The term Kingship of Tara () was a title of authority in

ancient Ireland The prehistory of Ireland has been pieced together from archaeological evidence, which has grown at an increasing rate over the last decades. It begins with the first evidence of permanent human residence in Ireland around 10,500 BC (althoug ...

- the title is closely associated with the archaeological complex at the Hill of Tara. The position was considered to be of eminent authority in medieval Irish literature and

Irish mythology Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally oral tradition, passed down orally in the Prehistoric Ireland, prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later Early Irish ...

, although national kingship was never a historical reality in early Ireland. The term also represented a prehistoric and mythical ideal of sacred kingship in Ireland. Holding the title King of Tara invested the incumbent with a powerful status. Many Irish High Kings were simultaneously Kings of Tara. The title emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries. In later times, actual claimants to this title used their position to promote themselves in status and fact to the High Kingship. Prior to this, various branches of the Uí Néill dynasty appear to have used it to denote overlordship of their kindred and realms. It was associated with ''Feis Temro'' (Feast of Tara), a pagan inauguration rite. The titles King of Tara and

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and later sometimes assigned an ...

were distinct and unrelated for much of history. The following is a list of those accorded the title (or at least believed to be seated) in the Irish annals—the kings and legends. The dates and names of the early kings are uncertain and are often highly suspect. Several may be doubles of others, while composite characters may be entirely fictitious. Some may also be assigned to the wrong prehistoric kindred.

Legendary Kings of Tara

Prehistoric

*Mythological: ** Eochu Feidlech **

Eochu Airem Eochu Airem ("the ploughman"), son of Finn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He succeeded to the throne after the death of his brother, Eochu Feidlech, and ruled for twelve or fifteen years, ...

** Lugaid Riab nDerg **

Crimthann Nia Náir Crimthann Nia Náir (nephew of Nár), son of Lugaid Riab nDerg, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. Lugaid is said to have fathered him on his own mother, Clothru, daughter of Eochu Feidlech. C ...

Feradach Finnfechtnach Feradach Finnfechtnach (modern spelling: Fearadhach Fionnfeachtnach - "fair-blessed"), son of Crimthann Nia Náir, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. There is some disagreement in the sources ...

* Érainn and Dáirine ( Corcu Loígde): **

Eterscél Mór Eterscél Mór ("the great"), son of Íar mac Dedad, a descendant of Óengus Tuirmech Temrach, of the Érainn of Munster was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He succeeded Eochu Airem. He featu ...

** Conaire Mór / Conaire Cóem **

Dáire Doimthech Dáire Doimthech (Dáire "poor house"), alias Dáire Sírchréchtach ("the ever-wounded"), son of Sithbolg, was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland, and one of the eponymous ancestors of the proto-historical Dáirine and historical ...

** Mac Con /

Lugaid Loígde Lugaid Loígde "Lugaid of the Calf Goddess", also known as Lugaid mac Dáire, was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland. He is a son of Dáire Doimthech, ancestor of the Dáirine, and gives his epithet to their principal royal sept, the ...

Eochaid Étgudach Eochaid or Eochu Étgudach ("possessing clothes") or Etgedach ("negligent"?), son of Dáire Doimthech, son of Conghal, son of Eadaman, son of Mal, son of Lugaid, son of Íth, son of Breogán, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical ...

Laigin The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin (), were a Gaelic population group of early Ireland. They gave their name to the Kingdom of Leinster, which in the medieval era was known in Irish as ''Cóiced Laigen'', meaning "Fifth/province of the Leinsterm ...

: ** Úgaine Mór **

Lóegaire Lorc Lóegaire Lorc, son of Úgaine Mor, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The '' Lebor Gabála Érenn'' says he succeeded directly after his father was murdered by Bodbchad, although Geoffrey K ...

Cobthach Cóel Breg Cobthach Cóel Breg or Cobthach Fion, son of Úgaine Mor, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after murdering his brother Lóegaire Lorc. The story is told that he was so consume ...

** Labraid Loingsech ** Cairbre Nia Fer ** Nuadu Necht ** Cathair Mór *Dál Cuinn (

Connachta The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles). The modern western province of Connacht ( Irish ''Cúige Chonnacht'', province, literally ...

and Uí Néill): **(

Fíachu Finnolach Fiacha Finnolach, son of Feradach Finnfechtnach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, Fíatach Finn. He ruled for fifteen, seventeen, or twenty-se ...

