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 writt ...

: ''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 Earldom of Ulster was an Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Norman lordship in northern medieval Ireland, established by John de Courcy from the conquest of the province of Ulaid in eastern Ulster. It was the most important Anglo-Norman lordship in the no ...

. 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, and Ca ...

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 wer ...

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

* Fergus mac Léti *

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 * Conchobar mac Nessa *

Cúscraid Cúscraid ( ga, Cúscraid Mend Macha; var. Cumscraid) (pronunciation guides: /'ku:skrid m'eN 'maxa / () /cŏŏs'crĭ/ () /KOOS-kri''dh''/ (Paddy Brown)) known by the epithet ''Mend Macha'' (the "stammerer" or "inarticulate one" of Macha), is a son ...

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 * Tipraiti Tireach *Áengus Goibnenn mac Fergus Gallen mheic Tibraide Tirech * Fergus Dubdétach *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 mac Cronn Badruí * Sárán mac Cóelbad *Mihail

Historic kings

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

465 __NOTOC__ Year 465 ( 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 frequently, year 12 ...

? *

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 (Roman numerals, 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 frequent ...

* Eochaid mac Muiredaig Muinderg 489– 509 * Cairell mac Muiredaig Muinderg 509–532 * Eochaid mac Condlai 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 mac C ...

553–557 * Demmán mac Cairell 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 Áed Dub mac Suibni (died c. 588) was an Irish king of the Dál nAraidi in the over-kingdom of Ulaid (in modern Ulster). He may have been king of the Ulaid. Áed was succeeded by his great-nephew Fiachnae mac Báetáin. Áed Dub — Black � ...

(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 Dúnchad mac Fiachnai (died c. 644) was King of Ulaid from the Dal Fiatach dynasty. He was the son of 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 me ...

(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 er ...

) *

Máel Cobo mac Fiachnai Máel Cobo mac Fiachnai (died 647) was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid. He was the son of Fiachnae mac Demmáin (died 627) and half-brother of Dúnchad mac Fiachnai (died c. 644), previous kings. He ruled from c. 644 to 647. The Dal Fiatach recovere ...

(died 647) *

Blathmac mac Máele Cobo Blathmac mac Máele Cobo (died 670) was a Dál Fiatach ruler of the over-kingdom of Ulaid. He was the son of Máel Cobo mac Fiachnai (died 647). He ruled from 647 to 670. Background The Dál Fiatach dominated the kingship of Ulster from 637 to 67 ...

(died

670 __NOTOC__ Year 670 (Roman numerals, DCLXX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar, the 670th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 670th year of the 1s ...

) *

Congal Cennfota mac Dúnchada Congal Cennfota mac Dúnchada (died 674) was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid. He was the son of Dúnchad mac Fiachnai (died circa 644), a previous king. He ruled from 670 to 674. His nickname Cennfota means "Long-headed". The Dal Fiatach dominated th ...

(died

674 __NOTOC__ Year 674 (Roman numerals, DCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 674 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domi ...

) * Fergus mac Áedáin 674–

692 __NOTOC__ Year 692 ( DCXCII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 692 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era be ...

* Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic 692–707 * Cú Chuarán mac Dúngail Eilni 707–708 * Áed Róin 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 k ...

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 all ...

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 ye ...

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 Fiac ...

810–819 * Máel Bressail mac Ailillo 819–825 *

Muiredach mac Eochada Muiredach mac Eochada (died 839) was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, medieval Ireland. He was the son of Eochaid mac Fiachnai (died 810), a previous king. He ruled from 825-839. His father had been defeated in battle by his own brother Cairell mac Fi ...

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 Lethlobar mac Loingsig (died 873) was a Dál nAraidi king of Ulaid, in medieval Ireland. He was the grandson of Tommaltach mac Indrechtaig, a previous king of Ulaid. He belonged to the main ruling dynasty of the Dál nAraidi known as the Uí Chóel ...

857–873 *

Cathalán mac Indrechtaig Cathalán mac Indrechtaig (died 871) was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He belonged to a branch of the Dal Fiatach called the Leth Cathail centered in the Lecale barony of modern County Down. He ruled from 857-871 as le ...

857–871 *

Ainbíth mac Áedo Ainbíth mac Áedo (also Ainfíth mac Áeda) (died 882) was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the grandson of Eochaid mac Fiachnai (died 810), a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 873–882. His father was Áed ...

873–882 *

Eochocán mac Áedo Eochocán mac Áedo (died 883) was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the grandson of Eochaid mac Fiachnai (died 810), a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 882-883. His father Áed mac Eochada had died in 839. I ...

882–883 *

Airemón mac Áedo Airemón mac Áedo (died 886) (also Éiremón) was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the grandson of Eochaid mac Fiachnai (died 810), a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 882 to 886. In 882 he succeeded his bro ...

882–886 *

Fiachnae mac Ainbítha Fiachnae mac Ainbítha (died 886) or Fiachna mac Ainfítha was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Ainbíth mac Áedo (died 882),a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled briefly in 886. In 883 he was responsibl ...

886–886 *

Bécc mac Airemóin Bécc mac Airemóin (died 893) or Bécc mac Éiremóin was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Airemón mac Áedo (died 886), a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 886 to 893. He became king of Ulaid upo ...

886–893 *

Muiredach mac Eochocáin Muiredach mac Eochocáin (died 895) or Muiredach mac Eochucáin was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Eochocán mac Áedo (died 883), a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled as leth-rí (half-king or co-ruler ...

893–895 *

Máel Mocheirge mac Indrechtaig Máel Mocheirge mac Indrechtaig (died 896) was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He belonged to a branch of the Dal Fiatach called the Leth Cathail centered in the Lecale barony of modern County Down and was the brother of ...

893–896 *

Aitíth mac Laigni Aitíth mac Laigni (died 898) (also Aidíth) 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 in the west part of county Down. He ruled as King of Ulaid from 896-98. His las ...

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, d ...

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

Legendary kings

Historic kings

See also

Notes

Sources

External links