Cathal mac Néill
Encyclopedia
Cathal mac Néill or Cathal Cerr or Cathal Corc was a king of Southern Brega
at Lagore. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Uí Néill
. He was the son of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
(died 701) and great-grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
(died 665). He ruled the Uí Chernaig from 724-729 succeeding his brother the high king Fogartach mac Néill
(died 724).
His father had been assassinated by the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Írgalach mac Conaing
(died 702) setting off a longstanding feud between theses two septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. Cathal himself was killed in 729 but the circumstances are not given. Tha Annals of Tigernach give him the title ríg Desceirt Breagh, the first member of the sept to be so titled in the annals. The more primary source, The Annals of Ulster, do not give him this title however.
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...
at Lagore. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of 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 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....
. He was the son of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
Niall mac Cernaig Sotal was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine...
(died 701) and great-grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
Diarmait was a son of Áed Sláine. According to the Irish annals he was High King of Ireland.-Sons of Áed Sláine:Diarmait's father Áed Sláine was a son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, the apical ancestor of the southern branches of the Uí Néill kindred which dominated Ireland from the late 6th century...
(died 665). He ruled the Uí Chernaig from 724-729 succeeding his brother the high king Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
(died 724).
His father had been assassinated by the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Írgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing
Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre , also called Írgalach ua Conaing, was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile and brother of Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre , previous kings of Brega...
(died 702) setting off a longstanding feud between theses two septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. Cathal himself was killed in 729 but the circumstances are not given. Tha Annals of Tigernach give him the title ríg Desceirt Breagh, the first member of the sept to be so titled in the annals. The more primary source, The Annals of Ulster, do not give him this title however.