Áed in Macáem Tóinlesc
Encyclopedia
Áed in Macáem Tóinlesc or Aodh an Macaoimh Tóinleasg (died 1177) was a 12th-century Ua Néill, and briefly ruler of Tulach Óc and Tír Eogain. Áed became the first Ua Néill to play a significant role in the high politics of northern Ireland in a century, following the death of the Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn king of Tír Eogain and high king of Ireland
.
With the help of Donnchad Ua Cerbaill, king of Airgíalla, Áed was able to become king of Tír Eogain himself, though for much of the time he was forced to share the position with a Mac Lochlainn. Áed secured his hold on kingship partly by submitting to the Connacht high king Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
. As one of the latter's chief vassals, he was involved in the early stages of resistance to the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
n group to the north of Lough Neagh
. The 16th-century Leabhar Eoghanach said that he was fostered by the Ua Flainn (O'Lynn) chief of Uí Thuirtre, but there are signs that it may have been with the Ua hUrthuile (O'Hurley), a more junior Uí Thuirtre nobleman.
In 1160 Áed's father Muirchertach was killed at the battle of Magh Lughad (Maloon, near Cookstown
), allegedly struck down "innocently" [Annals of Ulster] by Lochlann Mac Lochlainn, kinsman of the king of Tir Eogain and high king of Ireland Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn. Lochlann Mac Lochlann was putting down a rebellion by Domnall Ua Gairmledaigh (O'Gormely) and the Cenél Móen (or Cineál Múáin), a group living to the south of modern Strabane
. It was in revenge for this that a son of the slain Muirchertach—either Áed himself or a brother—killed Lochlann Mac Lochlainn.
The aftermath of this killing is unclear, but in 1166 following the blinding of the Ulaid king Eochaid Mac Duinn Sléibe, the Mac Lochlainn had to contend with rebellion from Airgíalla, Breifne, and even southern Tír Eogain. Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn was abandoned by most of his men, and killed. According to Mac Carthaigh's Book
the foster father of the blinded Eochaid and architect of Muirchertach's destruction, the king of Airgíalla Donnchad Ua Cerbaill, proceeded to Magh Iomchláir near Dungannon
and Áed was proclaimed king of Tír Eogain.
Niall Glúndub
. For more than a century the Uí Néill of Tír Eogain had been eclipsed by the Mac Lochlainn kin-group centred on Inishowen
; the latter claimed descent from Domnall Dabaill, Niall's brother (sharing Áed Findliath as father), and thus were relatives. The dominance of the Mac Lochlainn group from 1053 to 1166 saw the Uí Néill disappear from the sources, and even the Uí Néill centre of Tulach Óc may have been lost to them. Indeed, Uí Briain dynasts are recorded holding the kingship of Tulach Óc in the late 1070s, perhaps as a result of Mac Lochlainn efforts to sever Uí Néill ties there.
The process of overturning Mac Lochlainn dominance in Tír Eogain was begun by Áed, something encapsulated by his traditional nickname in Macáem Tóinlesc, "the lazy-rumped lad". The 16th-century Leabhar Eoghanach claimed he had gained this appellation by refusing to stand in the presence of Muirchertach, the Mac Lochlainn high king, when the latter visited Áed's foster-father.
After proclaiming himself king, Áed though still had to defeat Muirchertach's sons, including the heir Niall Mac Lochlainn. In 1167 the new high king, the king of Connacht Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
, marched into Tír Eogain and divided the kingdom, with Niall getting the land north of Slieve Gallion
and Áed the remainder. Both "half kings" [Simms] handed Ruaidrí hostages; and accompanied by the abbot of Derry, in the following year both men visited Ruaidrí at Athlone and received gifts.
