Kings of Ailech

Exterior view of the Grianan of Aileach in County Donegal, the royal fort of the Kingdom of Aileach

The Kings of Ailech belonged to the northern Uí Néill and took their name from the Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh), a hillfort on top of Greenan Mountain in western Ulster. The restored fort stands in a commanding position at the base of the Inishowen peninsula overlooking Lough Swilly to the west and Lough Foyle to the east.

Early Kings (5th-8th Centuries)

Earlier Kings of Cenél nEógain and Ailech included:

• Eógan mac Néill Noigallach (d. 465)
• Muiredach mac Eógain (d. circa 489)
• Muirchertach mac Muiredaig (d. 534)
• Forggus mac Muirchertaig (d. 566)
• Domnall Ilchelgach mac Muirchertaig (d. 566)
• Báetán mac Muirchertaig (d. 572)
• Eochaid mac Domnaill (d. 572)
• Colcu mac Domnaill (d. 580)
• Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin (d. 604)
• Áed Uaridnach mac Domnaill (d. 612)
• Suibne Menn mac Fiachnai (d. 628)
• Máel Fithrich mac Áedo Uaridnach (d. 630)
• Ernaine mac Fiachnai (d. 636)
• Crundmáel mac Suibni Menn (d. circa 660)
• Ferg mac Crundmaíl (d. circa 668)
• Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich (d. 681)
• Fland mac Máele Tuile (d. 700)
• Urthuile mac Máele Tuile

Kings between 700 and 1185

The following is a list of their Kings from 700 to 1185. Some were also High Kings of Ireland.

• Fergal mac Máele Dúin 700 – 11 December 722
• Áed Allán mac Fergaile 722–743
• Niall Frossach mac Fergaile 743–770
• Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin 770–788
• Áed Oirdnide mac Néill 788–819
• Murchad mac Máele Dúin 819–823
• Niall Caille mac Áeda 823–846
• Máel Dúin mac Áeda 846–???
• Áed Findliath mac Néill c. 855 – 20 November 879
• Murchad mac Máele Dúin 879–887
• Flaithbertach mac Murchado 887–896
• Domnall mac Áeda 887–915
• Niall Glúndub mac Áeda 896 – 15 September 919
• Flaithbertach mac Domnaill 916–919
• Fergal mac Domnaill 919–938
• Muirchertach mac Néill 938 – 26 February 943.
• Domnall mac Muirchertaig ua Néill 943–980
• Flaithbertach mac Muirchertaig meic Néill 943–949
• Flaithbertach mac Conchobair 956–962
• Tadg mac Conchobair 956–962
• Conn mac Conchobair 956–962
• Murchad Glun re Lar mac Flaithbertaigh 962–972
• Fergal mac Domnaill meic Conaing 980–989
• Áed mac Domnaill Ua Néill 989–1004
• Flaithbertach Ua Néill 1004–1031
• Áed mac Flaithbertaig Ua Néill 1031–1033
• Flaithbertach Ua Néill (again) 1033–1036
• Niall mac Máel Sechnaill 1036–1061
• Ardgar mac Lochlainn 1061–1064
• Áed Ua hUalgairg 1064–1067
• Domnall mac Néill 1067–1068
• Áed mac Néill 1068–1083
• Donnchad mac Néill 1083–1083
• Domnall Ua Lochlainn 1083 – 9 February 1121
• Conchobar mac Domnaill 1121–1128
• Magnus Ua Lochlainn 1128–1129
• Conchobar mac Domnaill 1129–1136
• Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1136–1143
• Domnall Ua Gairmledaig 1143–1145
• Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn (again) 1145–1166
• Conchobar mac Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1166–1167
• Niall mac Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1167–1176
• Aed In Macaem Toinlesc Ua Neill 1167–1177
• Mael Sechlainn mac Muirchertaig Mac Lochlainn 1177–1185

Kings post-1185

From 1185, the Cenél nEógain ruled as Kings of Tír Eógain.

The last to actually be styled King of Ailech was Áed Buide Ua Néill (died 1283).

See also

• Cenel nEogain Family Tree
• Irish kings
• Irish Royal Families

References

• "Cenel nEogain Kings of Ailech 700-1185", pages 194-195 in A New History of Ireland, volume IX, ed. Byrne, Martin, Moody, 1984.
• T.M.Charles-Edwards, Early Christian Ireland
• Francis J.Byrne, Irish Kings and High-Kings

External links

• Grianan of Aileach Visitor Centre