Forggus mac Cellaig
Encyclopedia
Forggus mac Cellaig (died 756) was a King of Connacht
from the Uí Briúin
branch of the Connachta
. He was the son of Cellach mac Rogallaig
(died 705), a previous king and brother of Domnall mac Cellaig
(died 728). The sept of Uí Briúin Ai he belonged to was the Síl Cellaig of Loch Cime (Lough Hackett, near Headford in modern County Galway) named for his father. He reigned from 742 to 756.
Events occurred in his reign which helped to weaken the other branches of the Connachta. In 743 a battle was fought between the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
and their ex-allies the Ui Maine. Also in 743 the Ui Aillelo fought a battle in Mag Luirg (Moylurg, the plains of Boyle) with the Gailenga.
Fergus himself had to impose his authority and in 746 in alliance with the Conmaicne he was defeated by opponents from the Uí Briúin. That same year he slaughtered The Uí Briúin Seóla branch in southern Connacht. In 752 the Ui Briun destroyed the Calraige Luirg, who were possibly vassals of the Ui Aillelo. In 753 the Ui Aillelo were slaughtered by the Grecraige.
The Ui Briun expansion to the north met with the hostility of the Cenél Coirpri branch of the Ui Neill
. In 754 was fought the Battle of Ard Noíscan (Ardneeskin) in Ui Aillelo territory between the Ui Briun and the Cenel Coipri. In 756 he inflicted a heavy defeat on them at the Battle of Móin Mór (in modern County Longford).
Forggus ensured the support of Clonmacnoise by promulgating the Law of Ciarán of Clonmacnoise
and the Law of Brendan
of Clonfert in 744.
His son Colla mac Fergusso
(died 796) was also a king of Connacht. Three of his sons Catharnach, Cathmug, and Artbran were slain in 758 at the Battle of Druim Robaig (Dromrovay, southern modern County Mayo) by the Ui Fiachrach
in 758.
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 Uí Briúin
Uí Briúin
The Uí Briúin were an Irish kin-group. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brion, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the Uí Fiachrach and Uí Ailello, putative descendants of Eochaid Mugmedon's...
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 son of Cellach mac Rogallaig
Cellach mac Rogallaig
Cellach mac Rogallaig was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Rogallach mac Uatach , a previous king. He succeeded his nephew Muiredach Muillethan mac Fergusso as king in 702.He reigned from 702 to 705. The king lists in this period vary in their...
(died 705), a previous king and brother of Domnall mac Cellaig
Domnall mac Cellaig
Domnall mac Cellaig was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the son ofCellach mac Rogallaig , a previous king. The sept of Ui Briun he belonged to was the Síl Cellaig of Loch Cime....
(died 728). The sept of Uí Briúin Ai he belonged to was the Síl Cellaig of Loch Cime (Lough Hackett, near Headford in modern County Galway) named for his father. He reigned from 742 to 756.
Events occurred in his reign which helped to weaken the other branches of the Connachta. In 743 a battle was fought between 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:...
and their ex-allies the Ui Maine. Also in 743 the Ui Aillelo fought a battle in Mag Luirg (Moylurg, the plains of Boyle) with the Gailenga.
Fergus himself had to impose his authority and in 746 in alliance with the Conmaicne he was defeated by opponents from the Uí Briúin. That same year he slaughtered The Uí Briúin Seóla branch in southern Connacht. In 752 the Ui Briun destroyed the Calraige Luirg, who were possibly vassals of the Ui Aillelo. In 753 the Ui Aillelo were slaughtered by the Grecraige.
The Ui Briun expansion to the north met with the hostility of the Cenél Coirpri branch of the 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....
. In 754 was fought the Battle of Ard Noíscan (Ardneeskin) in Ui Aillelo territory between the Ui Briun and the Cenel Coipri. In 756 he inflicted a heavy defeat on them at the Battle of Móin Mór (in modern County Longford).
Forggus ensured the support of Clonmacnoise by promulgating the Law of 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....
and the Law of Brendan
Brendan
Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert called "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" is one of the early Irish monastic saints. He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called St. Brendan's Island. The Voyage of St...
of Clonfert in 744.
His son Colla mac Fergusso
Colla mac Fergusso
Colla mac Fergusso was a possible King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Forggus mac Cellaig , a previous king...
(died 796) was also a king of Connacht. Three of his sons Catharnach, Cathmug, and Artbran were slain in 758 at the Battle of Druim Robaig (Dromrovay, southern modern County Mayo) by 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...
in 758.