The most signficant revision to the previous list is the realization that the accepted death date for Dau Tengae Umae of 500 AD in the Battle of Segais is WRONG. This will be discussed in more detail below. It should be noted that Michael Rowley did not accept the 500 AD date as early as 2022 AD in his paper Comparative Analysis of the Descendants and DNA of Conn Cétchathach Ceadcatha.

An average interval of 30 years between generations is used with 2 years between siblings in the same generation.

When the succeeding king's commencement of reign occurs in the same year as the preceding king's death, the commencement year has been moved to the next year.

The following are the sources used for dates. Many can be found on CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College Cork.

1. Synchronisation — Dr. Daniel P. Mc Carthy's Chronological Synchronisation of the Irish Annals
2. Tigernach — The Annals of Tigernach
3. Ulster — The Annals of Ulster
4. Boyle — The Annals in Cotton MS. Titus A. XXV, AKA Annals of Boyle
5. Chronicon — Dubaltach Mac Fir Bisig's Chronicon Scotorum
6. Leinster — Lebar na Núachongbála, AKA Book of Leinster, Section 30
7. Four Masters — Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, AKA Annals of the Four Masters
8. Hy-Fiachrach — Dubaltach Mac Fir Bisig's The Genealogies, Tribes, and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach, commonly called O’Dowda's Country
9. H-Iar Connaught — Ruaidrí Ó Flaithbertaig's A Chorographical Description Of West Or H-Iar Connaught, specifically Peter O’Connell's The Christian Kings of Connaught
10. Clonmacnoise — Conall Mac Eóchagáin's Annals mistakenly called The Annals of Clonmacnoise
11. Ballymote — Book of Ballymote

There are 3 dates that are considered to be immovably fixed.

1. The death of Eóchád Muigmedón in 362 AD taken from Synchronisation.
2. The death of Feradach Daithe (AKA Nath Í) macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig in 428 AD taken from Chronicon and loosely corroborated by Clonmacnoise

   Kal. i. A.D.428

   Nathí, son of Fiachra, perished by lightning at Sliabh Ealpa, after possessing the sovereignty of Erinn, and of the world, so far.

   Nahie mᶜFiaghra of Ulster died in anno 427.

   His name is usually given as Dathi or Daithi or Nath Í but Hy-Fiachrach states his given name as Feradach.

   Expertness.—This derivation of the name of King Dathi is also given in Leabhar na h-Uidhri, fol. 35, p. b, col. a, but in the margin, and in a hand somewhat more modern than the original. Keating too gives the same derivation of the name, explaining Daithi by the modern word tapa, expert, active, dexterous.

   Feradhach.—Keating also says that Fearadhach was his first name, and he calls Daithi his ... cognomen.

   However, Daithe not only has a meaning of nimbleness, swiftness, deftness, but also of to avenge. Feradach Daithe first avenged his father Fiachróe Foltsnáthach macc Eócháda Muigmedúin against his uncle Brión macc Eócháda Muigmedúin in the Second Battle of Damchluain, as Hy-Fiachrach describes it.

   It was by Dathi, the son of Fiachra and his brothers, that Brian, the son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, was slain in the battle of Damh-chluain; and it was in eric [reparation] for it that the land of Clann Mec n-Earca was forfeited, except a small portion; and it was in Tulach Domhnannc he was interred, as stated in page 247.

   He then avenged his uncle Niall Noígíallach macc Eócháda Muigmedúin, also as Hy-Fiachrach describes it.

   Dathi, son of Fiachra, was King of Erin, Alba, Britain, and as far as the mountain of the Alps; for he succeeded Niall in the government, and reigned twenty seven years as King of Erin. ... Dathi went afterwards with the men of Erin across Muir n-Icht towards Leatha, until he reached the Alps, to revenge the death of Niall of the Nine Hostages. ... Dathi came to the tower. (He was called Dathi from his expertness [daithe] at invading [evading] and shooting, for if there were one hundred persons shooting, i. e. discharging arrows or javelins at him, he would be protected against them by the activity of his hands in guarding, wherefore the name of Dathi clung unto him. Feradhach was his name when he went to the east, and it was on his expedition in the east he was called Dathi).

   So rather than deriving from some kind of ridiculous martial arts ability, it seems more likely that his cognomen Daithe came from his actions as avenger; and so he is referred to here as Feradach Daithe (AKA Nath Í) as the most correct name.

3. The arrival of St. Patrick in 432 AD taken from Synchronisation and corroborated by most annals.

A supplemental spreadsheet entitled Dál Cuinn Timeline details the nominal birth years and recorded events. It is very much a work in progress.

