Uí Fidgenti
Encyclopedia
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. They have been given various origins among both the early or proto-Eóganachta
and among the Dáirine
by different scholars working in a number of traditions, with no agreement ever reached or appearing reachable. It is entirely possible that the Uí Fidgenti were the product of a combination of lineages from both these royal kindreds, or alternatively of another origin entirely.
Closely related to the Uí Fidgenti were the Uí Liatháin
, who claimed descent from the same 4th century AD dynast, Dáire Cerbba
(Maine Munchaín), and who in the earliest sources, such as The Expulsion of the Déisi
(incidentally), are mentioned together with them.
They supposedly took their tribal name from their ancestor Fiachu Fidgenid, a son of Dáire Cerbba. Fid-genid probably means Wood Person in the mystical sense of sprite
, elf
or fairy
. Uí Fidgenti is partly cognate with Viducasses
, and the meanings are approximately the same.
The kingdom was divided into two principal dynasties or septs
, the Uí Chairpre Áebda and Uí Chonaill Gabra. The latter were more often the stronger power.
Among the "officially recognized" Irish nobility
the Uí Fidgenti are represented today by the O'Donovan
family, of the Uí Chairpre Áebda. Famous modern descendants of the Uí Chonaill Gabra include Michael Collins
of the Ó Coileáin
, and possibly also the O'Connells of Derrynane.
and distant Osraige are excluded as non-participating.
, Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
, at the Battle of Carn Conaill. His dynasty, the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
, controlled much of the territory to the immediate north of the Uí Fidgenti and the two must have had frequent relations. Byrne argues the two kingdoms were in rivalry for control over several smaller tuaths, but the available evidence clearly suggests they were allied.
Dún Eochair (Maighe) was the great capital of the Uí Fidgenti, described by Geoffrey Keating
as having been one of the two great seats of the Dáirine and the legendary Cú Roí mac Dáire. The earthworks remain and the fortress can be found next to the modern town of Bruree
, on the River Maigue
. The name means "Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue", and the name of the town is anglicized from Brugh Riogh, meaning "Palace of Kings". Another common name for the site, but probably fanciful, is Lissoleem, thought to be from the name of Ailill Aulom
, a legendary king of the Deirgtine
who is sometimes seated there in literature.
To the south of Brugh Riogh can be found Cnoc Samhna ("Hill of Samhain
"), also known as Ard na Ríoghraidhe ("Height of the Kingfolk"). Associated with Mongfind
, this may have been the Uí Fidgenti inauguration site.
The Ardagh Chalice
was discovered in Uí Fidgenti territory, at Reerasta Rath in 1868.
. Theoretically unable to share in the Cashel kingship, they had the unique status of close foreign allies. Ólchobar mac Flainn
may have been recognized King of Munster, but this is unlikely since he was not a descendant of Conall Corc
, and he may in any case be confused with Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
.
However, a curious passage in The Expulsion of the Déisi
names the Uí Fidgenti, including the Uí Liatháin, among the Three Eóganachta of Munster, the others being the Eóganacht Locha Léin
and the Eóganacht Raithlind
. All three were of sufficient military and political standing to exchange hostages with the Cashel kings instead of simply giving them as would proper subjects, and the relationship was apparently terminable.
(AI
). The O'Connells
, later of Derrynane House
, would remain there, while the O'Donovans would depart for Carbery (County Cork
), possibly at the invitation of their friends the O'Mahony
s. The O'Collins, the most powerful sept, would follow the O'Donovans some decades later, but one or two smaller septs, notably the MacEnirys, would remain in County Limerick for several centuries more as lords under the new Earls of Desmond. Important families which did not survive the war with the O'Brien
s, and the subsequent incursion of the FitzGerald
s, were Kenneally
, Flannery, Tracey, Clerkin, and Ring. These became scattered all over Munster.
This conflict with the O'Briens had its origins two centuries before, when Donnubán mac Cathail
, progenitor of the O'Donovans, formed an anti-Dalcassian
alliance with two other leaders, his father-in-law Ivar of Limerick
, the Danish king of Limerick
, and Máel Muad mac Brain
, King of Munster and ancestor of the O'Mahonys. The result of this was the assassination of the elder brother of Brian Bóruma, Mathgamain mac Cennétig
, and Brian's subsequent revenge by killing all three members of the alliance. Donndubhán was married to Ivar's daughter, but her name has not survived.
