Kings of Ailech

Ailech (also spelled Aileach) was a medieval kingdom in Ireland, roughly centered around modern-day County Tyrone and the Inishowen peninsula in Ulster. The Kings of Ailech belonged to the northern Uí Néill and took their name from the Grianán of Ailech ( _ga. Grianán Ailigh), a hillfort on top of Greenan Mountain in modern County Donegal. The restored fort stands in a commanding position at the base of the Inishowen peninsula overlooking Lough Swilly to the west and Lough Foyle to the east.

The kings of Ailech were frequently counted as High Kings of Ireland; holding the title alternately with the Clann Cholmáin branch of the "southern Uí Néill" in the sixth to tenth centuries. Those kings who were not High Kings, sometimes appear styled "King of the North" by the Irish annals, indicating their claims to the overlordship of the northern branches of the Uí Néill.

Early Kings (5th-8th Centuries)

Earlier Kings of Cenél nEógain and Ailech included:
* Eógan mac Néill Noigallach (d.465)
* Muiredach mac Eógain (d.circa 489)
* Muirchertach mac Muiredaig (d.534)
* Forggus mac Muirchertaig (d.566)
* Domnall Ilchelgach mac Muirchertaig(d.566)
* Báetán mac Muirchertaig (d.572)
* Eochaid mac Domnaill (d.572)
* Colcu mac Domnaill (d.580)
* Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin (d. 604)
* Áed Uaridnach mac Domnaill (d. 612)
* Suibne Menn mac Fiachnai (d. 628)
* Máel Fithrich mac Áedo Uaridnach (d. 630)
* Ernaine mac Fiachnai (d. 636)
* Crundmáel mac Suibni Menn (d. circa 660)
* Ferg mac Crundmaíl (d. circa 668)
* Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich (d. 681)
* Fland mac Máele Tuile (d. 700)
* Urthuile m. Máele Tuile

Kings between 700 and 1185

The following is a list of their Kings from 700 to 1185. Some were also High Kings of Ireland.
* Fergal mac Máele Dúin 700-11th December 722
* Áed Allán mac Fergaile 722-743
* Niall Frossach mac Fergaile 743-770
* Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin 770-788
* Áed Oirdnide mac Néill 788-819
* Murchad mac Máele Dúin 819-823
* Niall Caille mac Áeda 823-846
* Máel Dúin mac Áeda 846-???
* Áed Findliath mac Néill c.855-20th November 879
* Murchad mac Máele Dúin 879-887
* Flaithbertach mac Murchado 887-896
* Domnall mac Áeda 887-915
* Niall Glúndub mac Áeda 896-15th September 919
* Flaithbertach mac Domnaill 916-919
* Fergal mac Domnaill 919-938
* Muirchertach mac Néill 938-26th February 943.
* Domnall mac Muirchertaig ua Néill 943-980
* Flaithbertach mac Muirchertaig meic Néill 943-949
* Flaithbertach mac Conchobair 956-962
* Tadg mac Conchobair 956-962
* Conn mac Conchobair 956-962
* Murchad Glun re Lar mac Flaithbertaigh 962-972
* Fergal mac Domnaill meic Conaing 980-989
* Áed mac Domnaill Ua Néill 989-1004
* Flaithbertach Ua Néill 1004-1030
* Áed mac Flaithbertaig Ua Néill 1030-1032
* Flaithbertach Ua Néill (again) 1032-1036
* Niall mac Máel Sechnaill 1036-1061
* Ardgar mac Lochlainn 1061-1064
* Áed Ua hUalgairg 1064-1067
* Domnall mac Néill 1067-1068
* Áed mac Néill 1068-1083
* Donnchad mac Néill 1083-1083
* Domnall Ua Lochlainn 1083-9th February 1121
* Conchobar mac Domnaill 1121-1128
* Magnus Ua Lochlainn 1128-1129
* Conchobar mac Domnaill 1129-1136
* Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1136-1143
* Domnall Ua Gairmledaig 1143-1145
* Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn (again) 1145-1166
* Conchobar mac Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1166-1167
* Niall mac Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1167-1176
* Aed In Macaem Toinlesc Ua Neill 1167-1177
* Mael Sechlainn mac Muirchertaig Mac Lochlainn 1177-1185

Kings post-1185

From 1185, the Cenél nEógain ruled as Kings of Tír Eógain.

References

*"Cenel nEogain Kings of Ailech 700-1185", pages 194-195 in "A New History of Ireland", volume IX, ed. Byrne, Martin, Moody, 1984.
* T.M.Charles-Edwards, "Early Christian Ireland"
* Francis J.Byrne, "Irish Kings and High-Kings"

ee also

* Cenel nEogain Family Tree
* Irish kings
* Irish Royal Families

External links

* [http://www.griananailigh.ie/ Grianan of Aileach Visitor Centre]