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Uí Fidgenti

May 09, 2023

The Uí Fidgenti, Fidgeinti, Fidgheinte, Fidugeinte, Fidgente, or Fidgeinte (/iː ˈfiːjɛnti/ or /ˈfiːjɛntə/;[notes 1] "descendants of, or of the tribe of, Fidgenti") were an early kingdom of northern Munster in Ireland, situated mostly in modern County Limerick, but extending into County Clare and County Tipperary, and possibly even County Kerry and County Cork, at maximum extents, which varied over time. They flourished from about 377 AD (assumption of power of Fidgheinte) to 977 (death of Donovan), although they continued to devolve for another three hundred years. They have been given various origins among both the early or proto-Eóganachta and among the Dáirine by different scholars working in a number of traditions, with no agreement ever reached or appearing reachable.

Uí Fidgenti
4th century–fragmented late 13th century
CapitalBrugh Ríogh (Dún Eochair Maigue)
Common languagesOld Irish, Middle Irish, Classical Gaelic, Latin
Religion
Gaelic polytheism, Christianity
GovernmentClan / Corporate
Elected Chief 
• fl. circa 379 AD
Fiachu Fidgenid
• 
independent chiefs
Historical erafl. Late Antiquity
• Established
4th century
• Disestablished
fragmented late 13th century
ISO 3166 codeIE

Clans

Genealogies deriving from the Uí Fidgenti include O'Billry, O’Bruadair (Brouder), O'Cennfhaelaidh (Kenneally/Kenealy), Clerkin, Collins (Cuilen), O'Connell, O'Dea, O'Donovan, Flannery, O'Heffernans, Kenealyes, Mac Eneiry, O'Quin, and Tracy.[1] Whether a surname is distinguished with an "O'" is irrelevant, as all the old Irish families derive from their "Ui" prefix designation; the use of the "O" was discouraged during the era of the Penal Laws, and came back into vogue in connection with the rise of Irish nationalism after the 1840s.

Closely related to the Uí Fidgenti were the Uí Liatháin, who claimed descent from the same 4th century AD dynast, Dáire Cerbba (Maine Munchaín), and who in the earliest sources, such as The Expulsion of the Déisi (incidentally),[2] are mentioned together with them.

The Uí Fidgenti descend from Fiachu Fidgenti, the second son of Dáire Cerbba, whom, it is believed, became the senior line of the Milesian race upon the death of Crimhthann in 379 AD Fiacha himself, however, never became King of Munster, for he was killed by his rival, Aengus Tireach, great grandson of Cormac Cas, in a battle fought at Clidhna, near Glandore Harbor.[3] As noted in the Book of Lecan, Fiacha received the designation because he constructed a wooden horse at the fair of Aenach Cholmain.

Ultimately, six hundred years after the time of Fiacha, the territories of the Uí Fidgenti divided into two principal factions or septs, the Uí Chairpre Áebda and Uí Chonaill Gabra.[4][5][6][7] The latter were more often the stronger power.[5] By 1169, the Uí Chairpre had further divided into the Uí Chairpre and the Uí Dhonnabháin.,[8] though comparing the genealogies set forth in Rawlin and the Book of Munster, the lines diverged with Cenn Faelad, four generations before Donovan (died 974), reflecting that specific family's alliance with the Danes of Limerick and Waterford.

Modern descendants of Daire Cerbba include the O'Connells of Derrynane,[9][10] Daniel Charles, Count O'Connell having explicitly declared this to the heralds of Louis XVI of France. Also was Michael Collins, descending from the Ó Coileáin of Uí Chonaill Gabra,[11][12] once the most powerful sept of the Uí Fidgenti.