From 1169 the Anglo-Normans began invading Ireland
, undermining Ruaidrí's control of much of his territory. According to the Chanson de Dermot et du Comte ("Song of Dermot and the Earl"), in 1174 Áed brought a 3000-strong contigent to Ruaidrí's siege of Trim
(held by Hugh de Lacy). The details are unclear, but Mac Carthaigh's Book related that in 1171 Áed was ruler of Tír Eogain and all Ulster. Nevertheless, in the 1170s Niall (died 1176) and his brothers Conchobar (died 1170) and Máel Sechlainn (died 1185) are all recorded claiming the kingship of Tír Eogain in succession. Áed probably held the kingship himself from 1170 to at least 1174, but had lost the position by his death.
Áed was killed by Máel Sechlainn Mac Lochlainn in 1177. Recording Áed's death, the Annals of Ulster
noted that Áed was "king of Cenel-Eogain for a time and royal heir of all Ireland". In the year of his death the Anglo-Norman John de Courcy
was conquering much of Ulster east of the River Bann
. After two decades of upheaval, Áed's son Áed Méith was able to become king of Tír Eogain and rule for three decades.
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...
.
With the help of Donnchad Ua Cerbaill, king of Airgíalla, Áed was able to become king of Tír Eogain himself, though for much of the time he was forced to share the position with a Mac Lochlainn. Áed secured his hold on kingship partly by submitting to the Connacht high king Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
. As one of the latter's chief vassals, he was involved in the early stages of resistance to the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
Early years
Áed was the son of an Ua Néill noble named Muirchertach. Áed was fostered among the Uí Thuirtre kindred, an AirgíallaAirgíalla
Airgíalla or Airgialla was the name of an Irish federation and Irish kingdom which first formed around the 7th century...
n group to the north of Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
. The 16th-century Leabhar Eoghanach said that he was fostered by the Ua Flainn (O'Lynn) chief of Uí Thuirtre, but there are signs that it may have been with the Ua hUrthuile (O'Hurley), a more junior Uí Thuirtre nobleman.
In 1160 Áed's father Muirchertach was killed at the battle of Magh Lughad (Maloon, near Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
), allegedly struck down "innocently" [Annals of Ulster] by Lochlann Mac Lochlainn, kinsman of the king of Tir Eogain and high king of Ireland Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn. Lochlann Mac Lochlann was putting down a rebellion by Domnall Ua Gairmledaigh (O'Gormely) and the Cenél Móen (or Cineál Múáin), a group living to the south of modern Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
. It was in revenge for this that a son of the slain Muirchertach—either Áed himself or a brother—killed Lochlann Mac Lochlainn.
The aftermath of this killing is unclear, but in 1166 following the blinding of the Ulaid king Eochaid Mac Duinn Sléibe, the Mac Lochlainn had to contend with rebellion from Airgíalla, Breifne, and even southern Tír Eogain. Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn was abandoned by most of his men, and killed. According to Mac Carthaigh's Book
Mac Carthaigh's Book
Mac Carthaigh’s Book is a collection of annals of the period AD 1114-1437 inclusive. It was compiled from earlier material by Fínghin Mac Carthaigh Mór an Irish nobleman who was imprisoned for years in London. He was a patron of learning and a scholar in his own right...
the foster father of the blinded Eochaid and architect of Muirchertach's destruction, the king of Airgíalla Donnchad Ua Cerbaill, proceeded to Magh Iomchláir near Dungannon
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
and Áed was proclaimed king of Tír Eogain.
Kingship
Áed was the senior representative of the Uí Néill of Tír Eogain, a kin-group claiming descent from 10th-century high-kingHigh 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...
Niall Glúndub
Niall Glúndub
Niall Glúndub mac Áedo was a 10th century Irish king of the Cenél nEógain and High King of Ireland. While many Irish kin groups were members of the Uí Néill, tracing their descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages , the O'Neill dynasty took their name from Niall Glúndub rather than the earlier Niall...