• UB = Uí Briúin
• UF = Uí Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig

From Synchronisation, High King Eóchád Muigmedón's death was in 362 AD. His nominal birth year has been estimated as 310 AD. Clonmacnoise says he may have died of a flux of the stomach.

Eochy Moymean raigned 8 years and was called Moymean, in English Moystmidle, because he was much troubled with the flux of the Belly.

Regardless, Eóchád Muigmedón was succeeded as High King by his brother-in-law, Crimthann Már macc Fidaig, who reigned for 5 years from 363 AD to 367 AD when his sister Mongfind, widow of Eóchád Muigmedón, poisoned him so her son Brión could become High King.

Criowhann was K. 26 yeares [only 5 years from Synchronisation] & was then slain by his own sister Monyfinn Daughter of Fyr, Shee was wife to the former K. [Eóchád Muigmedón] & thinking to Get the K. dom to one of her own sonns, shee Gave a Potion mingled with Poyson to her one Brother king Criowhann, & fell out quite contrary to her intent and expectation, for after the K.'s Death the kingdom & Crowen came to the hands of Neale the youngest sonn of K. Eochy, whose mother shee was not.

Brión apparently held the position of High King and King of Connacht simultaneously from 368 AD to 386 AD. This latter date is derived from the length of reign taken from Clonmacnoise of 19 years for his younger paterrnal half-brother Niall Noígíallach as High King and Niall's death in 405 AD taken from Synchronisation.

Nealus Magnus ałs Neal Noygiallagh in English Neal of the 9 hostages, Because he had the hostages of 9 kingdomes, was K. about this time and raigned 19 yeares, was slain wth an arrow by one of his own army called Eochy mᶜEnna kinnsealy, K. of Leinster, at the Tirrhian sea.

So contrary to the little morality tale of Mongfind's evil deed being immediately punished, Brión succeeded his uncle and was actually both a High King and King of Connacht for 19 years. This is also contrary to the tales that Brión was Niall Noígíallach's lieutenant. A reign of 19 years is more in line with the 23 years recorded in Boyle than the 10 years calculated in Synchronisation using Niall Noígíallach's putative length of reign of 27 years in Chronicon, or the 38 years alotted to Niall Noígíallach in Boyle.

K 3.

Brian mac Echach Mugmedoin rexit annis xxiii.

K.

Niall Naegellach rexit annis lxxviii uel xxxviii.

Kal. A.D.384

Niall of the Nine Hostages reigned twenty-seven years.

The start of Fiachróe’s reign in 387 AD is taken from the presumed death of his brother Brión in 386 AD. The length of his reign of 12 years is taken from Hy-Fiachrach.

Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, was twelve years in the government of Connaught.

This yields a death date of 398 AD for Fiachróe Foltsnáthach.

The commencement of Amalgaid’s reign in 399 AD is taken from the presumed death of his father Fiachróe Foltsnáthach in 398 AD. The length of his reign of 33 years is the average of the 34 years recorded in Leinster and the 32 years recorded in Hy-Fiachrach.

Amalgaid mac Fiachrach .xxxiiii.

Amhalgaidh, son of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, the first of the Connaught kings who believed on the preaching of St. Patrick. Tir Amhalgaidh is named from him. He was thirty-two years in the government of Connaught when he died well.

This yields a death date of 431 AD for Amalgaid which is one year previous to the year that St. Patrick arrived in Ireland for his missionary work. This aligns with the account in The Tripartite Life of Patrick of the 12 sons and one grandson of Amalgaid visiting St. Patrick.

Patrick went across the [river] Moy to the Hui Amalgada. There came to meet him twelve sons of Amalgaid son of Fiachra, son of Echaid, [namely] Oengus, Fergus, Fedilmid, Endae the Bent, Endae Bare-poll, Corbmac, Coirpre, Echaid the Spotless, Echaid One-ear, Eogan the Just, Dubchonall, Ailill Kettle-face. The sons of Amalgaid were contending about the kingship. There were twenty-four tribes (i.e. old tribes) in the land. They refused to take over them as king a man with a nickname. Then Oengus gave nicknames to his brothers. The haughtiest of Amalgaid's sons was this Oengus. Loegaire son of Niall, son of Echaid, King of Tara, and his brother Eogan, son of Niall, adjudged [the dispute].