) Supposed son of

, and alleged father of Tuathal Techtmar. An actual link between the two dynasties cannot be demonstrated (except in the realm of the medieval genealogies). ** Tuathal Techtmar ** Fedlimid Rechtmar ** Conn of the Hundred Battles **

Art mac Cuinn Art mac Cuinn ("son of Conn"), also known as Art Óenfer (literally "one man", used in the sense of "lone", "solitary", or "only son"), was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. Siblings According ...

** Cormac mac Airt **

Cairbre Lifechair Cairbre Lifechair ("lover of the Liffey"), son of Cormac mac Airt, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to the throne after the death of Eochaid Gonnat. During his time Bresal Belach was ...

Late Prehistoric

* Niall of the Nine Hostages * Lóegaire mac Néill *

Coirpre mac Néill Coirpre mac Néill ('' fl''. '' c''. 485–493), also Cairbre or Cairpre, was said to be a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Coirpre was perhaps the leader of the conquests that established the southern Uí Néill in the midlands of Ireland. Th ...

* Ailill Molt

Early Historic Kings of Tara

Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth (?-446?-530?) was an Uí Enechglaiss King of Leinster. Background Mac Cairthinn is one of the very earliest verifiable Irish kings. Though not listed in any extant Irish genealogies, the Annals of Innisfallen record ...

, died 546/547 * Tuathal Maelgarb, d.544/549 * Diarmait mac Cerbaill, before 558 – 565 * Forggus mac Muirchertaig and Domnall mac Muirchertaig, 565–569? *

Báetán mac Muirchertaig Báetán mac Muirchertaig (died 572), also Baetán Bríge, was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. He was the son of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig (died 534), also considered a high king. He was a member of the C ...

and

Eochaid mac Domnaill Eochaid mac Domnaill (died 572), also Eochaid Find ("the fair"), was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. He was the son of Domnall Ilchelgach (died 566) and grandson of Muirchertach mac Muiredaig (died 534), al ...

, 569? – 572/573 * Ainmuire mac Sétnai, 572/573 – 575/576 *

Áed mac Ainmuirech Áed mac Ainmuirech (born c.530 - died 598) was high-king of the Northern Uí Néill. He belonged to the Cenél Conaill and was a distant cousin of Columba of Iona. He was the son of Ainmuire mac Sétnai (died 569), a previous possible high king. ...

, 575/576, or 592 – 598 * Fiachnae mac Báetáin (Fiachnae Lurgan), 589–626 * Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin and Áed Sláine mac Diarmato, 598–604 * Áed Allán mac Domnaill (Áed Uaridnach), "king of Temair", 604–? *

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 ...

, died 637

Later Kings of Tara

* Cathal mac Finguine, 713–742 *

Áed Allán Áed Allán (or Áed mac Fergaile) (died 743) was an 8th-century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill. Ferga ...

, 730–738 *

Donnchad Midi Donnchad mac Domnaill (733 – 6 February 797), called Donnchad Midi, was High King of Ireland. His father, Domnall Midi, had been the first Uí Néill High King from the south-central Clann Cholmáin based in modern County Westmeath and western ...

mac Murchado, 763–797 *

Áed Oirdnide Áed mac Néill (; died 819), commonly called Áed Oirdnide ("the anointed"), was King of Ailech. A member of the Cenél nEógain dynasty of the northern Uí Néill, he was the son of Niall Frossach. Like his father, Áed was reckoned High King ...

mac Néill, 797–81

*

Conchobar mac Donnchada Conchobar mac Donnchada (or Conchobar mac Donnchado) was High-King of Ireland with opposition (''rí Érenn co fressabra'') between 819 and 833. Conchobar was the son of Donnchad Midi, high-king of Ireland ( 733– 797); his mother was Fuirsea ...

, 819–833 * Niall Caille mac Áeda, 833–846 *

Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid Máel Sechnaill mac Máel Ruanaida (Modern Irish: ''Maolsheachlann Mac Maolruanaidh''), also known as Máel Sechnaill I, anglicised as Malachy MacMulrooney (died 27 November 862) was High King of Ireland. The Annals of Ulster use the Old Irish ti ...

, 846–862 *

Áed Findliath Áed mac Néill (died 879), called Áed Findliath ("fair-grey Áed"; Modern Irish: ''Aodh Fionnadhliath'') to distinguish him from his paternal grandfather Áed Oirdnide, was king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. He was also called Áed Olach ...

mac Néill, 862–879 * Flann Sinna mac Máelschnaill, 878–916 *

Niall Glúndub Niall Glúndub mac Áeda ( Modern Irish: ''Niall Glúndubh mac Aodha'', "Niall Black-Knee, son of Áed"; died 14 September 919) was a 10th-century Irish king of the Cenél nEógain and High King of Ireland. Many Irish kin groups were members of t ...

