Fáelán mac Murchado
Encyclopedia
Fáelán mac Murchado was a King of Leinster
from the Uí Dúnlainge
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut
(died 727), a previous king. He ruled from 728 to 738.
He is first mentioned in the annals in 727 when he won a victory at the Battle of Bairenn or Inis Bregainn leading the men of Liffey over Eterscél mac Cellaig of the Uí Máil
of Cualu and Congal mac Brain who were slain. In 728 he acquired the throne of Leinster by slaying his elder brother Dúnchad mac Murchado
(died 728) at the Battle of Ailenn (Co.Kildare).
The weakness of the Ui Neill
at this time led Cathal mac Finguine
(died 742), the King of Munster
, to assert his claims over Leinster. In 735 was fought the Battle of Belach Éile between the Leinstermen and Munstermen with much slaughter on both sides. Cellach mac Fáelchair of the Osraige was slain fighting for Cathal who was defeated. The Annals of Innisfallen, however, claim that Cathal won the battle. The location of the battle makes it probable that Cellach of the Osraige was the aggressor and was taking advantage of the rivalry of Faelan with Áed mac Colggen
(died 738) of the Uí Cheinnselaig
. In 738 Cathal was able to lead a hosting into Leinster and took hostages and treasure from Faelan who then died that year at an "unripe" age. The Annals of Tigernach claim it was his brother Bran Becc mac Murchado
(died 738) whom the hostages were taken from but it was more probably Faelan.
Faelan had married his brother's widow Tualath ingen Cathail, daughter of Cathal of Munster. He was the ancestor of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Ui Dunlainge ruling at Naas in the eastern part of the Liffey plain, Airthir Liphi. His son Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
(died 785) was a King of 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...
from the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of 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), a previous king. He ruled from 728 to 738.
He is first mentioned in the annals in 727 when he won a victory at the Battle of Bairenn or Inis Bregainn leading the men of Liffey over Eterscél mac Cellaig of the Uí Máil
Uí Máil
Uí Máil were an Irish dynasty of Leinster. They were descended from Maine Mál, the brother of the legendary high king Cathair Mór. The Uí Máil were a dominant dynasty in Leinster competing for the kingship in the 7th century before being eventually ousted by the Uí Dunlainge and retreating east...
of Cualu and Congal mac Brain who were slain. In 728 he acquired the throne of Leinster by slaying his elder brother Dúnchad mac Murchado
Dúnchad mac Murchado
Dúnchad mac Murchado was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut , the previous king. He ruled from 727 to 728....
(died 728) at the Battle of Ailenn (Co.Kildare).
The weakness 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....
at this time led 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...
(died 742), the King of Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south 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 administrative and judicial purposes...
, to assert his claims over Leinster. In 735 was fought the Battle of Belach Éile between the Leinstermen and Munstermen with much slaughter on both sides. Cellach mac Fáelchair of the Osraige was slain fighting for Cathal who was defeated. The Annals of Innisfallen, however, claim that Cathal won the battle. The location of the battle makes it probable that Cellach of the Osraige was the aggressor and was taking advantage of the rivalry of Faelan with Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of Leinster. Some sources incorrectly make him joint king of Leinster with Bran Becc mac Murchado, but it appears that Áed was main ruler of Leinster in 738 His father Colcú mac Bressail was called king of Ard Ladrann at his death obit in the...
(died 738) of the Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
. In 738 Cathal was able to lead a hosting into Leinster and took hostages and treasure from Faelan who then died that year at an "unripe" age. The Annals of Tigernach claim it was his brother Bran Becc mac Murchado
Bran Becc mac Murchado
Bran Becc mac Murchado was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut , a previous king. He ruled briefly in 738....
(died 738) whom the hostages were taken from but it was more probably Faelan.
Faelan had married his brother's widow Tualath ingen Cathail, daughter of Cathal of Munster. He was the ancestor of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Ui Dunlainge ruling at Naas in the eastern part of the Liffey plain, Airthir Liphi. His son Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin was a King of Leinster of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Fáelán mac Murchado , a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Naas in the eastern part of the Liffey plain, Airthir Liphi...
(died 785) was a King of Leinster.