The Dal Riata and the Ui Neill

It may be something or it may be nothing, but it is interesting to observe that after the death of Dorm Corci in 792, who is believed to be the last known king of Dal Riata in North Antrim or possibly Scotland, and the death of Bressal son of Flaithre, king of Dal Araide, also in that year, the annals designate Bressal’s successors, kings of Dal Araide of the North. There is a hint preserved in the annalistic entries of 824, 832 and 849 that suggests the political map in the north of Antrim had been re-drawn by Eochaid son of Bressal. Mael Duin son of Aed Oridnide was king of the Cenel Eogain in 8495, and although his name is not recorded (see above), it is possible he may have led the attack against Flannacan and the Dal Araide of the North either for plunder or to establish their over-kingship. If this is correct, it would explain why the kings of the northern branch of the Dal Araide disappear from the Dal Araide king list preserved in the Book of Leinster. The last named king from the northern branch to hold the over-kingship of Dal Araide was Eochaid son of Bressal, who died in 832. All the names of the kings listed after him belong to the southern branch and if you open this link, I have extracted all the kings named in the Book of Leinster and inserted dates of death to highlight the crucial period of interest between Flathroe son of Fiachrach (d. 774) and Loingsech Ua Lethlobuir (d. 932).




The earliest references in the Irish Annals associated with the northern branch of the Dal Araide, are listed below, and indicate the point at which, the Cenel Eogain defeated their kings.

AU 824

Eochaid m. Bressail, ri Dal Araide in Tuaisceirt, iugulatus est a sociis suis.

Eochaid son of Bressail, king of Dal Araidi of the North, was killed by his associates.

AU 832

Cinaedh m. Echdach, ri Dal Araidhe in Tuaisceirt, iugulatus est per dolum a sociis suis.

Cinaed son of Echaid, king of Dal Araidi of the North, was deceitfully killed by his own associates.

AU 849

Flannacan m. Ecdhach, rex Dail Araide in Tuaisceirt, iugulatus est a Genere Eugain.

Flannacan son of Echaid, king of Dal Araidi of the North, was killed by the Cenel Eogain.

The Dal Araide mentioned here must refer to ‘Dal Araidi of the North’, rather than its southern counter part. The following decade, we find the Cenel Eogain and the Norse Vikings forging an alliance, undoubtedly, to the mutual benefit of their respective leaders. Together, in 871, the Cenel Eogain and the Vikings stormed ‘Dun Sobariche’ (modern Dunseverick) in the territory of Dal Riata, a victory remembered long afterwards and if we are to believe the annals, the storming of Dun Sobariche by the Cenel Eogain was something that had ‘never been achieved before’. At the time, Aed Findlaith was still king of the Cenel Eogain and he is known to have forged alliances with several Norse Viking kings from Ireland and the western parts of Scotland. Aed married Mael Muire, daughter of Cinaed son of Alpin, king of the Scots, and was the father of Niall Glundub, king of the Cenel Eogain. This marriage is likely to have taken place following an alliance between Aed Findlaith and the McAlpin king of Scots. Aed died at Druim Inasclainn in the territory of Conaille on 20th November, 879, and was buried at Armagh.



Dun Sobariche (the Fort of Sobariche)



