Lóegaire Lorc

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Lóegaire Lorc, son of Úgaine Mor, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The Lebor Gabála Érenn^[1] says he succeeded directly after his father was murdered by Bodbchad, although Geoffrey Keating^[2] and the Annals of the Four Masters^[3] agree that Bodbchad seized power for a day and a half before Lóegaire killed him. He ruled for two years. His brother Cobthach Cóel Breg coveted the throne, and, taking the advice of a druid, pretended to be sick so Lóegaire would visit him. When he arrived, Cobthach feigned death, and when Lóegaire was bent over his body in mourning, stabbed him in with a dagger. Cobthach then paid someone to poison Lóegaire's son Ailill Áine, and forced Ailill's son Labraid to eat his father's and grandfather's hearts and a mouse, before forcing him into exile, supposedly because it was said that Labraid was the most hospitable man in Ireland.^[4] The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign to that of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (281-246 BC). The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates Bodbchad's reign to 411-409 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 594-592 BC.

Preceded by Úgaine Mór or Badbchaid

High King of Ireland LGE 3rd century BC FFE 411-409 BC AFM 594-592 BC

Succeeded by Cobthach Cóel Breg

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