It can be argued that the core of the Uí Chonaill Gabra, under the O'Collins, remained a powerful force in Munster for some period of time. The Annals of Inisfallen
note that in 1177 there was "An expedition by Domnall Ua Donnchada (Donnell O'Donoghue) and Cuilén Ua Cuiléin (Colin O'Collins) against Machaire, and they took away many cows. Peace was afterwards made by the son of Mac Carthaig (MacCarthy) and by the Uí Briain (O'Briens)". This suggests the Uí Chonaill Gabra commanded one of the largest forces in Munster at this time and that it was not until after sustained attacks from the FitzGeralds that they were forced to retire to Cork in the mid 13th century. The same Cuiléin Ua Cuiléin and many of the nobles of Uí Chonaill Gabra were slain in a battle with Domnall Mac Carthaig in 1189, an unfortunate event which contributed to their weak resistance against the invading Cambro-Normans.
The last King of Uí Chairpre mentioned in the annals is Amlaíb Ua Donnubáin
, slain by William de Burgh
and the sons of Domnall Mór Ua Briain in the year 1201 (AI
). Notably he was slain well outside of Uí Fidgenti in County Cork
, near to the later home of many O'Donovans and O'Collins in Carbery.
and O'Quins
of Uí Fearmaic and the MacNamaras
of Clann Cuilean.
. This appears to be a relic of the pre-Eóganachta political configuration of Munster, and may support the theory of (some) Uí Fidgenti origins among the Dáirine as cousins of the Corcu Loígde. There are a number of historical septs who may have their origins with one or the other, evident in collections of pedigrees as early as those found in Rawlinson B 502, dating from 550 to 1130, and as late as those collected by John O'Hart
in the 19th century.
An early O'Leary
family are given an Uí Fidgenti (Uí Chonaill Gabra) pedigree, but the Munster sept as a whole are generally regarded to belong to the Corcu Loígde.
Dáire Cerbba
/ Maine Munchaín
|
|_______________________________________________________________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
Fidach Uí Liatháin
Uí Fidgenti Uí Dedaid Uí Duach Argetrois
|
|__________________________
| |
| |
Crimthann mac Fidaig
Mongfind
= Eochaid Mugmedón
= Cairenn
| |
| |
Connachta
Uí Néill
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
, situated mostly in modern 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...
, but extending into 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...
and County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
, and possibly even County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
and 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...
, at maximum extents, which varied over time. They have been given various origins among both the early or proto-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...
and among the Dáirine
Dáirine
The Dáirine , later known dynastically as the Corcu Loígde, were the proto-historical rulers of Munster before the rise of the Eóganachta in the 7th century AD. They appear to have derived from the Darini of Ptolemy and to have been related to the Ulaid and Dál Riata of Ulster and Scotland...
by different scholars working in a number of traditions, with no agreement ever reached or appearing reachable. It is entirely possible that the Uí Fidgenti were the product of a combination of lineages from both these royal kindreds, or alternatively of another origin entirely.
Closely related to the Uí Fidgenti were the Uí Liatháin
Uí Liatháin
The Uí Liatháin were an early kingdom of Munster in southern Ireland. They belonged the same kindred as the Uí Fidgenti, and the two are considered together in the earliest sources, for example The Expulsion of the Déisi...
, who claimed descent from the same 4th century AD dynast, Dáire Cerbba
Dáire Cerbba
Dáire Cerbba was an Irish dynast of uncertain origins, named in many early and late sources as the grandfather of the semi-mythological Mongfind and Crimthann mac Fidaig, and the most frequently named early ancestor of the historical Uí Liatháin and Uí Fidgenti...
(Maine Munchaín), and who in the earliest sources, such as The Expulsion of the Déisi
The Expulsion of the Déisi
The Expulsion of the Déisi is a medieval Irish narrative of the Cycles of the Kings. It dates approximately to the 8th century, but survives only in manuscripts of a much later date. It describes the fictional history of the Déisi, a group that had gained political power in parts of Ireland during...
(incidentally), are mentioned together with them.
They supposedly took their tribal name from their ancestor Fiachu Fidgenid, a son of Dáire Cerbba. Fid-genid probably means Wood Person in the mystical sense of sprite
Sprite (creature)
The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures. The term is generally used in reference to elf-like creatures, including fairies, and similar beings , but can also signify various spiritual beings, including ghosts. In Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books,...
