Fínsnechta Cethardec
Encyclopedia
Finsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig (died 808) was a King of Leinster
of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge
branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Cellach mac Dúnchada
(died 776), a previous king. He ruled from 795 to 808. His byname Cethardec meant "four-eyes".
On May 6, 795 the previous king Bran Ardchenn
mac Muiredaig of the Uí Muiredaig sept and his queen Eithne were assassinated (by burning) in a church at Cell Cúile Duma (near Stradbally, Co.Leix) by Finsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig (died 808) of the Uí Dúnchada sept. This was a ruthless political gesture directed at the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) (Eithne was his sister). By this act Finsnechta acquired the throne of Leinster.
In 804 the high king Áed Oirdnide (died 819) of the Cenél nEógain
led a hosting into Leinster and got the submission of Finsnechta. Aed assembled the forces of Leth Conn at Dún Cuair on the Leinster border and attacked Leinster twice in one month. The Annals of the Four Masters say of this event:
The high king did not appear satisfied with this submission and returned in 805 and deposed Finsnechta. He installed Muiredach mac Ruadrach
(died 829) of the Uí Fáeláin and Muiredach mac Brain
(died 818) of the Uí Muiredaig as joint kings. Finsnechta took refuge with Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
(died 815), the King of Connacht who then aided him in recovering his throne in 806. Finsnechta recovered the throne by defeating the sons of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin
(died 785), Muiredach and Diarmait.
Finsnechta set about ensuring his control of the church of Kildare. This led to hostility with the Uí Failgi of Offaly. In 803 Óengus mac Mugróin, king of Uí Fhailgi, was treacherously killed by Finsnechta's followers and in 806 when he recovered the Leinster throne, the Uí Failgi king, Flaithnia mac Cináeda, was killed in his fort at Rathangan. Two of his brothers, Fáelán (died 804) and Áed (died 829), a nephew and a grandnephew all enjoyed the abbacy of Kildare in the 9th century and Finsnechta's sister Muirenn (died 831) was abbess of Kildare. Finsnechta, himself, died at Kildare from hemorrhoids
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...
of the Uí Dúnchada sept of 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 Cellach mac Dúnchada
Cellach mac Dúnchada
Cellach mac Dúnchada was a King of Leinster of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Dúnchad mac Murchado , a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Líamhain...
(died 776), a previous king. He ruled from 795 to 808. His byname Cethardec meant "four-eyes".
On May 6, 795 the previous king Bran Ardchenn
Bran Ardchenn
Bran Ardchenn mac Muiredaig was a King of Leinster of the Uí Muiredaig sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Muiredach mac Murchado , a previous king. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu in South Kildare. He ruled from 785-795.Bran was a rival of Ruaidrí mac...
mac Muiredaig of the Uí Muiredaig sept and his queen Eithne were assassinated (by burning) in a church at Cell Cúile Duma (near Stradbally, Co.Leix) by Finsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig (died 808) of the Uí Dúnchada sept. This was a ruthless political gesture directed at the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) (Eithne was his sister). By this act Finsnechta acquired the throne of Leinster.
In 804 the high king Áed Oirdnide (died 819) 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...
led a hosting into Leinster and got the submission of Finsnechta. Aed assembled the forces of Leth Conn at Dún Cuair on the Leinster border and attacked Leinster twice in one month. The Annals of the Four Masters say of this event:
Afterwards he returns to Leinster, Aedh, a soldier who shunned not battles; The robber king did not cease till he left them in dearth.
The high king did not appear satisfied with this submission and returned in 805 and deposed Finsnechta. He installed Muiredach mac Ruadrach
Muiredach mac Ruadrach
Muiredach mac Ruadrach was a King of Leinster of the Uí Fáeláin sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Naas in the eastern part of the Liffey plain, Airthir Liphi. He was the son of Ruaidrí mac Fáeláin , a previous king...
(died 829) of the Uí Fáeláin and Muiredach mac Brain
Muiredach mac Brain (died 818)
Muiredach mac Brain was a King of Leinster of the Uí Muiredaig sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu in South Kildare. He was the son of Bran Ardchenn mac Muiredaig , a previous king...
(died 818) of the Uí Muiredaig as joint kings. Finsnechta took refuge with Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
Muirgius mac Tommaltaig was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the great-grandson of Indrechtach mac Muiredaig Muillethan , a previous king. The death of his father Tommaltach mac Murgail is recorded in the annals where he is called king of Mag nAi. Muirgius...
(died 815), the King of Connacht who then aided him in recovering his throne in 806. Finsnechta recovered the throne by defeating the sons of 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), Muiredach and Diarmait.
Finsnechta set about ensuring his control of the church of Kildare. This led to hostility with the Uí Failgi of Offaly. In 803 Óengus mac Mugróin, king of Uí Fhailgi, was treacherously killed by Finsnechta's followers and in 806 when he recovered the Leinster throne, the Uí Failgi king, Flaithnia mac Cináeda, was killed in his fort at Rathangan. Two of his brothers, Fáelán (died 804) and Áed (died 829), a nephew and a grandnephew all enjoyed the abbacy of Kildare in the 9th century and Finsnechta's sister Muirenn (died 831) was abbess of Kildare. Finsnechta, himself, died at Kildare from hemorrhoids