Eochu Uairches

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Eochu (or Eochaid) Uairches, 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, [1] 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. [2] 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 (465–424 BC). 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. [3]

Lugaid Íardonn, son of Énna Derg, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. His epithet, Old Irish for "dark brown", came from the colour of his hair. He succeeded his father, who had died of plague, to the throne, and ruled for nine years before he was killed at Ráth Clochair by Sírlám, son of Finn mac Blatha. 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 658–649 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 881–872 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.

Sírlám, son of Finn mac Blatha, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, Lugaid Íardonn, in Ráth Clochair. His name means "long hand" or "long arm", and it is said his arms reached the ground when was standing up. He ruled for thirteen years according to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, or sixteen according to Geoffrey Keating and the Four Masters. He drove Lugaid's son Eochu Uairches into exile, but after twelve years overseas Eochu returned and killed him with an arrow. 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 649–633 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 872–856 BC.

Preceded by
Sírlám
High King of Ireland
LGE 5th century BC
FFE 633–621 BC
AFM 856–844 BC
Succeeded by
Eochu Fíadmuine
and Conaing Bececlach

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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.

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.

Dui Ladrach, son of Fíachu Tolgrach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He helped his father kill the High King Art mac Lugdach, then helped Airgetmar take the throne by killing Art's son Ailill Finn and grandson Eochu mac Ailella. Finally he and Eochu Fíadmuine's son Lugaid Laigdech killed Airgetmar, and Dui took the throne himself, ruling for ten years until his former accomplice Lugaid killed him. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Artaxerxes III of Persia. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 547–537 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 748–738 BC. His son was Eochu Buadach, who was the father of High King Ugaine Mor Mac Eochu.

Lugaid Laigdech, son of Eochu mac Ailella, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He helped Dui Ladrach overthrow Airgetmar, and later killed Dui to take the kingship himself. He ruled for seven years, until he was killed by Airgetmar's grandson Áed Rúad. The Lebor Gabála synchronises his reign with that of Artaxerxes III of Persia. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 537-530 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 738-731 BC.

Badbchaid, son of Eochu Buadach, son of Dui Ladrach, was, according to late sources, briefly a High King of Ireland. The Lebor Gabála Érenn says Bodbchad murdered his brother, the High King Úgaine Mór, who was succeeded directly by his son Lóegaire Lorc. However, Geoffrey Keating and the Annals of the Four Masters agree that, after killing Úgaine, Bodbchad took the throne for a day and a half, after which Lóegaire killed him. The Lebor Gabála synchronises Úgaine's reign to that of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates Bodbchad's reign to 411 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 594 BC.

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.

Lugaid Luaigne, son of Finnat Már, 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, Bresal Bó-Díbad, and ruled for five or fifteen years, before he was killed by Congal Cláiringnech. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Ptolemy X Alexander I in Egypt. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 140–135 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 199–184 BC.

Dui Dallta Dedad, son of Cairpre Lusc, son of Lugaid Luaigne, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took power after killing his predecessor, and his grandfather's killer, Congal Cláiringnech, and ruled for ten years, at the end of which he was killed by Fachtna Fáthach in the battle of Árd Brestine. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Ptolemy XII Auletes in Egypt and the civil war between Pompey and Caesar in Rome. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 120–110 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 169–159 BC.

Crimthann Nia Náir, son of Lugaid Riab nDerg, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. Lugaid is said to have fathered him on his own mother, Clothru, daughter of Eochu Feidlech. Clothru was thus both his mother and his grandmother.

References

  1. R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V, Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 255-257
  2. Geoffrey Keating, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn 1.27
  3. Annals of the Four Masters M4344-4356