Conaille Muirtheimne - Overview

Overview

Conaille Muirtheimne had once formed part of the over-kingdom of the Ulaid, and it remained an ally of the Ulaid for the greater part of its history. This is set out in Lebor na gCeart (the Book of Rights) in which the Conaille are listed among "The Territories whose King paid Tribute to the Ulaidh." In return, the King of Ulaidh owed to "The Heroic King of Muirthemhne - six round goblets full of ale, ten ships from the Hero of Elga, ten steeds and ten brights cloaks."

Its people are sometimes thought to be Cruthin, the name used by the Irish for the Picts. Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh stated of them: "To the Cruithne of Ireland belong the Dal Araidhe, the seven Laighsi of Leinster, the seven Soghain of Éire, and every Conaill of Eirinn." For much of its history it was at war with the Oirghialla and the Uí Néill; sometimes even with its Ulaidh allies.

The last recorded king of Conaille Muirthemhne died in 1081, yet in 1107 Fergus, son of the King of Conaille, was killed in battle by the Uí Breasil Macha", so it seems the kingdom still retained independence. However, the Orgialla seem to have brought it under their control sometime after this, most probably c. 1130 by Donnchad Ua Cerbaill, king of Airgialla, and it was incorporated into his kingdom.

In 1153 when High King Domhnall Mac Lochlainn " ... plundered ... and burned Conaille."

Eoin MacNeill held that the Conaille Muirtheimne to actually be kin to Ulaid and Érainn, descending from Conall Anglonnach, a son of Dedu mac Sin (MacNeill, pp. 97–8). Their association with the Cruthin appears to be the end result of a series of later inventions.