Máel Dúin mac Áedo
Encyclopedia
Máel Dúin mac Áedo was a possible King of Munster from the Eóganacht Locha Léin
branch of the Eóganachta
. He was the son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing (died 733), a king of Iarmuman
or West Munster and great great grandson of Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
(died 618) who may have been King of all Munster.
The Eóganacht Locha Léin branch ruled in west Munster or Iarmumu with authority over the surrounding peoples and were semi-independent of the ruling inner circle of Eóganachta ruling from Cashel
. Máel Dúin possibly succeeded to the throne of Iarmumu in 747 when Cairpre son of Cú Dínisc was slain at the Battle of Carn Ailche (possibly Carnelly, County Clare
) in a civil war amongst the men of Munster.
His accession to the throne of Munster cannot be dated with certainty. His accession broke the rotation of the Munster throne among the inner circle Eóganachta. The records become obfuscated for the later 8th century after the reign of the powerful Cathal mac Finguine
(died 742). Cathal's successor Cathussach mac Eterscélai
is only known from king lists and the Laud Synchronisms give him a reign of 27 years which would put the end of his reign in 769. However the annals record activity of Máel Dúin prior to this who is not included in the king lists.
The earliest record of Máel Dúin is in 757 when the Annals of Tigernach record that Cummascach, King of the Leinster
tribe of Uí Failge of Offaly was slain by him and he is referred to as king of Munster. The Annals of Innisfallen (a pro-Munster source) and the Annals of Ulster (a more primary chronicle) are however silent on this. He is next mentioned in the Annals of Innsifallen under the year 766 where he was defeated by the Uí Fidgenti
and the Arad Cliach of County Limerick
at the Battle of Énboth Breg. In this mention he is not given a title. his next mention is at his death obit in 786. In the Annals of Ulster he is styled only King of Irluachair (Iarmumu or west Munster) while in the Annals of Innsifallen he is King of Munster.
During his supposed reign the high king Donnchad Midi of Clann Cholmáin
made an expedition into Munster in 775 causing great devastation and many men of Munster were slain. The next year with the support of the men of Durrow
monastery, the high king made another expedition in 776 which led to a pitched battle and many men of Munster were slain. In 779 a civil war is recorded among the men of Munster which involved the affairs of Desmond
(South Munster), the King of Eóganacht Raithlind
, Fergal son of Éladach, was slain by Breislén of Béirre (the Bear barony of County Cork
- a territory of the Corcu Loígde
). Máel Dúin's name is not connected with these events.
He was succeeded as king of Iarmumu by Cú Chongelt mac Cairpri (died 791). His son Cobthach mac Máel Dúin
(died 833) was king of Loch Léin.
Eóganacht Locha Léin
Eóganacht Locha Léin or Ui Caipre Luachra were a branch of the ruling Eoganachta of Munster. Their territory was in Iarmuman or West Munster. Luachair is the old name of a large district on the borders of Co Cork, Kerry and Limerick...
branch of the Eóganachta
Eóganachta
The Eóganachta or Eoghanachta were an Irish dynasty centred around Cashel which dominated southern Ireland from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of Desmond, and its offshoot Carbery, well into the 16th century...
. He was the son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing (died 733), a king of Iarmuman
Iarmuman
Iarmhumhain was a Kingdom in the early Christian period of Ireland in west Munster. Its ruling dynasty was related to the main ruling dynasty of Munster known as the Eóganachta. Its ruling branch was called the Eóganacht Locha Léin or Ui Chairpri Lúachra. Their center was around Killarney, County...
or West Munster and great great grandson of Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn was a possible King of Munster from the Eóganacht Locha Léin branch of the Eoganachta. He was definitely king of West Munster or Iarmuman. He was the great grandson of Dauí Iarlaithe mac Maithni also a possible king of Munster from this branchThere is some dispute in the...
(died 618) who may have been King of all Munster.
The Eóganacht Locha Léin branch ruled in west Munster or Iarmumu with authority over the surrounding peoples and were semi-independent of the ruling inner circle of Eóganachta ruling from Cashel
Cashel, County Tipperary
Cashel is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 2936 at the 2006 census. The town gives its name to the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. Additionally, the cathedra of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly was originally in the town prior to the English Reformation....
