The King of Ulster (

Old Irish Old Irish, also called Old Gaelic ( sga, Goídelc, Ogham script: ᚌᚑᚔᚇᚓᚂᚉ; ga, Sean-Ghaeilge; gd, Seann-Ghàidhlig; gv, Shenn Yernish or ), is the oldest form of the Goidelic/Gaelic language for which there are extensive writte ...

: ''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 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 in ...

. The title rí in Chóicid, which means "king of the Fifth", was also sometimes used. Originally referring to the rulers of the Ulaid of legend and the vastly reduced territory of the historical Ulaid, the title ''rí Ulad'' ceased to exist after the Norman invasion of Ulaid in 1177 and the subsequent foundation of the Earldom of Ulster. The Mac Dúinnshléibe dynasty of Ulaid (English: Donleavy / Dunleavy) were given the title of ''rex Hibernicorum Ulidiae'', meaning "king of the Irish of Ulaid", until the extinction of their dynasty by the end of the 13th century. After the earldom's collapse in 1333, the title was resurrected and usurped after 1364 by the Ulaid's chief

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, an ...

rivals the

Northern Uí Néill The Northern Uí Néill is any of several dynasties in north-western medieval Ireland that claimed descent from a common ancestor, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Other dynasties in central and eastern Ireland who also claimed descent from Niall we ...

, who had overrun the ruins of the earldom and established the renamed tuath of

Clandeboye Clandeboye or Clannaboy (from Irish ''Clann Aodha Buí'', "family of Hugh the Blond") was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, comprising what is now south County Antrim, north County Down, and the barony of Loughinsholin, Northern Ireland. The entity ...

. The Northern Uí Néill had achieved dominance over the north of Ireland, with their territory corresponding largely to the modern day province of Ulster. The title thus came to apply to their territory, which they likewise renamed Ulaid, now reflecting an area roughly corresponding to the extent of Ulaid in legend. "Prince of Ulster" became a common title for The O'Neill (In Irish: Ui Neill) until the

Flight of the Earls The Flight of the Earls ( ir, Imeacht na nIarlaí)In Irish, the neutral term ''Imeacht'' is usually used i.e. the ''Departure of the Earls''. The term 'Flight' is translated 'Teitheadh na nIarlaí' and is sometimes seen. took place in Se ...

in 1607.

Legendary kings

* Eber Donn * Cimbáeth *

Macha Mong Ruad Macha () was a sovereignty goddess of ancient Ireland associated with the province of Ulster, particularly the sites of Navan Fort (''Eamhain Mhacha'') and Armagh (''Ard Mhacha''), which are named after her.Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A H ...

Fergus mac Léti Fergus mac Léti (also mac Léte, mac Léide, mac Leda) was, according to Irish legend and traditional history, a king of Ulster. His place in the traditional chronology is not certain - according to some sources, he was a contemporary of the Hi ...

Congal Cláiringnech Congal Cláiringnech ("the cripple"), son of Rudraige, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of Ulster and High King of Ireland. He was the brother of Bresal Bó-Díbad, the former High King, who had been killed ...

*Ross Ruad *

Eochaid Sálbuide Eochaid Sálbuide (Eochaid Yellow-heel) is a king of Ulster prior to the events of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. His daughter was Ness. He died at the Battle of Leitir Ruadh, fighting on the side of the High King of Ireland, Fachtna Fátha ...

Fergus mac Róich Fergus mac Róich (literally " manliness, son of great stallion") is a character in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Formerly the king of Ulster, he is tricked out of the kingship and betrayed by Conchobar mac Nessa, becomes the ally and lo ...

Conchobar mac Nessa Conchobar mac Nessa (son of Ness) is the king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He rules from Emain Macha (Navan Fort, near Armagh). He is usually said to be the son of the High King Fachtna Fáthach, although in some stories hi ...

* Cúscraid mac Conchobar *

Fíatach Finn Fiatach Finn mac Dáire, a distant descendant of Óengus Tuirmech Temrach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the Ulaid, later a High King of Ireland, and the eponymous ancestor of the early Medieval Ulste ...

* Éllim mac Conrach *

Mal mac Rochride Mal, son of Rochraide, a descendant of the legendary hero Conall Cernach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the Ulaid and later a High King of Ireland. He took the High Kingship after he killed Tuathal Te ...

Tipraiti Tireach Tipraiti Tireach (136 — 187) spelled with numerous different variations such as ''Tibraite'', ''Tipraite'', ''Tiobraide'', ''Thilbruidhe'' and ''Tiobradhe'', was a Celtic legendary King of Ulster according to the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' ...

