Fergal mac Máele Dúin
Encyclopedia
Fergal mac Máele Dúin was High King of Ireland
. Fergal belonged to the Cenél nEógain
sept of the northern Uí Néill
. He was the son of Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
(died 681), a King of Ailech, and great grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach
(died 612). He belonged to the Cenél maic Ercae branch of the Cenél nEógain and was King of Ailech from 700 to 722.
As King of Ailech Fergal participated in a victory over the men of Connacht
in 707 where their king Indrechtach mac Dúnchado
was slain. This was in revenge for the defeat and death of the high king Loingsech mac Óengusso
in 703 at the Battle of Corann. Loingsech's son Fergal mac Loingsig was one of the participants.
Fergal became High King in 710, on the death of Congal Cendmagair of the Cenél Conaill
. He ruled from 710 to 722.
The Cenél nEógain were expanding eastwards into Airgialla
territory. In 711 he fought the Battle of Sliab Fuait (in the Fews, modern County Armagh) where the king of Uí Méith, Tnúthach son of Mochloinges, and Cú Raí mac Áedo of the Fir Cúl sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
of Brega
were slain. Hostility to the Síl nÁedo Sláine was evidenced by the expulsion of Fogartach mac Néill
(died 724) from the kingship of Brega in 714 who went into exile in Britain. This appears to be the work of Fergalin conjunction with Murchad Midi
(died 715) the King of Uisnech of Clann Cholmáin
and Murchad may have been Fergal's deputy ruler in the south.
Fogartach's uncle Conall Grant
(died 718) killed Murchad the following year and Fogartach returned in 716. In 717 Fogartach caused some manner of disturbance at the Óenach
Tailten
—an annual Uí Néill gathering held at Teltown—where two men were killed. Then in 718 Conall Grant won a victory over a coalition of southern Ui Neill kings at the Battle of Cenannas (near Kells
) as part of the internal feuds of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. In frustration, Fergal intervened and had Conall killed two months later This seems to have settled affairs among the southern Uí Néill.
In 719 Fergal began to impose his authority on Leinster and harrying expeditions are recorded. In 721 Cathal mac Finguine
, king of Munster (died 742) and Murchad mac Brain Mut
(died 727), king of Leinster attacked the lands of the southern Uí Néill and ravaged the plain of Brega. Later that year, Fergal retaliated against Leinster
; he invaded and ravaged until the cattle-tribute was accepted and took hostages from the Laigin. A truce was made with Cathal as well. The Leinstermen broke the truce however, and Fergal retaliated by invading again in 722 with a large hosting of both northern and southern Uí Néill forces and their Airgíalla
allies. However on 11 December 722 Fergal and numerous nobles of the Uí Néill were slain at the disastrous Battle of Allen (modern County Kildare
) by the Leinstermen. The battle was preserved in the 10th century saga Cath Almaine.
According to the saga Fáistine Fergaile meic Máele Dúin ("Fergal mac Máele Dúin's Prophecy") his son Áed Allán
was born by a daughter of the high king Congal Cendmagair in an illicit union while the mother of his son Niall Frossach
was of the Ciannachta. Both his sons Áed Allán and Niall Frossach were both later High Kings. Fergal was succeeded as High King by Fogartach mac Néill
of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
sept of the southern Uí Néill. His son Áed Allán succeeded him as King of Ailech and chief of the Cenél nEógain.
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...
. Fergal belonged to 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...
sept 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 son of Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Máel Fithrich mac Áedo and grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach...
(died 681), a King of Ailech, and great grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach
Áed Uaridnach
Áed Uaridnach was an Irish king who was High King of Ireland. He is sometimes also known as Áed Allán, a name most commonly used for the 8th century king of the same name, this Áed's great-great-grandson....
(died 612). He belonged to the Cenél maic Ercae branch of the Cenél nEógain and was King of Ailech from 700 to 722.
As King of Ailech Fergal participated in a victory over the men of Connacht
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...
in 707 where their king Indrechtach mac Dúnchado
Indrechtach mac Dúnchado
Indrechtach mac Dúnchado Muirisci was a King of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe branch of the Connachta. He was the son of a previous king Dúnchad Muirisci mac Tipraite . He reigned from 705 to 707....
was slain. This was in revenge for the defeat and death of the high king Loingsech mac Óengusso
Loingsech mac Óengusso
Loingsech mac Óengusso was an Irish king who was High King of Ireland. Loingsech was a member of the northern Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill...
in 703 at the Battle of Corann. Loingsech's son Fergal mac Loingsig was one of the participants.