, elf
Elf
An elf is a being of Germanic mythology. The elves were originally thought of as a race of divine beings endowed with magical powers, which they use both for the benefit and the injury of mankind...
or fairy
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
. Uí Fidgenti is partly cognate with Viducasses
Viducasses
The Viducasses or Viducassii were a Celtic people in Gallia Lugdunensis. The name derives from vidu and casse . The capital of the Viducasses was at Araegenus or Araegenue of the Table, appearing elsewhere as Aragenuae, which was the site of modern-day Vieux.Pliny mentions them before the...
, and the meanings are approximately the same.
The kingdom was divided into two principal dynasties or septs
Sept (social)
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
, the Uí Chairpre Áebda and Uí Chonaill Gabra. The latter were more often the stronger power.
Among the "officially recognized" Irish nobility
Irish nobility
This article concerns the Gaelic nobility of Ireland from ancient to modern times. It only partly overlaps with Chiefs of the Name because it excludes Scotland and other discussion...
the Uí Fidgenti are represented today by the O'Donovan
O'Donovan
O'Donovan or Donovan is an Irish surname, as well as a hereditary Gaelic title. It is also written Dhonnabháin in certain grammatical contexts, and Donndubháin, being originally composed of the elements donn, meaning lord or dark brown, dubh, meaning dark or black, and the diminutive suffix án...
family, of the Uí Chairpre Áebda. Famous modern descendants of the Uí Chonaill Gabra include Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
of the Ó Coileáin
Ó Coileáin
Ó Coileáin is a Modern Irish surname generally belonging to the descendants of the last leading family of the Uí Chonaill Gabra, a sept and small but notable overkingdom of medieval and ancient Ireland, based in western County Limerick...
, and possibly also the O'Connells of Derrynane.
Size and extents
A variety of sources show that Uí Fidgenti was the most prominent of the non-(classical)-Eóganacht overkingdoms of medieval Munster, once the formerly powerful Corcu LoígdeCorcu 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...
and distant Osraige are excluded as non-participating.
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
The Annals first note the Uí Fidgenti in 645 (649) as allies of the celebrated king of ConnachtConnacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
, Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was a king of Connacht. A member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne and son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig . Guiare ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht.-Early reign:...
, at the Battle of Carn Conaill. His dynasty, the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
, controlled much of the territory to the immediate north of the Uí Fidgenti and the two must have had frequent relations. Byrne argues the two kingdoms were in rivalry for control over several smaller tuaths, but the available evidence clearly suggests they were allied.
Sites and finds
Dún Eochair (Maighe) was the great capital of the Uí Fidgenti, described by Geoffrey Keating
Geoffrey Keating
Seathrún Céitinn, known in English as Geoffrey Keating, was a 17th century Irish Roman Catholic priest, poet and historian. He was born in County Tipperary c. 1569, and died c. 1644...
as having been one of the two great seats of the Dáirine and the legendary Cú Roí mac Dáire. The earthworks remain and the fortress can be found next to the modern town of Bruree
Bruree
Bruree is a village in south-eastern County Limerick, Ireland, on the River Maigue. It takes its name from the nearby ancient royal fortress, the alternative name of which from the earliest times into the High Middle Ages was Dún Eochair Maigue or the Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue.- History...
, on the River Maigue
River Maigue
The River Maigue, rises in the Milford area of North County Cork, Ireland.It is joined by the small River Glen and the larger River Loobagh in south County Limerick. It then flows north through Bruree, after which it augmented by the River Morning Star...
. The name means "Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue", and the name of the town is anglicized from Brugh Riogh, meaning "Palace of Kings". Another common name for the site, but probably fanciful, is Lissoleem, thought to be from the name of Ailill Aulom
Ailill Aulom
In Irish traditional history Ailill Ollamh , son of Mug Nuadat, was a king of the southern half of Ireland. Sabia, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, was his wife. He divided the kingdom between his sons Éogan, Cormac Cas, and Cian. Éogan founded the dynasty of the Eóganachta...
, a legendary king of the Deirgtine
Deirgtine
The Deirgtine or Clanna Dergthened were the proto-historical ancestors of the historical Eóganachta dynasties of Munster. Their origins are unclear but they may have been of fairly recent Gaulish derivation...
who is sometimes seated there in literature.
To the south of Brugh Riogh can be found Cnoc Samhna ("Hill of Samhain
Samhain
Samhain is a Gaelic harvest festival held on October 31–November 1. It was linked to festivals held around the same time in other Celtic cultures, and was popularised as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer...
