Elim, son of Conrai, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland.
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland for centuries.
The Lebor Gabála Érenn says he overthrew the previous High King Fíachu Finnolach in an uprising of aithech-tuatha or "subject peoples". The nobility of Ireland were massacred, with only three pregnant women escaping: Fíachu's wife Eithne Imgel, daughter of the king of Alba; Gruibne, daughter of the king of Britain and wife of the king of Munster; and Aine, daughter of the king of the Saxons, and wife of the king of Ulster. Gruibe was the mother of Corb Olom, ancestor of the Eóganachta of Munster; Aine's son Tibraide Tírech was the ancestor of the Dál nAraidi of Ulster; Eithne fled to Alba where she gave birth to Fíachu's son Tuathal Techtmar. Elim ruled for twenty years, at the end of which Tuathal landed at Inber Domnainn and was proclaimed king. He then marched on Tara and defeated and killed Elim in battle on the nearby hill of Achall. [1]
Lebor Gabála Érenn is a collection of poems and prose narratives that purports to be a history of Ireland and the Irish from the creation of the world to the Middle Ages. There are a number of versions, the earliest of which was compiled by an anonymous writer in the 11th century. It synthesized narratives that had been developing over the foregoing centuries. The Lebor Gabála tells of Ireland being settled six times by six groups of people: the people of Cessair, the people of Partholón, the people of Nemed, the Fir Bolg, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Milesians. The first four groups are wiped out or forced to abandon the island, the fifth group represent Ireland's pagan gods, while the final group represent the Irish people.
Fiacha Finnolach, son of Feradach Finnfechtnach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, Fíatach Finn. He ruled for fifteen, seventeen, or twenty-seven years, depending on the source consulted, after which he, and the freemen of Ireland, were killed in an uprising of aithech-tuatha or "subject peoples", led, according to the Lebor Gabála Érenn and the Annals of the Four Masters, by Elim mac Conrach, or by Cairbre Cinnchait according to Geoffrey Keating. His wife Eithne, daughter of the king of Alba (Scotland), who was pregnant, fled home to Alba, where she gave birth to Fíachu's son, Tuathal Techtmar, who would ultimately return to Ireland to claim the throne. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of the Roman emperor Nerva (AD 96–98). The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to AD 28–55, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to AD 39–56.
"Alba" is the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland. It is cognate with the Irish term Alba and the Manx term Nalbin, the two other Goidelic Insular Celtic languages, as well as contemporary words used in Cornish and Welsh, both of which are Brythonic Insular Celtic languages. In the past these terms were names for Great Britain as a whole, related to the Brythonic name Albion.
The Annals of the Four Masters broadly agree with the Lebor Gabála, adding only that the revolt of the aithech-tuatha was led by the provincial kings, Elim being the king of Ulster, and that during his reign Ireland was without corn, fruit, milk or fish, as God punished the aithech-tuatha for their evil. [2] Geoffrey Keating tells a slightly different story, ascribing the revolt to Cairbre Cinnchait, with Elim as his successor. [3]
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are chronicles of medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Deluge, dated as 2,242 years after creation to AD 1616.
Seathrún Céitinn was a 17th-century historian. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and is buried in Tubrid Graveyard in the parish of Ballylooby-Duhill. He became an Irish Catholic priest and a poet.
Cairbre Cinnchait or Caitchenn was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. There is considerable differences in the sources over his ancestry and his place in the traditional sequence of High Kings.
The Lebor Gabála synchronises Elim's reign with that of the Roman emperor Hadrian (AD 117–138). The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to AD 60–80, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to AD 56–76.
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman Empire during the imperial period. The emperors used a variety of different titles throughout history. Often when a given Roman is described as becoming "emperor" in English, it reflects his taking of the title Augustus or Caesar. Another title often used was imperator, originally a military honorific. Early Emperors also used the title princeps. Emperors frequently amassed republican titles, notably princeps senatus, consul and pontifex maximus.
Hadrian was Roman emperor from 117 to 138. He was born Publius Aelius Hadrianus in Italica, near Santiponce, Spain into a Hispano-Roman family. His father was of senatorial rank and was a first cousin of Emperor Trajan. He married Trajan's grand-niece Vibia Sabina early in his career, before Trajan became emperor and possibly at the behest of Trajan's wife Pompeia Plotina. Plotina and Trajan's close friend and adviser Lucius Licinius Sura were well disposed towards Hadrian. When Trajan died, his widow claimed that he had nominated Hadrian as emperor immediately before his death.
Preceded by LGE/AFM Fíachu Finnolach FFE Cairbre Cinnchait | High King of Ireland LGE 2nd century AD FFE AD 60–80 AFM AD 56–76 | Succeeded by Tuathal Techtmar |
Túathal Techtmar, son of Fíachu Finnolach, was a High King of Ireland, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition. He is said to be the ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties through his grandson Conn of the Hundred Battles. The name may also have originally referred to an eponymous deity.
Eochaid Mugmedón was a legendary Irish king. According to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, Eochaid was a High King of Ireland, best known as the father of Niall of the Nine Hostages and ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties. He is not mentioned in the list of kings of Tara in the Baile Chuind, but is included in the synthetic lists of High Kings in the Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Irish annals, Geoffrey Keating's history, and the Laud Synchronisms.
Eochu Mumu, son of Mofebis, son of Eochaid Faebar Glas, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn he came to power after killing the previous incumbent, Fíachu Labrainne, who had killed his father in battle. The province of Munster is named after him. He ruled for 21 years, fighting many battles against the descendants of Érimón, before he was killed by Fíachu's son Óengus Olmucaid in the battle of Clíu. He would later be avenged by his own son Enna Airgdech.
Géde Ollgothach, son of Ollom Fotla, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his brother Slánoll. His epithet means "possessing a great voice", and the Lebor Gabála Érenn says during his reign all his subjects had voices as sweet as the strings of a zither. He ruled for eight, or twelve, or seventeen years, before being killed by, according to the Lebor Gabála, the otherwise unknown Fíachu son of Fíadchú; according to Geoffrey Keating and the Annals of the Four Masters, by his nephew and successor Fíachu Findoilches, son of Fínnachta. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 880–863 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1241–1231 BC.
Berngal, son of Géde Ollgothach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor and cousin and his father's killer, Fíachu Findoilches. He made so much war that there was a shortage of milk and corn - according to one version, only a sack and a half. He ruled for either twenty-one or twelve years, until he was killed by his cousin Ailill, son of Slánoll. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Deioces of the Medes. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 833–831 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1209–1197 BC.
Gíallchad, the son of Ailill Olcháin, son of Sírna Sáeglach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, the 37th High King of Ireland. Gíallchad took power after killing his predecessor, and the son of his grandfather's killer, Elim Olfínechta, in the battle of Comair Trí nUisce. He is said to have taken one out of every five men of Munster hostage. Gíallchad reigned for nine years, before being killed by Elim's son Art Imlech at Mag Muaide. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Phraortes of the Medes. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 786–777 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1023–1014 BC.
Muiredach Bolgrach, son of Siomón Brecc, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, and his father's killer, Dui Finn, ruled for 13 months or four years depending on the source consulted, and was then killed by Dui's son Énna Derg. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Artaxerxes I of Persia. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 674–670 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 894–893 BC. His son was Fíachu Tolgrach.
Art, son of Lugaid Lámderg, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, and his father's killer, Conaing Bececlach. He ruled for six years, until he was killed by Fíachu Tolgrach and his son Dui Ladrach. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, he was succeeded by his son Ailill Finn; Keating and the Four Masters agree he was succeeded by his killer, Fíachu Tolgrach, who was later killed by Ailill Finn. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Darius II of Persia (423–404). The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 599–593 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 812–806 BC.
Fíachu Tolgrach, son of Muiredach Bolgrach, was a legendary High King of Ireland, according to some medieval and early modern Irish sources. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn he is not a High King: he kills the former High King Art mac Lugdach, but during the reign of Art's son Ailill Finn he is killed in battle against Airgetmar. His son Dui Ladrach later becomes High King. However, in Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn and the Annals of the Four Masters he succeeds Art as High King and rules for seven or ten years, until he is killed by Ailill Finn, who succeeds him. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 593–586 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 806–796 BC.
Ailill Finn, son of Art mac Lugdach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, he succeeded to the throne when his father was killed by Fíachu Tolgrach and his son Dui Ladrach. He ruled for nine years. Two years into his reign, Fíachu Tolgrach was killed in battle against Airgetmar, son of Sírlám. The men of Munster, led by Ailill's son Eochu and Lugaid, son of Eochu Fíadmuine, then drove Airgetmar into exile overseas. After seven years Airgetmar returned to Ireland and killed Ailill with the help of Dui Ladrach and his son Fíachu, but was unable to seize the throne, which was taken by Eochu.
Airgetmar, son of Sirlám, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The Lebor Gabála Érenn says that, during the reign of Ailill Finn, he killed Fíachu Tolgrach in battle, but was forced into exile overseas by Ailill's son Eochu, Lugaid son of Eochu Fíadmuine, and the men of Munster. He returned to Ireland after seven years, and, with the help of Dui Ladrach, killed Ailill. Eochu became king, but Airgetmar and Dui soon killed him as well, and Airgetmar took power.
Adamair, son of Fer Corb, was, according to medieval Irish legends and historical traditions, a High King of Ireland. He came from Munster, killed the previous incumbent, Ailill Caisfhiaclach, and reigned for five years, until he was killed by Eochaid Ailtleathan. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Ptolemy V Epiphanes in Egypt. The chronology of the Annals of the Four Masters dates his reign to 418–414 BC, the chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn to 290–285 BC. He was the husband of the presumed goddess Flidais of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Óengus Tuirmech Temrach, son of Eochaid Ailtlethan, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to power after killing his predecessor, and his father's killer, Fergus Fortamail. His sons included Énna Aignech and Fiacha Fer Mara. Énna later became High King himself and was the ancestor of Conn of the Hundred Battles and thus the Connachta and Uí Néill High Kings, while Fiacha was the ancestor of Ailill Érann and the Clanna Dedad.
Nuadu Necht, son of Sétna Sithbac, a descendant of Crimthann Coscrach, of the Laigin, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to power after killing his predecessor, Eterscél, and ruled for six months, at the end of which he was killed by Eterscél's son Conaire Mór.
Feradach Finnfechtnach, son of Crimthann Nia Náir, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. There is some disagreement in the sources over his position in the traditional sequence of High Kings.
Fiatach Finn mac Dáire, a distant descendant of Óengus Tuirmech Temrach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the Ulaid, later a High King of Ireland, and the eponymous ancestor of the early Medieval Ulster dynasty of the Dál Fiatach. He was king of the Ulaid while Feradach Finnfechtnach was High King, and succeeded to the High Kingship himself when Feradach died. He ruled for three years until he was killed by Fíachu Finnolach. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of the Roman emperor Nerva. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to AD 25–28, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to AD 36–39.
Mal, son of Rochraide, a descendant of the legendary hero Conall Cernach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the Ulaid and later a High King of Ireland. He took the High Kingship after he killed Tuathal Techtmar at Mag Line, and ruled for four years, at the end of which he was killed by Tuathal's son Fedlimid Rechtmar. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161). The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 100–104, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 106–110. His son was Tipraiti Tireach
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