Loarn mac Eirc

Loarn mac Eirc was a legendary king of Dál Riata who may have lived in the 5th century.

The Duan Albanach and the Senchus Fer n-Alban and other genealogies name Loarn's father as Erc son of Eochaid Muinremuir. There are no records or traditions of Loarn as king, and his main significance is as the eponymous ancestor of the Cenél Loairn kindred.

Cenél Loairn

The Cenél Loairn controlled parts of northern Argyll around the Firth of Lorne, most probably centred on Lorne (a place within the region named Lorna[1]) but perhaps including the Isle of Mull, Morvern and Ardnamurchan. The chief place of the kingdom appears to have been at Dun Ollaigh, near Oban. The chief religious site may have been on Lismore, later the seat of the High Medieval bishop of Argyll.

Descendants of Loarn

Several kings of Dál Riata were members of the Cenél Loairn, and thus claimed descent from Loarn.

In High Medieval times the Mormaers of Moray claimed descent from Loarn.

References

  1. ^ http://www.nls.uk/maps/scotland/view/?sid=00000587 National Library of Scotland
  • Bannerman, John, Studies in the History of Dalriada. Scottish Academic Press, Edinburgh, 1974. ISBN 0-7011-2040-1
  • Broun, Dauvit, The Irish Identity of the Kingdom of the Scots in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries. Boydell, Woodbridge, 1999. ISBN 0-85115-375-5