Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
Encyclopedia
Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin (died 663) was a king of Connacht
. A member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
and son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig
(died 622). Guiare ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht.
Guaire appears to have succeeded his father as king of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne in 622
. In 629 was fought the Battle of Carn Feradaig (Carhernarry, County Limerick
.) where he suffered a defeat at the hands of the Munster king Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
(d. 639). His ally Conall mac Máele Dúib
of the Ui Maine was slain. According to Keating, Guaire's reason for this campaign was to recover the Thomond region from Munster. Prof. Byrne believes that this defeat marked the true expansion of the Déisi Tuisceart into Thomond
. He also states that this defeat may have paved the way for Rogallach mac Uatach
(d. 649) in acquiring the overlordship of Connacht.
(d. 665) of Brega
. Diarmait was the aggressor in this war and the saga Cath Cairnd Chonaill gives much detail of this affair. Diarmait won the support of the monastery of Clonmacnoise and refused the request of Cummian
(Cumméne Fota) (d. 662), the abbot of Clonfert
, for a truce; who had been sent by Guaire to ask for one. Also Caimmín abbot of Inis Celtra
put on curse on Guaire before the battle. However, Guaire was able to turn his defeat into a moral victory when upon submitting to Diarmait he outdid the high-king with his generosity to the poor. Diarmait granted him a peace treaty and friendship.
Also according to the saga, the following Munster allies of Guaire were slain in this battle: the king of Munster Cúán mac Amalgado
(d. 641) (called Cúán mac Éndai in the saga); Cúán mac Conaill, king of the Uí Fidgenti
; and Tolomnach, king of the Uí Liatháin
. Byrne believes this is not probable however; based on Cúán mac Amalgado's death date in the annals and on the improbability of the Uí Liathain being involved in a conflict far from their territory in South Munster. The Annals of Ulster and Annals of Innisfallen do not mention the Munster connection but the saga tradition is preserved in the Annals of Tigernach. Relations with the Ui Fidgenti are shown by the poem The Lament of Créide, a poem written about his daughter's lament for a prince of the Ui Fidgenti.
Anecdotes are told about his relations with such saints as Cumméne Fota of Clonfert, Caimmín of Inis Celtra, and Colmán mac Duach
of Kilmacduagh
. He also was associated with the church at Tuam Gréine (Tomgraney) and was ancestor of two 8th century abbots there. He seems to have patronized the expansion of West Munster saints up the Shannon. For this reason, Byrne believes his influence must have extended into parts of Munster including overlordship of Corco Mruad and Corco Baiscind tribes in Thomond and actual holdings in the later territory of Dál gCais
.
In the saga Scéla Cano meic Gartnáin (The Story of Cano mac Gartnain) the exiled prince of Dalriada comes to live at his court for a while where Guaire's daughter Créide falls in love with him. Creide however was married to Marcán mac Tommáin
(died 653) the king of the Ui Maine.
According to the old tale called Tromdámh Guaire (The Heavy Company of Guaire) or Imtheacht na Tromdhaimhe (The Proceedings of the Great Bardic Institution Guaire was visited by the Chief Ollam of Ireland
, Senchán Torpéist
who was accompanied by one hundred and fifty other poets, one hundred and fifty pupils "with a corresponding number of women-servants, dogs, etc".
(d. 655) in the king lists. It is possible that his defeat at Carn Conaill caused a temporary abdication and entering of a religious life. Upon Loingsech's death in 655
, Guaire then became over-king of Connacht ruling until his death in 663
. He was buried at Clonmacnoise
.
In the following centuries the Ui Fiachrach lost power to the Uí Briúin
, who ever after were kings of Connacht. To the south, in what is now County Clare
, the Déisi Tuisceart would in the 700's annex Thomond
permanently to Munster
.
(d. 668), the latter a king of Connacht.
Descendants of Guaire include the following:
He is the ancestor of the families of Ó Cléirigh
, O'Shaughnessy
, Mac Kilkelly, Hynes, and others.