The ruined castle was last occupied Gilledubh Ua Cathain in 1657


It may be something or it may be nothing, but it is interesting to observe that after the death of Dorm Corci in 792, who is believed to be the last known king of Dal Riata in North Antrim or possibly Scotland, and the death of Bressal son of Flaithre, king of Dal Araide, also in that year, the annals designate Bressal’s successors, kings of Dal Araide of the North. There is a hint preserved in the annalistic entries of 824, 832 and 849 that suggests the political map in the north of Antrim had been re-drawn by Eochaid son of Bressal. Mael Duin son of Aed Oridnide was king of the Cenel Eogain in 8495, and although his name is not recorded (see above), it is possible he may have led the attack against Flannacan and the Dal Araide of the North either for plunder or to establish their over-kingship. If this is correct, it would explain why the kings of the northern branch of the Dal Araide disappear from the Dal Araide king list preserved in the Book of Leinster. The last named king from the northern branch to hold the over-kingship of Dal Araide was Eochaid son of Bressal, who died in 832. All the names of the kings listed after him belong to the southern branch and if you open this link, I have extracted all the kings named in the Book of Leinster and inserted dates of death to highlight the crucial period of interest between Flathroe son of Fiachrach (d. 774) and Loingsech Ua Lethlobuir (d. 932).
For the tenth and eleventh century, very little information has survived for either the tricha cét of Dal Riata or Dal Araidi of the North, and except for a few references (e.g. Viking attacks) we know almost nothing about the native sub-kings or their people. There are hints the Cenel Eogain held some influence over them and were perhaps over-kings. For example, in 914, the last known king of Dal Riata in Ireland, ‘Diarmaid son of Selbach’, was killed in battle fighting on the side of Niall Glundub, king of the Cenel Eogain, against Flann son of Mael Sechnaill, king of Tara, at Greilach Eilte in the territory of Meath in Ireland. Later, in 926, when Dun Sobariche was ‘sacked’ by a Danish fleet of Vikings from Loch Cuan (Strangford Lough in Co. Down), during which it was reported ‘many men were killed or captured’, Muirechertach son of Niall Glundub, king of the Cenel Eogain, later routed and killed their leader Alpthann (Old Norse, Haldan) son of Gothfrith at the bridge of Cluain na Crimther.


Unfortunately, the genealogies belonging to the kings of Dal Riata and the Fir-na-Craibh have not survived for the period in quesiton. However, a branch of the Clann Drugan of the Cenel Eogain known as the Ua Cathain, anglicised to O’Cahan, then to O’Kane, are said to have taken the kingship of the men of Craibhe and the genealogies for them have been preserved in MacFirbis and O'Cleary’s Books of Genealogies.According to the genealogies, the Ua Cathains are traced from Conchobhar son of Fergal son of Mael Duin (d. 722) and are traced through the Clann Conchobar of Magh Itha. In the annals, the earliest variable king was known as Ragnall, son of Imhar (Ivar) Ua Cathain, lord of the Craibhe, Ciannachta and Fir-Li. He was killed treacherously by the Ua Eogain of the Valley in 1138. It would appear the Ua Eogain of the Valley were the Cenel Binnigh of the Glen, otherwise, the valley of Clenconkeyne in the old barony of Loughlinsholn west of the river Bann. In the Ua Cathian tractate, Ivar’s father is named Gillecrist. The prefix Gille and its application to a saint’s name begins to flourish from about the second half the tenth century onwards. This suggests personal names prefixed with Gille are likely to date no earlier than the second half of the tenth century, which suits Gillecrist who appears to have lived during the mid-eleventh century.

In the Dal Araide king list, it is worth noting the name of ‘Cinaed son of Cathain’ who was over-king of the people of Dal Araide for a brief period following the death of Flathri mac Fiachrach in 774. There is no record in the Irish annals or the genealogies to a king by this name, but if he did indeed rule as king, the name of his father, Cathain will be of interest to those researching the O’Kanes. He may well have belonged to the northern branch of the Dal Araide, and even though Cathain lived a few generations earlier than ‘Cathain son of Drugan son of Conchobar son of Fergal’, the presence of Cathain’s name in northeast Ulster would support an early connection. In fact, the earliest copy of the Clann Conchobar genealogy in The Laud Genealogies and Tribal Histories, dating from the eleventh century, notes Cathain was probably originally spelt as ‘Eochathan with the first element, ‘Eo’ being miscopied for ‘Cu’ or ‘Con’, found in names like Cu-cionaedh or Con-cionaedh (hound of Cinaed or Kenneth), Cu-maighe or Con-maighe (meaing hound of the plain) and Cu-Midhe or Con-Midhe (meaning hound of Meath). Some of these names were used by the kings of Fir-Li in the twelth century, e.g. Cu-maighe and Cu-Midhe, and later by the Ua Cathain kings themselves. If Cinaed son of Conchobar, killed by the Cruithin (Dal Araide?) in Mag Cobo in Co. Down in 808, is the same Cinaed, eldest son of Conchobar son of Fergal, it is possible the Cenel Eogain were already pushing their way east across the river Bann into the territory of the Ulaid (Ulstermen) before 800.

