Echu mac Muiredaig
Encyclopedia
Echu mac Muiredaig was a king of the Uí Cheinnselaig
of South Leinster
. His father, Muiredach mac Óengusa and grandfather Óengus mac Feidlimid had been kings of the Ui Cheinnselaig as well. They belonged to a branch known as the Uí Felmeda descended from Fedelmid, son of Énnae Cennsalach
, who was the father of Óengus.
He is listed in the king list in the Book of Leinster but is not mentioned in the annals. An 11th century poem Gein Branduib maic Echach ocus Aedáin maic Gabráin (The Birth of Brandub son of Eochu and of Aedán son of Gabrán) mentions that Echu was expelled from Leinster by his brother Fáelán and went to the court of Gabrán mac Domangairt
, king of Dál Riata in Scotland. The king list in the Book of Leinster mentions a Fáelán mac Síláin as king prior to Echu from a rival line descended from Crimthann mac Énnai
(died 486). Echu later reurned to take the throne though it is not mentioned in what manner he did so.
The poem goes on to relate that Echu's wife, named Feidelm agreed to exchange one of her twin sons at birth for one of the twin daughters of Gabran so that Gabran could have a son. These boys were Brandub mac Echach
(died 603) and Áedán mac Gabráin
. The date of the poem coincides with a period of Scottish and Leinster cooperation and could be political propaganda. A foster-brother relationship may be implied. Echu's son Brandub would go on to become King of Leinster and halt the expansion of the southern Ui Neill
.
Uí Cheinnselaig
The Uí Ceinnselaig , from the Old Irish "grandsons of Cennsalach", are an Irish dynasty of Leinster who trace their descent from Énnae Cennsalach, a supposed contemporary of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
of South 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...
. His father, Muiredach mac Óengusa and grandfather Óengus mac Feidlimid had been kings of the Ui Cheinnselaig as well. They belonged to a branch known as the Uí Felmeda descended from Fedelmid, son of Énnae Cennsalach
Énnae Cennsalach
Énnae Cennsalach was a King of Leinster and founder of the Uí Cheinnselaig sept of the Laigin. He was the grandson of Bressal Bélach , a previous king.The chronology of Leinster kings in the 5th century is contradictory...
, who was the father of Óengus.
He is listed in the king list in the Book of Leinster but is not mentioned in the annals. An 11th century poem Gein Branduib maic Echach ocus Aedáin maic Gabráin (The Birth of Brandub son of Eochu and of Aedán son of Gabrán) mentions that Echu was expelled from Leinster by his brother Fáelán and went to the court 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...
, king of Dál Riata in Scotland. The king list in the Book of Leinster mentions a Fáelán mac Síláin as king prior to Echu from a rival line descended from Crimthann mac Énnai
Crimthann mac Énnai
Crimthann mac Énnai was a King of Leinster from the Uí Cheinnselaig sept of the Laigin. He was the son of Énnae Cennsalach, the ancestor of this dynasty....
(died 486). Echu later reurned to take the throne though it is not mentioned in what manner he did so.
The poem goes on to relate that Echu's wife, named Feidelm agreed to exchange one of her twin sons at birth for one of the twin daughters of Gabran so that Gabran could have a son. These boys were Brandub mac Echach
Brandub mac Echach
Brandub mac Echach was an Irish king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of Leinster. His father, Echu mac Muiredaig had been a king of the Ui Cheinnselaig. They belonged to a branch known as the Uí Felmeda descended from Fedelmid, son of Énnae Cennsalach...
(died 603) and Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin was a king of Dál Riata from circa 574 until his death, perhaps on 17 April 609. The kingdom of Dál Riata was situated in modern Argyll and Bute, Scotland, and parts of County Antrim, Ireland...
. The date of the poem coincides with a period of Scottish and Leinster cooperation and could be political propaganda. A foster-brother relationship may be implied. Echu's son Brandub would go on to become King of Leinster and halt the expansion 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....
.