Size and extents

A variety of sources show that Uí Fidgenti was the most prominent of the non-(classical)-Eóganacht overkingdoms of medieval Munster, once the formerly powerful Corcu Loígde and distant Osraige are excluded as non-participating.[13] By circa 950, the territory of the Ui Fidgheinte were divided primarily between the two most powerful septs, the Ui Cairbre and the Ui Coilean. The Ui Cairbre Aobhdha (of which O’Donovan were chief), lay along the Maigue basin in Coshmagh and Kenry (Caenraighe) and covered the deanery of Adare, and at one point extended past Kilmallock to Ardpartrick and Doneraile. The tribes of Ui Chonail Gabhra extended to a western district, along the Deel and Slieve Luachra, now the baronies of Upper and Lower Connello. Other septs within the Ui Fidgheinte were long associated with other Limerick locations; a branch of the Fir Tamnaige gave its name to Mahoonagh, or Tawnagh.[14] Feenagh is the only geographical trace extant today of ancient Ui-Fidhgeinte. Though the changes in the name of Ui-Fidhgeinte down to the modern Feenagh seem strange, they are quite natural when one takes into account the gradual change from the Irish to the English tongue with a totally different method of spelling and pronunciation and the omission of the "Ui" which was unintelligible to those acquainted only with the latter language. During 1750 to 1900, Fidgeinte had become FOUGHANOUGH or FEOHONAGH,[15] and finally FEENAGH—a name now confined to a single parish southeast of Newcastle in County Limerick.[16]

Saint Patrick

Vita tripartita Sancti Patricii[17]

Saint Senan

Senán mac Geircinn

Uí Fiachrach Aidhne

The Annals first note the Uí Fidgenti in 645 (649) as allies of the celebrated king of Connacht, Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin, at the Battle of Carn Conaill. His dynasty, the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, controlled much of the territory to the immediate north of the Uí Fidgenti. Byrne argues[18] the two kingdoms were in rivalry for control over several smaller tuaths, but other evidence suggests they were allied.[19] In the 8th century Lament of Crede, daughter of Guaire, the Ui Fidghente are noted as opponents of her father at the battle of Aine in 667.

Sites and finds

See also: Ressad

Dún Eochair (Maighe) was the great capital of the Uí Fidgenti,[5][20] described by Geoffrey Keating as having been one of the two great seats of the Dáirine and the legendary Cú Roí mac Dáire.[21] The earthworks remain and the fortress can be found next to the modern town of Bruree,[22] on the River Maigue. The name means "Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue", and the name of the town is anglicised from Brugh Righ, meaning "Fort (Brugh) of Kings (Righ)". The town still has a section Lissoleem, meaning, literally, the ringfort ("lis") of Oilioll Olum (alternative spelling Ailill Aulom),[22][23] who died 234 AD, entombed at Duntryleague, and who was the great great great grandfather of Fiachu Fidhgeinte, and from whom many of the Eoghanachta tribes descend.

To the south of Brugh Riogh can be found Cnoc Samhna ("Hill of Samhain"),[24] also known as Ard na Ríoghraidhe ("Height of the Kingfolk"). Associated with Mongfind,[25] this may have been the Uí Fidgenti inauguration site.

The Ardagh Chalice was discovered in Uí Fidgenti territory, at Reerasta Rath in 1868.[26][27]

Eóganachta relationship

The Uí Fidgenti are credited with having a unique relationship with the Eóganachta kings at Cashel. Five generations before Fiacha, Oilioll Olum (died 234 AD) is credited with dividing Munster into two parts and between two of his sons, and enjoined that their descendants should succeed to the governance of the province in alternate succession; this injunction was complied with until the time of Brian Boru, who is credited with slaying Donovan of the Ui Fidgheinte in 977.[28]

The Ui Fidgheinte were not subject to the Eóganachta kings at Cashel, and did not pay tribute. The Book of Rights noted that the stipends of the King of Cashel to the kings of his territory included, to the King of Ui Chonaill: ten steeds, shields, horns; and, to the King of BrughRigh (now Bruree): seven steeds, horns, swords and seven serving youths and seven bondmen. It also noted that the word of the King of Ui Chonail to the Kings of Cashel was sufficient, and no hostages need be exchanged as consideration for an agreement. A passage in The Expulsion of the Déisi[29] names the Uí Fidgenti, including the Uí Liatháin, among the Three Eóganachta of Munster, the others being the Eóganacht Locha Léin and the Eóganacht Raithlind.[30] All three were of sufficient military and political standing to exchange hostages with the Kings at Cashel, instead of them being required as would be demanded from a subjugated opponent.[31]

