List of High Kings of Ireland
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The High Kingship of Ireland was a pseudohistorical construct of the eighth century AD, a projection into the distant past of a political entity that did not become reality until the ninth century. The traditional list of High Kings of Ireland is thus a mixture of fact, fiction and propaganda, the individuals appearing prior to the fifth century AD are generally considered legendary and the application of the title to individuals before the ninth century being anachronistic. The annalists frequently describe later high kings as righ erenn co fressabra ("Kings Irish with Opposition"), which is a reference to the instability of the kingship of Tara from the death of Mael Sechnaill II in 1022, the last Uí Niall king; who had been restored to the throne following the death of Brian Boru in 1014, who had taken the throne from him in 1002. The example of Brian's coup was followed by numerous other families in the century following 1022, which was effectively ended by the Norman quasi-conquest of Ireland in 1171.
[edit] Kings in the Baile Chuind
| Name | Presumed identity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Baile Chuinn Cétchathaigh (The Frenzy of Conn of the Hundred Battles) of around 700 A.D. contains a list of kings of Tara quite different from that included in Annals of the Four Masters a millennium later. It is presumed that the last four kings named are fictional, dating the list to the lifetime of Fínsnechta Fledach. A number of kings are unidentified, and some are apparently misplaced. | ||
| Not named | Conn Cétchathach | The list recounts Conn's vision of the kings who will follow him |
| Art | Art mac Cuinn | |
| Mac Con moccu Lugde Loígde | Lugaid mac Con | |
| Corbmac | Cormac mac Airt | |
| Corpre | Cairbre Lifechair | |
| Fiechri | ||
| Dáire Drechlethan | ||
| Fécho | ||
| Muiredach Tirech | Muiredach Tírech | |
| Crimthand | Crimthann mac Fidaig | |
| Níell | Niall Noigíallach | |
| Loígaire | Lóegaire mac Néill | |
| Corpri | Coirpre mac Néill | died circa 463 |
| Ailill | Ailill Molt | died c. 482 |
| Lugid | Lughaid mac Loeguire | died c. 507 |
| Mac Ercéni | Muirchertach mac Ercae | died c. 536 |
| Óengarb | Tuathal Máelgarb | died c. 544 |
| Aíd | probably Áed mac Ainmuirech | died c. 598 and seemingly misplaced |
| Aíd Olláin | probably Áed Uairidnach (Áed Allán mac Domnaill) | died 612 and seemingly misplaced |
| Diermait | Diarmait mac Cerbaill | died c. 565 |
| Feáchno | Fiachnae mac Báetáin or perhaps Fiachnae mac Feradaig, father of Suibne Menn | Fiachnae mac Báetáin died c. 626 |
| Suibne | Suibne Menn | died c. 628 |
| Domnall | Domnall mac Áedo | died c. 642 |
| Blathmac and Diarmaid grandson of the other one | Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine and Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine | both died c. 665 |
| Snechta Fína | Fínsnechta Fledach | died c. 695, the list compiled in his reign; four fictional kings follow Finsnechta |
[edit] Synthetic lists
| High Kings of Ireland, 1934 BC - 1186 AD | AFM | FFE |
|---|---|---|
