Fachtna Fáthach

Fachtna Fáthach ("the wise"), ["Dictionary of the Irish Language" Compact Edition, Royal Irish Academy, 1990, p. 295] son of Cas (or Ross), son of Rudraige, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to power when he defeated the previous High King, Dui Dallta Dedad, in the battle of Árd Brestine. According to some stories he was the lover of Ness, daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide, king of Ulster, and the father of her son, Conchobar mac Nessa, the king of Ulster in the stories of the Ulster Cycle. [Kuno Meyer, "Anecdota from the Stowe MS. No. 992", "Revue Celtique" 6, 1884, pp. 173-186]

After he had reigned for sixteen or twenty-five years, he paid a visit to Ulster. While he was there, Eochu Feidlech, king of Connacht, raised an army and marched on Tara. With the support of the Ulstermen, Fachtna challenged him to battle. Eochu agreed, and named the battlefield as Leitir Ruad in the Corann, Connacht. During the battle Eochu surrounded and beheaded Fachtna, and became High King in his place. [Margaret C. Dobs (ed. & trans.), "La Bataille de Leitir Ruibhe", "Revue Celtique" 39, 1922, pp. 1-32]

The "Lebor Gabála Érenn" synchronises Fachtna's reign with the Roman civil war between Caesar and Pompey (49 BC) and the reign of Cleopatra (51-30 BC). [R. A. Stewart MacAlister (ed. & trans.), "Lebor Gabála Érenn Part V", Irish Texts Society, 1956, pp. 296-299] The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's "Foras Feasa ar Éireann" dates his reign to 110-94 BC, [Geoffrey Keating, "Foras Feasa ar Éireann" [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100054/text041.html 1.31] ] that of the "Annals of the Four Masters" to 159-143 BC; ["Annals of the Four Masters" [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/text023.html M5041-5057] ]

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