Disintegration

The disintegration of the Uí Fidgenti commenced in 1178, when Domnall Mor O'Brien caused the Uí Chonaill and Uí Chairpri to flee as far as Eóganacht Locha Léin and others into County Kerry (AI). The O'Collins, the most powerful sept, would follow many of the O'Donovans some decades later,[32] but one or two smaller septs within the Ui Fidghente, notably the MacEnirys,[32] would remain in County Limerick for several centuries more as lords under the new Earls of Desmond. Important families which did not survive intact from the war waged by the O'Briens, and the subsequent incursion of the FitzGeralds, were Kenneally, Flannery, Tracey, Clerkin, and Ring. These septs scattered all over Munster.

The recurring conflict with the O'Briens had its most infamous event more than two centuries before, when Donnubán mac Cathail, progenitor of the O'Donovans, formed an anti-Dalcassian alliance with two other leaders, his father-in-law Ivar of Limerick, the Danish king of Limerick, and Máel Muad mac Brain, King of Munster. The result of this was the death of the elder brother of Brian Bóruma, Mahon, Mathgamain mac Cennétig, for his frequent attacks on Ui Fidghente. His death resulted in Brian Boru's subsequent revenge by defeating all three members of the alliance.[33] In the 10th century, the territory of the Ui Fidghente bordered those of Mahon (in Cashel) and of Brian Boru (in Thomond), and territorial conflicts were not uncommon.

 
Ó Coileáin coat of arms.

The Danish connection of the Ui Fidghente was also a considerable factor in the decrease of their power. The Ui Fidghenete had allied with the Ui Imhar five generations before Donovan was slain in 977, and the O'Donovans continued to carry Danish-dominated names well past the death of Amlaíb (Olaf) Ua Donnubáinof in 1201. Having allied with the losing side of the Danish / Irish conflicts in the late 10th century, the O'Donovans of Ui Chairbre saw their influence wane during the next two centuries while they tried to stem the tide against more powerful forces.

The core of the Uí Chonaill Gabra, under the O'Collins, remained a powerful force in Munster for some period of time. The Annals of Inisfallen note that in 1177 there was "An expedition by Domnall Ua Donnchada (Donnell O'Donoghue) and Cuilén Ua Cuiléin (Colin O'Collins) against Machaire, and they took away many cows. Peace was afterwards made by the son of Mac Carthaig (MacCarthy) and by the Uí Briain (O'Briens)".[34] This suggests the Uí Chonaill Gabra commanded one of the largest forces in Munster at this time and that it was not until after sustained attacks from the FitzGeralds that they were forced to retire to Cork in the mid 13th century. The same Cuiléin Ua Cuiléin and many of the nobles of Uí Chonaill Gabra were slain in a battle with Domnall Mac Carthaig in 1189,[35] an unfortunate event which contributed to their weak resistance against the invading Cambro-Normans. Shortly thereafter, in 1201, Domnall Mac Carthaig brought a hosting into Uí Chairpri, where he was slain; one year later, the last king of Uí Chairpre mentioned in the annals Amlaíb Ua Donnubáin, was slain by William de Burgh and the sons of Domnall Mór Ua Briain in the year 1201 (AI). It is clear that the chiefs and territories of what were formerly the Ui-Fidghente (i.e. the Uí Chonaill Gabra and the Uí Chairpri) were under pressure after 1178, indicating they were still in their historical territory after the 1169 invasion of foreigners, and were caught in the crossfire between the MacCarthaigs, the O'Brians and the English foreigners. By the end of the 12th century, the Ui Fidghente territory was under extreme pressure from all sides, as the MacCarthaigs, O'Brians and the English foreigners (Fitzgerald, Fitzmaurice, DeBurgo) looked to the south and west to expand against the remnants of the Ui Fidghente, the Uí Chonaill Gabra and the Ui Chairpre, who were without formidable allies.

County Clare

Because of the later dominance of County Clare by the Dál gCais, the Uí Fidgenti septs there have proven difficult to trace and identify. A powerful branch of the Uí Chonaill Gabra known as the Uí Chormaic preserved their identity, from whom descend the O'Hehirs, but it is believed that other families were later wrongly classified as Dalcassian.

