Fiacha Tolgrach
Encyclopedia
Fíachu Tolgrach, son of Muiredach Bolgrach, was a legendary High King of Ireland
, according to some medieval and early modern Irish sources. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn
he is not a High King: he kills the former High King Art mac Lugdach
, but during the reign of Art's son Ailill Finn
he is killed in battle against Airgetmar. His son Dui Ladrach later becomes High King. However, in Geoffrey Keating
's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn and the Annals of the Four Masters
he succeeds Art as High King and rules for seven or ten years, until he is killed by Ailill Finn, who succeeds him. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 593-586 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 806-796 BC.
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...
, according to some medieval and early modern Irish sources. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn is the Middle Irish title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages...
he is not a High King: he kills the former High King Art mac Lugdach
Art mac Lugdach
Art, son of Lugaid Lámderg, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, and his father's killer, Conaing Bececlach. He ruled for six years, until he was killed by Fíachu Tolgrach and his son Dui Ladrach...
, but during the reign of Art's son Ailill Finn
Ailill Finn
Ailill Finn, son of Art mac Lugdach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, he succeeds to the throne when his father is killed by Fíachu Tolgrach and his son Dui Ladrach. He rules for nine years. Two years into his...
he is killed in battle against Airgetmar. His son Dui Ladrach later becomes High King. However, in Geoffrey Keating
Geoffrey Keating
Seathrún Céitinn, known in English as Geoffrey Keating, was a 17th century Irish Roman Catholic priest, poet and historian. He was born in County Tipperary c. 1569, and died c. 1644...
's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn and the Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
he succeeds Art as High King and rules for seven or ten years, until he is killed by Ailill Finn, who succeeds him. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 593-586 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 806-796 BC.