Indrechtach mac Muiredaig

Indrechtach mac Muiredaig Muillethan (died 723)[1] was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the son of Muiredach Muillethan mac Fergusso (died 702), a previous king.[2] He was of the Síl Muiredaig sept of the Uí Briúin.

The king-lists for this period are contradictory but the Laud Synchronisms give him a reign of 16 years. The annals mention him as king at his death obit in 723. Only the Chronicum Scotorum gives Domnall mac Cathail (died 715) a reign in between Indrechtach mac Muiredaig and Indrechtach mac Dúnchado Muirisci (died 707) and it is possible that Indrechtach mac Muiredaig was king from 707.[3] His reign saw the consolidation of the Ui Briun as the dominant dynasty in Connaught.[4] One event which occurred during his reign was the defeat of the Corco Baiscind, a Thomond tribe, by the Connachta in 721. The annals do not specify what Connachta were victors.

Indrechtach died peacefully as a pilgrim to Clonmacnoise. This monastery favored the Ui Briun expansion.[5] His known sons were Áed Balb mac Indrechtaig (died 742), a king of Connacht; Muiredach (died 732); Tadg; and Murgal. A daughter of Indrechtach named Medb is said by the Banshechas to have married Áed Oirdnide and to have been the mother of Niall Caille

Notes

  1. ^ all dates per The Chronology of the Irish Annals, Daniel P. McCarthy
  2. ^ Francis John Byrne, Irish Kings and High-Kings, Table 20.
  3. ^ Byrne follows this and assigns him a reign from 707-23, pg.248
  4. ^ Byrne, pg.248
  5. ^ Byrne, pg. 248

See also

Bibliography

  • Annals of Tigernach
  • Chronicum Scotorum
  • Francis John Byrne, Irish Kings and High-Kings
  • Laud Synchronisms
  • The Chronology of the Irish Annals, Daniel P. McCarthy