The sons of Amalgaid went to Tara in twelve chariots; but in the books of Patrick it is found that only seven brothers of them submitted to the judgment. They found welcome with the king at Tara. Oengus was a foster-son of Loegaire's. [So] a special welcome was given to him there. Oengus begs the doorkeepers not to let into the fortress Conall his brother's son, namely, the son of Enda the Bent. Oengus dreaded the astuteness of the lad in arguing his right. Oengus obtained that from the doorkeepers. While Conall was outside the court he heard the voice of Patrick's bell from Patrick's well by the fortress. Conall comes to him. Patrick blessed him. O cleric, saith he, knowest thou what language is this that is in my memory—All the Irish children cry unto thee, etc. which two girls sang out of their mother's womb in our territories? It is I who was called thus, saith Patrick. And I heard it when I was biding in the isles of the Tyrrhene sea. And I knew not whether the words were spoken within me or outside me. And I will go with thee into thy country, to baptize, to instruct, and to preach the gospel.

Then Patrick asks for what cause Conall had come, and Conall declared to Patrick the cause. He said that he had not been let into Tara. Cui dixit Patricius:
Enter now, the doors being open, and go to Eogan son of Niall, a faithful friend of mine, who will help thee if thou take secretly the finger next his little finger, for this is always a token between us. Et factum est sic.
Welcome, saith Eogan, what is Patrick's desire? Said Conall: Help me. Conall argued then: If indeed it be according to age that one argues in a palace and land is taken, it is I that am youngest. If it be according to my father's age, (then) Enda the Bent is the oldest therein. Quibus Loegaire respondit.
Verily, saith he, speech is to the oldest, and converse. Howbeit, if jewels and treasures have been given to any one, I take them not away from him.

They went thence and Patrick with them, and Patrick bestowed his chariot on Conall, so that it was the thirteenth chariot. Then they went their way, and Oengus had no affection for them (that is), for Conall his brother's son and for Patrick. He left it to his two brothers, namely, Fergus and Fedilmid, to kill Patrick and Conall; and they (Fergus and Fedilmid) parted from (?) him (Oengus) and Loegaire, that is after he had received his injunction from Loegaire. They went northwards to visit their land. The place in which Oengus had intended to commit the fratricide was in Corann. Fergus simulated sleep. True, saith Oengus, Fergus ... His brothers refuse [to do] what they said. We will not kill the innocent (namely, Patrick): we will not, moreover, commit fratricide on our brother. ...

The commencement of Dau Galach’s reign in 432 AD is taken from the presumed death of Amalgaid macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig in 431 AD. Synchronisation has a death date for Amalgaid macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig of 440 AD. However, this does not align with the other dates given previously, so the earlier date is preferred.

Further, Clonmacnoise says that Dau Galach was King of Connacht in 432 AD.

Lagery, sonn of king Neale, succeeded after his Cossen Germon, to the former king & in the 4th year of this kings Raigne St Patrick the apostle of Ireland, &c was sent ouer by Commission of Pope Calestine whoe was the 43rd Pope of Roome, to convert the land from paganism to Christianity; But he did not Land heare untill after the Death of Cælestine in the first yeare of Sixtus his successor, in the 9th year of the raigne of Theodosius the yonger in Anno Domini 425 (432 Rather).

425 [432 AD].—Now I intend to lay down the Kˢ of Ireland, the Kˢ of Scotland, the Kˢ of the 5 Provinces & the Kˢ of the County of Ossory yᵗ Lived in the time of one raigne since the time of the Coming of St. Patrick untill the coming of K. Bryan Borowa ut Sequitur. Lagerie before the coming of St Patrick did raigne but 4 yeares and at that time Moneagh Mwindearge was K. of Ulster, Criocohann mᶜEnna was king of Lynster. Enos mᶜNaofreigh K. of Mounster, and Dwaghgaly K. of Connaught ... Manie mᶜNeale Noygiallagh auncestor to those of the land of Teaffie died.

Both Leinster and H-Iar Connaught give a length of reign of 19 years. But this is incorrect as will be demonstrated.

Dui Galach xix.

Duach Galach Mac Briain, Mic Eochaidh Maighmcdhoin, &c. 19 mbliadna: go ttorchair a ccath Seaghsa la Muircertach Mᶜ. Earca. ... Duach Tenguma.—Se do thuit a ccath Seagsa, N. B.

[The conflation of Dau Galach with his descendant Dau Tengae Umae must be ignored.]

No death notice is given for Dau Galach in the annals. However, there is a peculiar entry recorded for 445 AD in Synchronisation that is echoed in Ulster.

U445.1

Nath Í son of Fiachra of Mag Táil, son of Eochu Mugmedón was killed at the Alps mountain, or died after having been struck by a thunderbolt when he invaded its confines; and he reigned in Ireland for 23 years.