Corcu Loígde

Evidence may or may not exist for long-term exchange between the Uí Fidgenti and Corcu Loígde. This appears to be a relic of the pre-Eóganachta political configuration of Munster, and may support the theory of (some) Uí Fidgenti origins among the Dáirine as cousins of the Corcu Loígde. There are a number of historical septs who may have their origins with one or the other, evident in collections of pedigrees as early as those found in Rawlinson B 502,[36] dating from 550 to 1130,[37] and as late as those collected by John O'Hart in the 19th century.[32]

 
Michael Ó Coileáins

An early O'Leary family are given an Uí Fidgenti (Uí Chonaill Gabra) pedigree,[38] but the Munster sept as a whole are generally regarded to belong to the Corcu Loígde.

It is worth noting that Michael Collins (Irish leader) was descended from the Ó Coileáins of Uí Chonaill Gabra.[39] Both the Ui Chonaill and the Ui Donnobhans were tribes within the Ui-Fidghente.

Contents

  • AI635.1 The battle of Cúil Óchtair between the UÍ Fhidgeinte and the Araid.
  • AI649.2 Death of Crunnmael son of Aed, king of Uí Fhidgeinte.
  • AI683.1 Kl. Death of Donennach, king of Uí Fhidgeinte, and the mortality of the children. [AU —; AU 683, 684].
  • AI732.1 Kl. Death of Dub Indrecht son of Erc., king of Uí Fhidgeinte.
  • AI751.1 Kl. Death of Dub dá Bairenn son of Aed Rón, king of Uí Fhidgeinte.
  • AI762.2 Death of Flann son of Erc, king of Uí Fhidgeinte.
  • AI766.2 A defeat [was inflicted] by the Uí Fhidgeinte and by the Araid Cliach on Mael Dúin, son of Aed, in Brega, i.e. Énboth Breg.
  • AI774.4 Death of Cenn Faelad, king of Uí Fhidgeinte, and of Rechtabra, king of Corcu Bascinn.
  • AI786.2 Death of Scandlán son of Flann son of Erc, king of Uí Fhidgeinte.
  • AI834.8 Dúnadach son of Scannlán, king of Uí Fhidgeinte, won a battle against the heathens, in which many fell.
  • AI835.9 Death of Dúnadach son of Scannlán, king of Uí Fhidgente.
  • AI846.5 Niall son of Cenn Faelad, king of Uí Fhidgente, dies.
  • AI860.2 Aed son of Dub dá Bairenn, king of Uí Fhidgeinte, dies.
  • AI846.5 Niall son of Cenn Faelad, king of Uí Fhidgente, dies.
  • AI906.4 Ciarmac, king of Uí Fhidgente, dies.
  • AI962.4 Death of Scandlán grandson of Riacán, king of Uí Fhidgeinte.
  • AI972.3 The capture of Mathgamain son of Cennétig, king of Caisel. He was treacherously seized by Donnuban and handed over to the son of Bran in violation of the guarantee and despite the interdiction of the elders of Mumu, and he was put to death by Bran's son.
  • AI974.0 Death of Dhonnabhan mac Cathail, tigherna Ua Fidhgeinte.
  • AI977.3 A raid by Brian, son of Cennétig, on Uí Fhidgeinte, and he made a slaughter of foreigners therein.
  • AI982.4 Uainide son of Dhonnabhán, king of Uí Chairpri, died.
  • AI989.4 Congal son of Anrudán, king of Corcu Duibne, dies.
  • AI1177.3 Great warfare this year between Tuadmumu (Thomond) and Desmumu (Munster), and from Luimnech to Corcach and from Clár Doire Mór to Cnoc Brénainn was laid waste, both church and lay property. And the Uí Meic Caille and the Uí Liatháin came into the west of Ireland, and the Eóganacht Locha Léin came as far as Férdruim in Uí Echach, the Ciarraige Luachra into Tuadmumu, and the Uí Chonaill and Uí Chairpri as far as Eóganacht Locha Léin.
  • MCB1177.2 A great war broke out between Domhnall Mór Ó Briain and Diarmaid Mór Mac Carthaigh, and they laid waste from Limerick to Cork, and from Clár Doire Mhóir and Waterford to Cnoc Bréanainn, both church and lay property. The Uí Mac Caille fled southwards across the Lee into Uí Eachach, the Eóghanacht Locha Léin fled to Féardhruim in Uí Eachach, the Ciarraighe Luahra into Thomond, the Uí Chairbre, the Uí Chonaill, and the Uí Dhonnabháin into Eóghanacht Locha Léin, and to the country around Mangarta.

