Kings of Tara

Kings of Tara

The term King of Tara was a title of authority in ancient Ireland.

Analysis

The title "King of Tara" represented a very old ideal of sacred kingship in Ireland, imbued with mythical aura stretching back deep into the long-forgotten past, even from the perspective of its earliest historical holders. For these reasons holding the title King of Tara invested the incumbent to a powerful status, at least in the northern half of Ireland, perhaps as an almost totally forgotten tradition of a sacred king of kings, barely remembered yet retained by unknowing tradition. Many so-called Irish High Kings were simultaneously Kings of Tara, and in later times actual claimants to this new title (which only emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries) used their initial position as King of Tara to promote themselves in status and fact to the High-Kingship. Prior to this, various branches of the Uí Néill dynasty appear to have used it to denote overlordship of their kindred and realms.

Therefore, it should be realised that for much of history, the titles King of Tara and High King of Ireland were distinct and unrelated.

The following is a list of those accorded the title in the Irish annals, which are listed below. It should be noted that the dates and names of the early kings are uncertain and often highly suspect.

Legendary Kings of Tara

Early Historic Kings of Tara

* Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth, died 446/447
* Tuathal Maelgarb, d.544/549
* Diarmait mac Cerbaill, before 558-565
* Forgus mac Muirchertaig and Domnall mac Muirchertaig, 565-569?
* Báetán mac Muirchertaig and Eochaid mac Domnaill, 569? -572/573
* Ainmuire mac Sétnai, 572/573-575/576
* Áed mac Ainmuirech, 575/576, or 592 - 598
* Fiachnae mac Báetáin (Fiachnae Lurgan), 589-626
* Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin and Áed Sláine mac Diarmato, 598 - 604
* Áed Allán mac Domnaill (Áed Uaridnach), "king of Temair", 604 - ?

Later Kings of Tara

* Cathal mac Finguine, 713-742
* Áed Allán, 730-738
* Cathal mac Finguine, fl. 742
* Donnchad Midi mac Murchado, 763-797
* Áed Oirdnide mac Néill, 797-819 [http://www.thepeerage.com/p15012.htm#i150112]
* Conchobar mac Donnchada, 819-833
* Niall Caille mac Áeda, 833-846
* Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid, 846-862
* Áed Findliath mac Néill, 862-879
* Flann Sinna mac Máelschnaill, 878-916
* Niall Glúndub, 916-919
* Donnchad Donn mac Flainn, 919-944
* Ruaidrí Ua Canannáin, 944- 30 November 950
* Congalach Cnogba mac Máelmithig, 950-956
* Domnall ua Néill, 956-980
* Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, 980-1002

ee also

* Irish kings
* High King of Ireland
* Hill of Tara
* List of High Kings of Ireland

References

ources

*"The Vikings and the Kingship of Tara", Bart Jaski, "Perita", 311-351, vol. 9, 1995.
* The Annals of Ulster - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/index.html
* The Annals of Inisfallen - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100004/index.html
* Chronicon Scotorum - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100016/index.html
* The Fragmentry Annals of Ireland - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100017/index.html
* Annals of the Four Masters - http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/index.html

External links

* Map of Tara - http://www.mythicalireland.com/ancientsites/tara/taramap.html


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