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...
. A member of 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 son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig
Colmán mac Cobthaig
Colmán mac Cobthaig was a king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach branch of the Connachta. He was the first king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne branch. This branch was descended from Eochu, the brother of Ailill Molt...
(died 622). Guiare ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht.
Early reign
622
Year 622 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 622 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Religion :* July 16 – Year one of the Islamic...
. In 629 was fought the Battle of Carn Feradaig (Carhernarry, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
.) where he suffered a defeat at the hands of the Munster king Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eoganachta. He succeeded Cathal mac Áedo Flaind Chathrach of the Glendamnach branch in 628. He was the younger brother of a previous king Fíngen mac Áedo Duib...
(d. 639). His ally Conall mac Máele Dúib
Conall mac Máele Dúib
Conall mac Máele Dúib, died 629) 14th King of the Uí Maine.In his time the Uí Maine were allied and subject to the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a branch of the Connachta. They were ruled at this time by Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin who ruled at the height of their power...
of the Ui Maine was slain. According to Keating, Guaire's reason for this campaign was to recover the Thomond region from Munster. Prof. Byrne believes that this defeat marked the true expansion of the Déisi Tuisceart into Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
. He also states that this defeat may have paved the way for Rogallach mac Uatach
Rogallach mac Uatach
Rogallach mac Uatach was a king of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Uatu mac Áedo , a previous king. He acquired the throne of Connacht after defeating the previous king Colmán mac Cobthaig of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, who was slain at the Battle of Cennbag...
(d. 649) in acquiring the overlordship of Connacht.
Carn Conaill
The next event recorded of Guaire in the annals is the Battle of Carn Conaill (in his home territory near Gort) in 649. In this battle he was put to flight by the high-king Diarmait mac Áedo SláineDiarmait mac Áedo Sláine
Diarmait was a son of Áed Sláine. According to the Irish annals he was High King of Ireland.-Sons of Áed Sláine:Diarmait's father Áed Sláine was a son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, the apical ancestor of the southern branches of the Uí Néill kindred which dominated Ireland from the late 6th century...
(d. 665) 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...
. Diarmait was the aggressor in this war and the saga Cath Cairnd Chonaill gives much detail of this affair. Diarmait won the support of the monastery of Clonmacnoise and refused the request of Cummian
Cummian
Cumméne Fota or Cummian was an Irish bishop.-Biography:Cummian was an Irish Bishop and fer léignid of Cluain Ferta Brénainn , was an important theological writer in the early to mid 7th century. He is famous for a Paschal letter which displays his high level of learning...
(Cumméne Fota) (d. 662), the abbot of Clonfert
Clonfert
Clonfert is a small village in east County Galway, Ireland. It is half way between Ballinasloe and Portumna.Clonfert Cathedral is situated in the village, which is the see of the Diocese of Clonfert.-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
, for a truce; who had been sent by Guaire to ask for one. Also Caimmín abbot of Inis Celtra
Mountshannon
Mountshannon is a village in east County Clare, Ireland. The village is on the western shore of Lough Derg, north of Killaloe.-History:The village was designed and built from scratch by Alexander Woods, a Limerick merchant, who intended it as a purely Protestant settlement from which the...
put on curse on Guaire before the battle. However, Guaire was able to turn his defeat into a moral victory when upon submitting to Diarmait he outdid the high-king with his generosity to the poor. Diarmait granted him a peace treaty and friendship.
Also according to the saga, the following Munster allies of Guaire were slain in this battle: the king of Munster Cúán mac Amalgado
Cúán mac Amalgado
Cúán mac Amalgado was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Áine branch of the Eóganachta. He was the son of a previous king Amalgaid mac Éndai ....
(d. 641) (called Cúán mac Éndai in the saga); Cúán mac Conaill, king of the Uí Fidgenti
Uí Fidgenti
The Uí Fidgenti or Wood-Sprung People were an early kingdom of northern Munster, situated mostly in modern County Limerick, but extending into County Clare and County Tipperary, and possibly even County Kerry and County Cork, at maximum extents, which varied over time...
