Dúnchad Bec
Encyclopedia
Dúnchad Bec was king of Kintyre
(in Dál Riata
) in the early 8th century.
Dúnchad Bec is too late to have been included in the Senchus Fer n-Alban
, which includes kings to the first half of the 7th century. He is also unknown to later genealogies. He is named from two entries in the Annals of Ulster
(and the Annals of Tigernach
). The first entry, for the year 719, reports a battle at Ard Nesbi between Dúnchad Bec "with the Cenél nGabráin" and Selbach mac Ferchair
with the Cenél Loairn. The second, for 721, reports the death of "Dúnchad Bec, king of Cenn Tíre".
As king of Kintyre and chief of the Cenél nGabráin, it is likely that Dúnchad Bec was a descendant of Gabrán mac Domangairt
. If the assumption that Fiannamail ua Dúnchado
was a grandson of the earlier king Dúnchad mac Conaing
is correct, then it may be that Dúnchad Bec belonged to this segment of the Cenél nGabráin, probably descended from Conaing son of Áedán, which appears to have contested with the main line, descended from Eochaid Buide
.
It is not known who succeeded Dúnchad Bec as king of the Cenél nGabráin. The next known king is Eochaid mac Echdach
, of the line of Eochaid Buide, whose supporters deposed Dúngal mac Selbaig
in 726.
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
(in Dál Riata
Dál Riata
Dál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...
) in the early 8th century.
Dúnchad Bec is too late to have been included in the Senchus Fer n-Alban
Senchus fer n-Alban
The Senchus Fer n-Alban is an Old Irish medieval text, believed to have been compiled in the 10th century. It may have been derived from earlier documents of the 7th century which are presumed to have been written in Latin...
, which includes kings to the first half of the 7th century. He is also unknown to later genealogies. He is named from two entries in 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...
(and the Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
). The first entry, for the year 719, reports a battle at Ard Nesbi between Dúnchad Bec "with the Cenél nGabráin" and Selbach mac Ferchair
Selbach mac Ferchair
Selbach mac Ferchair was king of the Cenél Loairn and of Dál Riata. Selbach's existence is well-attested as he is mentioned repeatedly in Irish annals.-Life:Selbach mac Ferchair was a son of Ferchar Fota...
with the Cenél Loairn. The second, for 721, reports the death of "Dúnchad Bec, king of Cenn Tíre".
As king of Kintyre and chief of the Cenél nGabráin, it is likely that Dúnchad Bec was a descendant of Gabrán mac Domangairt
Gabrán mac Domangairt
Gabrán mac Domangairt was king of Dál Riata in the middle of the 6th century. He is the eponymous ancestor of the Cenél nGabraín.The historical evidence for Gabrán is limited to the notice of his death in the Irish annals...
. If the assumption that Fiannamail ua Dúnchado
Fiannamail ua Dúnchado
Fiannamail ua Dúnchado was a king of Dál Riata at the end of the 8th century, and a king about whom nothing can be said with certainty other than the fact of his death around 700 by violence....
was a grandson of the earlier king Dúnchad mac Conaing
Dúnchad mac Conaing
Dúnchad mac Conaing was king of Dál Riata . He was joint ruler with Conall Crandomna until he was defeated and killed by Talorcan, king of the Picts, in the battle of Strath Ethairt...
is correct, then it may be that Dúnchad Bec belonged to this segment of the Cenél nGabráin, probably descended from Conaing son of Áedán, which appears to have contested with the main line, descended from Eochaid Buide
Eochaid Buide
Eochaid Buide was king of Dál Riata from around 608 until 629. "Buide" refers to the colour yellow, as in the colour of his hair.He was a younger son of Áedán mac Gabráin and became his father's chosen heir upon the death of his elder brothers...
.
It is not known who succeeded Dúnchad Bec as king of the Cenél nGabráin. The next known king is Eochaid mac Echdach
Eochaid mac Echdach
Eochaid mac Eochaid was king of Dál Riata from 726 until 733. He was a son of Eochaid mac Domangairt.Eochaid came to power as king of Dál Riata in 726, presumably deposing Dúngal mac Selbaig. Selbach may have tried to restore his son to power, and fought against Eochaid's supporters at Irros...
, of the line of Eochaid Buide, whose supporters deposed Dúngal mac Selbaig
Dúngal mac Selbaig
Dúngal mac Selbaig was king of Dál Riata. His reign can best be placed in the years 723 to 726, beginning with the abdication of his father, Selbach mac Ferchair, who entered a monastery, and ending with rise of Eochaid mac Echdach of the Cenél nGabráin...
in 726.