Lugaid Lámderg

Lugaid Lámderg ("red hand"), son of Eochaid Uaircheas, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. The "Lebor Gabála Érenn" says he reigned jointly with Conaing Bececlach, ruling the southern half of the island while Conaing ruled the north, after he killed the previous southern ruler, Conaing's brother Eochu Fíadmuine, [R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), "Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V", Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 257] while Keating [Geoffrey Keating, "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100054/text037.html 1.27] ] and the Four Masters ["Annals of the Four Masters" [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/text014.html M4361-4368] ] say he deposed Conaing when he killed Eochu and ruled the whole island. He ruled for seven years, after which Conaing killed him and became High King of the whole island. The "Lebor Gabála" synchronises Lugaid's reign with those of Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC) and Darius II (423-404) of Persia. The chronology of Keating's "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" dates his career to 616-609 BC, that of the "Annals of the Four Masters" to 839-832 BC.

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