, 916–919 * Donnchad Donn mac Flainn, 919–944 * Ruaidrí Ua Canannáin, 944 – 30 November 950 *

Congalach Cnogba Conghalach Cnoghbha (older spelling: Congalach Cnogba or Congalach mac Máel Mithig) was High King of Ireland, according to the lists in the Annals of the Four Masters, from around 944 to 956. Congalach is one of the twelve "kings of Ireland" liste ...

mac Máelmithig, 950–956 *

Domnall ua Néill Domhnall ua Néill (old spelling: ''Domnall ua Néill''; anglicised as Donal O'Neill) (died 980) was High King of Ireland from 956 to 980. Domnall was the son of Muirchertach mac Néill, and grandson of Niall Glúndub, a member of the Cenél nE ...

, 956–980 * Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, 980–1002

Baile Chuinn Chétchathaig

Togail Bruidne Dá Derga

Notes

References

Edel Bhreathnach Edel Bhreathnach is an Irish historian and academic and former CEO of the Discovery Programme. Bhreathnach was a Tara Research Fellow for the Discovery Programme from 1992 to 2000. In 2005 she was appointed Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Mícheál � ...

and Kevin Murray, "''Baile Chuinn Chétchathaig'': Edition", in Edel Bhreathnach (ed.), ''The Kingship and Landscape of Tara''. Dublin: Four Courts Press for

The Discovery Programme The Discovery Programme: Centre for Archaeology and Innovation Ireland is an all-Ireland centre for archaeology and heritage research. It was established by the Irish Government in 1991. It is a company limited by guarantee, funded mainly through ...

. 2005. pp. 73–94 *

(ed.), ''The Kingship and Landscape of Tara''. Dublin: Four Courts Press for

. 2005. *

Francis John Byrne Francis John Byrne (1934 – 30 December 2017) was an Irish historian. Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II. ...

, ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''. Four Courts Press. 2nd revised edition, 2001. * Thomas Charles-Edwards, ''Early Christian Ireland''.

Cambridge University Press Cambridge University Press is the university press of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by King Henry VIII in 1534, it is the oldest university press in the world. It is also the King's Printer. Cambridge University Pr ...

. 2000. *Anne Connon, "A Prosopography of the Early Queens of Tara", in

(ed.), ''The Kingship and Landscape of Tara''. Dublin: Four Courts Press for

. 2005. pp. 225–327 *Lucius Gwynn
"De Síl Chonairi Móir"
in '' Ériu 6'' (1912): 130–43. *Bart Jaski, ''Early Irish Kingship and Succession''. Four Courts Press. 2000. *Bart Jaski "The Vikings and the Kingship of Tara", in ''Perita'', 311–351, vol. 9, 1995. *

Ailbhe Mac Shamhráin Ailbhe Mac Shamhráin (31 August 1954 – 29 June 2011) was an Irish medieval historian and celticist. Career Mac Shamhráin studied at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. He was then a research associate at Scoil an Léinn ...

and Paul Byrne, "Prosopography I: Kings named in ''Baile Chuinn Chétchathaig'' and the Airgíalla Charter Poem", in

(ed.), ''The Kingship and Landscape of Tara''. Dublin: Four Courts Press for

. 2005. pp. 159–224 *Gerard Murphy
"On the Dates of Two Sources Used in Thurneysen's Heldensage: I. ''Baile Chuind'' and the date of ''Cín Dromma Snechtai''"
in '' Ériu 16'' (1952): 145–51. includes edition and translation. * T. F. O'Rahilly, ''Early Irish History and Mythology''. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. 1946.

Annals

* The Annals of Ulster - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/index.html * The Annals of Inisfallen - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100004/index.html *

Chronicon Scotorum ''Chronicon Scotorum'', also known as ''Chronicum Scotorum'', is a medieval Irish chronicle. Overview According to Nollaig Ó Muraíle, it is "a collection of annals belonging to the ' Clonmacnoise group', covering the period from prehistoric ti ...

- http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100016/index.html * The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100017/index.html *

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 ...

- http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/index.html

External links

Map of Tara
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tara, Kingship Of Medieval Ireland Lists of Irish monarchs

Legendary Kings of Tara

Prehistoric

Late Prehistoric

Early Historic Kings of Tara

Later Kings of Tara

Baile Chuinn Chétchathaig

Togail Bruidne Dá Derga

See also

Notes

References

Annals

External links