| AFM: chronology from the Annals of the Four Masters. FFE: chronology based on reign-lengths given in Seathrún Céitinn's Forus Feasa ar Erinn. Both were compiled ca. 1634 from much the same sources. Cétinn's chronology is considerably shorter than the Four Masters'. | ||
| Fir Bolg High Kings | 1934-1897 BC | 1514-1477 BC |
| Sláine | 1934-1933 BC | 1514-1513 BC |
| Rudraige | 1933-1931 BC | 1513-1511 BC |
| Gann and Genann | 1931-1927 BC | 1511-1507 BC |
| Sengann | 1927-1922 BC | 1507-1502 BC |
| Fiacha Cennfinnán | 1922-1917 BC | 1502-1497 BC |
| Rinnal | 1917-1911 BC | 1497-1491 BC |
| Fodbgen | 1911-1907 BC | 1491-1487 BC |
| Eochaid mac Eirc | 1907-1897 BC | 1487-1477 BC |
| Tuatha Dé Danann High Kings | 1897-1700 BC | 1477-1287 BC |
| Many if not all of these Kings are, in origin, ancient Irish deities | ||
| Bres | 1897-1890 BC | 1477-1470 BC |
| Nuada | 1890-1870 BC | 1470-1447 BC |
| Lug | 1870-1830 BC | 1447-1407 BC |
| Eochaid Ollathair | 1830-1750 BC | 1407-1337 BC |
| Delbáeth | 1750-1740 BC | 1337-1327 BC |
| Fiacha | 1740-1730 BC | 1327-1317 BC |
| Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine | 1730-1700 BC | 1317-1287 BC |
| Milesian High Kings | 1700 BC - 76 AD | 1287 BC - 80 AD |
| Eber Finn and Eremon | 1700 BC | 1287-1286 BC |
| Eremon | 1700-1684 BC | 1286-1272 BC |
| Muimne, Luigne and Laigne | 1684-1681 BC | 1272-1269 BC |
| Ir, Orba, Fearon and Ferga | 1681 BC | 1269 BC |
| Irial Fáith | 1681-1671 BC | 1269-1259 BC |
| Eithrial | 1671-1651 BC | 1259-1239 BC |
| Conmael | 1651-1621 BC | 1239-1209 BC |
| Tigernmas | 1621-1544 BC | 1209-1159 BC |
| interregnum 1544-1537 BC | ||
| Eochaid Étgudach | 1537-1533 BC | 1159-1155 BC |
| Cearmna Finn and Sobhairce | 1533-1493 BC | 1155-1115 BC |
| Eochaid Faebar Glas | 1493-1473 BC | 1115-1095 BC |
| Fiacha Labhrainne | 1473-1449 BC | 1095-1071 BC |
| Eochaid Mumho | 1449-1428 BC | 1071-1050 BC |
| Aengus Olmucada | 1428-1410 BC | 1050-1032 BC |
| Enna Airgtheach | 1410-1383 BC | 1032-1005 BC |
| Roitheachtaigh (I) | 1383-1358 BC | 1005-980 BC |
| Sedna (I) | 1358-1353 BC | 980-975 BC |
| Fiacha Finscothach | 1353-1333 BC | 975-955 BC |
| Muineamhón | 1333-1328 BC | 955-950 BC |
| Faildeargdoid | 1328-1318 BC | 950-943 BC |
| Ollamh Fodhla | 1318-1278 BC | 943-913 BC |
| Finnachta | 1278-1258 BC | 913-895 BC |
| Slanoll | 1257-1241 BC | 895-880 BC |
| Gedhe Ollghothach | 1241-1231 BC | 880-863 BC |
| Fiacha Finnailches | 1231-1209 BC | 863-833 BC |
| Bearnghal | 1209-1197 BC | 833-831 BC |
| Ailill mac Slanuill | 1197-1181 BC | 831-815 BC |
| Sírna | 1181-1031 BC | 814-794 BC |
| Roitheachtaigh (II) | 1031-1024 BC | 794-787 BC |
| Elim Oillfinshneachta | 1024-1023 BC | 787-786 BC |
| Giallchaidh | 1023-1014 BC | 786-777 BC |
| Art Imleach | 1014-1002 BC | 777-755 BC |
| Nuadat Finnfail | 1002-962 BC | 755-735 BC |
| Breisrigh | 962-953 BC | 735-726 BC |
| Eochaid Apthach | 953-952 BC | 726-725 BC |
| Fionn mac Brátha | 952-930 BC | 725-705 BC |
| Sedna (II) | 930-910 BC | 705-685 BC |
| Simeon Breac | 910-904 BC | 685-679 BC |
| Duach Finn | 904-894 BC | 679-674 BC |
| Muireadach Bolgrach | 894-893 BC | 674-670 BC |