*Áengus Goibnenn mac Fergus Gallen mheic Tibraide Tirech *

Fergus Dubdétach Fergus Dubdétach ("black-tooth") was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the Ulaid who was briefly High King of Ireland. He took the High Kingship after his predecessor, Lugaid mac Con, was expelled from Tara ...

*Aengus Finn mac Fergus Dubdétach *Lugaid Lorc mac Áengus Finn *Dub mac Fomor mheic Airgetmar *Fiachu Araide mac Áengus Goibnenn mheic Fergus Gallen *Fedlimid mac Cas mheic Fiachu Araide *Imchad mac Fedlimid *Ros mac Imchad *Cronn Badruí mac Eochaid mheic Lugaid mac Ros mac Imchad *Fergus Foga mac Fraechar Foirtriun *

Cáelbad Cáelbad (Cáelbhadh, Caolbhadh, Caolbhaidh), son of Cronn Badhraoi, a descendant of Mal mac Rochride, was, according to Lebor Gabála Érenn, a High King of Ireland for a period of one year. Inneacht daughter of Lughaidh was the mother of Caolbha ...

mac Cronn Badruí *

Sárán mac Cóelbad Sárán mac Cóelbad (flourished circa third quarter of 5th century) was a Dal nAraide king in the time of Saint Patrick. He was the son of Cáelbad mac Cruind Ba Druí, a high king of Ireland and King of Ulster. He is listed in king lists such ...

*Mihail

Historic kings

*Forga mac Dallán mheic Dubthach mac Mianach mac of Lugaid Lorc d.

465 __NOTOC__ Year 465 (Roman numerals, CDLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Hermenericus and Basiliscus (or, less freq ...

? *

Muiredach Muinderg Muiredach Muinderg mac Forggo (died 489) was a king of Ulaid from the Dál Fiatach. He was the son of Forgg mac Dalláin. His sobriquet means ''red-necked''. His death date is given in the ''Annals of Tigernach'' in 489. The ''Book of Leinster'' ...

mac Forga mac Dallan 465–

489 __NOTOC__ Year 489 ( CDLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Probinus and Eusebius (or, less frequently, year 1242 ' ...

Eochaid mac Muiredaig Muinderg Eachaid mac Muiredaig Muinderg (died 509) was a king of Ulaid from the Dál Fiatach. He was the son of Muiredach Muinderg mac Forggo (died 489). His death date is given in the ''Annals of Tigernach'' in 509. This annal gives him a reign of 489� ...

489– 509 *

Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg (died 532) also Cairell Coscrach ("victorious") was a king of Ulaid from the Dal Fiatach. He was the son of Muiredach Muinderg mac Forggo (died 489) and brother of Eochaid mac Muiredaig Muinderg (died 509), previous ...

509–532 *

Eochaid mac Condlai Eochaid mac Condlai (died 553) was a king of Ulaid from the Dal nAraide. He was the son of Condlae mac Cóelbad, also a king of Dal nAraide and grandson of the high king and King of Ulster Cáelbad Cáelbad (Cáelbhadh, Caolbhadh, Caolbhaidh), so ...

mac Caolbad 532–553 *

Fergnae mac Oengusso Ibdaig Fergnae mac Óengusso Ibdaig (died 557) was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid. He was the nephew of Muiredach Muinderg mac Forgo (died 489) and grandson of Forga mac Dallán, previous kings. He ruled the Dal Fiatach from 532 and succeeded Eochaid ma ...

553–557 *

Demmán mac Cairell Demmán mac Cairill (died 572) was a king of the Dál Fiatach, and over-king of Ulaid in Ireland. He was the son of Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg (died 532), a previous Ulaid king and brother of Báetán mac Cairill (died 581). He ruled the Dál ...

557–572 *

Báetán mac Cairill Báetán mac Cairill (died 581) was king of the Dál Fiatach, and high-king of Ulaid, from c. 572 until his death. He was the son of Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg (died 532) and brother of Demmán mac Cairill (died 572), previous Kings of Ulaid. ...

572–581 * Áed Dub mac Suibni (died 588) * Fiachnae mac Báetáin (Fiachnae Lurgan) 588–626 *

Fiachnae mac Demmáin Fiachnae mac Demmáin (died 627) was King of Ulaid from 626 to 627. He sometimes was called Fiachnae Dubtuinne. He was a member of the Dal Fiatach and nephew of Baetan mac Cairill (died 581) of Ulaid. He was the son of Demmán mac Cairell (died 5 ...

