Cernach mac Congalaig (died 818) was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth) of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of Congalach mac Conaing (died 778) and brother of Flann mac Congalaig (died 812), previous kings. [1] He ruled from 812-818.
The Kings of Brega were rulers of Brega, a petty kingdom north of Dublin in medieval Ireland.
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave and an ancient monument of the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne located 8.4 km west of Drogheda in Ireland's valley of the River Boyne. It is the largest passage grave of the Brú na Bóinne complex. It consists of a large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs. The mound is about 12 metres (40 ft) high and 67 metres (220 ft) in diameter, covering roughly a hectare. It contains two passages placed along an east-west line and is encircled by 127 kerbstones, of which three are missing, and four badly damaged.
Síl nÁedo Sláine[ˈsʲiːlʲ ˈnaiðo ˈslaːnʲe] are the descendants of Áed Sláine, son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.
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In the early decades of the 8th century an intense rivalry had existed between the northern branch of the Síl nÁedo Sláine represented by the Uí Chonaing and the southern branch represented by the Uí Chernaig of Lagore. This rivalry had been interrupted by the common threat of the rise of the rival branch of Clann Cholmáin of Uisnech. In Cernach's reign this old rivalry appears to have flared up again, the annals record a skirmish in 817 between the Ciannachta and the men of southern Brega, in which many Ciannachta fell. [2] At this time the Uí Chonaing were called kings of Ciannachta in the annals, a population-group they had subjugated in the early 8th century.
Clann Cholmáin is the dynasty descended from Colmán Már, son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide (Meath) — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.
The Ciannachta were a population group of early historic Ireland. They claimed descent from the legendary figure Tadc mac Céin. They first appear in historical sources in the 6th century, and were found in several parts of the island, including in Brega and Tír Eoghain. The Ciannachta groups were absorbed over time.
Cernach's death obit in the annals is significant in that it is the first time a member of the sept was called King of Cnogba (rex Cnodhbai) in the Annals of Ulster. [3]