Pedigree

Based primarily on Rawlinson B 502:[40]

 Dáire Cerbba / Maine Munchaín | |_______________________________________________________________________________ | | | | | | | | | | Fidach Uí Liatháin Uí Fidgenti Uí Dedaid Uí Duach Argetrois | |__________________________ | | | | Crimthann mac Fidaig Mongfind = Eochaid Mugmedón = Cairenn | | | | Connachta Uí Néill

Notes

  1. ^ In the pronunciation, the -d- is silent, and the -g- becomes a glide, producing what might be anglicized Feeyenti or Feeyenta.

References

  1. ^ Book of Munster
  2. ^ ed. Meyer 1901
  3. ^ Appendix to the Annals of the Four Masters edited by John O'Donovan, page 2434
  4. ^ O'Donovan 1856
  5. ^ a b c Begley
  6. ^ Mac Spealáin 1960
  7. ^ Mac Spealáin 2004
  8. ^ MacCarthaigs Book, 1177.2
  9. ^ O'Hart, pp. 183–85
  10. ^ Cusack, p. 6 ff
  11. ^ Coogan, pp. 5–6
  12. ^ O'Hart
  13. ^ Byrne, passim; Charles-Edwards, passim
  14. ^ Westropp, Ancient Churches in Co. Limerick, page 332-333
  15. ^ Lewis, Topographical Dictionary, under the word Mahonagh
  16. ^ "Genealogical Memoir of the O'Donovans, formerly Kings of Ui Fidgheinte" C. L. Nono & Son, Printers and Stationers Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland 1902
  17. ^ Stokes 1887, pp. 202–5
  18. ^ Byrne 2001, p. 243
  19. ^ Ó Coileáin 1981, p. 133
  20. ^ FitzPatrick
  21. ^ p.123
  22. ^ a b Begley 1906
  23. ^ Joyce 1903 vol. II, pp. 101–2
  24. ^ Placenames Database of Ireland[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ FitzPatrick 2004, pp. 131–2
  26. ^ Gógan 1932
  27. ^ Begley 1906
  28. ^ Appendix to the Annals of the Four Masters, edited by John O'Donovan, page 2432
  29. ^ Meyer 1901
  30. ^ Byrne 2001, p. 178
  31. ^ Byrne 2001, p. 197
  32. ^ a b c O'Hart 1892
  33. ^ Todd 1867
  34. ^ Annals of Inisfallen 1177.4
  35. ^ Annals of Inisfallen 1189.3
  36. ^ see edition by Ó Corráin 1997
  37. ^ Ó Corráin 1997
  38. ^ O'Leary of Uí Fidgenti (O'Hart 1892)
  39. ^ Coogan, Tim Pat (2002). Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 5–6. ISBN 0312295111.
  40. ^ ed. Ó Corráin 1997, p. 195 (176)