There is evidence to demonstrate that other branches of the Cenel Eogain had settled on the west side of the river Bann in Co. Londonderry, including the Clann Fearchar from the Dunboe area next to Fir-na-Craibhe. The earliest genealogies refer to the Clann Fearchar as the ‘muinter Duin bo’, muinter meaning the household or community of Dunboe in the sense of the ‘inhabtants of a place’. Dunboe means the fort of the cows and traces of this early promontory fort are located near the Church of Dunboe and the Irish Sea. In the Laud, Rawlinson and Ballymote genealogies, the Clann or Muinter Fearchar of ‘Duin bo’ are said to be ‘a quo’ or ‘diata’, respectively meaning from whom descend and called or named after - Fearchar son of Niall Frossach son of Fergal, king of the Cenel Eogain and the Northern Ui Neill, who died in Iona Colum Cille in Argyllshire in 778.

The pedigree of the Clann Fearchar ends with ‘Gillemartin son of Duib Essa’ suggesting he was a sub-king whose family probably lost their ability to compete for a place within the kingship of the Cenel Eogain. Gillemartin’s name reflects a dedication to St. Martin of Tours in France and it would appear an ecclesiastical community had grown up around this saint in Dunboe. In 1182, Domnall Mac Lochlainn lead a host of the Cenel Eogain to 'Dun mbo' said to be in Dal Riata and gave battle against the Anglo-Normans lead by John de Courcy, who defeated the Cenel Eogain. Ragnall Ua Breslin and Gilla Crist Ua Cathain were both killed along with many others, and the Gospel of St. Martin was carried off with them by the Anglo-Normans. The territory of Dal Riata is not known to have extended west of the river Bann as far as Dunboe; therefore, the reference to Dal Riata is likely to have been a mistake possibly for ‘An Tuaiscert’, part of which seems to have extended across the river into Drumtarsy renamed Killowen in 1607. In a Computus return for the year 1262 from Twescard, there is an item of 20 shillings from two carucates of land in Drumtarsy7.

Another branch of Cenel Eogan are said to descend from Niall Frossach, the Clann Colman of Fir Li, a neighbouring tricha cét south of Fir-na-Craibhe (see map above). The kingdom of Fir Li presents a complex picture. It derives its name from Mag Li west of the river Bann, which extented from Camus to the river Moyola. By 1138, the northern part of Fir Li seems to have been conquered and annexed by the Ua Cathain: the southern part of Fir Li remained in the possession of a Ui Moccu Uais branch of kings, who were close relatives of the Ui Thuirtre . No pedigrees for the kings of the Fir Li survive, but references to them appear in the annals. The O’Flynn kings of the Ui Moccu Uais appear to have dominated the southern segment of Fir Li in the eleventh and twelfth century. However, two kings usually associated with the Cenel Binnig, a branch of the Cenel Eogain, may have intruded the kingship of Fir Li; namely, Domnall Ua Uathmarain, king of Fir Li, who was killed by the Dal Ariade in 1036, and the Ua Uathmarain, king of Fir Li, killed in 1081. Alternatively, the Ua Uathmarain kings may have belonged to the Clann Colman, whose genealogies have not survived.

AU = Annals of Ulster 431-1541
FM = Annals of the Four Masters 123-1616
LC = Annals of Loch Ce 1014-1648
MCB = Mac Carthaigh’s Book 1114-1437


FM 1005

Echmhilidh Ua hAitidhe, lord of Ui-Eathach, was slain by the Ulidians themselves.

Extract from the Book of Cluain-mic-Nois, and the Book of the Island, i.e. the Island of the Saints, in Loch Ribh.

A great army was led by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, into Cinel-Conaill and Cinel-Eoghain, to demand hostages. The route they took was through the middle of Connaught, over Eas-Ruaidh, through the middle of Tir-Conaill, through Cinel-Eoghain, over Feartas Camsa, into Dal-Riada, into Dal-Araidhe, into Ulidia, into Conaille-Muirtheimhne; and they arrived, about Lammas, at Bealach-duin. The Leinstermen then proceeded southwards across Breagha to their territory, and the foreigners by sea round eastwards southwards? to their fortress. The Munstermen also and the Osraighi went through Meath westwards to their countries. The Ulidians rendered hostages on this occasion; but they Brian Borumha and his party did not obtain the hostages of the races of Conall and Eoghan.