But we already know, as demonstrated previously, that Feradach Daithe (AKA Nath Í) macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig died in 428 AD. We also know that Láegaire macc Néill Noígíallaig succeeded Feradach Daithe (AKA Nath Í) macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig as High King. And St. Patrick arrived in Ireland in 432 AD, which was the 4th year of Láegaire's reign according to several annals; so Láegaire's reign began in 429 AD. This implies Feradach Daithe (AKA Nath Í) macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig must have died in 428 AD, as stated.

So who was really being recorded as dying in 445 AD? A reasonble surmise is that it was Dau Galach and that somehow a strange conflation was made with Feradach Daithe (AKA Nath Í) macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig. Although Dau Galach is given a length of reign as 19 years, a length of 14 years is not unreasonable; especially if there was a scribal error that either unintentionally or deliberately changed .xiv. to .xix..

Ailill Molt is stated as being of the territory of Cera in Co. Mayo. He is misplaced in most King Lists. He is usually listed after his uncle Amalgaid macc Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig, but as has been shown above, the dates do not fit with this order. He is perhaps the only individual to reign first as King of Connacht and then High King in succession. He is given a combined length of reign as 40 years in Hy-Fiachrach and a reign of 20 years as King of Connacht in both Hy-Fiachrach and Leinster.

Oilioll Molt, son of Dathi, son of Fiachra, was first, for twenty years in the kingdom of Connaught, and afterwards, twenty years more in the monarchy of Ireland. After this he was slain in the battle of Ocha, by Lughaidh, son of Laoghaire, Muircheartach Mac Earca, Fergus Ceirrbheul, son of Conall Cremhthuinn, and Fiachra Lonn, King of Dal Araidhe.

[5720] {MS folio 41a 15} Ailill Molt .xx.

However, H-Iar Connaught gives a length of 19 years for his reign as King of Connacht and this has been taken as the preferred length.

Olioll Molt Mac Daithi, Mic Fiachrach, Mic Eochaidh Maighmhedhoin, &c. 19 mbliadna, go ttorchair a ccath Ocha la Lughaid Mac Laoghaire, la Muircheartach, Mac Earca, la Feargas Ceirbheoil agas la Fiachraidh (Mac Caolbhaidh) Righ Dail-Araidhe. 40.

Ailill Molt's death date is given in Synchronisation as 484 AD, when he was slain in the Battle of Ochae. Ulster reports the battle in 482 or 483 AD, but the later date of 484 AD is preferred.

U482.1

The battle of Ochae i.e. won by Lugaid son of Laegaire and by Muirchertach Mac Erca, in which Ailill Molt fell.

U483.2

Or, this year the battle of Ocha according to others, won by Muirchertach Mac Erca and by Fergus Cerball son of Conall of Cremthann, and by Fiachra Lon son of the king of Dál nAraide.

His length of reign as High King does appear to be 20 years, from 465 AD to 484 AD; so his combined length of reign was only 39 years and not 40 years.

Eógan Sríab and the next two kings after him are quite controversial according to most King Lists. But almost all King Lists have a chronology issue with placing Eógan Bél and Ailill inda Banna immediately after Dau Galach. There was apparently an egregious conflation between Dau Galach and his descendant Dau Tengae Umae, as well as between Eógan Sríab macc Duach Galaig and Eógan Bél ua Ailella Muilt. A strong hint of this conflation is found in Leinster.

Eogan Bél mac Duach .xxxuii. Fergus & Domnall da mac Meic Erca ro marb Eogan Bel i cath Slicigi

But he was the son of Cellach son of Ailill Molt. Further, Ballymote has an interesting entry for Eógan Sríab.

891. Duach galach dano mc. Briain da mc. lais .i. Eogan sremh .i. rang beag bai na bhel & is uadh in rigraidh.

The record just quoted can be loosely translated as Dau Galach, also the son of Brión, had 2 sons belonging to him, that is, Eógan Sríab, that is, he of the lower hierarchical rank who replaced the one who had the normal claim to kingship and thereafter became of the kings. The word bhel has the possible meaning of replaced in kingship, headship, etc. one who had the normal claim, possibly of one who replaced the normal tanist, the heir presumptive to a Gaelic clan. So in one word, bhel is a type of usurper, or at least an unusual replacement. Therefore, Eógan the striped/brindled (sríab) could also be nicknamed Eógan the usurper (bél).

Clonmacnoise says Eógan Bél ua Ailella Muilt was slain in 547 AD, while Tigernach gives an earlier date of 542 AD.