"), also known as Ard na Ríoghraidhe ("Height of the Kingfolk"). Associated with Mongfind
Mongfind
Queen Mongfind was the wife, of apparent Munster origins, of the legendary Irish High King Eochaid Mugmedón and mother of his eldest three sons, Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae, ancestors of the historical Connachta, through whom she is an ancestor of many Irish and European nobility today...
, this may have been the Uí Fidgenti inauguration site.
The Ardagh Chalice
Ardagh Chalice
The Ardagh Hoard, best known for the Ardagh Chalice, is a hoard of metalwork from the 8th and 9th centuries, found in 1868 and now in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin...
was discovered in Uí Fidgenti territory, at Reerasta Rath in 1868.
Eóganachta relationship
The Uí Fidgenti, despite the questions about their origins, had an excellent relationship, if peculiar, with the Eóganachta kings at CashelCashel, 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....
. Theoretically unable to share in the Cashel kingship, they had the unique status of close foreign allies. Ólchobar mac Flainn
Ólchobar mac Flainn
Ólchobar mac Flainn was a supposed King of Munster from the Uí Fidgenti of County Limerick, allies and/or distant cousins of the Eóganachta. He was the first non-Eóganachta to be considered king in some sources...
may have been recognized King of Munster, but this is unlikely since he was not a descendant of Conall Corc
Conall Corc
Corc mac Luigthig, also called Conall Corc, Corc of Cashel, and Corc mac Láire, is the hero of Irish language tales which form part of the origin legend of the Eóganachta, a group of kindreds which traced their descent from Conall Corc and took their name from his ancestor Éogan Mór. The early...
, and he may in any case be confused with Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht
Ólchobar mac Duib-Indrecht was a supposed King of Munster from the Eóganacht Áine branch of the Eóganachta. His last paternal ancestor to hold the throne was Cúán mac Amalgado , five generations previous. His great grandfather Uisnech had been the brother of another King Eterscél mac Máele Umai...
.
However, a curious passage in The Expulsion of the Déisi
The Expulsion of the Déisi
The Expulsion of the Déisi is a medieval Irish narrative of the Cycles of the Kings. It dates approximately to the 8th century, but survives only in manuscripts of a much later date. It describes the fictional history of the Déisi, a group that had gained political power in parts of Ireland during...
names the Uí Fidgenti, including the Uí Liatháin, among the Three Eóganachta of Munster, the others being the Eóganacht Locha 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...
and the 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...
. All three were of sufficient military and political standing to exchange hostages with the Cashel kings instead of simply giving them as would proper subjects, and the relationship was apparently terminable.
Disintegration
The principal destruction of the Uí Fidgenti took place in 1178, when Domnall Mor O'Brien drove many into County KerryCounty Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
(AI
Annals of Inisfallen
The Annals of Inisfallen are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between AD 433 and AD 1450, but it is believed to have been written between the 12th and 15th centuries...
). The O'Connells
O'Connell of Derrynane
The O'Connell family, principally of Derrynane, are a Gaelic Irish noble family of County Kerry in Munster. The principal seat of the senior line of the family was Derrynane House, now an Irish National Monument.-Notable family members:...
, later of Derrynane House
Derrynane House
Derrynane House was the home of Irish politician and statesman, Daniel O'Connell. It is now an Irish National Monumement and part of a 320 acre National Park....
, would remain there, while the O'Donovans would depart for Carbery (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...
), possibly at the invitation of their friends the O'Mahony
O'Mahony
O'Mahony or O'Mahoney, or simply Mahony or Mahoney, without the prefix, is an Irish surname, and may refer to:The O'Mahonys were Cenél nÁeda princes of the ancient Eóganacht Raithlind...
s. The O'Collins, the most powerful sept, would follow the O'Donovans some decades later, but one or two smaller septs, notably the MacEnirys, would remain in County Limerick for several centuries more as lords under the new Earls of Desmond. Important families which did not survive the war with the O'Brien
O'Brien
The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...
s, and the subsequent incursion of the FitzGerald
FitzGerald
The surname FitzGerald is a translation of the French-Norman fils de Gérald, or son of Gerald . Variant spellings include Fitz-Gerald and the modern Fitzgerald. The name can also be used as two separate words Fitz Gerald...
s, were Kenneally
Kenneally
Kenneally is a surname and may refer to:* William Kenneally, Irish politician* Billy Kenneally, his son, also an Irish politician* Brendan Kenneally, his son, also an Irish politician* Dean Kenneally, Australian physiotherapist...
