Síl nÁedo Sláine () are the descendants of

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— ...

(Áed mac Diarmato), son of

Diarmait mac Cerbaill Diarmait mac Cerbaill (died ) was King of Tara or High King of Ireland. According to traditions, he was the last High King to follow the pagan rituals of inauguration, the ''ban-feis'' or marriage to goddess of the land. The last High King to ...

. Part of the

Southern Uí Néill The Southern Uí Néill (, ) were a branch of the Uí Néill dynasty that invaded and settled in the Kingdom of Mide and its associated kingdoms. Two sons of Niall Noigiallach, Lóegaire () and Coirpre (), initially led the dynasty. As did th ...

—they were the

kings of Brega The Kings of Brega were rulers of Brega, a petty kingdom north of Dublin in medieval Ireland. Overview Brega took its name from ' ('), meaning "fine plain", in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of th ...

—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne. With the possible exception of Óengus mac Colmáin, all Uí Néill kings descended from Diarmait mac Cerbaill belonged to the Síl nÁedo Sláine until the death of Cináed mac Írgalaig in 728. Thereafter the southern Uí Néill were dominated by Clann Cholmáin, or more precisely Clann Cholmáin Már, descended from Colmán Már. Only one member of the Síl nÁedo Sláine was

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 ...

after 728, Congalach Cnogba, and he was the grandson and nephew of Clann Cholmáin kings. Áed Sláine left five sons, and from each of these was descended one or more branches of the kindred. The descendants of Congal mac Áedo Sláine were the Uí Chonaing, named for Congal's son Conaing Cuirre. This branch ruled

Knowth Knowth (; ) is a prehistoric tomb overlooking the River Boyne in County Meath, Ireland. It comprises a large passage tomb surrounded by 17 smaller tombs, built during the Neolithic era around 3200 BC. It contains the largest assemblage of megali ...

, the northern part of Brega. Its notable members included Cináed mac Írgalaig (High King; died 728), Cináed mac Conaing (died 851) and Congalach Cnogba (High King; died

956 Year 956 ( CMLVI) was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Summer – Emperor Constantine VII appoints Nikephoros Phokas to commander of the Byzantine field army (''Domestic o ...

). The other main branch was that of Áed's son Diarmait, which ruled southern Brega from its seat at Loch Gabhair. This took the name Uí Chernaig from Diarmait's son Cernach. Its prominent members included Fogartach mac Néill (High King; died 724) and Conall mac Cernaig ( Conall Grant; died 718). From Blathmac, whose sons Sechnassach and Cenn Fáelad were both High Kings, descended the Uí Chinn Fháelad. Of Dúnchad's descendants only his son

Fínsnechta Fledach Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada (died 695) was High King of Ireland. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine sept of the Uí Néill and was King of Brega, in modern County Meath, Ireland. He was a grandson of Áed Sláine. H ...

was a significant figure. The Síl nDlúthaig took its name from a son of

Ailill Cruitire Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine (died 634) was a King of Brega from the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Áed Sláine mac Diarmato (died 604). His byname meant "harper". The exact date of h ...

, Dlúthach, but this was another minor group.

References

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See also

References

Further reading