Maine mac Cearbhall
Encyclopedia
Background
Maine is the first king of Uí Maine listed in the Irish annalsIrish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
, and thus its first historically attested ruler.
Minor confusion surrounds his obituary
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
, with a six-year variation given, perhaps reflecting the computation
Computation
Computation is defined as any type of calculation. Also defined as use of computer technology in Information processing.Computation is a process following a well-defined model understood and expressed in an algorithm, protocol, network topology, etc...
s of Irish monks.
His reign appears to be contained within that of Feradhach mac Lughaidh
Feradhach mac Lughaidh
Feradhach mac Lughaidh, 8th king of Uí Maine, fl. 6th-century.John O'Donovan remarked that "Feradhach, the son of Lughaidh, was prince of Hy-Many for twenty-four years, when he was slain by his successor."-References:...
(c. 517 – c.541), so it may be that they ruled in opposition to each other, or Maine usurped the kingship for a time.
Ancestry
He was a descendant of Máine MórMáine Mór
-Biography:Máine Mór descended from Colla da Chrioch of Oirghialla/Oriel, which became overpopulated. Máine Mór, his father Eochaidh Ferdaghiall and his two sons Breasal and Amhlaibh, travelled to Connacht to seek new lands...
, who founded the kingdom of Uí Maine about the middle years of the 4th century A.D. In the king-lists, he is recorded as the 11th (inclusive) in succession to Máine Mór.
Career
Uí Maine was one of the largest kingdoms of Cóiced Ol nEchmachtCóiced Ol nEchmacht
-Etymology and extent:Cóiced Ol nEchmacht may be translated as the portion/fifth/province of the Ol nEchmacht, also called the Fir Ol nEchmacht . They were divided up into three main tribes: the Fir Craibe, or Fir na Criabe; the Tuatha Taiden; the Gamanraige...
(known after 700 as 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...
), and is thought to have been co-extensive with - and possibly a successor-state to - Tuatha Taiden, a prehistoric kingdom.
Uí Maine composed of approximately 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2) encompassed all of what is now north, east and south County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, south and central County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, an area near 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...
, and at one stage had apparently subjugated land on the east bank of the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
(see Maine of Tethba
Maine of Tethba
Maine of Tethba or Maine mac Néill was a supposed son of Niall Noigiallach. His existence is very doubtful. Writing of him in 1973, Irish historian Francis John Byrne stated his belief that:...
), together with the parish of Lusmag in County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
.
In Maine's lifetime, different branches of the Connachta
Connachta
The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
had settled east of the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
, expanded west into what is now County Sligo and County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, and established a new kingdom in Aidhne
Aidhne
Aidhne also known as, Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne, Maigh Aidhne / Maigh nAidhne was the territory of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a tuath located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. Aidhne is coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh...
.
ag cosnamh geillsine Ua Maine
It was against King Goibhneann of Aidhne that friction arose, with Goibhneann apparently attempting to suborn the Ui Maine. Maine died in the conflict, but the kingdom retained its independence in his lifetime and for centuries to come, while the power of the Uí Fiachrach AidhneUí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
faded after the reign of King Fergal Aidne mac Artgaile
Fergal Aidne mac Artgaile
Fergal Aidne mac Artgaile was a King of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne branch of the Connachta. He was the grandson of Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin , the hero of many Irish sagas, and was the last member of this branch to hold the overlordship of Connacht.The kinglists have misplaced his reign...
(d. 696).
Only during the career of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, High King of Ireland c. 1120–1156, did Ui Maine lose its independent status.
A.D. 531
The Annals of the Four MastersAnnals 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...
(who list his death sub anno 531), state:
Cath Claonlocha h-i c-Cenel Aodha ria n-Goibhneann, taoisioch Ua Fiachrach Aidhne, airm in ro marbhadh Maine, mac Cerbhaill, ag cosnamh geillsine Ua Maine Connacht./The battle of Claenloch, in Cinel Aedh, by Goibhneann, chief of Ui Fiachrach AidhneUí Fiachrach AidhneUí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
, where Maine, son of Cearbhall, was killed, in defending the hostages of Ui Maine of Connaught.
Claenloch is now thought to be Coole Lough, a turlough
Turlough
Turlough can mean:* Turlough * Turlough O'Brien Anglicised form of Toirdelbach Ua Briain, King of Munster, effectively High King of Ireland* Turlough O'Neill Ulster chieftain...
located at Coole Park
Coole Park
Coole Park is a nature reserve of approximately operated by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service and is located a few miles west of Gort, County Galway, Ireland. The park contains extensive woodlands and a series of turloughs with 6 kilometres of signposted nature trails plus a formal...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
.