- Uí Fiachrach
The Uí Fiachrach (IPA2|iː ˈfʲiəxrəx) were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the "coicead" or "fifth" of
Connacht (a western province ofIreland ) at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. They claimed descent fromFiachrae , an older half-brother ofNiall Noigiallach orNiall of the Nine Hostages . Fiachrae and his two full brothers, Brion andAilill , were the collective ancestors of theConnachta dynasty that eventually became the new name of the province.The other two dynasties within the Connachta were the
Uí Briúin - descendants of Brion - and theUí nAilello - descendants of Ailill. The latter sank into obscurity at an early stage but both the Uí Fiachrach and Ui Briuin and their many sub-sept s featured prominently in the history of Connacht for one thousand years. In the 12th century, an Ui Briuin descendant,Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair , becameHigh King of Ireland .The Uí Fiachrach separated into two distinct branches, situated widely apart from each other. The
Ui Fiachrach Aidhne settled in the kingdom ofAidhne and established themselves as its new ruling dynasty. TheUí Fiachrach Muaidhe were based along theRiver Moy in what is now part ofCounty Mayo andCounty Sligo . It appears that they once constituted a single overkingdom, and ruled or took tribute from the older tribes and nations situated between Aidhne andMuaide , but lost their grip on power by the early 8th century leaving them confined to their own strict territory.Uí Fiachrach Aidhne was bounded on the north and east by the powerful independent kingdom of
Hy-Many orUi Maine ; to the west byLough Lurgan (Galway Bay ) and theCorco Mo Druad (Corcomroe ); and to the south byDéisi Tuisceart (later theDál gCais , later still theO'Brian 's ofThomond . The territorial gains made by the Uí Fiachrach were lost and the kingdom seems to have reverted to something of its original size for its subsequent history.For eight hundred years up to the mid-12th century its kings were from the{Cenel Guire] Clan O'Cleary being the last in this direct line and its lords were from Clan O'Cahill who were both betrayed by their kinsmen Clan O'Shaughnessy and Clan O'Haynes which joined the Norman invaders the Burkes to become part of Clanrickard this family remained rulers of the territory until the land confiscations of the late 1690s and early 1700s; Clan O'Haynes and Clan O'Shaughnessy would remain in Aidhne as tenants to the Burkes and allowed to keep their Irish titles
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe covered all of what is now county Sligo and much of north and central
County Mayo . In 982 Aedh ua Dubhda (Aedh grandson of Dubhda), King of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, died "an untroubled death". He was the first of his dynasty to use the surname O Dubhda (anglicised toO'Dowd ,Dowd ). Brian, Melaghlin Carragh, Connor Oge, and Murtogh mac Connor O Dubhda fought at theSecond Battle of Athenry in 1316, only Brian surviving. However by the 14th century their power was much reduced, as was their territory which now almost entirely consisted of thebarony ofTireragh . For this reason they were no longer referred to as Kings, but asTaoiseach (Chieftain) of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe.Here the family became sponsors of the Clan Mac Fhir Bhisigh, a family of hereditary historians and judges. Because of this, the O Dubhda is singular in having his inauguration ceremony preserved in an old book, the
Great Book of Lecan . Written between 1397 and 1418 atEnniscrone in Tireagh, it was commissioned by Tadhg Riabhach O Dubhda.A later Tadgh O Dubhda, Tadhg Buí, became Taoiseach in 1595. In 1601 he led the men of Uí Fiachrach south to Kinsale, never to return. A tradition states that "he survived the battle and settled in Co. Kerry, where his family later became known as Doody". The last true O Dubhda of Uí Fiachrach was Dathi Og, patron and lord of
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh . Bearers of the name are still found scattered through Sligo, Mayo and Galway.Genealogy of the early Uí Fiachrach
Bold print indicates Kings of Connacht Eochaid Mugmedon =Mongfind + Cairenn
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Brion Fiachrae Ailill Niall, died c.450.
(Ui Néill) _________|________________________
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Amalgaid Nath Í Macc Ercae
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| | Fiachnae Ailill Molt, d.482. Echu
(Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe) (Uí Fiachrach Aidhne)Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Fiachnae
Elgach
Maeldubh
Tipraite
Dunchad Muirisci
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Indrechtach, d.707. mac Dunchad Ailill
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Ailill Medraige, d.764. Tipraite, d.719 Cathal
Cathal, d.816. Donn Cothaid, d.787.Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
Echu
Eogan
Conall
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| Gabran Goibnenn, fl. 538.
Cobthach
Colman, d. 622.
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Laidgnen/Loingsech, d. 655. Guaire Aidne, d. 663.
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| Muirchertach Nar, d.668. Artgal
Fergal Aidne, d. 696.ources
* Byrne, Francis John (1973). "Irish Kings and High Kings". Dublin.
* MacFhirbhisigh, Dubhaltach; O Muraile, Nollaig, editor (2004). "Leabhar Genealach. The Great Book of Irish Genealogies". Dublin: DeBurca. (Alternate names by which it may be referenced include "Leabhar Mor nGenealach", and "Leabhar Mor na nGenealach")
* http://www.fatherdowd.net/dowdstuff/dowdclan.htm
* http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060117/sc_nm/science_ireland_dc
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