547.—The battle of Tortan against Leinster men, where mᶜErcka sonn of Ailill Molt was slaine, was fought this yeare. The Battle of Slygeagh where Owen Bell, K. of Connaught, was slaine; and Fergus & Donell the two sonns of mᶜErcka, finnire mᶜSedna, & Nynny mᶜDivagh were victors.

[It should be noted that it is expressly stated that macc Ercca is the son of Ailill Molt, but then further goes on to say that mac Ercca’s two sons Fergus and Domnall were involved in the slaying of Eógan Bél. There are obviously two different mac Ercca being referenced without an attempt to clearly differentiate them.]

T542.2

The battle of Sligo, in which Eogan Bél, king of Connacht, fell by Fergus and Domnall two sons of Muircheartach son of Erc, and by Ainmire son of Setna and by Naindid son of Dua who were the victors. Whence it was said:

• The battle of Uí Fiachrach is fought
  With fury of edges over the border,
  Foemen's kine bellow against spears,
  The battle was spread out into Crinder.
• The Sligo river carried off to the great sea
  Men's blood with their flesh,
  They utter paeans over Eba
  Round the head of Eogan Bél.

Synchronisation also gives the earlier date of 542 AD for the Battle of Sligo, which is the more accepted date and the one that has been preferred. This places the death of Eógan Bél ua Ailella Muilt around a century after the death of Dau Galach in 445 AD which makes it improbable that Eógan Bél ua Ailella Muilt and Ailill inda Banna immediately succeeded Dau Galach. However, both Leinster and Clonmacnoise have the same order in their King Lists.

1. Eógan Bél ua Ailella Muilt
2. Ailill inda Banna
3. Dau Tengae Umae
4. Eóchád Tírmchárnae
5. Feradach macc Rossa Doimthig

483-15. Hillarius Pope dyed, to whom succeeded Simplicius Pope. The Cytty of Ravenna was quite Destroyed by an Earthquake. Dureing the raignes of the said Kings, that is to say the raign of King Leway mᶜLagery, K. Mortagh, K. Twahall Moylegarve, and K. Dermott there Raigned in Scotland five Kings who were Dawangart, Fergus (whom I should first name), Enos, Convallo, sonn of Dawangart, and Gawran his other sonn, Dureing which time there Raigned in Ulster 4 kings vidzᵗ Eochy mᶜConley, ffearga, Deman & Broydan mᶜCarill. In Mounster their Reigned 3 kings Eochy, Criowhan, & Scanlan; in Connaught alsoe there Rayned 5 kings vidzᵗ. Owen vell, Oillill fitz Owen vel, Dwagh Teangowa, Eochy Tyrncharna, and fearadagh mᶜRossa.

Also, in the introductory material of The Tripartite Life of Patrick there is a section containing a quote from Leinster taken from a copy in the Great Book of Lecan.

Loeguire son of Niall (had been) four years over Ireland when Patrick came into it. Muiredach Redneck over Ulster : he it is whom Patrick blessed. Oengus son of Natfraech over Munster before Patrick. Diu-galach over Connaught. Bressal Belach son of Fiacha Baicheda in the kingdom of Leinster, or it may have been Crimthann son of Enna ut alii dicunt. For sake of brevity the kings of Ossory down to Scannlan Mór son of (Cenn-)faelad are not here mentioned.

Forty-three years from Patrick's arrival in Ireland to the battle of Ocha, in which Ailill Wether [Molt] fell. And during that time there were two kings over Ireland, Loegaire and Ailill Wether [Molt]. Three kings over Ulster during that time, namely, Muiredach Redneck, and Cairell Coscarach and Eochaid son of Muiredach, and one king over Leinster, namely, Bressal Belach. Two kings over Munster, Oengus and his son Feidlimid. Two kings over Connaught, namely, Dui-galach and his son Eogan Bel mac Duach.

Twenty years from the battle of Ocha to the going into Scotland of the children of Erc son of Echaid Thickneck, that is, Erc's six sons, two Oenguses, two Loorns, two Ferguses.

This highlights more clearly there WAS a conflation of Eógan Sríab of the Uí Briúin with Eógan Bél of the Uí Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig as the immediate successor of Dau Galach in other sources. It appears that for sake of brevity Ailill Molt is not mentioned as the King of Connacht between Dau Galach and his son Eógan Sríab since he was already mentioned as the High King.

Hubert Thomas Knox in his book The History Of The County Of Mayo To The Close Of The Sixteenth Century supports the hypothesis that Eógan Sríab followed his father Dau Galach as King of Connacht at some point; although he follows the erroneous information that Dau Tengae Umae died in 500 AD in the Battle of Segais.

