Kings of Tara
Encyclopedia
The term King of Tara was a title of authority in ancient Ireland
. The position was considered an eminent authority in medieval Irish literature and mythology
, though national kingship was never a historical reality in early Ireland.
The title King of Tara represented a very old ideal of sacred kingship in Ireland, imbued with mythical aura stretching back deep into the long-forgotten past, even from the perspective of its earliest historical holders. For these reasons holding the title King of Tara invested the incumbent to a powerful status, perhaps as an almost totally forgotten tradition of a sacred king of kings, barely remembered yet retained by unknowing tradition. Many so-called Irish High Kings were simultaneously Kings of Tara, and in later times actual claimants to this new title (which only emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries) used their initial position as King of Tara to promote themselves in status and fact to the High-Kingship. Prior to this, various branches of the Uí Néill
dynasty appear to have used it to denote overlordship of their kindred and realms.
Therefore, it should be realised that for much of history, the titles King of Tara and High King of Ireland
were distinct and unrelated.
The following is a list of those accorded the title (or at least believed to be seated) in the Irish annals, king lists and legends. The dates and names of the early kings are uncertain and often highly suspect. Several may be doubles of others or composite characters, and also assigned to the wrong prehistoric kindreds.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The position was considered an eminent authority in medieval Irish literature and mythology
Irish mythology
The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...
, though national kingship was never a historical reality in early Ireland.
The title King of Tara represented a very old ideal of sacred kingship in Ireland, imbued with mythical aura stretching back deep into the long-forgotten past, even from the perspective of its earliest historical holders. For these reasons holding the title King of Tara invested the incumbent to a powerful status, perhaps as an almost totally forgotten tradition of a sacred king of kings, barely remembered yet retained by unknowing tradition. Many so-called Irish High Kings were simultaneously Kings of Tara, and in later times actual claimants to this new title (which only emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries) used their initial position as King of Tara to promote themselves in status and fact to the High-Kingship. Prior to this, various branches of the Uí Néill
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....
dynasty appear to have used it to denote overlordship of their kindred and realms.
Therefore, it should be realised that for much of history, the titles King of Tara and High King of Ireland
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...
were distinct and unrelated.
The following is a list of those accorded the title (or at least believed to be seated) in the Irish annals, king lists and legends. The dates and names of the early kings are uncertain and often highly suspect. Several may be doubles of others or composite characters, and also assigned to the wrong prehistoric kindreds.
Prehistoric
- Mythological:
- Eochu Feidlech
- Eochu Airem
- Lugaid Riab nDergLugaid Riab nDergLugaid Riab nDerg or Réoderg , son of the three findemna, triplet sons of Eochu Feidlech, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland.-Conception:...
- Crimthann Nia NáirCrimthann Nia NáirCrimthann Nia Náir , son of Lugaid Riab nDerg, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
- Feradach FinnfechtnachFeradach FinnfechtnachFeradach Finnfechtnach , son of Crimthann Nia Náir, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
- Érainn and DáirineDáirineThe Dáirine , later known dynastically as the Corcu Loígde, were the proto-historical rulers of Munster before the rise of the Eóganachta in the 7th century AD. They appear to have derived from the Darini of Ptolemy and to have been related to the Ulaid and Dál Riata of Ulster and Scotland...
(Corcu LoígdeCorcu LoígdeThe Corcu Loígde , meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centered in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of Munster, the Dáirine, of whom they were the principal royal sept...
):- Eterscél Mór
- Conaire MórConaire MorConaire Mór , son of Eterscél, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. His mother was Mess Búachalla, who was either the daughter of Eochu Feidlech and Étaín, or of Eochu Airem and his daughter by Étaín...
/ Conaire Cóem - Dáire DoimthechDáire DoimthechDáire Doimthech, alias Dáire Sírchréchtach, son of Sithbolg, was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland, and eponymous ancestor of the proto-historical Dáirine and historical Corcu Loígde of Munster. A son of his was Lugaid Loígde , an ancestor of Lugaid Mac Con...
- Mac Con / Lugaid LoígdeLugaid LoígdeLugaid Loídge "Lugaid of the Calf Goddess", also known as Lugaid mac Dáire, was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland. He is a son of Dáire Doimthech, a quo the Dáirine, and gives his epithet to their principal royal sept, the Corcu Loígde...
- Eochaid ÉtgudachEochaid ÉtgudachEochaid or Eochu Étgudach or Etgedach son of Dáire Doimthech, a descendant of Lugaid mac Ítha, nephew of Míl Espáine, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
- LaiginLaiginThe Laigin, modern spelling Laighin , were a population group of early Ireland who gave their name to the province of Leinster...
:- Úgaine MórÚgaine MorÚgaine Mór , son of Eochu Buadach, son of Dui Ladrach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He was the foster-son of Cimbáeth and Macha Mong Ruad, and took power by killing his predecessor, and his foster-mother's killer, Rechtaid Rígderg...
- Lóegaire LorcLóegaire LorcLóegaire Lorc, son of Úgaine Mor, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The Lebor Gabála Érenn says he succeeded directly after his father was murdered by Bodbchad, although Geoffrey Keating and the Annals of the Four Masters agree that Bodbchad...