, Flannery, Tracey, Clerkin, and Ring. These became scattered all over Munster.
This conflict with the O'Briens had its origins two centuries before, when Donnubán mac Cathail
Donnubán mac Cathail
Donnubán , Donndubán , or Donnabán mac Cathail, anglicised Donovan, son of Cahall , was a 10th century ruler of the Irish regional kingdom of Uí Fidgenti, and possibly also of the smaller overkingdom of Uí Chairpre Áebda within that...
, progenitor of the O'Donovans, formed an anti-Dalcassian
Dál gCais
The Dál gCais were a dynastic group of related septs located in north Munster who rose to political prominence in the 10th century AD in Ireland. They claimed descent from Cormac Cas, or Cas mac Conall Echlúath, hence the term "Dál", meaning "portion" or "share" of Cas...
alliance with two other leaders, his father-in-law Ivar of Limerick
Ivar of Limerick
Ivar of Limerick , died 977, was the last Norse king of the city-state of Limerick, and penultimate King of the Foreigners of Munster, reigning during the rise to power of the Dál gCais and the fall of the Eóganachta...
, the Danish king of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, and Máel Muad mac Brain
Máel Muad mac Brain
Máel Muad mac Brain , commonly anglicised Molloy, was King of Munster, first possibly from 959 or alternatively 963 to around 970, when he may have been deposed by Mathgamain mac Cennétig of the Dál gCais, and then again from 976, following his putting to death of the latter, until his own death...
, King of Munster and ancestor of the O'Mahonys. The result of this was the assassination of the elder brother of Brian Bóruma, Mathgamain mac Cennétig
Mathgamain mac Cennétig
Mathgamain mac Cennétig was King of Munster from around 970 to his death in 976. He is the elder brother of Brian Bóruma and the ancestor of the McMahon family of County Clare in Western Ireland ....
, and Brian's subsequent revenge by killing all three members of the alliance. Donndubhán was married to Ivar's daughter, but her name has not survived.
It can be argued that the core of the Uí Chonaill Gabra, under the O'Collins, remained a powerful force in Munster for some period of time. The Annals of Inisfallen
Annals of Inisfallen
The Annals of Inisfallen are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between AD 433 and AD 1450, but it is believed to have been written between the 12th and 15th centuries...
note that in 1177 there was "An expedition by Domnall Ua Donnchada (Donnell O'Donoghue) and Cuilén Ua Cuiléin (Colin O'Collins) against Machaire, and they took away many cows. Peace was afterwards made by the son of Mac Carthaig (MacCarthy) and by the Uí Briain (O'Briens)". This suggests the Uí Chonaill Gabra commanded one of the largest forces in Munster at this time and that it was not until after sustained attacks from the FitzGeralds that they were forced to retire to Cork in the mid 13th century. The same Cuiléin Ua Cuiléin and many of the nobles of Uí Chonaill Gabra were slain in a battle with Domnall Mac Carthaig in 1189, an unfortunate event which contributed to their weak resistance against the invading Cambro-Normans.
The last King of Uí Chairpre mentioned in the annals is Amlaíb Ua Donnubáin
Amlaíb Ua Donnubáin
Amlaíb Ua Donnubáin is the last member of the O'Donovan family to be styled king of Uí Chairpre Áebda in the Irish annals, and in fact the very last known king of this people....
, slain by William de Burgh
William de Burgh
William de Burgh, founder of the de Burgh/Burke/Bourke family of Ireland, d. 1206.-In Ireland:He arrived in Ireland in 1185 and was closely associated with Prince John....
and the sons of Domnall Mór Ua Briain in the year 1201 (AI
Annals of Inisfallen
The Annals of Inisfallen are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between AD 433 and AD 1450, but it is believed to have been written between the 12th and 15th centuries...
). Notably he was slain well outside of Uí Fidgenti in 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...
, near to the later home of many O'Donovans and O'Collins in Carbery.
