Aitíth mac Laigni
Encyclopedia
Aitíth mac Laigni (also Aidíth) was a King of Ulaid
, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He belonged to a branch of the Dal nAraide known as the Uí Echach Cobo
in the west part of county Down. He ruled as King of Ulaid from 896-98.
His last direct ancestor to hold the throne of Ulaid was Fergus mac Áedáin
(died 692) of whom he was a 6th generation descendant. He possibly became King of Coba (Cuib) in 882 on the death of Conallán mac Máele Dúin.
He first appears in the annals in 893 when he caused a disturbance at Armagh between the Ulaid and the Cenél nEógain
. Some men were killed and the abbot Máel Brigte mac Tornáin had to separate the disputing parties. Compensation had to be paid to the abbot for this. That same year, he slew the King of Ulaid, Bécc mac Airemóin
of the Dal Fiatach
. He was then responsible for the assassination of Muiredach mac Eochocáin
(died 895), another Dal Fiatach King of Ulaid.
Aitíth became king in 896. In the year of his accession, the king of Ard Cianachta, Cummascach mac Muiredaig, (a subject tribe of Brega in County Louth) was killed by the Ulaid. Also in 896 he led a force in alliance with the Conaille Muirtheimne (of the Dundalk area of County Louth) which defeated the Norse and slew Amlaíb son of Ímar.
Aitíth's activities in Louth aroused the southern Ui Neill
king of Brega
. In 897 the King of Brega, Máel Finnia mac Flannacain (died 903) defeated the forces of the Ulaid at the Battle of Rath Cró. Among the slain were Muiredach mac Mac Éitig, King of Dal nAraide and Aindiarraid mac Máele Mocheirge, King of the Leth Cathail (Lecale) branch of the Dal Fiatach. Aitíth escaped from the battle but was severely wounded. The next year in 898 he was assassinated by his own associates.
His descendeants, the Ua hAiteidh, dominated the Uí Echach Cobo from the late 10th century till the early 12th century.
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He belonged to a branch of the Dal nAraide known as 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...
in the west part of county Down. He ruled as King of Ulaid from 896-98.
His last direct ancestor to hold the throne of Ulaid was Fergus mac Áedáin
Fergus mac Áedáin
Fergus mac Áedáin was king of Ulaid from 674. He belonged to a branch of the Dal nAraide known as the Uí Echach Cobo in the west part of county Down. They were distinct from the main branch located in County Antrim who were known as Kings of the...
(died 692) of whom he was a 6th generation descendant. He possibly became King of Coba (Cuib) in 882 on the death of Conallán mac Máele Dúin.
He first appears in the annals in 893 when he caused a disturbance at Armagh between the Ulaid and 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...
. Some men were killed and the abbot Máel Brigte mac Tornáin had to separate the disputing parties. Compensation had to be paid to the abbot for this. That same year, he slew the King of Ulaid, Bécc mac Airemóin
Bécc mac Airemóin
Bécc mac Airemóin or Bécc mac Éiremóin was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Airemón mac Áedo ,a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 886-893...
of the Dal 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:...
. He was then responsible for the assassination of Muiredach mac Eochocáin
Muiredach mac Eochocáin
Muiredach mac Eochocáin or Muiredach mac Eochucáin was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Eochocán mac Áedo ,a previous king of Ulaid...
(died 895), another Dal Fiatach King of Ulaid.
Aitíth became king in 896. In the year of his accession, the king of Ard Cianachta, Cummascach mac Muiredaig, (a subject tribe of Brega in County Louth) was killed by the Ulaid. Also in 896 he led a force in alliance with the Conaille Muirtheimne (of the Dundalk area of County Louth) which defeated the Norse and slew Amlaíb son of Ímar.
Aitíth's activities in Louth aroused 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....
king of 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...
. In 897 the King of Brega, Máel Finnia mac Flannacain (died 903) defeated the forces of the Ulaid at the Battle of Rath Cró. Among the slain were Muiredach mac Mac Éitig, King of Dal nAraide and Aindiarraid mac Máele Mocheirge, King of the Leth Cathail (Lecale) branch of the Dal Fiatach. Aitíth escaped from the battle but was severely wounded. The next year in 898 he was assassinated by his own associates.
His descendeants, the Ua hAiteidh, dominated the Uí Echach Cobo from the late 10th century till the early 12th century.