- Cobthach Cóel BregCobthach Cóel BregCobthach Cóel Breg, son of Úgaine Mor, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after murdering his brother Lóegaire Lorc. The story is told that he was so consumed with jealousy for his brother that he wasted away to almost nothing,...
- Labraid LoingsechLabraid LoingsechLabraid Loingsech , also known as Labraid Lorc, son of Ailill Áine, son of Lóegaire Lorc, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He was considered the ancestor of the Laigin, who gave their name to the province of Leinster...
- Cairbre Nia FerCairbre Nia FerCairbre Nia Fer , son of Rus Ruad, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a King of Tara from the Laigin....
- Nuadu Necht
- Cathair MórCathair MorCathair Mór , son of Fedlimid Fir Urglais, a descendant of Mug Corb, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after the death of Fedlimid Rechtmar. He is said to have had thirty sons, but only ten of them had children; several medieval...
- Úgaine Mór
- Dál Cuinn (ConnachtaConnachtaThe Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
and Uí NéillUí NéillThe Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
):- (Fíachu Finnolach)
- Tuathal Techtmar
- Fedlimid RechtmarFedlimid RechtmarFedlimid Rechtmar or Rechtaid son of Tuathal Techtmar, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. His mother was Báine, daughter of Scál. He took power after killing his predecessor, and his father's killer, Mal mac Rochride...
- Conn of the Hundred BattlesConn of the Hundred BattlesConn Cétchathach , son of Fedlimid Rechtmar, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland, and the ancestor of the Connachta, and, through his descendant Niall Noígiallach, the Uí Néill dynasties, which dominated Ireland in the early middle ages, and...
- Art mac CuinnArt mac CuinnArt mac Cuinn , also known as Art Óenfer , was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland....
- Cormac mac AirtCormac mac AirtCormac mac Airt , also known as Cormac ua Cuinn or Cormac Ulfada , was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
- Cairbre LifechairCairbre LifechairCairbre Lifechair , son of Cormac mac Airt, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to the throne after the death of Eochaid Gonnat...
Late Prehistoric
- Niall of the Nine HostagesNiall of the Nine HostagesNiall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...
- Lóegaire mac NéillLóegaire mac NéillLóegaire , also Lóeguire, is said to have been a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The Irish annals and king lists include him as a King of Tara or High King of Ireland. He appears as an adversary of Saint Patrick in several hagiographies...
- Coirpre mac NéillCoirpre mac NéillCoirpre mac Néill . , also Cairbre or Cairpre, was said to be a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Coirpre was perhaps the leader of the conquests that established the southern Uí Néill in the midlands of Ireland. The record of the Irish annals suggests that Coirpre's successes were reattributed to...
- Ailill MoltAilill MoltAilill mac Nath Í , called Ailill Molt, is included in most lists of the High Kings of Ireland and is also called King of Connacht. His cognomen, molt, means "ram" but its origin is unknown....
Early Historic Kings of Tara
- Mac Cairthinn mac CoelbothMac Cairthinn mac CoelbothMac Cairthinn mac Coelboth of the Uí Enechglaiss, King of Leinster, died 446?/530?.-Background:Mac Cairthinn is one of the very earliest verifiable Irish kings. Though not listed in any extant Irish genealogies, the Annals of Innisfallen record his death at the battle of Mag Femen in the kingdom of...
, died 446/447 - Tuathal MaelgarbTuathal MaelgarbTúathal mac Cormaic , called Túathal Máelgarb, was said to be a grandson of Coirpre mac Néill. He was High King of Ireland. In the earliest accounts he appears to have been regarded as the man who completed the conquest of what would later be Brega for the descendants of Niall of the Nine...
, d.544/549 - Diarmait mac CerbaillDiarmait mac CerbaillDiarmait mac Cerbaill was King of Tara or High King of Ireland. According to traditions, he was the last High King to follow the pagan rituals of inauguration, the ban-feis or marriage to goddess of the land....
, before 558-565 - Forggus mac MuirchertaigForggus mac MuirchertaigForggus mac Muirchertaig , also called Forrgus mac Maic Ercae, is included in most lists of High Kings of Ireland.Father Muirchertach mac Muiredaig, also called Mac Ercae, brother Domnall Ilchelgach with whom he is said to have ruled jointly...
and Domnall mac Muirchertaig, 565-569? - Báetán mac MuirchertaigBáetán mac MuirchertaigBáetán mac Muirchertaig , also Baetán Bríge, was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. He was the son of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig , also considered a high king. He was a member of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill...
and Eochaid mac DomnaillEochaid mac DomnaillEochaid mac Domnaill , also Eochaid Find , was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. He was the son of Domnall Ilchelgach and grandson of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig , also considered high kings. He was a member of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill...
, 569? -572/573 - Ainmuire mac SétnaiAinmuire mac SétnaiAinmuire mac Sétnai or Ainmire or Ainmere was a High King of Ireland from the Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. He was the great grandson of Conall Gulban , founder of this branch. He ruled from 566-569...