County Clare
Because of the later dominance of County Clare by the Dál gCais, the Uí Fidgenti septs there have proven difficult to trace and identify. A powerful branch of the Uí Chonaill Gabra known as the Uí Chormaic preserved their identity, from whom descend the O'Hehirs, but it is believed that other families were later wrongly classified as Dalcassian. Notable possibilities are the O'DeasClan Ua Déaghaidh
O'Dea , , is an Irish surname derived from Deághaidh, the name of a tenth century clan chieftain.The O'Dea clan came originally from County Clare where there is a fortified tower house over 500 years old known as O'Dea Castle at the townland of Dysert O'Dea . The ruins of Dysert O'Dea Monastery,...
and O'Quins
Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl
Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created on 5 February 1822 for Valentine Quin, 1st Viscount Mount-Earl. Quin was created a Baronet, of Adare in County Limerick, in the Baronetage of Ireland, in 1781, Baron Adare in 1800 and Viscount Mount-Earl in 1816...
of Uí Fearmaic and the MacNamaras
Clan MacNamara
Mac Conmara is the surname of a family of County Clare in Ireland. It is anglicised MacNamara or McNamara-Background:The name means "Hounds of the Sea"...
of Clann Cuilean.
Corcu Loígde
Evidence may or may not exist for long-term exchange between the Uí Fidgenti and Corcu LoígdeCorcu 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...
. This appears to be a relic of the pre-Eóganachta political configuration of Munster, and may support the theory of (some) Uí Fidgenti origins among the Dáirine as cousins of the Corcu Loígde. There are a number of historical septs who may have their origins with one or the other, evident in collections of pedigrees as early as those found in Rawlinson B 502, dating from 550 to 1130, and as late as those collected by John O'Hart
John O'Hart
John O'Hart was an Irish genealogist. He was born in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, Ireland. A committed Roman Catholic, O'Hart originally planned to become Catholic priest but instead spent 2 years as a police officer. He was an Associate in Arts at the Queen's University of Belfast...
in the 19th century.
An early O'Leary
O'Leary
O'Leary is an Irish name, an anglicized version of the original Gaelic patronym Ó Laoghaire or Ó Laoire.The Uí Laoghaire clan, today associated with the Uibh Laoghaire parish in County Cork, is considered by scholars to have originated on the south-west coast, in the area of Ros Ó gCairbre , of...
family are given an Uí Fidgenti (Uí Chonaill Gabra) pedigree, but the Munster sept as a whole are generally regarded to belong to the Corcu Loígde.
Pedigree
Based primarily on Rawlinson B 502:Dáire Cerbba
Dáire Cerbba
Dáire Cerbba was an Irish dynast of uncertain origins, named in many early and late sources as the grandfather of the semi-mythological Mongfind and Crimthann mac Fidaig, and the most frequently named early ancestor of the historical Uí Liatháin and Uí Fidgenti...
/ Maine Munchaín
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Fidach Uí Liatháin
Uí Liatháin
The Uí Liatháin were an early kingdom of Munster in southern Ireland. They belonged the same kindred as the Uí Fidgenti, and the two are considered together in the earliest sources, for example The Expulsion of the Déisi...
Uí Fidgenti Uí Dedaid Uí Duach Argetrois
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Crimthann mac Fidaig
Crimthann mac Fidaig
Crimthann Mór, son of Fidach , also written Crimthand Mór, was a semi-mythological king of Munster and High King of Ireland of the 4th century. He gained territory in Britain and Gaul, but died poisoned by his sister Mongfind. It is possible that he was also recognized as king of Scotland or Alba...
Mongfind
Mongfind
Queen Mongfind was the wife, of apparent Munster origins, of the legendary Irish High King Eochaid Mugmedón and mother of his eldest three sons, Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae, ancestors of the historical Connachta, through whom she is an ancestor of many Irish and European nobility today...
= Eochaid Mugmedón
Eochaid Mugmedon
-Biography:According to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, Eochaid was a High King of Ireland, best known as the father of Niall of the Nine Hostages and ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties...
= Cairenn
Cairenn
Cairenn Chasdub; Caireann was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, the daughter of Sachell Balb, king of the Saxons, the second wife of the Irish High King Eochaid Mugmedón, and the mother of Niall of the Nine Hostages.When she was pregnant with Niall, Eochaid's first wife...
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Connachta
Connachta
The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
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....
Sites of interest
- The Territory of Thomond discusses the extent of the Kingdom of Uí Fidgenti
- Tuadmumu has maps and convenient Uí Fidgenti-related genealogies
- Tribes & Territories of Mumhan
- Tracys of the Eóganachta features a very detailed genealogy of the Uí Fidgenti, compiled and translated from numerous primary and secondary sources
- South Irish R1b