Óengus Osrithe son of
Criomthann Mór (son of
Iar mac Sétnai) and his wife Cindnit, daughter of
Dáire mac Degad and Morand, was the semi-legendary first
king
King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen regnant, queen, which title is also given to the queen consort, consort of a king.
*In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contempora ...
and eponymous ancestor of the
Osraige
Osraige (Old Irish) or Osraighe (Classical Irish), Osraí (Modern Irish), anglicized as Ossory, was a medieval Irish kingdom comprising what is now County Kilkenny and western County Laois, corresponding to the Diocese of Ossory. The home o ...
people of Ireland. His supposed floruit lies in the late first or early second century CE.
Legacy
As the founder of the kingdom, it has been regarded that his descendants took their name from him; but scholars have more recently suggested that perhaps the tribal name ''"Osraige"'' which means "''people of the deer''" may pre-date him and instead became his appellation. He wedded Side, daughter of the druid Delbath, brother of Mogh Ruth, and is buried in the tumulus in Kilcullen, Co. Kilkenny. His son and heir was
Loegaire Birn Buadach, whose ruling descendants bore the tribal name "
Dál Birn".
Texts
He appears in a number of surviving tribal genealogies, notably in
MS Rawlinson B 502. He is named with his father, mother and maternal grandfather in the
Banshenchas
''An Banshenchas'' (literally "the woman lore") is a medieval text which collects brief descriptions of prominent women in Irish legend and history into a poetic narrative.
Unlike much of early Irish literature, ''An Banshenchas'' may be attrib ...
: ''"Oengus Ossory son of Cremthand, his mother was blameless Cindnit daughter of Daire Dord son of Dedad. There was a king of bloody struggles."''
References
External links
The Fitzpatrick – Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society
Kings of Osraige
FitzPatrick dynasty
{{Ireland-royal-stub