, 572/573-575/576 - Áed mac AinmuirechÁed mac AinmuirechÁed mac Ainmuirech was high-king of the Northern Uí Néill. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill and was a distant cousin of Columba of Iona. He was the son of Ainmuire mac Sétnai , a previous possible high king....
, 575/576, or 592 - 598 - Fiachnae mac BáetáinFiachnae mac BáetáinFiachnae mac Báetáin , also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was king of the Dál nAraidi and high-king of the Ulaid in the early 7th century. He was a son of Báetán mac Echdach and brother of Fiachra Cáech Fiachnae mac Báetáin (died 626), also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was...
(Fiachnae Lurgan), 589-626 - Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin and Áed Sláine mac Diarmato, 598 - 604
- Áed Allán mac Domnaill (Áed Uaridnach), "king of Temair", 604 - ?
- Congal CáechCongal CáechCongal Cáech was a king of the Cruithne of Dál nAraidi, in modern Ulster, from around 626 to 637. He was king of Ulster from 627-637 and, according to some sources, High King of Ireland.-Sources:...
, died 637
Later Kings of Tara
- Cathal mac FinguineCathal mac FinguineCathal 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...
, 713-742 - Áed AllánÁed AllánÁed Allán was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill....
, 730-738 - Donnchad Midi mac Murchado, 763-797
- Áed Oirdnide mac Néill, 797-819 http://www.thepeerage.com/p15012.htm#i150112
- Conchobar mac DonnchadaConchobar mac DonnchadaConchobar mac Donnchada was High-King of Ireland with opposition between 819 and 833. Conchobar was the son of Donnchad Midi, high-king of Ireland ; his mother was Fuirseach, a noblewoman of the Dál nAraidi. Conchobar married Land, daughter of the former High-King Áed Oirdnide...
, 819-833 - Niall Caille mac Áeda, 833-846
- Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid, 846-862
- Áed Findliath mac Néill, 862-879
- Flann SinnaFlann SinnaFlann Sinna was the son of Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid of Clann Cholmáin, a branch of the southern Uí Néill. He was King of Mide from 877 onwards and is counted as a High King of Ireland...
mac Máelschnaill, 878-916 - Niall GlúndubNiall GlúndubNiall Glúndub mac Áedo was a 10th century Irish king of the Cenél nEógain and High King of Ireland. While many Irish kin groups were members of the Uí Néill, tracing their descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages , the O'Neill dynasty took their name from Niall Glúndub rather than the earlier Niall...
, 916-919 - Donnchad DonnDonnchad DonnDonnchadh Donn mac Flainn was High King of Ireland. He belonged to Clann Cholmáin, a branch of the southern Uí Néill.-Origins:...
mac Flainn, 919-944 - Ruaidrí Ua CanannáinRuaidrí ua CanannáinRuaidrí ua Canannáin was king of the Cenél Conaill, and according to some sources, High King of Ireland.The Cenél Conaill, a branch of the northern Uí Néill had been excluded from the alternating succession to the High Kingship which had been largely dominated by the northern Cenél nEógain kings...
, 944- 30 November 950 - Congalach CnogbaCongalach CnogbaConghalach Cnoghbha was High King of Ireland, according to the lists in the Annals of the Four Masters, from around 944 to 956...
mac Máelmithig, 950-956 - Domnall ua NéillDomnall ua NéillDomhnall ua Néill was High King of Ireland from 956 to 980.Domnall was the son of Muirchertach mac Néill, and grandson of Niall Glúndub, a member of the Cenél nEógain northern Uí Néill. He became co-King of Ailech with his brother Flaithbertach on the death of his father in 943...
, 956-980 - Máel Sechnaill mac DomnaillMáel Sechnaill mac DomnaillMáel Sechnaill mac Domnaill , also called Máel Sechnaill Mór, Máel Sechnaill II, anglicized Malachy II, was King of Mide and High King of Ireland...
, 980-1002 - Matgamain O'Riagain, 1002-1035
See also
- Irish kingsIrish kingsThis page serves as an index of lists of kings of the Gaelic kingdoms of Ireland of the Early Medieval period.*List of High Kings of Ireland*Kings of Ailech*Kings of Airgíalla*Kings of Brega*Kings of Breifne*Kings of Connacht*Kings of Dál nAraidi...
- High King of IrelandHigh King of IrelandThe 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...
- Hill of TaraHill of TaraThe Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
- List of High Kings of Ireland
- Cín Dromma SnechtaiCín Dromma SnechtaiCín Dromma Snechtai or Lebor Dromma Snechtai is a now long-lost early Irish manuscript. Old Irish cín, derived from the Latin quinio "five", was a small book made of five folded vellum leaves; lebor, modern Irish leabhar, is the standard word for a book...
Annals
- The Annals of Ulster - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/index.html
- The Annals of Inisfallen - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100004/index.html
- Chronicon Scotorum - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100016/index.html
- The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100017/index.html
- Annals of the Four Masters - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/index.html
External links
- Map of Tara - http://www.mythicalireland.com/ancientsites/tara/taramap.html