. For more than a century the Uí Néill of Tír Eogain had been eclipsed by the Mac Lochlainn kin-group centred on Inishowen
Inishowen
Inishowen is a peninsula in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland. It is also the largest peninsula in all of Ireland. Inishowen is a picturesque location with a rich history...
; the latter claimed descent from Domnall Dabaill, Niall's brother (sharing Áed Findliath as father), and thus were relatives. The dominance of the Mac Lochlainn group from 1053 to 1166 saw the Uí Néill disappear from the sources, and even the Uí Néill centre of Tulach Óc may have been lost to them. Indeed, Uí Briain dynasts are recorded holding the kingship of Tulach Óc in the late 1070s, perhaps as a result of Mac Lochlainn efforts to sever Uí Néill ties there.
The process of overturning Mac Lochlainn dominance in Tír Eogain was begun by Áed, something encapsulated by his traditional nickname in Macáem Tóinlesc, "the lazy-rumped lad". The 16th-century Leabhar Eoghanach claimed he had gained this appellation by refusing to stand in the presence of Muirchertach, the Mac Lochlainn high king, when the latter visited Áed's foster-father.
After proclaiming himself king, Áed though still had to defeat Muirchertach's sons, including the heir Niall Mac Lochlainn. In 1167 the new high king, the king of Connacht Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair , often anglicised Rory O'Connor, reigned as King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and from 1166 to 1198 was the last High King before the Norman invasion of Ireland .Ruaidrí was one of over twenty sons of King...
, marched into Tír Eogain and divided the kingdom, with Niall getting the land north of Slieve Gallion
Slieve Gallion
Slieve Gallion is a mountain in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. By road, it is from Moneymore, from Cookstown, and from Magherafelt. It is the eastern limit of the Sperrin Mountains range...
and Áed the remainder. Both "half kings" [Simms] handed Ruaidrí hostages; and accompanied by the abbot of Derry, in the following year both men visited Ruaidrí at Athlone and received gifts.
From 1169 the Anglo-Normans began invading Ireland
Norman Invasion of Ireland
The Norman invasion of Ireland was a two-stage process, which began on 1 May 1169 when a force of loosely associated Norman knights landed near Bannow, County Wexford...
, undermining Ruaidrí's control of much of his territory. According to the Chanson de Dermot et du Comte ("Song of Dermot and the Earl"), in 1174 Áed brought a 3000-strong contigent to Ruaidrí's siege of Trim
Trim
Trim may refer to:* Cutting small pieces off something** Book trimming, a stage of the publishing process** Editing*** Editing a posting style in online discourse** Pruning, trimming as a form of pruning often used on trees-Places:...
(held by Hugh de Lacy). The details are unclear, but Mac Carthaigh's Book related that in 1171 Áed was ruler of Tír Eogain and all Ulster. Nevertheless, in the 1170s Niall (died 1176) and his brothers Conchobar (died 1170) and Máel Sechlainn (died 1185) are all recorded claiming the kingship of Tír Eogain in succession. Áed probably held the kingship himself from 1170 to at least 1174, but had lost the position by his death.
Áed was killed by Máel Sechlainn Mac Lochlainn in 1177. Recording Áed's death, 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...
noted that Áed was "king of Cenel-Eogain for a time and royal heir of all Ireland". In the year of his death the Anglo-Norman John de Courcy
John de Courcy
John de Courcy was a Anglo-Norman knight who arrived in Ireland in 1176. From then until his expulsion in 1204, he conquered a considerable territory, endowed religious establishments, built abbeys for both the Benedictines and the Cistercians and built strongholds at Dundrum Castle in County...
was conquering much of Ulster east of the River Bann
River Bann
The River Bann is the longest river in Northern Ireland, the total length being 80 miles . The river winds its way from the south east corner of Northern Ireland to the north west coast, pausing in the middle to widen into the enormous Lough Neagh...
. After two decades of upheaval, Áed's son Áed Méith was able to become king of Tír Eogain and rule for three decades.