| Enda Dearg | 893-881 BC | 670-658 BC |
| Lugaid Iardonn | 881-872 BC | 658-649BC |
| Sirlám | 872-856 BC | 649-633 BC |
| Eochaid Uaircheas | 856-844 BC | 633-621 BC |
| Eochaid Fiadmuine and Conaing Begeaglach | 844-839 BC | 621-616 BC |
| Lugaid Lámdearg | 839-832 BC | 616-609 BC |
| Conaing Begeaglach (restored) | 832-812 BC | 609-599 BC |
| Art mac Lugdach | 812-806 BC | 599-593 BC |
| Fiacha Tolgrach | 806-796 BC | 593-586 BC |
| Ailill Finn | 796-785 BC | 586-577 BC |
| Eochaid mac Ailella | 785-778 BC | 577-570 BC |
| Airgeatmhar | 778-748 BC | 570-547 BC |
| Duach Ladhgrach | 748-738 BC | 547-537 BC |
| Lugaid Laigde | 738-731 BC | 537-530 BC |
| Áed Ruad | 731-724 BC | 530-509 BC |
| Díthorba | 724-717 BC | 509-488 BC |
| Cimbáeth | 717-710 BC | 488-468 BC |
| Áed Ruad (2nd time) | 710-703 BC | |
| Díthorba (2nd time) | 703-696 BC | |
| Cimbáeth (2nd time) | 696-689 BC | |
| Áed Ruad (3rd time) | 689-682 BC | |
| Díthorba (3rd time) | 682-675 BC | |
| Cimbáeth (3rd time) | 675-668 BC | |
| Cimbáeth and queen Macha | 668-661 BC | |
| Queen Macha | 661-654 BC | 468-461 BC |
| Rechtaid Rígderg | 654-634 BC | 461-441 BC |
| Úgaine Mor | 634-594 BC | 441-411 BC |
| Badbchaid | 594 BC | 411 BC |
| Lóegaire Lorc | 594-592 BC | 411-409 BC |
| Cobthach Cóel Breg | 592-542 BC | 409-379 BC |
| Labraid Loingsech | 542-523 BC | 379-369 BC |
| Meilge Molbthach | 523-506 BC | 369-362 BC |
| Mog Corb | 506-499 BC | 362-355 BC |
| Aengus Ollamh | 499-481 BC | 355-337 BC |
| Irereo | 481-474 BC | 337-330 BC |
| Fer Corb | 474-463 BC | 330-319 BC |
| Connla Cáem | 463-443 BC | 319-315 BC |
| Ailill Caisfhiaclach | 443-418 BC | 315-290 BC |
| Adamair | 418-414 BC | 290-285 BC |
| Eochaid Ailtleathan | 414-396 BC | 285-274 BC |
| Fergus Fortamail | 396-385 | 274-262 BC |
| Aengus Tuirmech Temrach | 385-326 BC | 262-232 BC |
| Conall Collamrach | 326-320 BC | 232-226 BC |
| Nia Segamain | 320-313 BC | 226-219 BC |
| Enna Aignech | 313-293 BC | 219-191 BC |
| Crimthann Coscrach | 293-289 BC | 191-184 BC |
| Rudraige (3) | 289-219 BC | 184-154 BC |
| Innatmar | 219-210 BC | 154-151 BC |
| Breasal Boidhiobhadh | 210-199 BC | 151-140 BC |
| Lugaid Luaigne | 199-184 BC | 140-135 BC |
| Congal Clairinech | 184-169 BC | 135-120 BC |
| Duach Dallta Dedad | 169-159 BC | 120-110 BC |
| Fachtna Fáthach | 159-143 BC | 110-94 BC |
| Eochaid Feidlech (father of Queen Medb) |
143-131 BC | 94-82 BC |
| Eochaid Airem | 131-116 BC | 82-70 BC |
| Ederscel | 116-111 BC | 70-64 BC |
| Nuada Necht | 111-110 BC | 64-63 BC |
| Conaire Mor | 110-40 BC | 63-33 BC |
| interregnum 40-33 BC | ||
| Lugaid Riab nDerg | 33-9 BC | 33-13 BC |
| Conchobar Abradruad | 9-8 BC | 13-12 BC |
| Crimthann Nia Náir | 8 BC - 9 AD | 12 BC - 5 AD |
| Cairbre Cinnchait 9-14 | ||
| Feradach Finnfechtnach | 14-36 | 5-25 |
| Fiatach Finn | 36-39 | 25-28 |
| Fiacha Finnfolaidh | 39-56 | 28-55 |
| Cairbre Cinnchait 55-60 | ||
| Éllim | 56-76 | 60-80 |
| High Kings | 76-458 | 80-448 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuathal Teachtmhar | 76-106 | 80-100 |
| Mal | 106-110 | 100-104 |
| Fedlimid Rechtmar | 110-119 | 104-113 |
