Loingsech mac Óengusso
Encyclopedia
Loingsech mac Óengusso was an Irish
king who was High King of Ireland
. Loingsech was a member of the northern Cenél Conaill
branch of the Uí Néill
. Although his father Óengus (died 650) had not been High King, his grandfather Domnall mac Áedo
(died 642) had been.
. The Annals of Ulster
do not mention Loingsech as victor , whereas the Annals of Tigernach
do.. The Annals of the Four Masters
refer to Loingsech as chief of the Cenél Conaill with regards to this event. His accession to lordship of the Cenél Conaill is not mentioned, however the death of his uncle Ailill Flann Esa (died 666) is recorded during the plague years.
records the beginning of Loingsech's reign in 696, having recorded the killing of his predecessor Fínsnechta Fledach
the year previously.. The record in Annals of Ulster may show that Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
(died 696) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Uí Néill was a candidate for the high kingship after the killing of Fínsnechta, in competition with Loingsech. It is not until after Congalach's death that the annal, probably based on a contemporaneous chronicle kept on Iona, announces the beginning of Loingsech's reign. The Annals of Tigernach on the other hand place the beginning of Loingsech's reign in 695 before the death of Congalach. He ruled as high king from 695-703.
It was in his reign that Adomnán - a member of the Cenél Conaill- came to preach in Ireland. Loingsech appears as the first non-ecclesiastical signatory of Adomnán's "law of the innocents"—the Cáin Adomnáin
—agreed at the Synod of Birr
in 697. Loingsech gave his full support to this law.
The annals record plagues afflicting people and cattle, and famine following, during his reign.. According to Keating this famine went on for three years.
into county Londonderry. As a result there outlet for expansion was to the south versus Connacht
. This along with a desire to make his high kingship a reality prompted an attack on Connacht in 703. Loingsech was killed in 703, in the Battle of Corann (in Southern Co.Sligo) against the men of Connacht
led by their old king Cellach mac Rogallaig
(died 705). The Chronicle of Ireland again calls him High King when reporting his death. The annals say that three of Loingsech's sons (Artgal and Connachtach and Flann Gerg) were killed with him, and many other besides.
A quatrain attributed to the old king Cellach states:
He married Muirenn ingen Cellaig (died 748), daughter of Cellach Cualann
(died 715), King of Leinster
. Their son, Flaithbertach
(died 765), was later High King. Another son, Fergal, led a force of northern Ui Neill in victory over Connacht to avenge his father's death in 707.
Loingsech was followed as High King of Ireland by Congal Cennmagair
(died 710).
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...
king who was 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...
. Loingsech was a member of the northern Cenél Conaill
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
branch 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....
. Although his father Óengus (died 650) had not been High King, his grandfather Domnall mac Áedo
Domnall mac Áedo
Domnall mac Áedo , also known as Domnall II, was a son of Áed mac Ainmuirech. Domnall was High King of Ireland from 628 until his death. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill kindred of the northern Uí Néill....
(died 642) had been.
Early Events
Loingsech is first mentioned in the annals of Ireland under the year 672 when he defeated Dúngal mac Máele Tuil of the Cenél mBógaine who was slain. The Cenél mBógaine were a branch of the Cenél Conaill located in southwest County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
do not mention Loingsech as victor , whereas the Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
do.. The Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
refer to Loingsech as chief of the Cenél Conaill with regards to this event. His accession to lordship of the Cenél Conaill is not mentioned, however the death of his uncle Ailill Flann Esa (died 666) is recorded during the plague years.
High Kingship
The Chronicle of IrelandChronicle of Ireland
The Chronicle of Ireland is the modern name for a hypothesized collection of ecclesiastical annals recording events in Ireland from 432 to 911 AD....
records the beginning of Loingsech's reign in 696, having recorded the killing of his predecessor Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach
Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada was High King of Ireland. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine sept of the Uí Néill and was King of Brega, in modern County Meath, Ireland. He was a grandson of Áed Sláine. His father Dúnchad had died in 659...
the year previously.. The record in Annals of Ulster may show that Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre
Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile , a previous king of Brega. The territory of Brega that he ruled was called Cnogba or North Brega which he ruled from...
(died 696) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne....
branch of the southern Uí Néill was a candidate for the high kingship after the killing of Fínsnechta, in competition with Loingsech. It is not until after Congalach's death that the annal, probably based on a contemporaneous chronicle kept on Iona, announces the beginning of Loingsech's reign. The Annals of Tigernach on the other hand place the beginning of Loingsech's reign in 695 before the death of Congalach. He ruled as high king from 695-703.
It was in his reign that Adomnán - a member of the Cenél Conaill- came to preach in Ireland. Loingsech appears as the first non-ecclesiastical signatory of Adomnán's "law of the innocents"—the Cáin Adomnáin
Cáin Adomnáin
The Cáin Adomnáin , also known as the Lex Innocentium was promulgated amongst a gathering of Irish, Dál Riatan and Pictish notables at the Synod of Birr in 697. It is named after its initiator Adomnán of Iona, ninth Abbot of Iona after St...
—agreed at the Synod of Birr
Synod of Birr
The Synod of Birr, held at Birr in modern County Offaly, Ireland in 697 was a meeting of churchmen and secular notables. Best remembered as the occasion on which the Cáin Adomnáin—the Law of Innocents—was guaranteed, the survival of a list of the guarantors of the law sheds some light...
in 697. Loingsech gave his full support to this law.
The annals record plagues afflicting people and cattle, and famine following, during his reign.. According to Keating this famine went on for three years.
Death and Descendants
The Cenél Conaill expansion in the north had been blocked by the expansion of the rival Cenél nEógainCenél 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...
into county Londonderry. As a result there outlet for expansion was to the south versus Connacht
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...
. This along with a desire to make his high kingship a reality prompted an attack on Connacht in 703. Loingsech was killed in 703, in the Battle of Corann (in Southern Co.Sligo) against the men of Connacht
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...
led by their old king 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). The Chronicle of Ireland again calls him High King when reporting his death. The annals say that three of Loingsech's sons (Artgal and Connachtach and Flann Gerg) were killed with him, and many other besides.
A quatrain attributed to the old king Cellach states:
"For his deeds of ambition, on the morning he was slain at Glais Chuilg; I slew Loingseach there with a sword, the monarch of all Ireland round."
He married Muirenn ingen Cellaig (died 748), daughter of Cellach Cualann
Cellach Cualann
Cellach Cualann mac Gerthidi was the last Uí Máil king of Leinster. Cellach's byname is derived from the land of Cualu which lay around Glendalough.The name Uí Máil may mean "grandsons of the princes"...
(died 715), 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...
. Their son, Flaithbertach
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig was a High King of Ireland. He was a member of the Cenél Conaill, a branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Loingsech mac Óengusso , a previous high king...
(died 765), was later High King. Another son, Fergal, led a force of northern Ui Neill in victory over Connacht to avenge his father's death in 707.
Loingsech was followed as High King of Ireland by Congal Cennmagair
Congal Cennmagair
Congal Cennmagair was High King of Ireland. He belonged to the northern Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. His father, Fergus Fanát, was not a high king, although his grandfather, Domnall mac Áedo , was counted as a High King of Ireland....
(died 710).