Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib
Encyclopedia
Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib (died 639) was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil
branch of the Eoganachta
. He succeeded Cathal mac Áedo
Flaind Chathrach of the Glendamnach branch in 628. He was the younger brother of a previous king Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
(d. 618). His sobriquet Flann meant "blood-red".
) versus Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
(d.663) of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
of Connachta
. Faílbe won the battle and Guaire was put to flight and his ally Conall mac Máele Dúib
of the Uí Maine and many Connaught nobles were slain. Guaire ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach power in south Connaught and sought to recover the lost Connaught territories in Thomond
. Byrne believes that the true expansion of the Deisi
into County Clare
dates from this battle.
The other important event of his reign was the Battle of Áth Goan in the western Liffey
plain fought in 636. In this battle Faílbe intervened in the Leinster
kingship. He gave his support to Fáelán mac Colmáin
(died 666) of the Uí Dúnlainge
versus Crimthann mac Áedo
of the Uí Máil
who was king of Leinster. Failbe and Fáelán were allied with Conall Guthbinn
mac Suibni (died 637) of Mide. They were victorious and Crimthann was slain. A Munster tract claims that Faílbe paid the tribute of the Laigin to the Ui Neill
but Byrne dismisses this as later Munster propaganda to claim Leth Moga (the southern half of Ireland).
, rulers of the Kingdom of Desmond, as well as the principalities of Carbery, Muskerry
, and Duhallow
.
His son Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
(died 678) was also a King of Munster.
Eóganacht Chaisil
Eóganacht Chaisil were a branch of the Eóganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster during the 5th-10th centuries. They took their name from Cashel which was the capital of the early Christian kingdom of Munster...
branch of the Eoganachta
Eóganachta
The Eóganachta or Eoghanachta were an Irish dynasty centred around Cashel which dominated southern Ireland from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of Desmond, and its offshoot Carbery, well into the 16th century...
. He succeeded Cathal mac Áedo
Cathal mac Áedo
Cathal mac Áedo Flaind Chathrach was a King of Cashel in Munster from the Glendamnach sept of the Eoganachta. He was the son of Áed Fland Cathrach and grandson of Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn a previous king of Cashel...
Flaind Chathrach of the Glendamnach branch in 628. He was the younger brother of a previous king Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
Fíngen mac Áedo Duib was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eoganachta. He was the great-grandson of Feidlimid mac Óengusa, a previous king. He succeeded Amalgaid mac Éndai as king in 601....
(d. 618). His sobriquet Flann meant "blood-red".
Career
In 629 he fought the Battle of Carn Feradaig (Cahernarry, County LimerickCounty Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
) versus Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin
Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin was a king of Connacht. A member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne and son of king Colmán mac Cobthaig . Guiare ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach Aidne power in south Connacht.-Early reign:...
(d.663) of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne was a kingdom located in what is now the south of Co. Galway.-Legendary origins and geography:...
of Connachta
Connachta
The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach...
. Faílbe won the battle and Guaire was put to flight and his ally Conall mac Máele Dúib
Conall mac Máele Dúib
Conall mac Máele Dúib, died 629) 14th King of the Uí Maine.In his time the Uí Maine were allied and subject to the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a branch of the Connachta. They were ruled at this time by Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin who ruled at the height of their power...
of the Uí Maine and many Connaught nobles were slain. Guaire ruled at the height of Ui Fiachrach power in south Connaught and sought to recover the lost Connaught territories in Thomond
Thomond
Thomond The region of Ireland associated with the name Thomond is County Clare, County Limerick and north County Tipperary; effectively most of north Munster. The name is used by a variety of establishments and organisations located in , or associated with the region...
. Byrne believes that the true expansion of the Deisi
Déisi
The Déisi were a class of peoples in ancient and medieval Ireland. The term is Old Irish, and derives from the word déis, meaning "vassal" or "subject"; in its original sense, it designated groups who were vassals or rent-payers to a landowner. Later, it became a proper name for certain septs and...
into County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
dates from this battle.
The other important event of his reign was the Battle of Áth Goan in the western Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
plain fought in 636. In this battle Faílbe intervened in the 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...
kingship. He gave his support to Fáelán mac Colmáin
Fáelán mac Colmáin
Fáelán mac Colmáin was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Colmán Már mac Coirpri, a previous king...
(died 666) of the Uí Dúnlainge
Uí Dúnlainge
The Uí Dúnlainge, from the Old Irish "grandsons of Dúnlaing", were an Irish dynasty of Leinster kings who traced their descent from Dúnlaing mac Énda Niada. He was said to be a cousin of Énnae Cennsalach, eponymous ancestor of the rival Uí Chennselaig....
versus Crimthann mac Áedo
Crimthann mac Áedo
Crimthann mac Áedo was a King of Leinster from the Uí Máil branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Áed Dibchine mac Senaig , a previous king. He would have succeeded sometime after the death of Rónán mac Colmáin...
of the Uí Máil
Uí Máil
Uí Máil were an Irish dynasty of Leinster. They were descended from Maine Mál, the brother of the legendary high king Cathair Mór. The Uí Máil were a dominant dynasty in Leinster competing for the kingship in the 7th century before being eventually ousted by the Uí Dunlainge and retreating east...
who was king of Leinster. Failbe and Fáelán were allied with Conall Guthbinn
Conall Guthbinn
Conall mac Suibni , called Conall Guthbinn, was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the son Suibne mac Colmáin , a previous king. He ruled from 621 to 635. His byname Guthbinn meant "sweet voiced"....
mac Suibni (died 637) of Mide. They were victorious and Crimthann was slain. A Munster tract claims that Faílbe paid the tribute of the Laigin to 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....
but Byrne dismisses this as later Munster propaganda to claim Leth Moga (the southern half of Ireland).
Family and descendants
Faílbe's descendants were known as the Clann Faílbe sept of the Cashail branch, later known as the MacCarthy dynastyMacCarthy dynasty
The MacCarthy dynasty was one of Ireland's greatest medieval dynasties. It was and continues to be divided into several great branches. The MacCarthy Reagh, MacCarthy of Muskerry, and MacCarthy of Duhallow dynasties were the three most important of these, after the central or MacCarthy Mór...
, rulers of the Kingdom of Desmond, as well as the principalities of Carbery, Muskerry
Muskerry
Muskerry is a central region of County Cork, Ireland which incorporates the baronies of Muskerry West and Muskerry East. It is located along the vallley of the River Lee and is bounded by the Boggeragh Mountains to the north and the Shehy Mountains to the south. The region is named after the...
, and Duhallow
Duhallow
Duhallow is a barony located in the north-western part of County Cork, Ireland.- Legal context :Baronies were created after the Norman invasion as subdivisions of counties and were used for administration. Baronies continue to be regarded as officially defined units, but they are no longer used...
.
His son Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind
Colgú mac Faílbe Flaind was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eoganachta. He was the son of Faílbe Flann mac Áedo Duib , a previous king. He succeeded Cathal Cú-cen-máthair mac Cathail as king in 665. The annals mention no details of his reign...
(died 678) was also a King of Munster.