Events from the 6th century in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

500s

;506 * 23 March - Death of Bishop

Mac Cairthinn of Clogher Saint Mac Cairthinn, also Macartan, McCartan (died 506), is recognized as the first presiding Bishop of Clogher from 454 to his death. One of the earliest Christian saints in Ireland, he is known as Saint Patrick's Traynor (surname), "Threin Fhi ...

.List of Published Texts at CELT
—

University College Cork University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC) () is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, and located in Cork (city), Cork. The university was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen's Universit ...

's ''Corpus of Electronic Texts'' project has the full list of Irish Annals. ;507 * Death of

Lugaid mac Lóegairi Lugaid mac Lóegairi (died ) was a High King of Ireland. He was a grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages. One of the supposed twelve sons of Lóegaire mac Néill, his mother was Angias, a daughter of (Ailill) Tassach of the Uí Liatháin. Compare ...

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ) 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 was later sometimes assigned anachronously or to leg ...

. * 3 September - Death of St. Mac Nisi, Bishop of Connor (according to some sources, see 509 below). ;509 * 3 September - Death of St. Mac Nisi, Bishop of Connor (according to some sources; see 507 above).

510s

;512 * 29 June - A

solar eclipse A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of Earth, totally or partially. Such an alignment occurs approximately every six months, during the eclipse season i ...

is recorded. * 2 November - Death of Bishop

Erc of Slane Erc mac Dega (; ), also known (incorrectly) as Herygh, was an Irish saint. He was active in Cornwall. Tradition ascribes the foundation of the original monastery on the Slane#The Hill of Slane, Hill of Slane to him. Early life Erc, son of Dago, ...

(according to some sources; see 513 below). ;513 * 2 November - Death of Bishop

(according to some sources; see 512 above). ;515 * Birth of Abbot

Cainnech of Aghaboe Cainnech of Aghaboe (515/16–600), also known as Saint Canice in Ireland, Saint Kenneth in Scotland, Saint Kenny and in Latin Sanctus Canicus, was an Irish abbot, monastic founder, priest and missionary during the early medieval period. Cainn ...

at Glengiven near

Dungiven Dungiven () is a small town, townland and Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is near the main A6 road (Northern Ireland), A6 Belfast to Derry road, which bypasses the town. It lies where the river ...

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

(according to some sources; see 516 below). ;516 * Battle of Druim Derge in

Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...

; the

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 Leinste ...

finally lose the

Irish Midlands The Midland Region (coded IE063) is a Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, NUTS Level III NUTS 3 statistical regions of the Republic of Ireland, statistical region of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It consists of the territory of the C ...

to the

Uí Néill The Uí Néill (; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties that claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who is believed to have died around c. 405. They are generally divided ...

. * Birth of Bishop

Ciarán of Clonmacnoise Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (c. 516 – c. 549), supposedly born Ciarán mac an tSaeir ("son of the carpenter"), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and the first abbot of Clonmacnoise. He is sometimes called Ciarán the Youn ...

("Ciarán the Younger"), one of the

Twelve Apostles of Ireland The Twelve Apostles of Ireland (also known as Twelve Apostles of Erin, ) were twelve early Irish monastic saints of the sixth century who studied under St Finnian (d. 549) at his famous monastic school Clonard Abbey at Cluain-Eraird (Erard's ...

. * Birth of Abbot

at Glengiven near

(according to some sources; see 515 above). ;517–518 * 6 July - Death of St. Moninne (Darercae) at the convent she established at Killeavy (year varies according to sources).

520s

;520 * Monastery founded in Ballyleague by St. Faithleach of Clontuskert (brother of Brendan). *

Clonard Abbey Clonard Abbey (, meaning "Erard's Meadow") was an early medieval monastery situated on the River Boyne in Clonard, County Meath, Clonard, County Meath, Ireland. Early history The monastery was founded in about 520 in Ireland, 520 by Finnian o ...

in modern

County Meath County Meath ( ; or simply , ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is bordered by County Dublin to the southeast, County ...

founded by St.

Finnian of Clonard Finnian of Clonard ('Cluain Eraird') – also Finian, Fionán or Fionnán in Irish; or Finianus and Finanus in its Latinised form (470–549) – was one of the early Irish monastic saints, who founded Clonard Abbey in modern-day County Meath ...

. *3 May - Death of Conleth, Bishop of Kildare (in 516 according to some sources). *(approximate year) - Clane Friary founded by

Ailbe of Emly Saint Ailbe ( ; ), usually known in English as St Elvis (British/ Welsh), Eilfyw or Eilfw, was regarded as the chief 'pre-Patrician' saint of Ireland (although his death was recorded in the early 6th-century). He was a bishop and later saint. L ...

