Gíallchad

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Giallchad, son of Ailill Olcháin, son of Sírna Sáeglach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, and the son of his grandfather's killer, Elim Olfínechta, in the battle of Comair Trí nUisce. He is said to have taken one out of every five men of Munster hostage. He reigned for nine years, before being killed by Elim's son Art Imlech at Mag Muaide. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Phraortes of the Medes (665-633 BC).[1] The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 786-777 BC,[2] that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1023-1014 BC.[3]

Preceded by
Elim Olfínechta
High King of Ireland
LGE 7th century BC
FFE 786-777 BC
AFM 1023-1014 BC
Succeeded by
Art Imlech

[edit] References

  1. ^ R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V, Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 247
  2. ^ Geoffrey Keating, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn 1.26
  3. ^ Annals of the Four Masters M4177-4186