Bibliography

  • Begley, John, The Diocese of Limerick, Ancient and Medieval. Dublin: Browne & Nolan. 1906.
  • Byrne, Francis John, Irish Kings and High-Kings. Four Courts Press. 2nd revised edition, 2001.
  • Charles-Edwards, T.M., Early Christian Ireland. Cambridge. 2000.
  • Coogan, Tim Pat, Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland. Palgrave Macmillan. 2002.
  • Cormac mac Cuilennáin, and John O'Donovan (tr.) with Whitley Stokes (ed.), Sanas Cormaic, or Cormac's Glossary. Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society. Calcutta: O. T. Cutter. 1868.
  • Cusack, Sister Mary Frances, Life of Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator : His Times – Political, Social, and Religious. New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co. 1872.
  • FitzPatrick, Elizabeth, Royal Inauguration in Gaelic Ireland c. 1100–1600: A Cultural Landscape Study. Boydell Press. 2004.
  • Gógan, Liam S., The Ardagh Chalice. Dublin. 1932.
  • Joyce, Patrick Weston, A Social History of Ancient Ireland, Vol. I and A Social History of Ancient Ireland, Vol. II. Longmans, Green, and Co. 1903.
  • Geoffrey Keating, with David Comyn and Patrick S. Dinneen (trans.), The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating. 4 Vols. London: David Nutt for the Irish Texts Society. 1902–14.
  • Kelleher, John V., "The Rise of the Dál Cais", in Étienne Rynne (ed.), North Munster Studies: Essays in Commemoration of Monsignor Michael Moloney. Limerick: Thomond Archaeological Society. 1967. pp. 230–41.
  • MacNeill, Eoin, "Early Irish Population Groups: their nomenclature, classification and chronology", in Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy (C) 29. 1911. pp. 59–114
  • Mac Spealáin, Gearóid, Uí Cairbre Aobhdha. Baile Átha Cliath: Oifig an tSoláthair. 1960.
  • Mac Spealáin, Gearóid, Ui Conaill Gabhra i gContae Luimnigh: A Stair (A History of West County Limerick). Limerick: Comhar-chumann Ide Naofa. 2004.
  • Meyer, Kuno (ed. & tr.), "The Expulsion of the Dessi", in Y Cymmrodor 14. 1901. pgs. 101-35. (also available here)
  • Meyer, Kuno (ed.), "The Laud Genealogies and Tribal Histories", in Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie 8. Halle/Saale, Max Niemeyer. 1912. Pages 291–338.
  • Meyer, Kuno (ed. & tr.), "The Song of Créde daughter of Guaire", in Ériu 2 (1905): 15–17. (translation available here)
  • Murphy, Gerard (ed.), "The Lament of Créide, Daughter of Gúaire of Aidne, for Dínertach, Son of Gúaire of the Ui Fhidgente", in Gerard Murphy (ed.), Early Irish Lyrics: Eighth to Twelfth Century. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1956. pp. 86–88. Also known as (comp. Donnchadh Ó Corráin 1996)
  • Ó Coileáin, Seán, "Some Problems of Story and History", in Ériu 32 (1981): 115–36.
  • O'Connell, Mary Ann Bianconi, The Last Colonel of the Irish Brigade: Count O'Connell. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner and Co. 1892.
  • Ó Corráin, Donnchadh (ed.), Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502. University College, Cork: Corpus of Electronic Texts. 1997.
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  • O'Rahilly, Thomas F., Early Irish History and Mythology. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. 1946.
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  • Sproule, David, "Politics and pure narrative in the stories about Corc of Cashel", in Ériu 36 (1985): pp. 11–28.
  • Stokes, Whitley (ed. & tr.), The Tripartite Life of Patrick. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode for Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1887.
  • Todd, James Henthorn (ed. and tr.), Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh: The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill. Longmans. 1867.
  • Westropp, Thomas Johnson, "A Survey of the Ancient Churches in the County of Limerick", in Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Volume XXV, Section C (Archaeology, Linguistic, and Literature). Dublin. 1904–1905. Pages 327–480, Plates X-XVIII.

External links

  • The Territory of Thomond discusses the extent of the Kingdom of Uí Fidgenti
  • Tuadmumu has maps and convenient Uí Fidgenti-related genealogies
  • Tribes & Territories of Mumhan
  • Tracys of the Eóganachta features a very detailed genealogy of the Uí Fidgenti, compiled and translated from numerous primary and secondary sources

