Muiredach mac Ruadrach
Encyclopedia
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
(died 785), a previous king. He ruled from 805-806 and again from 808-829.
In 805 the Leinster king, Fínsnechta Cethardec
mac Cellaig (died 808) of the Uí Dúnchada sept was deposed by the high king Áed Oirdnide (died 819) of the Cenél nEógain
who installed the Muiredach as king instead along with Muiredach mac Brain
of the Uí Muiredaig sept.. Finsnechta took refuge with Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
(died 815), the King of Connacht who then aided him in recovering his throne in 806. According to the Book of Leinster, Finsnechta recovered his throne by defeating the two sons of Ruaidrí - probably Muiredach and his brother Diarmait.
Upon the death of Finsnechta, the two Muiredachs then became the rulers. Upon the death of Muiredach mac Brain in 818, Muiredach mac Ruadrach became sole ruler. In the year of his co-rulers death, the annals record that the high king Áed Oirdnide again mustered his forces at Dún Cuair on the Leinster border and again attempted to divide the province among his appointees -the "grandsons" of Bran. It is not known who these grandsons and the known candidates were too young at this time. In 818 the Laigin were responsible for the killing of the prior of Cell Mór Enir (Kilmore, near Armagh) The next year in 819, Áed Oirdnide ravaged Leinster in revenge devastating Cualu as far as Glendalough.
In 820 the Laigin forces accompanied the new high king, Conchobar mac Donnchada
(died 833) of Clann Cholmáin
in his campaign versus his rival, Murchad mac Máele Dúin of the Cenél nEógain but no battle took place. Later, in 827, we find Muiredach involved in a disturbance at the fair of Colmán where he attacked the Laigin Desgabair or Uí Cheinnselaig
of south Leinster.
His brother, Diarmait (died 832) succeeded him as ruler of the Uí Fáeláin sept and was called King of Airthir Liphe (eastern Liffey) in the annals. Diarmait's son, Muirecán mac Diarmata
(died 863) was a king of Leinster.
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. 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
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), a previous king. He ruled from 805-806 and again from 808-829.
In 805 the Leinster king, Fínsnechta Cethardec
Fínsnechta Cethardec
Finsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig 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 , a previous king. He ruled from 795 to 808...
mac Cellaig (died 808) of the Uí Dúnchada sept was deposed by 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...
who installed the Muiredach as king instead along with 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...
of the Uí Muiredaig sept.. 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. According to the Book of Leinster, Finsnechta recovered his throne by defeating the two sons of Ruaidrí - probably Muiredach and his brother Diarmait.
Upon the death of Finsnechta, the two Muiredachs then became the rulers. Upon the death of Muiredach mac Brain in 818, Muiredach mac Ruadrach became sole ruler. In the year of his co-rulers death, the annals record that the high king Áed Oirdnide again mustered his forces at Dún Cuair on the Leinster border and again attempted to divide the province among his appointees -the "grandsons" of Bran. It is not known who these grandsons and the known candidates were too young at this time. In 818 the Laigin were responsible for the killing of the prior of Cell Mór Enir (Kilmore, near Armagh) The next year in 819, Áed Oirdnide ravaged Leinster in revenge devastating Cualu as far as Glendalough.
In 820 the Laigin forces accompanied the new high king, Conchobar mac Donnchada
Conchobar mac Donnchada
Conchobar 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...
(died 833) of Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin is the name of the dynasty descended from Colmán Mór , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.Related dynasties descended through Conall...
in his campaign versus his rival, Murchad mac Máele Dúin of the Cenél nEógain but no battle took place. Later, in 827, we find Muiredach involved in a disturbance at the fair of Colmán where he attacked the Laigin Desgabair or Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
of south Leinster.
His brother, Diarmait (died 832) succeeded him as ruler of the Uí Fáeláin sept and was called King of Airthir Liphe (eastern Liffey) in the annals. Diarmait's son, Muirecán mac Diarmata
Muirecán mac Diarmata
Muirecán mac Diarmata 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 Diarmait mac Ruadrach , King of Airthir Liphi...
(died 863) was a king of Leinster.