Cathal mac Conchobair

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For the King of Connacht of the same name who died in 1010, see Cathal mac Conchobair (died 1010)

Cathal mac Conchobair (died 925) was King of Connacht. He was the ancestor of the Ua Conchobair (anglicised O'Connor) dynasty which ruled in Connacht until 1439.

Cathal was the third son of Conchobar mac Taidg Mór (died 882) to rule Connacht, following his older brother Áed (died 888) and youngest brother Tadg (died 900). There may have been a fourth brother, Máel Cluiche mac Conchobair, who died in battle in 913. They belonged to the Síl Muiredaig branch of Uí Briúin Ai kindred. The Uí Briúin Ai claimed descent from Brion, an older brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and the kingship of Connacht alternated irregularly between the Síl Muiredaig and the Síl Cathail branches of the kindred. By Cathal's time, the Síl Cathail were all but excluded from the succession.

On becoming king, Cathal was faced with a demand from Flann Sinna, the High King of Ireland, for acknowledgement of his authority. This was agreed in a meeting at Clonmacnoise, and Cathal is found frequently fighting alongside and on behalf of Flann.

Cathal was succeed on his death by his son Tadg, who was succeeded in his turn by Fergal ua Ruairc of the rising Uí Briúin Bréifne branch of the Uí Briúins.