626–627 *

Congal Cáech Congal Cáech (also Congal Cláen) was a king of the Cruthin of Dál nAraidi in the medieval Irish province of Ulaid, from around 626 to 637. He was king of Ulaid from 627–637 and, according to some sources, High King of Ireland. Origins Whil ...

(Congal mac Sgánnail) 627–637 * Dúnchad mac Fiachnai (died c.

644 __NOTOC__ Year 644 ( DCXLIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 644 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar e ...

) * Máel Cobo mac Fiachnai (died

647 __NOTOC__ Year 647 ( DCXLVII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 647 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era ...

) * Blathmac mac Máele Cobo (died 670) * Congal Cennfota mac Dúnchada (died 674) *

Fergus mac Áedáin Fergus mac Áedáin (died 692) was king of Ulaid from 674. He belonged to a branch of the Dal nAraide known as the Uí Echach Cobo in the west part of county Down. They were distinct from the main branch located in County Antrim who were known as K ...

674– 692 *

Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic (died 718) was king of Ulaid from 692 to 707 from the Dál Fiatach clan. He was the son of Blathmac mac Máel Cobha (died 670), a previous king. His byname Bairrche refers to the region of the Mourne Mountains in sou ...

692–707 *

Cú Chuarán mac Dúngail Eilni Cú Chuarán mac Dúngaile (died 708) was a Dál nAraidi king of Ulaid, an over-kingdom in medieval Ireland. He was the son of Dúngal Eilni mac Scandail (died 681) and brother of Ailill mac Dúngaile Eilni (died 690), previous kings of Dál nA ...

707–708 *

Áed Róin Áed Róin mac Bécce Bairrche (died 735) was the Dál Fiatach ruler of the over-kingdom of Ulaid in Ireland. He reigned from 708 to 735. He was the son of Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic, (died 718), a previous king of Ulaid who had abdicated in 707 ...

mac Bécce Bairrche 708–735 *

Cathussach mac Ailello Cathussach mac Ailello (died 749) was a Dál nAraidi king of Ulaid, in medieval Ireland. He was the son of Ailill mac Dúngaile Eilni (died 690), a previous king of Dál nAraidi and nephew of Cú Chuarán mac Dúngail Eilni (died 708), a previous ...

735–749 *

Bressal mac Áedo Róin Bressal mac Áedo Róin (died 750) was a Dál Fiatach ruler of the over-kingdom of Ulaid in Ireland. He reigned from 749 to 750. He was the son of Áed Róin (died 735), a previous king. This family had their base in modern-day County Down, Norther ...

749–750 *

Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin (died 789) was a Dál Fiatach ruler of the over-kingdom of Ulaid in Ireland. He reigned from 750 to 789. He was the son of Áed Róin (died 735) and brother of Bressal mac Áedo Róin (died 750), previous kings. This famil ...

750–789 *

Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig (died 790) was a King of Dal nAraide in Ulaid (Ulster) and possible King of all Ulaid. He was the son of Indrechtach mac Lethlobair (died 741), a previous King of Dal nAraide. He ruled from 776 to 790 and as King of a ...

789–790 *

Eochaid mac Fiachnai Eochaid mac Fiachnai (died 810) was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin (died 789), a previous king. He ruled from 790 to 810. Eochaid first appears in the annals in 776. In that ...

790–810 *

Cairell mac Fiachnai Cairell mac Fiachnai (died 819) was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin (died 789), a previous king. He ruled from 810 to 819. In 809 Cairell challenged his brother Eochaid mac Fi ...

810–819 *

Máel Bressail mac Ailillo Máel Bressail mac Ailello (died 825) was a king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He belonged to a branch of the Dal nAraide known as the Uí Echach Cobo Iveagh ( ; ) is the name of several historical territorial divisions in what is now ...

819–825 * Muiredach mac Eochada 825–839 *

Matudán mac Muiredaig Matudán mac Muiredaig (died 857) was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Muiredach mac Eochada (died 839), the previous king. He ruled from 839-857. Life His father had been killed by his own brother Áe ...

839–857 * Lethlobar mac Loingsig 857–873 * Cathalán mac Indrechtaig 857–871 * Ainbíth mac Áedo 873–882 * Eochocán mac Áedo 882–883 * Airemón mac Áedo 882–886 * Fiachnae mac Ainbítha 886–886 * Bécc mac Airemóin 886–893 *

Muiredach mac Eochocáin Muiredach mac Eochocáin (died 895) or Muiredach mac Eochucáin was a Dál Fiatach 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 confedera ...