CS1006

A great army of the men of Ireland was led by Brian son of Cendétigh, king of Mumu, to Cenél Conaill and Cené Eógain to obtain hostages, through the centre of Connacht, over Es Ruadh through the centre of Cenél Conaill, and through Cenél Eogain to Belach Dúin. The Ulaid gave hostages on that occasion, and they obtained hostages neither from Cenél Conaill nor Cenél Eogain.

AU 1006

Brian brought an army on a circuit of Ireland into Connacht, over Es Ruaid into Tír Conaill, through Cenél Eógain, over Fertas Camsa, into Ulaid, into the assembly of the Conaille; and at Lammas they came to Belach Dúin, and the full demand of the community of Patrick and of his successor i.e. Mael Muire son of Eochaid, was granted.

(It is remarkable that Sliab Cua has no troop,
That foreigners do not row around Eidnech,
That a lone woman crosses Luachair,
That cows are without a herdsman, lowing.

—That is in Brian's time.)

FM 1012

Muircheartach, son of Aedh O'Neill, was slain by the Dal-Riada, with a number of others along with him.

AU 1014

A defeat was inflicted on the Dál Araide by the Ulaid in which many were killed.

FM 1015

A battle between the Ulidians and the Dal-Araidhe, wherein the Dal-Araidhe were defeated by Niall, son of Eochaidh; and wherein fell Domhnall, son of Loingseach, lord of Dal-Araidhe; Niall, son of Dubhtuine, son of Eochaidh, son of Ardgar, ex-king of Ulidia; and Conchobhar Ua Domhnallain,lord of Ui-Tuirtri, and others along with them.

AU 1016

A battle between the Ulaid and the Dál Araide, and the Dál Araide were defeated. There fell therein Domnall ua Loingsigh, king of Dál Araide, and Niall son of Dub Tuinne, and Conchobur ua Domnalláin, king of Uí Thuirtri, and many others. Niall son of Eochaid was triumphant.

FM 1046

Conchobhar Ua Loingsigh, lord of Dal-Araidhe, was slain by the son of Domhnall Ua Loingsigh, in Leinster (i.e. in Ui-Buidhe), in violation of the guarantee of Niall, son of Eochaidh, King of Ulidia, and of Diarmaid, son of Mael-na-mbo.

AU 1065

Brodur, the enemy of Comgall, who killed his king in Bennchor, was killed by the king of Dál Araide.

FM 1056

A predatory incursion was made by Niall, son of Maeleachlainn, upon the Dal-Araidhe; and he carried off two thousand cows and sixty persons as prisoners.

AU 1059

A raid was made by Ardgar son of Lochlainn and the Cenél Eógain into Dál Araide, and they carried off a great cattle-prey, and killed or captured two hundred people.

FM 1065

Brodar, the enemy of Comhghall (it was by him the king was killed at Beannchair), was slain by the lord of Dal-Araidhe.

AU 1065

Domnall ua Loingsigh, king of Dál Araide, and Muirchertach ua Maílfhábaill, king of Carraic Brachaide, were killed by the Uí Méith of Menn Tíre.

FM 1065

Domhnall Ua Loingsigh, lord of Dal-Araidhe, and Muircheartach Ua Maelfabhaill, lord of Carraig-Brachaidhe, were slain by the Ui-Meith.

AU 1070

Ua Eochaidén, king of Dál Araide, was killed by his own people.

AU 1077

Ua Loingsigh, king of Dál Araide, was killed by his own people.

FM 1077

Ua Loingsigh, lord of Dal-Araidhe, was slain by the Dal-Araidhe themselves.

AU 1095

The defeat of Ard Achaidh was inflicted by the Dál Araide on the Ulaid, and in it fell Gilla Comgaill ua Cairill.

FM 1095

A great victory was gained at Ard-achad, by the Dal-Araidhe, over the Ulidians, wherein were slain Lochlainn Ua Cairill, royal heir of Ulidia; and Gillachomhghaill Ua Cairill; and a great host along with them.

AU 1128

An army was brought by Conchobor ua Lochlainn and the Cenél Eógain and the Dál Araide and the Airgialla into Magh Coba, and they took the hostages of the Uí Echach. They turn thereafter south into the territory of the men of Brega, and left some of their people dead there and committed a great crime before God and man, i.e. the burning of Áth Truim with its churches, and a number of people suffered martyrdom there. They returned home, not having obtained peace from God or men.