; and Tolomnach, king of the Uí Liatháin
Uí Liatháin
The Uí Liatháin were an early kingdom of Munster in southern Ireland. They belonged the same kindred as the Uí Fidgenti, and the two are considered together in the earliest sources, for example The Expulsion of the Déisi...
. Byrne believes this is not probable however; based on Cúán mac Amalgado's death date in the annals and on the improbability of the Uí Liathain being involved in a conflict far from their territory in South Munster. The Annals of Ulster and Annals of Innisfallen do not mention the Munster connection but the saga tradition is preserved in the Annals of Tigernach. Relations with the Ui Fidgenti are shown by the poem The Lament of Créide, a poem written about his daughter's lament for a prince of the Ui Fidgenti.
Guaire in Irish sagas
Colman MacDuagh
Saint Colman mac Duagh was born at Corker, Kiltartan, County Galway, Ireland, c. 550 , the son of the Irish chieftain Duac . He was educated at Saint Enda's monastery in Inishmore/Árainn, the largest of the Aran Islands...
of Kilmacduagh
Kilmacduagh
Kilmacduagh is a small village in south County Galway, near Gort, in Ireland. It is best known for Kilmacduagh monastery, seat of the Diocese of that name. The diocese is now part of the Diocese of Galway and Kilmacduagh in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe in...
. He also was associated with the church at Tuam Gréine (Tomgraney) and was ancestor of two 8th century abbots there. He seems to have patronized the expansion of West Munster saints up the Shannon. For this reason, Byrne believes his influence must have extended into parts of Munster including overlordship of Corco Mruad and Corco Baiscind tribes in Thomond and actual holdings in the later territory of Dál gCais
Dál gCais
The Dál gCais were a dynastic group of related septs located in north Munster who rose to political prominence in the 10th century AD in Ireland. They claimed descent from Cormac Cas, or Cas mac Conall Echlúath, hence the term "Dál", meaning "portion" or "share" of Cas...
.
In the saga Scéla Cano meic Gartnáin (The Story of Cano mac Gartnain) the exiled prince of Dalriada comes to live at his court for a while where Guaire's daughter Créide falls in love with him. Creide however was married to Marcán mac Tommáin
Marcán mac Tommáin
Marcán mac Tommáin, died 653 15th King of the Uí Maine.In his time the Uí Maine were allied and subject to the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a branch of the Connachta. They were ruled at this time by Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin who ruled at the height of their power...
(died 653) the king of the Ui Maine.
According to the old tale called Tromdámh Guaire (The Heavy Company of Guaire) or Imtheacht na Tromdhaimhe (The Proceedings of the Great Bardic Institution Guaire was visited by the Chief Ollam of Ireland
Chief Ollam of Ireland
The Ollamh Érenn or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland.-Background:An ollam was a poet or bard of literature and history. Each chief or tuath had its own ollam...
, Senchán Torpéist
Senchán Torpéist
Senchán Torpéist, Gaelic-Irish poet of Ireland, -Background:Seanchan Torpest was the Chief Poet of Connacht in 598 AD when he succeeded Dallán Forgaill as Chief Ollam of Ireland...
who was accompanied by one hundred and fifty other poets, one hundred and fifty pupils "with a corresponding number of women-servants, dogs, etc".
Later years and legacy
Guaire is listed after his brother Loingsech mac ColmáinLoingsech mac Colmáin
Loingsech mac Colmáin was a king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach branch of the Connachta. He was of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne sept this branch and was the son of Colmán mac Cobthaig....
(d. 655) in the king lists. It is possible that his defeat at Carn Conaill caused a temporary abdication and entering of a religious life. Upon Loingsech's death in 655
655
Year 655 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 655 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* November 15 – Northumbrian king...
