Áed Allán
Encyclopedia
Áed Allán (died 743) was an 8th century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland
. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin
and a member of the Cenél nEógain
, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill
.
Fergal was killed, along with many others, at the battle of Almain, in 722, fought against Murchad mac Brain of the Uí Dúnlainge
, the king of Leinster
. The king of the Northern Uí Néill at this time was Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
of the Cenél Conaill
. Áed Allán faced Flaithbertach in battle at Mag Itha in 734, and was defeated. Nonetheless, Flaithbertach abdicated or was deposed shortly after and joined the monastery
at Ard Macha (Armagh
).
The chief requirement of a would-be High King was success in battle, and Áed Allán faced the Ulaid
, under Áed Róin
of the Dál Fiatach
at Faughart
. The kings of the Ulaid controlled most of eastern Ulster
while the Cenél nEógain heartland lay in the later County Tyrone
. Áed Allán defeated the Ulaid, killing Áed Róin and the king of the Uí Echach Cobo
, so gaining control of Conailli Muirthemne.
In 737, Áed Allán met with the Eóganachta
king Cathal mac Finguine
at Terryglass
, probably neutral ground outwith the control of either king. Byrne says that it is unlikely that Cathal, king of Munster
, acknowledged Áed Allán's authority — the Uí Néill had little enough influence in the south — but if Cathal had expected some benefit from the meeting, where he perhaps acknowledged the ecclesiastical supremacy of Armagh, he was to be disappointed. However, the clerics of Armagh may have been well satisfied as the Annals of Ulster, in the entry following that which reports the meeting of Áed Allán and Cathal, say that the law of Patrick
was in force in Ireland. The presumably means that Áed Allán and Cathal agreed to the special treatment of the church, its lands and its tenants, as prescribed by the law of Patrick.
In 738, Áed Allán fought against the armies of Leinster at the battle of Áth Senaig—the battle of groans. The Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach
devote considerable space to the battle, in which Áed Allán was wounded and the Leinster king Áed mac Colggen
of the Uí Cheinnselaig
killed. Bran Bec of the Uí Dúnlainge
, the son of that Murchad mac Brain Mut
who had defeated Áed Allán's father in 722, was also killed. The Annals of Ulster say:
Áed Allán died in 743, in battle at Seredmag, defeated by Domnall Midi
of Clann Cholmáin
. The Annals quote a verse supposedly composed by Áed Allán on the day of battle:
Áed Allán was succeeded as High King by Domnall Midi
. According to some lists Niall Frossach
followed him as King of Ailech, but others disagree. Flaithbertach's son Áed Muinderg
is called rí
in Tuaisceart—King of the North, a title apparently meaning that he was acknowledged as chief ruler among the northern Uí Néill and perhaps as Domnall Midi's deputy—at his death in 764. His son Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin
(died 788) later became king of Ailech.
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...
. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin
Fergal mac Máele Dúin
Fergal mac Máele Dúin was High King of Ireland. Fergal belonged to the Cenél nEógain sept of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich , a King of Ailech, and great grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach...
and a member of the 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...
, 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....
.
Fergal was killed, along with many others, at the battle of Almain, in 722, fought against Murchad mac Brain of the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
, the king of 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...
. The king of the Northern Uí Néill at this time was 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...
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....
. Áed Allán faced Flaithbertach in battle at Mag Itha in 734, and was defeated. Nonetheless, Flaithbertach abdicated or was deposed shortly after and joined the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
at Ard Macha (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...
).
The chief requirement of a would-be High King was success in battle, and Áed Allán faced the Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
, under Áed Róin
Áed Róin
Áed Róin mac Bécce Bairrche was the Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He reigned from 708 to 735. He was the son of Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic, , a previous king of Ulaid who had abdicated in 707 to become a pilgrim....
of the Dál Fiatach
Dál Fiatach
The Dál Fiatach were a group of related dynasties located in eastern Ulster in the Early Christian and Early Medieval periods of the history of Ireland.-Description:...
at Faughart
Faughart
Faughart is a town in County Louth, Ireland, situated between Forkill and Dundalk. It was the birthplace of St. Brigid , and Edward Bruce is buried in the graveyard on the hill above the town. Bruce, who had taken the title King of Ireland, was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart in 1318....
