Fiachrae was an Irish prince, the son of the high king
Eochaid Mugmedón (d.362) by his wife
Mongfind, sister of
Crimthann mac Fidaig
Crimthann Mór, son of Fidach , also written Crimthand Mór, was a semi-mythological king of Munster and High King of Ireland of the 4th century. He gained territory in Britain and Gaul, but died poisoned by his sister Mongfind. It is possible tha ...
(d.367).
[Francis J.Byrne, ''Irish Kings and High-Kings'', Table 1] He was ancestor of the
Uí Fiachrach dynasties of
Connacht. He lived in the late 4th century.
"The Violent Death of Crimthann mac Fidaig and of the Three Sons of Eochaid Muigmedón" gives the story of the sons of Eochaid Mugmedón. According to this saga, his half-brother the high king
Niall Noigiallach (d.405) made Fiachrae's full brother
Brión his champion and Brion seized the kingship of Connacht. This led to war between Brion and Fiachrae and they fought a battle at Damchluain (near
Tuam
Tuam ( ; ga, Tuaim , meaning 'mound' or 'burial-place') is a town in Ireland and the second-largest settlement in County Galway. It is west of the midlands of Ireland, about north of Galway city. Humans have lived in the area since the Bronz ...
,
Co. Galway
"Righteousness and Justice"
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, image_map = Island of Ireland location map Galway.svg
, map_caption = Location in Ireland
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, area_total_km2 = ...
). Fiachrae was captured and taken to Tara. However Fiachrae's son
Nath Í rallied forces and defeated and slew Brion at a second battle at Damchluain.
Fiachrae was now released by Niall and given Brion's position as champion and levier of his hostages and rents. With his brother Ailill, he then went to take hostages from Munster. They defeated
Eochaid mac Crimthainn and took loot and hostages. However, Fiachrae was severely wounded and died at Ferrach in Meath on the way home. The hostages of Munster were buried alive with him as a tribute to him.
Notes
References
* Francis J.Byrne, ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''
* ''The Chronology of the Irish Annals'', Daniel P. McCarthy
Dan Wiley's site on the Cycles of the Kings
People from County Roscommon
Monarchs from County Mayo
5th-century Irish people
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