Túathal Máelgarb

Túathal mac Cormaic (died 540s), called Túathal Máelgarb, was the son of Cormac Cáech, son of Coirpre mac Néill. He was High King of Ireland. In the earliest accounts he appears to have been regarded as the man who completed the conquest of what would later be Brega for the descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

There is only a single significant entry in the Irish annals concerning Túathal. This is a report of his victory in a battle against the Ciannacht "at Luachair between the two estuaries", perhaps in 535. ["Annals of Ulster", AU 535.2 & AU 539.2; "Annals of Tigernach", AT 533. There is a duplicate entry in the "Annals of Ulster".] Luachair is a common place name, and it is uncertain which two rivers are concerned. [Charles-Edwards, "Early Christian Ireland", p. 451, suggests either the River Boyne, in County Louth and the Nanny in County Meath or the Nanny and the Delvin, both in Meath.] This victory is believed to have established the dominance of Niall's descendants over the Ciannacht and over the plain of Brega. [Charles-Edwards, "Early Christian Ireland", p. 468; Charles-Edwards, "Túathal".] While these entries in the Irish annals are not based on a contemporary record, the language used suggests that they are very early, perhaps dating from the end of the 6th century. [Charles-Edwards, "Early Christian Ireland", p. 451.]

Túathal is reported to have been killed in the 540s. Later glosses to the annals, and tales concerning Diarmait mac Cerbaill and Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, add more detail, but are likely to be much later traditions. According to these, Túathal was attempting to have Diarmait banished, but instead Túathal was killed by Diarmait's uterine half-brother—according to some versions, his adoptive kinsman—"Máelmor Ua Machí" or "Máelmor mac Argadaín". Máelmor himself was killed on the spot. [Charles-Edwards, "Túathal"; "Annals of Ulster", AU 544.1; "Annals of Tigernach", AT 543.1.]

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