;521 *7 December - Birth of

Columba Columba () or Colmcille (7 December 521 – 9 June 597 AD) was an Irish abbot and missionary evangelist credited with spreading Christianity in what is today Scotland at the start of the Hiberno-Scottish mission. He founded the important abbey ...

(Colm Cille or Columcille) in

Gartan Gartan () is a civil parish and townland in County Donegal, Ireland. The area is best known for being the birthplace of Columba, one of the three patron saints of Ireland and one of the most revered saints in the Christian world. Here he founded ...

, missionary monk (died

597 __NOTOC__ Year 597 ( DXCVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar The Julian calendar is a solar calendar of 365 days in every year with an additional leap day every fourth year (without exception). The Julian calen ...

). *7 December - Death of St. Búite of Monasterboice. ;522 * Death of Eochaid mac Óengusa, an Eoganachta king of

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

. His son Crimthann Srem mac Echado succeeds him. ;523 * St.

Ninnidh Ninnidh (pronounced as "Ninny") (alias Ninnidh the Pious, , meaning one-eyed Ninnidh, Nennius, Nennidhius, Ninnaid) was a 6th-century Irish Christian saint. St. Ninnidh is regarded as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He is associated wi ...

made the island of Inishmacsaint (''island of plain Sorrell'') in

Lough Erne Lough Erne ( , ) is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland and Ulster, and the fourth biggest in Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River E ...

his headquarters around 523. ;523–526 * 1 February - Death of St.

Brigit of Kildare Saint Brigid of Kildare or Saint Brigid of Ireland (; Classical Irish: ''Brighid''; ; ) is the patroness saint (or 'mother saint') of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish ...

(year varies according to sources) (born c.451). ;527 * Death of Illan mac Dúnlainge, King of Leinster. ;527–528 * 12 September or 30 December - Death of Bishop

(year varies according to sources; also given as 534 or 542).

530s

;530 * Brendan completes building of monastic cells at

Ardfert Ardfert () is a village and Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish in County Kerry, Ireland. Historically a religious centre, the economy of the locality is driven by agriculture and its position as a dormitory town, being only from Tralee. T ...

*Monastic settlements are established on

Lambay Island Lambay Island (), often simply Lambay, is an island in the Irish Sea off the coast of north County Dublin, Ireland. The largest island off the east coast of Ireland, it is offshore from the headland at Portrane, and is the easternmost point ...

and at Clonmore, County Carlow. *Birth of

Dallán Forgaill Eochaid mac Colla ( 560 – 640), better known as Saint Dallán or Dallán Forgaill (; ; Primitive Irish: ''Dallagnas Worgēllas''), was an early Christian Irish poet and saint known as the writer of the "'' Amra Coluim Chille''" ("Elegy of Sai ...

Ollamh Érenn The Ollamh Érenn () or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland. Background An (literally 'most great') was a poet or bard of literature and history. Each chief or had its own . The head ollam of a province such as ...

, on

Magh Slécht Magh Slécht (sometimes Anglicised as Moyslaught; A variant of Magh Lecht meaning ''a grave-strewn plain'', because of all the ancient stone tombs therein) is the name of a historic plain in Ireland. It comprises an area of about three square ...

. *Birth of Saint Moluag in

Dál nAraidi Dál nAraidi (; "Araide's part") or Dál Araide, sometimes List of Latinised names, latinised as Dalaradia or Anglicisation, anglicised as Dalaray,Boyd, Hugh AlexanderIrish Dalriada ''The Glynns: Journal of The Glens of Antrim Historical Societ ...

. * Death of Saint Cainnear of Bantry *Approximate date - Death of St. Enda of Aran. ;531 (or 537) ; * Maine mac Cearbhall, 1st King of Uí Maine, died 531 or 537. ;534 * 12 September or 30 December - Death of Bishop

(year varies according to sources; also given as 527, 528 or 542). ;535 * Possible mega-eruption of Rabual caldera volcano between . * Extreme weather events * 20 August - Death of St. Mochta of

Louth Louth may refer to: Australia *Hundred of Louth, a cadastral unit in South Australia * Louth, New South Wales, a town * Louth Bay, a bay in South Australia ** Louth Bay, South Australia, a town and locality Canada * Louth, Ontario Ireland * Cou ...

(disciple of St. Patrick) (in 537 according to some sources). ;536 * Extreme weather events causes

Late Antique Little Ice Age The Late Antique Little Ice Age (LALIA) was a long-lasting Northern Hemispheric cooling period in the 6th and 7th centuries AD, during the period known as Late Antiquity. The period coincides with three large volcanic eruptions in 535/536, 539/ ...

Irish Annals A number of Irish annals, of which the earliest was the Chronicle of Ireland, were compiled up to and shortly after the end of the 17th century. Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days. Over ti ...

record famine in Ireland. ;537 *

* A plague strikes Britain and Ireland. ;538 *

records famine in Ireland. * Death of

missionary A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group who is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Thoma ...