AU 1165

The turning of the Ulidians upon Ua Lochlainn [took place] and a foray [was made] by them upon the Ui-Meith, so that they took away many cows and killed a multitude of persons. A foray also [was made] by them upon the eastern Ui-Bresail and another foray upon Dal-riatai.

A hosting by Muircertach Ua Lochlainn, [along with] both [Cenel-] Cona[i]ll and [Cenel-] Eoga[i]n and the Airgialla, into Ulidia, so that they harried all the country, except, the chief churches of the Ulidians and killed a countless number of them, including Echmarcach, son of Mac Gilla-espuic and including Ua Lomanaigh (Lamont in Scotland) and they expelled Eochaidh Mac Duinnsleibhe [Ua Eochadha] from Ulidia. And Ua Lochlainn gave the kingship to Donnsleibhe [Mac Duinnsleibhe Ua Eochadha] and all the Ulidians gave their pledges to Ua Lochlainn, through the might of his regal power.

FM 1165

The Ulidians began to turn against Muircheartach Ua Lochlainn, and proceeded with a force against the Ui-Meith, and carried off cows, and slew many persons. They made another deprecatory irruption upon the Ui-Breasail-Airthir, and another upon the Dal-Riada.

A great army was afterwards led by Muircheartach Ua Lochlainn, consisting of the Cinel-Conaill, Cinel-Eoghain, and Airghialla, into Ulidia; and they plundered and spoiled the whole country, except the principal churches of Ulidia; and they made a countless slaughter of men, and slew, among others, Eachmarcach Mac Gilla-Epscoib and Ua Lomain; and they banished Eochaidh Mac Duinnsleibhe from Ulidia, after having deprived him of his kingdom; and all the Ulidians gave their hostages to Ua Lochlainn for his royal power.

AU 1174

Mael-Patraic O'Banain, bishop of Condeiri and Dal-Araidhe, a venerable man, full of holiness and of meekness and of purity of heart, died full piously in Iona of Colum-cille, after choice old age.

AU 1177

A hosting by John De Courcy and by the knights into Dal-Araidhe (and to Dun-da-lethlas), on which they killed Domnall, grandson of Cathusach [Mac Duinnsleibhe Ua Eochadha], king of Dal-Araidhe. Moreover, John went during the same expedition into Ui-Tuirtri and into Fir-Li, until Cu-Midhe Ua Flainn burned Airthir-Maighi before him and they [John's forces] burned Cuil-rathain and many other churches.

FM 1177

An army was led by John De Courcy and the knights into Dalaradia and to Dun da leathghlas; they slew Donnell, the grandson of Cathasach, Lord of Dalaradia. Dun da leathghlas was plundered and destroyed by John and the knights who came in his army. A castle was erected by them there, out of which they defeated the Ulidians twice, and the Kinel-Owen and Oriels once, slew Conor O'Carellan, chief of Clandermot, and Gilla-Macliag O'Donnelly, chief of Feardroma; and Donnell O'Flaherty now Laverty was so wounded by arrows on this occasion, that he died of his wounds in the church of St. Paul at Armagh, after having received the body and blood of Christ, and after extreme unction and penance. Many other chieftains were also slain by them besides these. During the same expedition, John De Courcy proceeded with his forces to Hy-Tuirtre and Firlee; before his arrival, however, Cume O'Flynn had set Armoy on fire; but they burned Coleraine and many other churches on this incursion.

AU 1177

Dun-da-lethglas was destroyed by John De Courcy and by the knights that came with him, and a castle was made by them there, wherefrom they twice inflicted defeat upon Ulidia and defeat upon Cenel-Eogain and upon Airgialla; where was killed Conchobur Ua Cairella[i]n (namely, chief of Clann-Diarmata) and Gilla Mac Liac Ua Donngaille, chief of Fir-Droma, and wherein was wounded with arrows Domnall Ua [F]laithbertaigh—and he died of those wounds in the monastery [of Canons Regular] of Paul [and Peter] in Ard-Macha, after partaking of the Body of Christ and after his anointing and wherein were killed many other nobles. Now, Conchobur Ua Cairella[i]n before that (namely, in the Spring) inflicted defeat upon the Cenel-Eogain and upon Ua Maeldoraidh; where a great number of the Cenel-Eogain were killed, around the son of Mac Sherraigh and around many nobles besides.