, Guaire then became over-king of Connacht ruling until his death in 663
663
Year 663 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 663 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* Byzantine Emperor Constans II...
. He was buried at Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise
The monastery of Clonmacnoise is situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone....
.
In the following centuries the Ui Fiachrach lost power to 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...
, who ever after were kings of Connacht. To the south, in what is now County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, the Déisi Tuisceart would in the 700's annex Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
permanently to 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...
.
Children and descendants
Guaire's known sons were Cellach mac Guairi (d. 666); Artgal mac Guairi; and Muirchertach Nár mac GuairiMuirchertach Nár mac Guairi
Muirchertach Nár mac Guairi was a possible King of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin , famous in Irish sagas....
(d. 668), the latter a king of Connacht.
Descendants of Guaire include the following:
- Major-General William O'ShaughnessyWilliam O'Shaughnessy-Early life:William O'Shaughnessy was a member of the Uí Seachnasaigh of Cenél Áeda na hEchtge in south County Galway. His father was The Ó Seachnasaigh, Roger O'Shaughnessy, while his mother was Helen O'Brien, daughter of Conor mac Donogh O'Brien, a son of Donogh O'Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond...
, 1673–1744 - Mícheál Ó CléirighMícheál Ó CléirighMícheál Ó Cléirigh , sometimes known as Michael O'Clery, was an Irish chronicler, scribe and antiquary and chief author of the Annals of the Four Masters, assisted by Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh, Fearfeasa Ó Maol Chonaire, and Peregrinus Ó Duibhgeannain.-Background and early life:Grandson of Tuathal...
, c. 1590 – 1643, main compiler of the Annals of the Four MastersAnnals of the Four MastersThe Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history... - William Brooke O'ShaughnessyWilliam Brooke O'ShaughnessyWilliam Brooke O'Shaughnessy MD FRS was an Irish physician famous for his work in pharmacology and inventions related to telegraphy...
, 1808-1880, toxicologist and chemistChemistA chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms... - Margaret HecklerMargaret HecklerMargaret Mary Heckler is a Republican politician from Massachusetts who served in the United States House of Representatives for eight terms, from 1967 until 1983 and was later the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Ambassador to Ireland under President Ronald Reagan...
, born 1931, U.S. RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010... - Thomas Shaughnessy, 1st Baron ShaughnessyThomas Shaughnessy, 1st Baron ShaughnessyThomas George Shaughnessy, 1st Baron Shaughnessy, KCVO was an American-born Canadian railway administrator who rose from modest beginnings as a clerk and bookkeeper for the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Thomas George Shaughnessy, 1st Baron Shaughnessy, KCVO (6 October 1853 – 10 December...
, 1853-1923, President of Canadian Pacific RailwayCanadian Pacific RailwayThe Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001... - John O'HeyneJohn O'HeyneJohn O'Heyne was an Irish Dominican and historian.O'Heyne was born near Athenry about 1648. His paternal grand-uncle was Dominic Burke, O.P., who infamously opposed the Papal Nuncio, Giovanni Battista Rinuccini. His maternal grand-uncle was John de Burgo, Archbishop of Tuam, and Hugh Burke, Bishop...
, fl. 1706, DominicanDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
HistorianHistorianA historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
He is the ancestor of the families of Ó Cléirigh
Ó Cléirigh
Ó Cléirigh is the surname of a learned Irish family whose members appear in historical records dating to the mid-Medieval Period. In the centuries prior to the historical era, they had been rulers of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, a kingdom in what is now the south of County Galway, but were subsequently...
, O'Shaughnessy
O'Shaughnessy
Ó Seachnasaigh, O'Shaughnessy, collectively Uí Sheachnasaigh, clan name Cinél nAedha na hEchtghe, is a family surname of Irish origin.The name is found primarily in County Galway and County Limerick...
, Mac Kilkelly, Hynes, and others.
Reference in Literature
- Is included in the poem by William Butler Yeats entitled The Three Beggars