Ailill Cruitire
Encyclopedia
Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine (died 634) was a King of Brega
from the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine
mac Diarmato (died 604). His byname meant "harper".
The exact date of his accession to Brega is not mentioned in the annals. He was contemporary to his brother Congal mac Áedo Sláine
, who was called King of Brega in the annals, whereas Ailill was not.
The annals mention that in 634 Ailill and his brother Congal were defeated and slain at the Battle of Loch Trethin at Fremainn (Loch Drethin at Frewin Hill, County Westmeath) by the same Conall Guthbinn
of the Clann Cholmáin
who had slain their father. Congal is recorded as king of Brega in the annals regarding this event, Ailill is not.
A poem in the Book of Leinster
, however, claims that Ailill was slain at the Battle of Áth Goan in western Liffey
during a Leinster
civil war in 633. The victor was again Conall Guthbinn and his ally Fáelán mac Colmáin
(died 666?) of the Uí Dúnlainge
.
Ailill's son Dlúthach was ancestor of the Síl nDlúthaig sept, or as Fir Cúl Breg, men of the churches of Brega. His grandson Áed mac Dlúthaig
(died 701) was a king of Fir Cúl.
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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...
from the 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....
branch of the southern Ui Neill
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....
. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine
Áed Sláine
Áed mac Diarmato , called Áed Sláine , was the son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Legendary stories exist of Áed's birth. Saint Columba is said to have prophesied his death...
mac Diarmato (died 604). His byname meant "harper".
The exact date of his accession to Brega is not mentioned in the annals. He was contemporary to his brother Congal mac Áedo Sláine
Congal mac Áedo Sláine
Congal mac Áedo Sláine was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato ....
, who was called King of Brega in the annals, whereas Ailill was not.
The annals mention that in 634 Ailill and his brother Congal were defeated and slain at the Battle of Loch Trethin at Fremainn (Loch Drethin at Frewin Hill, County Westmeath) by the same Conall Guthbinn
Conall Guthbinn
Conall mac Suibni , called Conall Guthbinn, was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the son Suibne mac Colmáin , a previous king. He ruled from 621 to 635. His byname Guthbinn meant "sweet voiced"....
of the 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...
who had slain their father. Congal is recorded as king of Brega in the annals regarding this event, Ailill is not.
A poem in the Book of Leinster
Book of Leinster
The Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
, however, claims that Ailill was slain at the Battle of Áth Goan in western Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
during 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...
civil war in 633. The victor was again Conall Guthbinn and his ally Fáelán mac Colmáin
Fáelán mac Colmáin
Fáelán mac Colmáin was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Colmán Már mac Coirpri, a previous king...
(died 666?) 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....
.
Ailill's son Dlúthach was ancestor of the Síl nDlúthaig sept, or as Fir Cúl Breg, men of the churches of Brega. His grandson Áed mac Dlúthaig
Áed mac Dlúthaig
Áed mac Dlúthaig was a King of Fir Cúl in Brega of the Síl nDlúthaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine of Brega. He was the grandson of Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine , a king of Brega....
(died 701) was a king of Fir Cúl.
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