May 09, 2023
fidgenti, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, september, 2013, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Ui Fidgenti news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Ui Fidgenti Fidgeinti Fidgheinte Fidugeinte Fidgente or Fidgeinte iː ˈ f iː j ɛ n t i or ˈ f iː j ɛ n t e notes 1 descendants of or of the tribe of Fidgenti were an early kingdom of northern Munster in Ireland situated mostly in modern County Limerick but extending into County Clare and County Tipperary and possibly even County Kerry and County Cork at maximum extents which varied over time They flourished from about 377 AD assumption of power of Fidgheinte to 977 death of Donovan although they continued to devolve for another three hundred years They have been given various origins among both the early or proto Eoganachta and among the Dairine by different scholars working in a number of traditions with no agreement ever reached or appearing reachable Ui Fidgenti4th century fragmented late 13th centuryCapitalBrugh Riogh Dun Eochair Maigue Common languagesOld Irish Middle Irish Classical Gaelic LatinReligionGaelic polytheism ChristianityGovernmentClan CorporateElected Chief fl circa 379 ADFiachu Fidgenid independent chiefsHistorical erafl Late Antiquity Established4th century Disestablishedfragmented late 13th centuryISO 3166 codeIE Contents 1 Clans 2 Size and extents 3 Saint Patrick 4 Saint Senan 5 Ui Fiachrach Aidhne 6 Sites and finds 7 Eoganachta relationship 8 Disintegration 9 County Clare 10 Corcu Loigde 11 Contents 12 Pedigree 13 Notes 14 References 15 Bibliography 16 External linksClans EditGenealogies deriving from the Ui Fidgenti include O Billry O Bruadair Brouder O Cennfhaelaidh Kenneally Kenealy Clerkin Collins Cuilen O Connell O Dea O Donovan Flannery O Heffernans Kenealyes Mac Eneiry O Quin and Tracy 1 Whether a surname is distinguished with an O is irrelevant as all the old Irish families derive from their Ui prefix designation the use of the O was discouraged during the era of the Penal Laws and came back into vogue in connection with the rise of Irish nationalism after the 1840s Closely related to the Ui Fidgenti were the Ui Liathain who claimed descent from the same 4th century AD dynast Daire Cerbba Maine Munchain and who in the earliest sources such as The Expulsion of the Deisi incidentally 2 are mentioned together with them The Ui Fidgenti descend from Fiachu Fidgenti the second son of Daire Cerbba whom it is believed became the senior line of the Milesian race upon the death of Crimhthann in 379 AD Fiacha himself however never became King of Munster for he was killed by his rival Aengus Tireach great grandson of Cormac Cas in a battle fought at Clidhna near Glandore Harbor 3 As noted in the Book of Lecan Fiacha received the designation because he constructed a wooden horse at the fair of Aenach Cholmain Ultimately six hundred years after the time of Fiacha the territories of the Ui Fidgenti divided into two principal factions or septs the Ui Chairpre Aebda and Ui Chonaill Gabra 4 5 6 7 The latter were more often the stronger power 5 By 1169 the Ui Chairpre had further divided into the Ui Chairpre and the Ui Dhonnabhain 8 though comparing the genealogies set forth in Rawlin and the Book of Munster the lines diverged with Cenn Faelad four generations before Donovan died 974 reflecting that specific family s alliance with the Danes of Limerick and Waterford Modern descendants of Daire Cerbba include the O Connells of Derrynane 9 10 Daniel Charles Count O Connell having explicitly declared this to the heralds of Louis XVI of France Also was Michael Collins descending from the o Coileain of Ui Chonaill Gabra 11 12 once the most powerful sept of the Ui Fidgenti Size and extents EditThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it October 2010 A variety of sources show that Ui Fidgenti was the most prominent of the non classical Eoganacht overkingdoms of medieval Munster once the formerly powerful Corcu Loigde and distant Osraige are excluded as non participating 13 By circa 950 the territory of the Ui Fidgheinte were divided primarily between the two most powerful septs the Ui Cairbre and the Ui Coilean The Ui Cairbre Aobhdha of which O Donovan were chief lay along the Maigue basin in Coshmagh and Kenry Caenraighe and covered the deanery of Adare and at one point extended past Kilmallock to Ardpartrick and Doneraile The tribes of Ui Chonail Gabhra extended to a western district along the Deel and Slieve Luachra now the baronies of Upper and Lower