Fiachnae mac Demmáin (died 627) was King of
Ulaid
Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or Ulaidh ( Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include Ulidia, which is the Latin form of Ulaid, and i ...
from 626 to 627. He sometimes was called Fiachnae Dubtuinne. He was a member of the
Dal Fiatach
In Indian cuisine, ''dal'' (also spelled ''daal'' or ''dhal''; pronunciation: , Hindi: दाल, Urdu: ) are dried, split pulses (e.g., lentils, peas, and beans) that do not require soaking before cooking. India is the largest producer of pu ...
and nephew of
Baetan mac Cairill (died 581) of Ulaid. He was the son of
Demmán mac Cairell (died 572). He succeeded his uncle as king of the Dal Fiatach in 581.
His first mention in the Irish annals is the battle of Cúl Caíl (possibly Kilkeel, modern County Down) in 601 where he was defeated by
Fiachnae mac Baetain of the
Dal nAraide
In Indian cuisine, ''dal'' (also spelled ''daal'' or ''dhal''; pronunciation: , Hindi: दाल, Urdu: ) are dried, split pulses (e.g., lentils, peas, and beans) that do not require soaking before cooking. India is the largest producer of ...
. The annals mention Fiachnae mac Baetan went against him so was probably the aggressor. This was part of the struggle of these two rival clans for the overlordship of Ulaid. In 626 was fought the Battle of Leithit Midind at Drung (Knocklayd, modern County Antrim) between these two rivals at which Fiachnae mac Demmáin was the victor and Fiachnae mac Baetan was slain. The annals say the battle was fought by him which implies he was the aggressor.
He now becomes King of Ulaid but was himself defeated and slain by the King of
Dalriada,
Connad Cerr
Connad Cerr (Connad the Left-handed) was a king of Dál Riata in the early 7th century. He was either a son of Conall mac Comgaill or of Eochaid Buide. Connad appears to have been joint king with Eochaid Buide in the 620s.
He is named as king of D ...
at the Battle of Ard Corainn in 627. The ''Annals of Clonmacnoise'' claim that this was in revenge for the slaying of Fiachnae mac Baetan.
His wives were:
[Mac Niocaill, pg.88-89]
Cumne Dub, daughter of Furudrán mac Béicce of the Uí Tuirtri.She was the mother of
Dúnchad mac Fiachnai (died circa 644),a king of Ulaid and of a daughter Dub Lacha who married
Mongán mac Fiachnai (died 625), the son of his rival Fiachnae mac Baetan.
Cumne(Cummíne) Find, daughter of Báetán Cáech of DalnAraide and sister of Fiachnae mac Baetan. She was the mother of
Máel Cobo mac Fiachnae (died 647), a king of Ulaid and a son named Suibne.
He was ancestor of all later Dal Fiatach kings.
Notes
See also
*
Kings of Ulster
The King of Ulster (Old Irish: ''Rí Ulad'', Modern Irish: ''Rí Uladh'') also known as the King of Ulaid and King of the Ulaid, was any of the kings of the Irish provincial over-kingdom of Ulaid. The title rí in Chóicid, which means "king of ...
References
* ''Annals of Ulster'' a
a
University College Cork* ''Annals of Tigernach'' a
a
University College Cork* Byrne, Francis John (2001), ''Irish Kings and High-Kings'', Dublin: Four Courts Press,
* Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2000), ''Early Christian Ireland'', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
* Gearoid Mac Niocaill (1972), ''Ireland before the Vikings'', Dublin: Gill and Macmillan
* Dáibhí Ó Cróinín (2005), ''A New History of Ireland'', Volume One, Oxford: Oxford University Press
External links
a
University College Cork
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fiachnae mac Demmain
Kings of Ulster
627 deaths
7th-century Irish monarchs
People from County Antrim
Year of birth unknown