Murchad mac Flaithbertaig
Encyclopedia
Murchad mac Flaithbertaig (died 767) was a chief of the Cenél Conaill
of the northern Uí Néill
in modern County Donegal. He was the son of the high king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
(died 765) who abdicated in 734 and retired to the monastery at Armagh
..
Murchad succeeded his brother Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig
(died 754) as chief of the Cenél Conaill in 754. His brother Áed Muinderg
(died 747) had been recognized as King of the North as the representative of the high king Domnall Midi
(died 763) of the Clann Cholmáin
of the southern Ui Neill. However Loingsech did not succeed to this title and neither did Murchad and they were only called king of the Cenél Conaill at their death notices in the annals. During Murchad's reign the rival Cenél nEógain
had acquired the kingship in the person of Niall Frossach
(died 778) in 763. The annals record that Murchad was killed in 767 but give no details.
His son Máel Bresail mac Murchada (died 819) was also King of the 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....
of the northern 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....
in modern County Donegal. He was the son of the high king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
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) who abdicated in 734 and retired to the monastery at Armagh
Armagh
Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
..
Murchad succeeded his brother Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig
Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig
Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig was a chief of the Cenél Conaill of the northern Uí Néill in modern County Donegal. He was the son of the high king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig who abdicated in 734 and retired to the monastery at Armagh....
(died 754) as chief of the Cenél Conaill in 754. His brother Áed Muinderg
Áed Muinderg
Áed mac Flaithbertaig , called Áed Muinderg, was a chief of the Cenél Conaill of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the high king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig . His byname Muinderg means "red-necked"....
(died 747) had been recognized as King of the North as the representative of the high king Domnall Midi
Domnall Midi
Domhnall Mac Murchada , called Domnall Midi , was High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill...
(died 763) of the 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...
of the southern Ui Neill. However Loingsech did not succeed to this title and neither did Murchad and they were only called king of the Cenél Conaill at their death notices in the annals. During Murchad's reign the rival 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...
had acquired the kingship in the person of Niall Frossach
Niall Frossach
Niall Frossach was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech, sometimes considered to have been High King of Ireland. Brother of high king Áed Allán , Niall was the son of high king Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill...
(died 778) in 763. The annals record that Murchad was killed in 767 but give no details.
His son Máel Bresail mac Murchada (died 819) was also King of the Cenél Conaill.