Ruaidrí ua Canannáin
Encyclopedia
Ruaidrí ua Canannáin was king of the Cenél Conaill
, and according to some sources, High King of Ireland
.
The Cenél Conaill, a branch of the northern Uí Néill
had been excluded from the alternating succession to the High Kingship which had been largely dominated by the northern Cenél nEógain
kings of Ailech
and the southern Clann Cholmáin
kings of Mide
since the early the 8th century. Ruaidrí was a descendant in the seventh generation of the previous Cenél Conaill High King, Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
.
In the period before Ruaidrí ua Canannáin rose to prominence, the Cenél nEógain heir apparent to the High Kingship, Muirchertach mac Néill
, was killed in battle in 943, while the High King, Donnchad Donn
of Clann Cholmáin, died the following year. The deaths of Muirchertach and Donnchad appear to have left the field open to less likely competitors. The Uí Néill king lists make Congalach Cnogba
of the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine
, a kin group long excluded from the succession, Donnchad's successor. Congalach was Donnchad's sister's son. However, Donnchad's apparent policy of making strategic marriages to rising families also made Ruaidrí his kinsman. His aunt, Cainnech ingen Canannáin (d. 929), had been Donnchad's first wife.
Ruaidrí, whose home base was in the south of modern Donegal
, first comes to notice after the death of Muirchertach. In 943 he defeated the Cenél nEógain and the northmen of Lough Foyle
, killing Máel Ruanaid mac Flainn, Muirchertach's cousin. With the loss of Máel Ruanaid after Muirchertach, the Cenél nEógain were eclipsed, leaving Ruaidrí as master of the north at Donnchad's death. Most sources make Congalach Cnogba High King in succession to Donnchad. Sources claiming that Ruaidrí assumed the High Kingship after Donnchad, either alone or jointly with Congalach, are: the Prophecy of Berchán
, an 11th century historical poem presented as a prophecy; the southern, anti-Uí Néill Annals of Innisfallen; and the 12th century Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib (The War of the Irish with the Foreigners
) a wildly successful work of propaganda authored on behalf of the descendants of Brian Bóruma. The form of the Prophecy of Berchán makes identifying the subjects, who are referred to by often obscure epithets rather than names, sometimes difficult. In the case of Ruaidrí ua Canannáin, the identification is obvious:
The record shows both men active in the midlands of Ireland. Men of Ruaidrí's were killed by Congalach and Amlaíb Cuarán, king of Dublin, in 945. In 947 Ruaidrí led an army to Slane
in County Meath
in 947, defeating Congalach and Amlaíb. The Cenél nEógain were again the target in 949 when Muirchertach's son Flaithbertach was killed. In 950 Ruaidrí ua Canannáin led an army into the midlands and campaigned there for six months. He defeated Congalach and his ally Gofraid mac Sitriuc
, King of Dublin, and set up camp, probably somewhere between Donaghpatrick
and Kells
, from which he raided Brega
and Meath. According to the Annals of Ulster
, his army defeated an attack by the foreigners of Dublin on his camp on 30 November 950, but Ruaidrí himself was killed in the fight along with his son Niall. At his death he is called "heir designate of Ireland" by the Annals of Ulster, the same title as was used of Muirchertach at his death in 943. The Prophecy of Berchán, apparently following a different tradition, has Ruaidrí killed by a Leinster
man.
Ruaidrí's reign was the high point of Ua Canannáin power. In the years following his death various of his kinsmen were killed by Congalach and Cenél nÉogain, and these deaths, together with the rising power of their Ua Máel Doraid kinsmen largely excluded the Ua Canannáin even from the kingship of 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....
, and according to some sources, 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...
.
The Cenél Conaill, a branch 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....
had been excluded from the alternating succession to the High Kingship which had been largely dominated by the northern 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...
kings of Ailech
Kings of Ailech
The Kings of Ailech belonged to the northern Uí Néill and took their name from the Grianán of Ailech , a hillfort on top of Greenan Mountain in modern County Donegal...
and the southern 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...
kings of Mide
Kings of Mide
In medieval Ireland, the Kings of Mide were of the Clann Cholmáin, a branch of the Uí Néill. Several were High Kings of Ireland. After the collapse of the kingdom in the 12th century its dynasty, the Ua Mael Sechlainn or Ó Melaghlins, were forced west and settled on the east bank of the Shannon...
since the early the 8th century. Ruaidrí was a descendant in the seventh generation of the previous Cenél Conaill 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...
.
In the period before Ruaidrí ua Canannáin rose to prominence, the Cenél nEógain heir apparent to the High Kingship, Muirchertach mac Néill
Muirchertach mac Néill
Muirchertach mac Néill , called Muirchertach of the Leather Cloaks , King of Ailech.-Family ramifications:Muirchertach belonged to the Cenél nEógain sept of the northern Uí Néill...