. Máel Dúin possibly succeeded to the throne of Iarmumu in 747 when Cairpre son of Cú Dínisc was slain at the Battle of Carn Ailche (possibly Carnelly, 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...
) in a civil war amongst the men of Munster.
His accession to the throne of Munster cannot be dated with certainty. His accession broke the rotation of the Munster throne among the inner circle Eóganachta. The records become obfuscated for the later 8th century after the reign of the powerful Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine
Cathal mac Finguine was an Irish King of Munster or Cashel, and effectively High King of Ireland as well. He belonged to the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the dominant Eóganachta kin-group whose members dominated Munster from the 7th century to the 10th...
(died 742). Cathal's successor Cathussach mac Eterscélai
Cathussach mac Eterscélai
Cathussach mac Eterscélai was a king of Munster from the Eóganacht Áine branch of the Eóganachta. He was the son of Eterscél mac Máele Umai , a previous king...
is only known from king lists and the Laud Synchronisms give him a reign of 27 years which would put the end of his reign in 769. However the annals record activity of Máel Dúin prior to this who is not included in the king lists.
The earliest record of Máel Dúin is in 757 when the Annals of Tigernach record that Cummascach, King of the 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...
tribe of Uí Failge of Offaly was slain by him and he is referred to as king of Munster. The Annals of Innisfallen (a pro-Munster source) and the Annals of Ulster (a more primary chronicle) are however silent on this. He is next mentioned in the Annals of Innsifallen under the year 766 where he was defeated by the Uí Fidgenti
Uí Fidgenti
The Uí Fidgenti or Wood-Sprung People were an early kingdom of northern Munster, situated mostly in modern County Limerick, but extending into County Clare and County Tipperary, and possibly even County Kerry and County Cork, at maximum extents, which varied over time...
and the Arad Cliach of County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
at the Battle of Énboth Breg. In this mention he is not given a title. his next mention is at his death obit in 786. In the Annals of Ulster he is styled only King of Irluachair (Iarmumu or west Munster) while in the Annals of Innsifallen he is King of Munster.
During his supposed reign the high king Donnchad Midi 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...
made an expedition into Munster in 775 causing great devastation and many men of Munster were slain. The next year with the support of the men of Durrow
Durrow
Durrow is a small rural village in County Offaly, Ireland. Durrow is located on the N52 off the N6 road between Kilbeggan and Tullamore .Famous for being the Ancestral home of the Champion ploughman Luke Bracken. and Dean McDermott, Offaly Bord na Scol runner up,...
monastery, the high king made another expedition in 776 which led to a pitched battle and many men of Munster were slain. In 779 a civil war is recorded among the men of Munster which involved the affairs of Desmond
Desmond
Desmond may refer to:*Desmond , a common given name and surname* Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom* Earl of Desmond, Irish aristocratic title* Desmond Rebellions, Irish rebellions during the 16th century led by the Earl of Desmond...
(South Munster), the King of Eóganacht Raithlind
Eóganacht Raithlind
Eóganacht Raithlind or Uí Echach Muman are a branch of the Eóganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster during the 5th-10th centuries. They took their name from Raithlinn or Raithleann described around the area of Bandon, in the same area...
, Fergal son of Éladach, was slain by Breislén of Béirre (the Bear barony of County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
- a territory of the Corcu Loígde
Corcu Loígde
The Corcu Loígde , meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centered in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of Munster, the Dáirine, of whom they were the principal royal sept...
). Máel Dúin's name is not connected with these events.
He was succeeded as king of Iarmumu by Cú Chongelt mac Cairpri (died 791). His son Cobthach mac Máel Dúin
Máel Dúin
Máel Dúin is the protagonist of Immram Maele Dúin or the Voyage of Máel Dúin, a Christian tale written in Old Irish around the end of the first millennium. He is the son of Ailill Edge-of-Battle, whose murder provides the initial impetus for the tale.Máel Dúin is the son of a warrior and chieftan....
(died 833) was king of Loch Léin.