neill. Eogan is mentioned as a great warrior and honorable.
The poem also mentions that his son Cellach was a pupil of Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise
Ciarán of Clonmacnoise
Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise was one of the early Irish monastic saints and Irish bishop. He is sometimes called Ciarán the Younger to distinguish him from Saint Ciarán of Saighir. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland....
but was treacherously slain by the Ui Fiachrach Aidne. Prof. Byrne believes that though the poem introduces characters of a later date it does reflect a tradition of feud between the northern and southern branches of the Ui Fiachrach.
He was succeeded by his son Ailill Inbanda
Ailill Inbanda
Ailill Inbanda mac Eógain was a king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach branch of the Connachta. He was the son and successor of Eógan Bél, who was slain by the northern Ui Neill in 542. His nickname Inbanda means "womanish" or effeminate or it could mean "the vigorous" which is more likely .His...
.
External links
- A Middle Irish Poem on Eogan Bél from Stowe MS B iv 2 at Thesaurus Linguae Hibernicae
- CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork