Eochu Mumu

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Eochu Mumu (or Eochaid Mumo, Mumho), 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. [1]

Eochaid Faebar Glas, son of Conmáel, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. His epithet means "blue-green sharp edge". According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn and the Annals of the Four Masters, he came to power after killing the joint High King, Cermna Finn, in battle at Dún Cermna, and Cermna's brother and colleague Sobairce was killed by Eochaid Menn of the Fomorians. He killed Smirgoll, grandson of Tigernmas, in the battle of Druimm Liatháin. He ruled for twenty years, until he was killed by Smirgoll's son Fiacha Labrainne in the battle of Carman. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Piritiades in Assyria. Keating's chronology dates his reign to 1115–1095 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1493–1473 BC.

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.

<i>Lebor Gabála Érenn</i> collection of poems and prose compiled in the 11th century, purporting to be a history of Ireland from the creation of the world to the Middle Ages, but in fact based on Christian and Irish mythology; describes Irish settlement by 6 groups of people

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.

The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Ofratanes in Assyria. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 1071–1050 BC, [2] that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1449–1428 BC. [3]

Assyria Major Mesopotamian East Semitic kingdom

Assyria, also called the Assyrian Empire, was a Mesopotamian kingdom and empire of the ancient Near East and the Levant. It existed as a state from perhaps as early as the 25th century BC until its collapse between 612 BC and 609 BC - spanning the periods of the Early to Middle Bronze Age through to the late Iron Age. From the end of the seventh century BC to the mid-seventh century AD, it survived as a geopolitical entity, for the most part ruled by foreign powers such as the Parthian and early Sasanian Empires between the mid-second century BC and late third century AD, the final part of which period saw Mesopotamia become a major centre of Syriac Christianity and the birthplace of the Church of the East.

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.

<i>Annals of the Four Masters</i> chronicles of medieval Irish history

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.

Preceded by
Fíachu Labrainne 		High King of Ireland
AFM 1449–1428 BC
FFE 1071–1050 BC 		Succeeded by
Óengus Olmucaid

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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.

Eochaid or Eochu Étgudach or Etgedach ("negligent"?), son of Daire Doimthech, son of Conghal, son of Eadaman, son of Mal, son of Lugaid, son of Íth, son of Breogán, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn he was chosen as king by the remaining quarter of the men of Ireland after the other three-quarters had died with the former king, Tigernmas, while worshipping the deity Crom Cruach. He introduced a system whereby the number of colours a man could wear in his clothes depended on his social rank, from one colour for a slave to seven for a king or queen. He ruled for four years, until he was killed in battle at Tara by Cermna Finn, who succeeded to the throne jointly with his brother Sobairce. His reign is synchronised with that of Eupales in Assyria. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 1159–1155 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1537–1533 BC.

Sobairce, son of Ebric and a great great grandson of Míl Espáine, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, joint High King of Ireland with his brother Cermna Finn. The pair came to power after Cermna killed the previous incumbent, Eochaid Étgudach, in battle at Tara. They were the first High Kings to come from the Ulaid. They divided the country between them, the border running from Drogheda to Limerick. Sobairce ruled the northern half from Dún Sobairce, Cermna the southern half from Dún Cermna. They ruled for forty years. Sobairce died at the hands of Eochaid Menn, son of the king of the Fomorians. Cermna was killed in the same year by Eochaid Faebar Glas, son of the previous High King Conmáel, in the battle of Dún Cermna. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises their reign with those of Laosthenes in Assyria and Rehoboam in Judah. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates their reign to 1155–1115 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1533–1493 BC.

Cermna Finn, son of Ebric and a great, great grandson of Míl Espáine, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, joint High King of Ireland with his brother Sobairce.

Fíachu Labhrainne, son of Smirgoll, son of Enboth, son of Tigernmas, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to power by killing the previous incumbent, Eochaid Faebar Glas, in the battle of Carman, in vengeance for his father, who had been killed by Eochaid in the battle of Druimm Liatháin. He was named after the river Labrainn, which burst from the ground during his reign. He fought a sea battle against the descendants of Éber Finn, and fought a battle against the Érainn at Mag Genainn in County Fermanagh, which resulted in Loch Erne bursting from the ground. In another battle he killed Eochaid's son Mofebis. Mofebis's son Eochu Mumu killed him in vengeance in the battle of Sliab Belgatain. Geoffrey Keating adds that during his reign, his son Aengus Olmucada conquered Scotland. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with those of Piritiades and Ofratalus in Assyria. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 1095–1071 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1473–1449 BC.

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.

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.

EochuUairches, son of Lugaid Íardonn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. After Lugaid was overthrown and killed by Sírlám, Eochu was driven into exile overseas, but he returned after twelve years, killed Sírlám with an arrow, and took the throne. His epithet is obscure: the Lebor Gabála Érenn says he gained it because of his exile, while Geoffrey Keating explains it as meaning "bare canoes", because he had canoes for a fleet, in which he and his followers used to plunder neighbouring countries. He ruled for twelve years, before he was killed by Eochu Fíadmuine and Conaing Bececlach. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Artaxerxes I of Persia. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 633–621 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 856–844 BC.

Lugaid Lámderg, son of Eochaid Uaircheas, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The Lebor Gabála Érenn says he reigned jointly with Conaing Bececlach, ruling the southern half of the island while Conaing ruled the north, after he killed the previous southern ruler, Conaing's brother Eochu Fíadmuine, while Keating and the Four Masters say he deposed Conaing when he killed Eochu and ruled the whole island. He ruled for seven years, after which Conaing killed him and became High King of the whole island. The Lebor Gabála synchronises Lugaid's reign with those of Artaxerxes I and Darius II (423–404) of Persia. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his career to 616–609 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 839–832 BC.

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.

Eochu, son of Ailill Finn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He succeeded to the throne after his father was killed by Airgetmar and his ally Dui Ladrach. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, he was himself killed by Airgetmar and Dui. Geoffrey Keating says he ruled for seven years, resisted Airgetmar and made peace with Dui, who killed him treacherously at a meeting, allowing Airgetmar to take the kingship. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Artaxerxes II of Persia (404–358 BC). The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 577–570 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 785–778 BC.

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.

EochaidAiltlethan, son of Ailill Caisfiaclach, was, according to medieval Irish legends and historical traditions, a High King of Ireland. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, he took the throne after overthrowing and killing the previous incumbent, Adamair, and ruled for eleven years, until he was killed in battle by Fergus Fortamail. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Ptolemy V Epiphanes in Egypt. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 285–274 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 414–396 BC.

Fergus Fortamail, son of Bresal Brecc, son of Óengus Ollom, son of Ailill Bracan, son of Labraid Loingsech, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing the previous incumbent, Eochaid Ailtlethan, in battle, and ruled for either eleven, twelve or twelve and a half years, until he was killed by Eochaid's son Óengus Tuirmech Temrach in battle at Tara. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Ptolemy VI Philometor in Egypt. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 274–262 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 396–385 BC.

Conall Collamrach, son of Eterscél Temrach, son of Eochaid Ailtlethan, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his uncle Óengus Tuirmech Temrach, and ruled for five years, until he was killed by Nia Segamain. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Ptolemy VIII Physcon in Egypt. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 232–226 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 326–320 BC.

Rothechtaid, son of Maen, son of Óengus Olmucaid, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to power by killing the previous incumbent, his grandfather's killer Énna Airgdech, in the battle of Raigne. He ruled for twenty-two years. The Lebor Gabála Érenn gives two versions of his death. In one version, he was killed in single combat in Cruachan by Sétna Airt, who fought to protect his son Fíachu Fínscothach. In the other version, he died of his wounds in Tara. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 1005–980 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1383–1358 BC.

References

  1. ↑ R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V, Irish Texts Society, 1956, pp. 217-229
  2. ↑ Geoffrey Keating, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn 1.25
  3. ↑ Annals of the Four Masters M3751-3772
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