Manchan of Mohill. ;539 *

records famine in Ireland.

540s

;540 * Birth of

Columbanus Saint Columbanus (; 543 – 23 November 615) was an Irish missionary notable for founding a number of monasteries after 590 in the Frankish and Lombard kingdoms, most notably Luxeuil Abbey in present-day France and Bobbio Abbey in presen ...

Nobber Nobber (Irish language, Irish: ''an Obair'', "the work") is a village in north County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is on the Navan–Kingscourt road (R162 road, R162), about north of Navan. This places the village about from the M5 ...

in the

Kingdom of Meath Meath ( ; ; ) was a kingdom in Ireland from the 1st to the 12th century AD. Its name means "middle," denoting its location in the middle of the island. At its greatest extent, it included all of County Meath (which takes its name from the k ...

. * Approximate date - The

Paschal Paschal is used as a name. Paschal, a variant of Pascal, from Latin ''Paschalis'', is an adjective describing either the Easter or Passover holidays. People known as Paschal include: Popes and religious figures * Antipope Paschal (687), a ri ...

controversy begins in Ireland. ;542 * 12 September or 30 December - Death of Bishop

(year varies according to sources; also given as 527, 528 or 534). ;545 *

Monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of Monasticism, monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in Cenobitic monasticism, communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a ...

founded at

Clonmacnoise Clonmacnoise or Clonmacnois (Irish language, Irish: ''Cluain Mhic Nóis'') is a ruined monastery in County Offaly in Republic of Ireland, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, Ciarán, ...

by St.

Ciarán Ciarán (Irish language, Irish spelling) or Ciaran (Scottish Gaelic spelling) is a traditionally male given name of Irish origin. It means "little dark one" or "little dark-haired one", produced by appending a diminutive suffix to ''ciar'' (" ...

. ;546 *

founds

Derry Derry, officially Londonderry, is the second-largest City status in the United Kingdom, city in Northern Ireland, and the fifth-largest on the island of Ireland. Located in County Londonderry, the city now covers both banks of the River Fo ...

. * Approximate date - Death of Abbot

(of yellow fever) (according to some sources - see 556 below). ;549 *

Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory The Diocese of Ossory (; ) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in eastern Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is one of three suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, ...

, which still exists, founded. *Death of St.

, who founded

550s

;550 * Birth of Bishop Máedóc of Ferns (St. Áedan or Mogue) on

. ;552 * Death of St.

, founder of

. ;556 * Death of Abbot

(of yellow fever) (according to some sources - see 546 above). ;557 * Death of the probably legendary Colmán Már mac Diarmato, a king of

Uisnech The Hill of Uisneach or Ushnagh ( or ) is a hill and ancient ceremonial site in the barony of Rathconrath in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is a protected national monument. It consists of numerous monuments and earthworks—prehistoric and medi ...

Mide Meath ( ; ; ) was a kingdom in Ireland from the 1st to the 12th century AD. Its name means "middle," denoting its location in the middle of the island. At its greatest extent, it included all of County Meath (which takes its name from the k ...

of the

Clann Cholmáin Clann Cholmáin is the dynasty descended from Colmán Már mac Diarmato, son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide (Meath) — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and hi ...

560s

;563 *

founds a

monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of Monasticism, monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in Cenobitic monasticism, communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a ...

Iona Iona (; , sometimes simply ''Ì'') is an island in the Inner Hebrides, off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It is mainly known for Iona Abbey, though there are other buildings on the island. Iona Abbey was a centre of Gaeli ...

off the coast of

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. * Brendan founds a monastery at

Clonfert Clonfert () is a small village in east County Galway, Ireland, halfway between Ballinasloe and Portumna. The village gives its name to the Diocese of Clonfert (Roman Catholic), Diocese of Clonfert. Clonfert Cathedral is one of the eight cathedr ...

570s

;570 * Death of

Laisrén mac Nad Froích Saint Laisrén mac Nad Froích (died 564), or Laisrén of Devenish and Lasserian, known as Mo Laisse, was the patron saint of Devenish Island in Lough Erne, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, in the present Diocese of Clogher (Roman Cath ...

(St. Molaise). ;573 * Death of Abbot

Brendan of Birr Brendan of Birr (died c. 572) was one of the early Irish monastic saints. He was a monk and later an abbot, of the 6th century. He is known as "Saint Brendan the Elder" to distinguish him from his contemporary and friend Brendan the Navigator o ...

