Maine mac Cearbhall

Maine mac Cearbhall, 1st King of Uí Maine, died 531 or 537.

Background

Maine is the first king of Uí Maine listed in the Irish annals, and thus its first historically attested ruler.

Minor confusion surrounds his obituary, with a six-year variation given, perhaps reflecting the computations of Irish monks.

His reign appears to be contained within that of Feradhach mac Lughaidh (c. 517 – c.541), so it may be that they ruled in opposition to each other, or Maine usurped the kingship for a time.

Ancestry

He was a descendant of Máine Mór, who founded the kingdom of Uí Maine about the middle years of the 4th century A.D. In the king-lists, he is recorded as the 11th (inclusive) in succession to Máine Mór.

Career

Uí Maine was one of the largest kingdoms of Cóiced Ol nEchmacht (known after 700 as Connacht), and is thought to have been co-extensive with - and possibly a successor-state to - Tuatha Taiden, a prehistoric kingdom.

Uí Maine composed of approximately 1,000 square miles (2,600 km²) encompassed all of what is now north, east and south County Galway, south and central County Roscommon, an area near County Clare, and at one stage had apparently subjugated land on the east bank of the River Shannon (see Maine of Tethba), together with the parish of Lusmag in County Offaly.

In Maine's lifetime, different branches of the Connachta had settled east of the River Shannon, expanded west into what is now County Sligo and County Mayo, and established a new kingdom in Aidhne.

ag cosnamh geillsine Ua Maine

It was against King Goibhneann of Aidhne that friction arose, with Goibhneann apparently attempting to suborn the Ui Maine. Maine died in the conflict, but the kingdom retained its independence in his lifetime and for centuries to come, while the power of the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne faded after the reign of King Fergal Aidne mac Artgaile (d. 696).

Only during the career of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, High King of Ireland c. 1120–1156, did Ui Maine lose its independent status.

A.D. 531

The Annals of the Four Masters (who list his death sub anno 531), state:

Cath Claonlocha h-i c-Cenel Aodha ria n-Goibhneann, taoisioch Ua Fiachrach Aidhne, airm in ro marbhadh Maine, mac Cerbhaill, ag cosnamh geillsine Ua Maine Connacht./The battle of Claenloch, in Cinel Aedh, by Goibhneann, chief of Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, where Maine, son of Cearbhall, was killed, in defending the hostages of Ui Maine of Connaught.

Claenloch is now thought to be Coole Lough, a turlough located at Coole Park, County Galway.

References