| Cathair Mor | 119-122 | 113-116 |
| Conn Cétchathach | 122-157 | 116-136 |
| Conaire | 157-165 | 136-143 |
| Art mac Cuinn | 165-195 | 143-173 |
| Lugaid mac Con | 195-225 | 173-203 |
| Fergus Dubdétach | 225-226 | 203-204 |
| Cormac mac Airt | 226-266 | 204-244 |
| Eochaid Gonnat | 266-267 | 244-245 |
| Cairbre Lifechair | 267-284 | 245-272 |
| Fothad Cairpthech and Fothad Airgthech | 284-285 | 272-273 |
| Fiacha Sraibhtine | 285-322 | 273-306 |
| Colla Uais | 322-326 | 306-310 |
| Muiredach Tirech | 326-356 | 310-343 |
| Cáelbad | 356-357 | 343-344 |
| Eochaid Mugmedon | 357-365 | 344-351 |
| Crimthann mac Fidaig | 365-376 | 351-368 |
| Niall Noigiallach | 376-405 | 368-395 (probably traditional dates too early) |
| Dathí | 405-428 | 395-418 (may not have ruled Tara) |
| Lóegaire mac Néill | 428-458 | 418-448 |
| High Kings of Ireland | 459-831 |
|---|---|
| Ailill Molt | 459-478 |
| Lughaid mac Loeguire | 479-503 |
| Daui Tenga Uma | |
| Muircheartach | 504-527 |
| Tuathal Maelgarb | 528-538 |
| Diarmait mac Cerbaill | 539-558 |
| Domhnall and Fearghus | 559-561 |
| Eochaidh and Baedan | 562-563 |
| Ainmire mac Sétnai | 564-566 |
| Báetan mac Ninnedo | 567 |
| Áed mac Ainmuirech | 568-594 |
| Áed Sláine and Colmán Rímid | 595-600 |
| Aedh Uairidhnach | 601-607 |
| Máel Coba mac Áedo | 608-610 |
| Suibne Menn | 611-623 |
| Domnall mac Áedo | 624-639 |
| Ceallach and Conall Cáel | 640-656 |
| Diarmaid and Blathmac | 657-664 |
| Seachnasach | 665-669 |
| Ceannfaeladh | 670-673 |
| Fínsnechta Fledach | 674-693 |
| Loingsech mac Óengusso | 694-701 |
| Congal of Ceann Maghair | 702-708 |
| Fergal mac Máele Dúin | 709-718 |
| Fógartach | 719 |
| Cináed mac Írgalaig | 720-722 |
| Flaithbertach mac Loingsig | 723-729 |
| Áed Allán | 730-738 |
| Domnall Midi | 739-758 |
| Niall Frossach | 759-765 |
| Donnchad Midi mac Domnaill | 766-792 |
| Aed Oirdnide mac Neill | 793-817 |
| Conchobar mac Donnchada | 819-833 |
| Kings of Ireland | 832-1318 |
|---|---|
| Niall Caille mac Áeda 833-846 (according to [1]) or Feidlimid mac Cremthanin (according to the Annals of Inisfallen) |
832-846 836-841 |
| Máel Sechnaill mac Maíl Ruanaid | 846-860. |
| Aed Finliath | 861-876. |
| Flann Sinna | 877-914. |
| Niall Glúndub | 915-917. |
| Donnchad Donn | 918-942 |
| Congalach Cnogba | 943-954 |
| Domnall ua Néill | 955-978 |
| Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill | 979-1002 |
| Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig | 1002-1014. |
| Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill (restored) | 1014-1022. |
| Corcran Claireach and Conn Ó Lochlain | 1022-1024. |
| Donnchad mac Briain | 1024-1064 (with opposition) |
| Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain | 1055-1086 (with opposition) |
| Domhnall MacLochlainn | 1083-1121 (with opposition) |
| Muircheartach Ua Briain | 1101-1119 (with opposition) |
| Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair | 1119-1156 |
| Muirchertach MacLochlainn | 1156-1166 |
| Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair | 1166-1186 |
| Brian Ua Neill | 1258-1260 |
| Edubard a Briuis | 1315-1318 |