Fergal became High King in 710, on the death of Congal Cendmagair of the 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....
. He ruled from 710 to 722.
The Cenél nEógain were expanding eastwards into Airgialla
Airgíalla
Airgíalla or Airgialla was the name of an Irish federation and Irish kingdom which first formed around the 7th century...
territory. In 711 he fought the Battle of Sliab Fuait (in the Fews, modern County Armagh) where the king of Uí Méith, Tnúthach son of Mochloinges, and Cú Raí mac Áedo of the Fir Cúl sept 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....
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...
were slain. Hostility to the Síl nÁedo Sláine was evidenced by the expulsion of Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
(died 724) from the kingship of Brega in 714 who went into exile in Britain. This appears to be the work of Fergalin conjunction with Murchad Midi
Murchad Midi
Murchad mac Diarmato , called Murchad Midi , was an Irish king. One of four or more sons of Diarmait Dian, he succeeded his father as King of Uisnech at the latter's death in 689....
(died 715) the King of Uisnech of Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin is the name of the dynasty descended from Colmán Mór , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.Related dynasties descended through Conall...
and Murchad may have been Fergal's deputy ruler in the south.
Fogartach's uncle Conall Grant
Conall Grant
Conall Grant mac Cernaig was a King of Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine . His father Cernach Sotal had died during plague years in 664...
(died 718) killed Murchad the following year and Fogartach returned in 716. In 717 Fogartach caused some manner of disturbance at the Óenach
Óenach
The Óenach, usually translated fair or assembly, was an annual gathering in Ireland which combined features of the popular assembly and fair. As well as the entertainment, the óenach was an occasion on which kings and notables met under truce and where laws were pronounced and confirmed.The most...
Tailten
Tailtiu
Tailtiu or Tailltiu is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology. Telltown in County Meath, was named for her.-In Irish mythology:...
—an annual Uí Néill gathering held at Teltown—where two men were killed. Then in 718 Conall Grant won a victory over a coalition of southern Ui Neill kings at the Battle of Cenannas (near Kells
Kells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
) as part of the internal feuds of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. In frustration, Fergal intervened and had Conall killed two months later This seems to have settled affairs among the southern Uí Néill.
In 719 Fergal began to impose his authority on Leinster and harrying expeditions are recorded. In 721 Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine was an Irish King of Munster or Cashel, and effectively High King of Ireland as well. He belonged to the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the dominant Eóganachta kin-group whose members dominated Munster from the 7th century to the 10th...
, king of Munster (died 742) and Murchad mac Brain Mut
Murchad mac Brain Mut
Murchad mac Brain Mut was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Bran Mut mac Conaill , a previous king. He ruled from 715 to 727.- His reign :...
(died 727), king of Leinster attacked the lands of the southern Uí Néill and ravaged the plain of Brega. Later that year, Fergal retaliated against Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
; he invaded and ravaged until the cattle-tribute was accepted and took hostages from the Laigin. A truce was made with Cathal as well. The Leinstermen broke the truce however, and Fergal retaliated by invading again in 722 with a large hosting of both northern and southern Uí Néill forces and their Airgíalla
Airgíalla
Airgíalla or Airgialla was the name of an Irish federation and Irish kingdom which first formed around the 7th century...
allies. However on 11 December 722 Fergal and numerous nobles of the Uí Néill were slain at the disastrous Battle of Allen (modern County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare 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 town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
) by the Leinstermen. The battle was preserved in the 10th century saga Cath Almaine.
According to the saga Fáistine Fergaile meic Máele Dúin ("Fergal mac Máele Dúin's Prophecy") his son Áed Allán
Áed Allán
Áed Allán was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill....
was born by a daughter of the high king Congal Cendmagair in an illicit union while the mother of his son Niall Frossach
Niall Frossach
Niall Frossach was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech, sometimes considered to have been High King of Ireland. Brother of high king Áed Allán , Niall was the son of high king Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill...
was of the Ciannachta. Both his sons Áed Allán and Niall Frossach were both later High Kings. Fergal was succeeded as High King by Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
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....
sept of the southern Uí Néill. His son Áed Allán succeeded him as King of Ailech and chief of the Cenél nEógain.