. The kings of the Ulaid controlled most of eastern Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. 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...
while the Cenél nEógain heartland lay in the later County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
. Áed Allán defeated the Ulaid, killing Áed Róin and the king of the Uí Echach Cobo
Uí Echach Cobo
Uí Echach Cobo were a branch of the Dál nAraidi in Ulster . They gave their name to the early medieval Kingdom of Coba located in the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh in modern County Down...
, so gaining control of Conailli Muirthemne.
In 737, Áed Allán met with 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...
king 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...
at Terryglass
Terryglass
Terryglass is a village in North Tipperary, Ireland. The village is located on the R493 regional road on the north-eastern shore of Lough Derg near where the River Shannon enters the Lough. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Ormond Lower. It is also an Ecclesiastical parish in the...
, probably neutral ground outwith the control of either king. Byrne says that it is unlikely that Cathal, king of Munster
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...
, acknowledged Áed Allán's authority — the Uí Néill had little enough influence in the south — but if Cathal had expected some benefit from the meeting, where he perhaps acknowledged the ecclesiastical supremacy of Armagh, he was to be disappointed. However, the clerics of Armagh may have been well satisfied as the Annals of Ulster, in the entry following that which reports the meeting of Áed Allán and Cathal, say that the law of Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
was in force in Ireland. The presumably means that Áed Allán and Cathal agreed to the special treatment of the church, its lands and its tenants, as prescribed by the law of Patrick.
In 738, Áed Allán fought against the armies of Leinster at the battle of Áth Senaig—the battle of groans. The Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
devote considerable space to the battle, in which Áed Allán was wounded and the Leinster king Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen
Áed mac Colggen was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of Leinster. Some sources incorrectly make him joint king of Leinster with Bran Becc mac Murchado, but it appears that Áed was main ruler of Leinster in 738 His father Colcú mac Bressail was called king of Ard Ladrann at his death obit in the...
of the Uí Cheinnselaig
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
killed. Bran Bec of the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
, the son of that Murchad mac Brain Mut
Murchad mac Brain Mut
Murchad mac Brain Mut was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Bran Mut mac Conaill , a previous king. He ruled from 715 to 727.- His reign :...
who had defeated Áed Allán's father in 722, was also killed. The Annals of Ulster say:
And men say that so many fell in this great battle that we find no comparable slaughter in a single onslaught and fierce conflict throughout all preceding ages.This defeat seems to have crushed the Uí Chennselaig as, for almost three centuries after the battle of Áth Senaig, the Uí Dúnlainge dominated the kingship of Leinster.
Áed Allán died in 743, in battle at Seredmag, defeated by 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...
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...
. The Annals quote a verse supposedly composed by Áed Allán on the day of battle:
If my dear God had spared me
On the shore of Loch Sailchedáin,
Were I to commit sin thereafter,
It would have been like giving valuables to a slave.
Áed Allán was succeeded as High King by 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...
. According to some lists 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...
followed him as King of Ailech, but others disagree. Flaithbertach's son 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"....
is called rí
Rí
Rí, 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...
in Tuaisceart—King of the North, a title apparently meaning that he was acknowledged as chief ruler among the northern Uí Néill and perhaps as Domnall Midi's deputy—at his death in 764. His son Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin
Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin
Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Áed Allán , a high king of Ireland. He ruled from 770 to 788....
(died 788) later became king of Ailech.
External links
- CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork The Corpus of Electronic Texts includes the Annals of Ulster, Tigernach and the Four Masters as well as Genealogies, and various Saints' Lives. Most are translated into English, or translations are in progress.
- Fergal's Prophecy by Dan M. Wiley.