, one of the

. ;575 * Convention of Druim Ceat, at which agreement is reached between the

and the king of

Dál Riata Dál Riata or Dál Riada (also Dalriada) () was a Gaels, Gaelic Monarchy, kingdom that encompassed the Inner Hebrides, western seaboard of Scotland and north-eastern Ireland, on each side of the North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland), North ...

maintaining the peace and the balance of power. The poets are said to have been saved from banishment by the intervention of

. * Bishop

Muiredach of Killala Saint Muiredach mac Echdach, also known as Murtagh, was the founding Bishop of Killala, Ireland in the 6th century. Life Muiredach was of the Cenél Lóegairi, and connected to the royal family of King Lóegaire mac Néill. He is described a ...

meets with

Ballysadare Ballysadare (), locally also Ballisodare, is a town in County Sligo, Ireland. It is about south of Sligo town. The town developed on an important crossing of the Owenmore River. Ballysadare is in a townland and civil parish of the same name. ...

. ;576 * Death of Colmán Már mac Coirpre, King of Leinster. ;577 * Death of Brendan. * Death of

Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn (died 577) was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the ruling Eoganachta dynasty. This branch was centred at Glanworth, County Cork. He was the son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado (died circa 542). ...

King of Munster The kings of Munster () ruled the Kingdom of Munster in Ireland from its establishment during the Irish Iron Age until the High Middle Ages. According to Gaelic traditional history, laid out in works such as the ''Book of Invasions'', the earli ...

from the Glendamnach sept of the Eoganachta. He is succeeded by Fergus Scandal mac Crimthainn.

580s

;584 * The foundation of the University of Tuaim Drecain ( Tomregan) by the Synod of Drumceat on

. ;585 *

Suibne mac Colmáin Suibne mac Colmáin (died 600) was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the son of Colmán Már mac Diarmato (died 555/558), also King of Uisnech. He ruled Uisnech from 587 to 600. The Marianus Scotus king list names S ...

becomes King of

of the

. He is the son of King Colmán Már mac Diarmato (died

557 __NOTOC__ Year 557 ( DLVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 557 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe f ...

) and rules Uisnech until his death in

598 __NOTOC__ Year 598 ( DXCVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 598 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Eur ...

. ;588 *

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 c. 588) was an Irish king of the

Cruthin The Cruthin (; or ; ) were a people of early medieval Ireland. Their heartland was in Ulster and included parts of the present-day counties of Antrim, Down and Londonderry. They are also said to have lived in parts of Leinster and Connacht ...

(in modern

). He may have been king of the

Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or (Irish language, Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic Provinces of Ireland, over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include , which ...

590s

;590 *

and twelve companions set sail for France. ;593 * Death of

Áed Dibchine Áed Dibchine mac Senaig (died 595) was a King of Leinster from the Uí Máil branch of the Laigin. He is the first king of this branch to hold the overlordship of Leinster. The '' Book of Leinster'' king lists mention a certain Áed Cerr mac ...

mac Senaig King of Leinster from the Uí Máil branch of the Laigin, the first king of this branch to hold the overlordship of Leinster. ;595 *Death of Saint Berach of Termonbarry ;597 * 9 June - Death of

, missionary monk, on

(born

521 Year 521 (Roman numerals, DXXI) was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Justinian I, Sabbatius and Valerius (or, less frequently, year 1274 ''Ab urbe condita''). ...

). ;598 * Monastery established in

Ferns, County Wexford Ferns (, short for ) is a historic town in north County Wexford, Ireland. It is north of Enniscorthy. The remains of Ferns Castle are in the centre of the town. The town is in a civil parish of the same name. History Ferns is believed to hav ...

, dedicated to Bishop Máedóc of Ferns (St. Áedan or Mogue). *

, King of

of the

, is killed by his uncle

Áed Sláine Áed mac Diarmato (died 604), called Áed Sláine (Áed of Slane), was the son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Legendary stories exist of Áed's birth. Saint Columba is said to have prophesied his death. His descendants, the Síl nÁedo Sláine— ...

. ;599–600 * Death of St. Cainnech. He was buried at

Aghaboe Abbey The Abbey of Aghaboe is one of the most important of the abbeys and priories in County Laois. It was founded in the kingdom of Osraige by St. Canice in the 6th century. In his ''Vita Sancti Columbae'' (Life of St. Columba), Adomnán refers to ...

, which he had founded. His feast day is commemorated on 11 October in the

Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

(
Catholic Online
') and on the 1 August or 14 August in the

Eastern Orthodox Church The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, and also called the Greek Orthodox Church or simply the Orthodox Church, is List of Christian denominations by number of members, one of the three major doctrinal and ...

600s

;600 *Death of

Uatu mac Áedo Uatu (), often simply known as the Watcher, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in ''Fantastic Four (comic book), The Fantastic Four'' #13 (A ...

a king of

Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...

from the

Uí Briúin The Uí Briúin were a royal dynasty of Connacht. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brión, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with th ...

branch of the

Connachta The Connachta are a group of medieval Irish dynasty, dynasties who claimed descent from the legendary High King of Ireland, High King Conn of the Hundred Battles, Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles). The modern western Provinces of ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:6th Century In Ireland