, was killed in battle in 943, while the High King, Donnchad Donn
Donnchad Donn
Donnchadh Donn mac Flainn was High King of Ireland. He belonged to Clann Cholmáin, a branch of the southern Uí Néill.-Origins:...
of Clann Cholmáin, died the following year. The deaths of Muirchertach and Donnchad appear to have left the field open to less likely competitors. The Uí Néill king lists make Congalach Cnogba
Congalach Cnogba
Conghalach Cnoghbha was High King of Ireland, according to the lists in the Annals of the Four Masters, from around 944 to 956...
of the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne....
, a kin group long excluded from the succession, Donnchad's successor. Congalach was Donnchad's sister's son. However, Donnchad's apparent policy of making strategic marriages to rising families also made Ruaidrí his kinsman. His aunt, Cainnech ingen Canannáin (d. 929), had been Donnchad's first wife.
Ruaidrí, whose home base was in the south of modern Donegal
Donegal
Donegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
, first comes to notice after the death of Muirchertach. In 943 he defeated the Cenél nEógain and the northmen of Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle, sometimes Loch Foyle , is the estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster. It starts where the Foyle leaves Derry. It separates the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.-Transport:...
, killing Máel Ruanaid mac Flainn, Muirchertach's cousin. With the loss of Máel Ruanaid after Muirchertach, the Cenél nEógain were eclipsed, leaving Ruaidrí as master of the north at Donnchad's death. Most sources make Congalach Cnogba High King in succession to Donnchad. Sources claiming that Ruaidrí assumed the High Kingship after Donnchad, either alone or jointly with Congalach, are: the Prophecy of Berchán
Prophecy of Berchán
The Prophecy of Berchán, is a relatively large historical poem written in the Middle Irish language. The text is preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, as MS 679 , with a few early modern copies...
, an 11th century historical poem presented as a prophecy; the southern, anti-Uí Néill Annals of Innisfallen; and the 12th century Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib (The War of the Irish with the Foreigners
The War of the Irish with the Foreigners
Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib is a medieval Irish text that tells of the depredations of the Vikings in Ireland and the Irish king Brian Boru's great war against them, beginning with the Battle of Sulcoit in 967 and culminating in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, in which Brian was slain but his forces...
) a wildly successful work of propaganda authored on behalf of the descendants of Brian Bóruma. The form of the Prophecy of Berchán makes identifying the subjects, who are referred to by often obscure epithets rather than names, sometimes difficult. In the case of Ruaidrí ua Canannáin, the identification is obvious:
After that a king from the North takes sovereignty...; Red [ruad] will be the name of that king (ríRíRí, or very commonly ríg , is an ancient Gaelic word meaning "King". It is used in historical texts referring to the Irish and Scottish kings and those of similar rank. While the modern Irish word is exactly the same, in modern Scottish it is Rìgh, apparently derived from the genitive. The word...
), he puts Ireland into anxiety.
The record shows both men active in the midlands of Ireland. Men of Ruaidrí's were killed by Congalach and Amlaíb Cuarán, king of Dublin, in 945. In 947 Ruaidrí led an army to Slane
Slane
Slane is a village in County Meath, in Ireland. The village stands on a steep hillside on the left bank of the River Boyne at the intersection of the N2 and the N51 . In 2006 Slane's population was 1,099, having grown from 823 in 2002. The population of the village and the surrounding rural area...
in County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 947, defeating Congalach and Amlaíb. The Cenél nEógain were again the target in 949 when Muirchertach's son Flaithbertach was killed. In 950 Ruaidrí ua Canannáin led an army into the midlands and campaigned there for six months. He defeated Congalach and his ally Gofraid mac Sitriuc
Gofraid mac Sitriuc
Gofraid mac Sitriuc , in Old Norse Guðrøðr Sigtryggsson, was King of Dublin. He was the son of Sihtric ua Ímair and a great-grandson of Ímar, founder of the Uí Ímair kindred which dominated much of the Norse-Gael and Scandinavianised parts of Britain and Ireland in the 10th century.Gofraid became...
, King of Dublin, and set up camp, probably somewhere between Donaghpatrick
Donaghpatrick
Donaghpatrick is a village in County Meath, Ireland....
and Kells
Kells, County Meath
Kells is a town in County Meath, Ireland. The town lies off the M3 motorway, from Navan and from Dublin. In recent years Kells has grown greatly with many Dublin commuters moving to the town....
, from which he raided Brega
Kings of Brega
-Overview:Brega took its name from Mag Breg, the plain of Brega, in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the Uí Néill kindred, belonging to the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. The kingdom of Brega included the Hill of Tara, the site...
and Meath. According to the Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
, his army defeated an attack by the foreigners of Dublin on his camp on 30 November 950, but Ruaidrí himself was killed in the fight along with his son Niall. At his death he is called "heir designate of Ireland" by the Annals of Ulster, the same title as was used of Muirchertach at his death in 943. The Prophecy of Berchán, apparently following a different tradition, has Ruaidrí killed by a 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...
man.
Ruaidrí's reign was the high point of Ua Canannáin power. In the years following his death various of his kinsmen were killed by Congalach and Cenél nÉogain, and these deaths, together with the rising power of their Ua Máel Doraid kinsmen largely excluded the Ua Canannáin even from the kingship of Cenél Conaill.