Conn of the Hundred Battles
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Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles) was a legendary High King of Ireland. He was the ancestor of the Connachta, and, through his descendant Niall Noígiallach, the Uí Néill dynasties. His father was Fedhlimidh Rachtmar and his mother was Ughna Ollchrothach [1]. His son was Art mac Cuinn. Some stories of the Fenian Cycle are set in his time.
He gained the throne by overthrowing Mal, who had killed his father. He earned his epithet Cétchathach in his wars with the Dál nAraidi.
His rival for the kingship of Ireland was the king of Munster, Éogan Mór, also known as Mug Nuadat, who beat him in ten battles and took half of Ireland from his control. Mug was able to gain such power because his druid predicted a famine, which he prepared for by storing grain. Ireland is sometimes seen as divided between Leth Cuinn, Conn's Half, in the north, and Leth Moga, Mug's Half, in the south.
Mug was killed when Conn led a night attack against his forces with all of his tribal leaders save one behind him. Conn's forces ultimately overwhelmed Mug's army, and Mug was killed in the process.
Mal's son Tibride Tirech killed Conn at Tara, having sent fifty warrior dressed as women against him from Emain Macha.
| Preceded by Cathair Mor |
High King of Ireland AFM 122-157 FFE 116-136 |
Succeeded by Conaire |
[edit] Family tree
Conn Cétchathach
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Art mac Cuinn
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Cormac mac Airt
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Cairbre Lifechair
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Fiacha Sraibhtine
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Muiredach Tirech
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Eochaid Mugmedon
+ Mongfind + Cairenn
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_________|_________ |
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Brion Fiachrae Ailill Niall
(The Connachta) |
__________________________|_______________________________________________________
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Conall Gulban Endae Eogan . Coirpre Lóegaire Maine Conall Cremthainne Fiachu
| . | | ________|________
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Muirdeach . Cormac Caech Lughaid Fergus Cerrbel Ardgal
| . | (d.507) |
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Muirchertach . Tuathal Diarmait mac Cerbaill
mac Ercae . Maelgarb
(d.536) . (d.544) (d.565)
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(Northern Uí Néill) . (Southern Uí Néill)
