Amergin of Maigh Seóla

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Amergin of Maigh Seóla, father of Finbarr of Cork, fl. c. 550.

Finbarr of Cork Bishop of Cork

Saint Finbar, Finnbar, or Finnbarr, in Irish Fionnbharra, very often abbreviated to Barra, was Bishop of Cork and abbot of a monastery in what is now Cork city, Ireland. He is patron saint of the city and of the Diocese of Cork. His feast day is September 25.

Amergin is described as an artisan from Connacht, and a member of the Uí Briúin. He is said to have belonged to branch of that ruled Maigh Seóla, although they would not be reckoned among the Uí Briúin till the 10th century, use of the term for the 6th century is an anachronism.

Artisan skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand

An artisan is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates things by hand that may be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative arts, sculptures, clothing, jewellery, food items, household items and tools or even mechanisms such as the handmade clockwork movement of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist.

Connacht province in Ireland

Connacht, formerly spelled Connaught, is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of the country. Up to the 9th century it consisted of several independent major kingdoms.

Uí Briúin

The Uí Briúin were a royal dynasty of Connacht. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brión, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the Uí Fiachrach and Uí Ailello, putative descendants of Eochaid Mugmedon's sons Fiachra and Ailill. The Uí Ailello were later replaced as the third of the Three Connachta, by genealogical sleight of hand, by the Uí Maine.

He settled in Muskerry, County Cork. He obtained work as chief smith to King Tighernach of Ui Eachach, and in time he gained land at Achaidh Durbchon (near Gougane Barra, source of the river Lee).

County Cork County in the Republic of Ireland

County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is the largest and southernmost county of Ireland, situated in the province of Munster and named after the city of Cork, Ireland's second-largest city. The Cork County Council is the local authority for the county. Its largest market towns are Mallow, Macroom, Midleton, and Skibbereen. In 2016, the county's population was 542,868, making it the third-most populous county in Ireland. Notable Corkonians include Michael Collins, Jack Lynch, and Sonia O'Sullivan.

Gougane Barra Settlement in Munster, Ireland

Gougane Barra is a settlement, west of Macroom in County Cork, Ireland.

Against Tighernach's wishes, Amergin married a member of the royal household. They were caught and sentenced to be burned alive for defying Tighernach but in what was regarded as a sign of divine intervention, a storm of heavy rain put out the fire. Thus they were set free.

A child was born from this union and they returned to Gougane Barra, where the boy was baptised Luan, or Lochan. When he was seven years old three clerics of Munster, returning from a pilgrimage to Leinster, happened to stop at the house of Amergin. They admired the boy for the grace of the Holy Spirit that seemed to them to shine in his face, and were allowed by his parents to take him away to be educated. He studied at a place called Sliabh Muinchill, where, as was usual at the time, he was tonsured and had his name changed. The cleric who cut his hair is said to have observed, "Fair (finn) is the hair (barra) of Luan." "Let this be his name," said another, "Barr Finn, or Finn Barr."

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Iar Connacht

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Ó Flaithbheartaigh family name

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Clann Taidg

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Murchadh mac Maenach was King of Maigh Seóla.

Maelan mac Cathmogha was King of Maigh Seóla.

Muireadhach ua Flaithbheartach, also known a Murchadh an Chapail Ua Flaithbheartaigh, was King of Maigh Seóla.

Cathal mac Ruaidhri was King of Maigh Seóla/Iar Connacht.

Maelcairearda was King of Uí Briúin Seóla.

Donn mac Cumasgach was a king of Maigh Seóla who died in 752.

Bé Binn inion Urchadh ( Beibhinn) Princess of the Uí Briúin Seóla and Queen of Thomond, fl. early 10th century.

Creassa inion Urchadh Princess of the Uí Briúin Seóla and Queen of Connacht, fl. early 10th century.

Caineach inion Urchadh Princess of the Uí Briúin Seóla and Queen of Connacht, fl. early 10th century.

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