The kingdom of Connaught seems to have been assumed by Eoghan Srebh in succession to Ailill [Molt]. In any case Duach Tengumha was king at the close of the century. In 499 AD he was killed at the battle of Segais, the river Boyle, by Muirchertach Mac Erca of Ulster, and was succeeded by Eoghan Bel, son of Cellach, son of Ailill Molt, or, according to another account, son of Erc, son of Ailill Molt.

No death notice has been found for Eógan Sríab, but it has been inferred from the various sources that he was slain in 484 AD along with Ailill Molt in the Battle of Ochae by a coterie of Uí Néill scions and their ally. It is not unlikely that two kings from the elder Connachta lineages were slain together. Further, based on his nominal birth year of 404 AD, it is unlikely he would have lived much past 484 AD in any case.

There is no recorded evidence to support Muiredach Mál as a King of Connacht other than a gap in the timeline between his father Eógan Sríab and his son Fergus. He was selected to fill the gap between 485 AD and 493 AD purely based on speculation from his epithet mál having a meaning of a prince, chief, noble or eminent person, a poetic term of loose significance; glossed rí [king].

This is perhaps the most controversial individual in the King List. It is hereby asserted that he was conflated with his son Dau Tengae Umae and that it was FERGUS who was slain in the Battle of Segais as given by Tigernach.

T500.1

The battle of Segais gained by Muireadach son of Erca over Duach of the Brazen Tongue, king of Connacht, wherein Duach fell. Hence Cennfaelad sang:

1. The battle of Segais
   A woman of women caused it.
   Red blood was on spear
   By Duiseach, daughter of Duach.
2. The battle of Dela, the battle of Murcuma,
   And the battle of Tuaim Druba,
   With the battle of Segsa wherein fell
   Duach of the Brazen tongue.

Four Masters expounds on this further.

The Age of Christ, 499 [rectè 504]. The twenty-first year of Lughaidh. Cerban, a bishop of Feart-Cearbain, at Teamhair, died.

The battle of Seaghaisᵒ [was fought] by Muircheartach mac Earca against Duach Teangumhaᵖ, King of Connaught. The cause of the battle was this, viz.: Muircheartach was a guarantee between the King and Eochaidh Tirmcharna, his brother, and Eochaidh was taken prisoner against the protection of Muircheartach. In proof of which Ceannfaeladh⁹ said:

• The battle of Seagliais;
  a certain womanʳ caused it;
  red blood was over lances,
  By Duiseach, daughter of Duach.
• The battle of Dealga, the battle of Mucramha,
  and the battle of Tuaim-Drubha,
  With the battle of Seaghais,
  wherein fell Duach Teangumha.

Against the Connaughtmenˢ these battles were gained.

[The following are John O’Donovan's footnotes.]

• ᵒSeaghais — This was the ancient name of the Curlieu hills [Curlew Mountains], near Boyle, on the confines of the counties Roscommon and Sligo. This battle is entered in the Annals of Ulster at the year A. D. 501.
• ᵖintentionally skipped
• ⁹intentionally skipped
• ʳA certain woman: i. e. Duiseach. She was the wife of Muircheartach mac Earca, whom she incited to fight this battle against her father, Duach Teangumha, because he had made a prisoner of her foster-father, Eochaidh Tirmcharna, in violation of her husband’s guarantee. — See the Book of Lecan, fol. 195, b.
• ˢAgainst the Connaughtmen: i. e. these battles were gained by the race of Niall over the Connaughtmen. The Editor has never seen a full copy of the poem of Cennfaeladh, from which the above verses are quoted. They are also quoted in O’Conor’s printed Annals of Tighernach, in which the battle of Seaghais is twice mentioned as in the text of the Four Masters.

But Tigernach gives a second death date of 556 AD for Dau Tengae Umae.

T556.1

Duach Tenga Uma, king of Connacht, died.

T556.3

Eochaid Dryflesh, king of connacht.

T557.3

Aodh son of Eachach Tirmcharna, king of Connacht.

There is obviously an egregious chronology issue in the annals. This can be explained by the curious note in H-Iar Connaught on Ailill inda Banna's reign.

Fearghas Mac Muiredaigh Mail, Mic Eoghain Sreimh, Mic Duach Galaigh, Mic Briain, Mic Eochaidh Muighmedhoin. 7. No more of him, nor is he set down at all as king in (the Book of) Ballymote.