893–895 * Máel Mocheirge mac Indrechtaig 893–896 * Aitíth mac Laigni 896–898 *Cenn Etig mac Lethlobair 896–900 *Áed mac Eochocáin 898–919 *Dubgall mac Áeda 919–925 *Loingsech mac Cinn Etig 925–932 *Eochaid mac Conaill 932–937 *Matudán mac Áeda 937–950 *Ardgal mac Matudáin 950–970 *Niall mac Áeda 970–971 *Áed mac Loingsig 971–972 *Eochaid mac Ardgail 972–1004 *Gilla Comgaill mac Ardgail 1004–1005 *Máel Ruanaid mac Ardgail 1005–1007 *Matudán mac Domnaill 1007–1007 *Dub Tuinne ("In Torc") mac Eochada 1007–1007 *Domnall mac Duibh Thuinne 1007–1007 *Niall mac Duib Thuinne 1007–1016 *Muiredach mac Matudáin 1007–1008 *

Niall mac Eochada Niall mac Eochada (died 1063), Benjamin T. Hudson, ‘Niall mac Eochada (d. 1063)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 200accessed 18 April 2008/ref> was king of Ulaid from 1016. His father, Eochada mac Ardgair, di ...

1016–1063 *Eochaid mac Néill meic Eochada ????–1062 *Donnchad Ua Mathgamna 1063–1065 *Cú Ulad Ua Flaithrí 1065–1071 *Lochlainn Ua Máel Ruanaid 1071–1071 *Donn Sléibe mac Eochada the MacDonslevy were a branch of the Haughey/Hoey dynasty 1071–1078 *Áed Meranach Ua hEochada 1078–1080 *Goll na Gorta Ua Mathgamna 1080–1081 *Donn Sléibe mac Eochada 1081–1091 *Donnchad mac Duinn Sléibe 1091–1095 *Eochaid mac Duinn Sléibe 1095–1099 *Donnchad mac Duinn Sléibe 1099–1099 *Eochaid mac Duinn Sléibe 1099–1108 *Donnchad mac Duinn Sléibe 1108–1113 *Áed mac Duinn Sléibe 1113–1127 *Eochaid Ua Mathgamna 1113–1127 *Ragnall Ua hEochada 1127–1131 *Cú Ulad mac Conchobair Chisenaig Mac Duinn Sléibe 1131–1157 *Áed mac Con Ulad Mac Duinn Sléibe 1157–1158 *Eochaid mac Con Ulad Mac Duinn Sléibe 1158–1166 *Magnus mac Con Ulad Mac Duinn Sléibe 1166–1171 *Donn Sléibe mac Con Ulad Mac Duinn Sléibe 1171–1172 *Ruaidrí mac Con Ulad Mac Duinn Sléibe 1172–1201 See

List of rulers of Tyrone This article lists the rulers of Tyrone (Irish: ''Tír Eoghain'') from 1185 to 1616. They are listed from their date of accession to date of death, unless otherwise stated. Prior to this, the ruling dynasty - the Cenél nEógain - were most of th ...

for the Northern Uí Néill kings of Ulster after the resurrection of the title in 1364.

Notes

Sources

* * *"

Annals of the Four Masters The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' ( ga, Annála Ríoghachta Éireann) or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' (''Annála na gCeithre Máistrí'') are chronicles of medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Deluge, dated as 2,24 ...

", 1990 edition. *"

Annals of Connacht The ''Annals of Connacht'' (), covering the years 1224 to 1544, are drawn from a manuscript compiled in the 15th and 16th centuries by at least three scribes, all believed to be members of the Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin. The early sections, commenci ...

", A. Martin Freeman, 1944. *"Irish Kings and High Kings", Francis John Byrne, 1973. *"Leabhar Mor Genealach",

Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh (), also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius (fl. 1643 – January 1671) was an Irish scribe, translator, histori ...

, ed. O'Muralie, 2004. *''

Annals of Ulster The ''Annals of Ulster'' ( ga, Annála Uladh) are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years from 431 AD to 1540 AD. The entries up to 1489 AD were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, ...

External links

Kingdom of Ulster
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Kings Of Ulster *

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kin ...

Legendary kings

Historic kings

See also

Notes

Sources

External links