Cathal mac Áeda
Encyclopedia
Cathal mac Áeda was a king in southern Brega
of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
. He was the son of Áed Laigin mac Néill (died 722) and great-great grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
(died 665). His father had been slain at the Battle of Allen in the great defeat of the Ui Neill
by the men of Leinster
. He was chief of the Uí Chernaig from 729 to 737.
An isolated reference in the Annals of Ulster for the year 733 has 'the overthrow of Cathal by Domnall in Tailtiu, and the overthrow of Fallomun by Cathal in Tlachtga
'. The consensus view among historians is that the Cathal mentioned was Cathal mac Finguine
(died 742), King of Munster. However, the historian Charles-Edwards argues in favor of Cathal mac Áeda. He cites the lack of mention of this event in the Munster oriented Annals of Innisfallen. This theory proposes that Domnall attacked Cathal at Tailtiu
, where the Uí Néill high kings traditionally held their main óenach
. He was attacked there by Domnall Midi
of the Clann Cholmáin branch and defeated. This was a step in the rise to Domnall as high king. Cathal however defeated the minor Uí Néill kindred of Clann Cholmáin Bicc under Fallomon mac Con Congalt
at Tlachtga
, the Hill of Ward
, the site of another major Uí Néill óenach.
The Uí Chernaig sept had a feud with the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
) in North Brega going back to the assassination of Cathal's grandfather Niall mac Cernaig Sotal
(died 701) by Írgalach mac Conaing
(died 702). In 737 the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Conaing mac Amalgado
(died 742) defeated Cathal and his kinsman Cernach mac Fogartaig
(d.738) at the Battle of Lia Ailbe in Mag nAilbe (Moynalvy,Co.Meath) and Cathal was slain.
Tha family descended from Áed Laigin was a sub-sept of the Uí Chernaig known as the Sil Áeda Laigen. The death of Cathal's brother Domnall mac Áeda is recorded in the annals in 759.
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...
of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore 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....
. He was the son of Áed Laigin mac Néill (died 722) and great-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). His father had been slain at the Battle of Allen in the great defeat of the 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....
by the men 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...
. He was chief of the Uí Chernaig from 729 to 737.
An isolated reference in the Annals of Ulster for the year 733 has 'the overthrow of Cathal by Domnall in Tailtiu, and the overthrow of Fallomun by Cathal in Tlachtga
Tlachtga
Tlachtga is the name of a powerful druidess from Irish mythology and a festival celebrated in her honor in early Ireland.Tlachtga was the daughter of Mug Ruith, a druid from Irish legend. She accompanied him on his world travels, learning his magical secrets and discovering sacred stones in Italy...
'. The consensus view among historians is that the Cathal mentioned was 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...
(died 742), King of Munster. However, the historian Charles-Edwards argues in favor of Cathal mac Áeda. He cites the lack of mention of this event in the Munster oriented Annals of Innisfallen. This theory proposes that Domnall attacked Cathal at Tailtiu
Tailtiu
Tailtiu or Tailltiu is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology. Telltown in County Meath, was named for her.-In Irish mythology:...
, where the Uí Néill high kings traditionally held their main óenach
Óenach
The Óenach, usually translated fair or assembly, was an annual gathering in Ireland which combined features of the popular assembly and fair. As well as the entertainment, the óenach was an occasion on which kings and notables met under truce and where laws were pronounced and confirmed.The most...
. He was attacked there 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 the Clann Cholmáin branch and defeated. This was a step in the rise to Domnall as high king. Cathal however defeated the minor Uí Néill kindred of Clann Cholmáin Bicc under Fallomon mac Con Congalt
Fallomon mac Con Congalt
Fallomon mac Con Congalt , also written Follaman mac Con Congelt, was King of Mide, a kingdom of the Uí Néill in central Ireland in modern County Westmeath and County Meath.-Background:...
at Tlachtga
Tlachtga
Tlachtga is the name of a powerful druidess from Irish mythology and a festival celebrated in her honor in early Ireland.Tlachtga was the daughter of Mug Ruith, a druid from Irish legend. She accompanied him on his world travels, learning his magical secrets and discovering sacred stones in Italy...
, the Hill of Ward
Hill of Ward
The Hill of Ward, also known as the Hill of Tlachtga, is a hill in County Meath, Ireland. During medieval times it was the site of great festivals, including one at which winter fires were lit at Samhain, the precursor of the modern Halloween...
, the site of another major Uí Néill óenach.
The Uí Chernaig sept had a feud with the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth
Knowth
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave and an ancient monument of Brú na Bóinne in the valley of the River Boyne in Ireland.Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs...
) in North Brega going back to the assassination of Cathal's grandfather 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) by 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). In 737 the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Conaing mac Amalgado
Conaing mac Amalgado
Conaing mac Amalgado 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 Amalgaid mac Congalaig , a previous king...
(died 742) defeated Cathal and his kinsman Cernach mac Fogartaig
Cernach mac Fogartaig
Cernach mac Fogartaig was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Fogartach mac Néill...
(d.738) at the Battle of Lia Ailbe in Mag nAilbe (Moynalvy,Co.Meath) and Cathal was slain.
Tha family descended from Áed Laigin was a sub-sept of the Uí Chernaig known as the Sil Áeda Laigen. The death of Cathal's brother Domnall mac Áeda is recorded in the annals in 759.