AT 1177

John de Courcy went to Downpatrick, and the town was destroyed by him, and the whole of Ulaid was destroyed by him; but therein a defeat was inflicted upon him, and the nobles of his people were slain, and he himself was taken prisoner.

AU 1178

It is in that year likewise went John [De Courcy], with his knights, pillaging from Dun to the Plain of Conaille, so that they took many preys therein and were a night in camp in Glenn-righi. Howbeit, Murchadh Ua Cerbaill, king of Airgialla, and Mac Duinnsleibhe [Ua Eochadha], king of Ulidia, with the Ulidians came up with them that night and made an onset upon them. Thereupon defeat was inflicted upon the Foreigners and stark slaughter was put upon them. The same John, notwithstanding, went for preys into Dal-Araidhe and into Ui-Tuirtri. But Cu-Midhe Ua Flainn, king of Ui-Tuirtri and Fir-Li, made an onset upon theme. That battle also went against the Foreigners and slaughter of them was inflicted.

FM 1178

John De Courcy with his foreigners repaired to Machaire Conaille, and committed depredations there. They encamped for a night in Glenree, where Murrough O'Carroll, Lord of Oriel, and Cooley Mac Donslevy, King of Ulidia, made a hostile attack upon them, and drowned and otherwise killed four hundred and fifty of them. One hundred of the Irish, together with O'Hanvy, Lord of Hy-Meith-Macha, fell in the heat of the battle. John De Courcy soon after proceeded to plunder Dalaradia and Hy-Tuirtre; and Cumee O'Flynn, Lord of Hy-Tuirtre and Firlee, gave battle to him and his foreigners, and defeated them with great slaughter, through the miracles of Patrick, Columbkille, and Brendan; and John himself escaped with difficulty, being severely wounded, and fled to Dublin.

Eight years earlier, in 1171, there had been a great foraying of the Ulaid lead by the chieftain, Magnus Mac Donnsleibhe of the Ua Eochadha, into Cuil-in-tuaisceirt and during this incursion, they plundered Cuil-rathain and several churches until a small number of the Cenel Eogain under the command of Conchobur Ua Cathain, overtook them and gave battle and killed twenty one of their men, both chiefs and sons of chiefs, and a multitude of others along with them. In both the 1171 and 1182 campaigns, the Ua Cathain had defended the territory of Cuil-in-tuaisceirt, re-enforcing their lordship and military dominance in the area, which would yet again be challenged, and it seems they probably lost control of the territory meantime to John de Courcy. The De Galloway brothers, Alan and Thomas, and probably Donald and Rory, two of the sons of Ragnall son of Somerled, lord of Argyll, were not the only Gaelic nobles from the west of Scotland to show an interest in the north of Ireland. In 1216, the Annals of Ulster record the killing of Trad Ua Mailfhabhaill, chief of the Cenel Feargusa, by Muiredach son of Alwyn, earl of Lennox. Alwyn is called ‘Mórmair’ translated Great Steward of Lemhain (Lennox). The ‘great havoc’ wrought by Muiredach seems to have taken place in Carrickbraghy on Inishowen in Co. Donegal, where the Ua Mailfhabhaill were chiefs of the Clann Feargusa. Other branches of the Clann Feargusa held territoy south of the Sperrin Mountains in Co. Tyrone, e.g. the O’Hagans (Ua hOgains), O’Mellans and O’Quins. The Ua hOgains were based at Tullahogue, where they were hereditary brehons, and had the hereditary right of inaugurating the Ua Neill kings. The O’Mellen territory included Slieve Gallion to the north and what is now Cookstown to the south, with the whole are being known as Mellanaght. The O’Quins held land probably in the vicinity of Lissan. Interestingly, Donnsleibhe Ua hOgain, who died about 1122, was chief of the Clann Feargusa and lawgiver of Tullahogue. Could there have been familial ties between the Clan Feargusa and the earls of Lennox or were they simply heired as Gallowglass?




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