But Fergus should have been included in the King List. He is given a reign of 7 years. When we acknowledge that it was Fergus who was slain in the Battle of Segais in 500 AD, then we can calculate the beginning of his reign as 494 AD.

This would appear to be a deliberate attempt to erase the reign of Fergus from history, perhaps as part of a concerted effort to erase his brother Cathal, who shall be referenced later. Cathal is not mentioned in the usual genealogies as a son of Muiredach Mál; but he is the perfect replacement for Eóchád Tírmchárnae in the account of the events surrounding the Battle of Segais.

Y-DNA test results in 2020 AD for a scion of the O’Conor Don lineage have proven incontrovertibly that they CANNOT be descendants of Fergus. However, Cathal offers a likely explanation for the Y-DNA of the O’Conor Don and related lineages. So it is surmised that there was a deliberate attempt to obscure this fact and let the later O’Conor lineages be descended from Fergus, as has been accepted for centuries.

With all the above circumstantial evidence, Fergus has been placed in the King List for the years 494 to 500 AD. And with the previous inclusion of his father Muiredach Mál, this corrects the egregious chronological errors in the annals in this time frame.

Eógan Bél is also noted as being from Cera like his grandfather Ailill Molt. As has been demonstrated previously, his reign commenced in 501 AD and lasted for 42 years.

Ailill inda Banna is also noted as being from Cera. He is called both Eógan Bél's brother and his grandson in Hy-Fiachrach; but as previously shown from Clonmacnoise and as stated in Leinster he was Eógan Bél's son.

Oilioll Molt, the son of Dathi, had a son Ceallach, the father of Eoghan Beul, and of Oilioll Ionbhanda, two kings of Connaught.

Eoghan Beul had two sons, namely, Ceallach, on whom the atrocious murder was committed, that is, his own four foster-brothers killed him treacherously at Ard an fhenneadha, at the instigation of Guaire Aidhne, son of Colman, through envy about the sovereignty; and Cuchongelt Mac Eoghain, the other son, was he who slew the foster-brothers of Ceallach in revenge for their fratricide; they were Maolcroin, Maolseanaigh, Maoldalua, and Mac (or Maol) deoraidh. Or, according to others, these were hanged at the river of Sal Srotha Dergᵛ, which is called the Muaidh, and it was from them the hill over the Muaidh was called Ard na rioghʷ; and Ard na Maolˣ is the name of the hill on the other side of the stream, where they were interred.

[or]

Oilioll Ianbhannaᵃ, or Anbhanna, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan Beul, son of Ceallach, son of Oilioll Molt, nine years, when he fell by Aodh, son of Eochaidh Tiormcharna, of the race of Brian, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin.

• ᵃOilioll Ionbhanna — According to the Annals Of The Four Masters he was slain in the battle of Cuil Conaire, in the territory of Ceara, in the year 544, by Fergus and Domhnall, the two sons of Muircheartach Mac Earca. Their words are: — A. D. 544. The battle of Cuil Conaire, in Ceara, was fought by Fergus and Domhnall, the two sons of Muircheartach Mac Earca, against Ailill Inbanda, King of Connaught, and Aodh Fortamhail, in which Ailill and Aodh were slain.

... Owen vell, Oillill fitz Owen vel ...

{MS folio 41a 20}Ailill Inbanda mac Eogain .ix. A marbad i cath Cuili Conaire
[5725] i Cera

It must certainly be pointed out that Ailill inda Banna's pedigree is indubitably questionable in Hy-Fiachrach as it is self-contradictory. This is further confused by the fact that Eógan Bél is only attributed with two sons: Ceallach and Cuchongelt. Or is it Ceallach and Muireadhach? Nowhere does Cuchongelt appear to be explicitly equated to Muireadhach, or either of them to Ailill inda Banna. Therefore, the assigment of Ailill inda Banna as Eógan Bél's son is accepted as being more credible.

His reign commenced in 543 AD after the death of his father. Although his length of reign is given as 9 years in Hy-Fiachrach and H-Iar Connaught, this just does not fit with his death in 549 AD as given in Synchronisation for the Battle of Cúil Conaire; therefore the length of his reign has been truncated to 7 years. The longer length of reign is probably a result of incorrect dating that places the Battle of Sligo earlier than 542 AD.

Dau Tengae Umae is likely the eldest son of Fergus macc Muiredaig Máil. He is noted for being from Mag Seóla. The beginning of his reign in 550 AD and his death in 556 AD have been demonstrated previously. This gives him a length of reign of 7 years, which is echoed in H-Iar Connaught.

