The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the cóiced (variously translated as portion, fifth, province) of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named after the Connachta.
The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht (the fifth of the Ol nEchmacht). Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD does in fact list a people called the Nagnatae as living in the west of Ireland. Some are of the opinion that Ptolemy's Map of Ireland may be based on cartography carried out as much as five hundred years before his time.
The Connachta were a group of dynasties who claimed descent from the three eldest sons of Eochaid Mugmedon: Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae. They took their collective name from their alleged descent from Conn Cétchathach. Their younger brother, Niall Noigiallach was ancestor to the Uí Néill.
The following is a list of kings of Connacht from the fifth to fifteenth centuries.
Prehistoric kings of Ol nEchmacht
- Genann
- Conrac Cas
- Eochaid Feidlech
- Eochaidh Allat
- Tinni mac Conri
- Medb, Queen of Connacht
- Medb and Ailill mac Máta
- Maine Aithreamhail mac Ailill Máta
- Sanbh Sithcheann mac Ceat mac Magha
- Cairbre mac Maine Aithreamhail
- Eochaidh Fionn
- Aodh mac Cu Odhar
- Eochaidh mac Cairbre
- Aonghus Fionn mac Domhnall
- Cormac Ulfhada
- Aonghus Feirt mac Aonghus Fionn
- Connall Cruchain mac Aonghus Feirt
- Fearadach mac Connal Cruchain
- Forghus Fiansa
- Forghus Fiansa and Art mac Conn
- Ceidghin Cruchain mac Connall Cruchain
- Aodh mac Eochaidh
- Aodh Alainn mac Eochaidh Baicidh
- Nia Mór mac Lughna
- Lughaidh mac Lughna Fear Tri
- Aodh Caomh mac Garadh Glundubh
- Coinne mac Fear Tri
- Muireadh Tireach mac Fiachra Sraibrintne
- Eochaid Mugmedon
- Niall Noigiallach/Niall of the Nine Hostages, died c. 450/455
List of historical kings
Uí Fiachrach, 406–482
Uí Briúin, 482–500
Uí Fiachrach, 500–549
Uí Briúin, 549–600
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, 600–622
Uí Briúin, 622–649
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, 649–663
Uí Briúin Seóla, 663–682
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 682–683
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, 683–696
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 696–702
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 702–705
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 705–707
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 707–723
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 723–728
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 728–735
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 735–742
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 742–756
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 756–764
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 764–768
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 768–773
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 773–777
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 777–782
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 782–786
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 786–792
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 792–796
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 796–839
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 839–843
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 843–848
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 848–872
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 872–956
Ó Ruairc, 956–967
Ó Conchobhair, 967–1030
Ó Ruairc, 1030–1046
Ó Conchobhair, 1046–1067
Ó Ruairc, 1067–1087
Ó Conchobhair, 1087–1092
Ó Flaithbheartaigh, 1092–1095
Ó Conchobhair, 1092–1097
Ó Ruairc, 1097–1102
Ó Conchobhair, 1102–1280
Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair, 1280–1293
Ó Conchobhair, 1293–1309
Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair, 1309–1310
Ó Conchubhair Ruadh, 1310–1317
Ó Conchobhair, 1316–1317
Ó Conchubhair Donn, 1317–1350
Ó Conchobhair Sligigh, 1318–1324
Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair, 1342–1350
Ó Conchubhair Donn, 1368–1474
See also
Sources
- Annals of the Four Masters, 1990 edition.
- The Annals of Connacht, A. Martin Freeman, 1944.
- Irish Kings and High Kings, Francis John Byrne, 1973.
- Leabhar Mor Genealach, Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, ed. O'Muralie, 2004.
External links
