Máel Coba mac Áedo
Encyclopedia
Máel Coba was an Irish
king who is counted as a High King of Ireland
in some sources.
Máel Coba was the son of Áed mac Ainmuirech
(died 598) and brother of Domnall mac Áedo
(died 642), both also reckoned High Kings of Ireland. They belonged to the northern Cenél Conaill
branch of the Uí Néill
.
Máel Coba became chief of the Cenél Conaill upon the death of his brother Conall Cú mac Áedo
in 604.
The high kingship of Ireland tended to rotate between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches from the mid 6th century. He follows Áed Uaridnach
in the king lists, and is followed by Suibne Menn
, both of the neighbouring Cenél nEógain
, but of rival lines. He ruled from 612-615
In 615 Máel Coba was defeated and slain by Suibne Menn at the Battle of Sliab Truim in Tyrone. Suibne Menn apparently installed Óengus mac Colmáin
as High King, at least in name.
He had two sons who were counted as joint High Kings in some sources, Cellach
(died 658) and Conall
(died 654). Dúnchad mac Cinn Fáelad, abbot of Iona
, (died 717) is recorded as Máel Coba's grandson.
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 is counted as a 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...
in some sources.
Máel Coba was the son of Áed mac Ainmuirech
Áed mac Ainmuirech
Áed 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....
(died 598) and brother of 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), both also reckoned High Kings of Ireland. They belonged to 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....
.
Máel Coba became chief of the Cenél Conaill upon the death of his brother Conall Cú mac Áedo
Conall Cú mac Áedo
Conall Cú mac Áedo was a chief of the Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Ui Neill. He was the son of Áed mac Ainmuirech , high king of Ireland.Upon the death of his father in 598, rivalry broke out among the Ui Neill for his succession...
in 604.
The high kingship of Ireland tended to rotate between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches from the mid 6th century. He follows Áed Uaridnach
Áed Uaridnach
Áed Uaridnach was an Irish king who was High King of Ireland. He is sometimes also known as Áed Allán, a name most commonly used for the 8th century king of the same name, this Áed's great-great-grandson....
in the king lists, and is followed by Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn was an Irish king who is counted as a High King of Ireland.Suibne belonged to the junior branch of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, the Cenél Feredaig, named for his grandfather Feredach, a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
, both of the neighbouring 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...
, but of rival lines. He ruled from 612-615
In 615 Máel Coba was defeated and slain by Suibne Menn at the Battle of Sliab Truim in Tyrone. Suibne Menn apparently installed Óengus mac Colmáin
Óengus mac Colmáin
Óengus mac Colmáin Bec was an Irish king. He was the King of Uisnech in Mide from 618 to 621.He belonged to the southern Uí Néill. According to the genealogies, he was a son of Colmán Bec , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill...
as High King, at least in name.
He had two sons who were counted as joint High Kings in some sources, Cellach
Cellach mac Máele Coba
Cellach mac Máele Coba was an Irish king and is said to have been High King of Ireland.Cellach was the son of Máel Coba mac Áedo and belonged to the Cenél Conaill branch of the northern Uí Néill...
(died 658) and Conall
Conall Cóel
Conall mac Máele Coba, called Conall Cóel, was an Irish king and is said to have been High King of Ireland.-Biography:Conall was the son of Máel Coba mac Áedo and belonged to the Cenél Conaill branch of the northern Uí Néill...
(died 654). Dúnchad mac Cinn Fáelad, abbot of Iona
Abbot of Iona
The Abbot of Iona was the head of Iona Abbey during the Middle Ages and the leader of the monastic community of Iona, as well as the overlord of scores of monasteries in both Scotland and Ireland, including Durrow, Kells and, for a time, Lindisfarne...
, (died 717) is recorded as Máel Coba's grandson.