Duach Teangumha, Mac Ferghais, Mic Muiredaigh Mail, MicEoghain Sreimh, Mic Duach Galaigh, Mic Briain, Mic Eochaidh Muighmedoin, &c. 7 mbliadhna do go ttorchair la Heochaidh Tirmcharna, a bhrathair. 7.

Eóchád Tírmchárnae commenced his reign in 557 AD after the death of his brother Dau Tengae Umae in 556 AD. Tigernach notes the beginning of his son Áed Flaithem's reign in 557 AD. This gives a length of reign of one year. This is echoed in H-Iar Connaught.

T557.3

Aodh son of Eachach Tirmcharna, king of Connacht.

Eochaidh Tirmcharna Mac Ferghasa, Mic Muiredaigh Mail, Mic Eoghain Sreimh, Mic Duach Galaigh, Mic Briain, &c. Aon bhliadhain agas eug ad bath. 1.

Feradach is skipped in most King Lists. Even Hy-Fiachrach ignores him. He is the last Uí Fiachroí Foltsnáthaig King of Connacht that is noted as being from Cera. He is included because both Clonmacnoise and Leinster have him in their King Lists. Leinster states he had a length of reign of 3 years.

Feradach mac Rosa .iii.

His reign commenced in 558 AD after the death of Eóchád Tírmchárnae macc Fergusa in 557 AD and ended in 560 AD after 3 years as King of Connacht.

Although Áed Flaithem's reign is stated in Tigernach as commencing in 557 AD, this cannot be the case. His reign must have commenced in 561 AD after the end of Feradach macc Rossa Doimthig's reign. His death date is given as 575 AD in Synchronisation and Tigernach, which is the preferred date; and he is mentioned in Four Masters at 574 AD.

T575.4

Aodh son of Eochaidh Dryflesh, king of Connacht, fell by the Uí Briúin in the battle of Bágh.

The Age of Christ, 574. The seventh year of Aedh [son of Ainmire]. The killing of Aedh, son of Eochaidh Tirmcharna, by the Ui-Briuin.

It should be especially noted that Áed Flaithem was killed by the Uí Briúin. This is a strange phrasing since he was Uí Briúin himself; and the typical phrasing for such occurrences is killed by his own people. But the next 2 succeeding Kings of Connacht may explain the strange phrasing, since they were both descendants of Cathal macc Muiredaig Máil.

The above commencement of reign and death dates yield a length of reign of 15 years. His length of reign is stated in Leinster as 22 years and in H-Iar Connaught as 25 years, neither of which can be correct; so the calculated length of reign is preferred.

Máel Catha’s reign commenced in 576 AD after the death of Áed Flaithem macc Eócháda Tírmchárnai in 575 AD. This is stated in Tigernach.

T576.3

Mael Cothad son of Fogartach son of Cathal, king of Connacht.

Tigernach also gives his death date.

T582.6

Mael Cothaigh, king of Connacht, rested.

The above commencement of reign and death dates yield a length of reign of 7 years. Leinster states a length of 3 years.

[5730] Mael Fothaid mac Mael Umae .iii.

Leinster conflates Máel Catha ua Cathail with Máel Cothaid macc Fógartaig of the Síl Muiredaig Cland Cathail, who lived over 200 years later. Tigernach also appears to conflate the two names. But H-Iar Connaught most likely provides the correct name and length of reign.

Maol Catha Mac Fogartaigh, Mic Cathail, Muiredaig Mail, Mic Eoghain Sreimh, Mic Duach Galaigh, Mic Briain. 7 mbliadna do.

Again, it leads to speculation of inadequate attempts to erase Cathal macc Muiredaig Máil from history.

Áed succeeded his brother Máel Catha in 583 AD as stated in Tigernach, which also lists his death year in 589 AD. This yields a length of reign of 7 years.

T582.7

Aodh, king of Connacht.

T589.2

Aodh son of Fogarthach king of Connacht rested.

H-Iar Connaught confirms the length of reign.

Aodh, the brother of Maol Catha, after a Reign of 7 years, was slain by Uadha, son of Aodh.

Fúatu succeeded Áed ua Cathail in 590 AD after slaying him, as demonstrated previously. This was likely in revenge for the slaying of his father Áed Flaithem macc Eócháda Tírmchárnai earlier. Tigernach states Fúatu's death year as 600 AD, which Synchronisation confirms.

T600.4

The death of Uata, son of Aod, king of Connacht.

This yields a length of reign of 11 years. Leinster states a length of reign of 28 years and H-Iar Connaught states a length of 9 years, neither of which fit the preceding dates; so the calculated length of reign of 11 years is preferred.