Connello Other septs within the Ui Fidgheinte were long associated with other Limerick locations a branch of the Fir Tamnaige gave its name to Mahoonagh or Tawnagh 14 Feenagh is the only geographical trace extant today of ancient Ui Fidhgeinte Though the changes in the name of Ui Fidhgeinte down to the modern Feenagh seem strange they are quite natural when one takes into account the gradual change from the Irish to the English tongue with a totally different method of spelling and pronunciation and the omission of the Ui which was unintelligible to those acquainted only with the latter language During 1750 to 1900 Fidgeinte had become FOUGHANOUGH or FEOHONAGH 15 and finally FEENAGH a name now confined to a single parish southeast of Newcastle in County Limerick 16 Saint Patrick EditThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it December 2009 Vita tripartita Sancti Patricii 17 Saint Senan EditThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it October 2010 Senan mac GeircinnUi Fiachrach Aidhne EditThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it December 2009 The Annals first note the Ui Fidgenti in 645 649 as allies of the celebrated king of Connacht Guaire Aidne mac Colmain at the Battle of Carn Conaill His dynasty the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne controlled much of the territory to the immediate north of the Ui Fidgenti Byrne argues 18 the two kingdoms were in rivalry for control over several smaller tuaths but other evidence suggests they were allied 19 In the 8th century Lament of Crede daughter of Guaire the Ui Fidghente are noted as opponents of her father at the battle of Aine in 667 Sites and finds Edit The Ardagh Chalice See also Ressad Dun Eochair Maighe was the great capital of the Ui Fidgenti 5 20 described by Geoffrey Keating as having been one of the two great seats of the Dairine and the legendary Cu Roi mac Daire 21 The earthworks remain and the fortress can be found next to the modern town of Bruree 22 on the River Maigue The name means Fortress on the Brink of the Maigue and the name of the town is anglicised from Brugh Righ meaning Fort Brugh of Kings Righ The town still has a section Lissoleem meaning literally the ringfort lis of Oilioll Olum alternative spelling Ailill Aulom 22 23 who died 234 AD entombed at Duntryleague and who was the great great great grandfather of Fiachu Fidhgeinte and from whom many of the Eoghanachta tribes descend To the south of Brugh Riogh can be found Cnoc Samhna Hill of Samhain 24 also known as Ard na Rioghraidhe Height of the Kingfolk Associated with Mongfind 25 this may have been the Ui Fidgenti inauguration site The Ardagh Chalice was discovered in Ui Fidgenti territory at Reerasta Rath in 1868 26 27 Eoganachta relationship EditThe Ui Fidgenti are credited with having a unique relationship with the Eoganachta kings at Cashel Five generations before Fiacha Oilioll Olum died 234 AD is credited with dividing Munster into two parts and between two of his sons and enjoined that their descendants should succeed to the governance of the province in alternate succession this injunction was complied with until the time of Brian Boru who is credited with slaying Donovan of the Ui Fidgheinte in 977 28 The Ui Fidgheinte were not subject to the Eoganachta kings at Cashel and did not pay tribute The Book of Rights noted that the stipends of the King of Cashel to the kings of his territory included to the King of Ui Chonaill ten steeds shields horns and to the King of BrughRigh now Bruree seven steeds horns swords and seven serving youths and seven bondmen It also noted that the word of the King of Ui Chonail to the Kings of Cashel was sufficient and no hostages need be exchanged as consideration for an agreement A passage in The Expulsion of the Deisi 29 names the Ui Fidgenti including the Ui Liathain among the Three Eoganachta of Munster the others being the Eoganacht Locha Lein and the Eoganacht Raithlind 30 All three were of sufficient military and political standing to exchange hostages with the Kings at Cashel instead of them being required as would be demanded from a subjugated opponent 31 Disintegration EditThe disintegration of the Ui Fidgenti commenced in 1178 when Domnall Mor O Brien caused the Ui Chonaill and Ui Chairpri to flee as far as Eoganacht Locha Lein and others into County Kerry AI The O Collins the most powerful sept would follow many of the O Donovans some decades later 32 but one or two smaller septs within the Ui Fidghente notably the MacEnirys 32 would remain in County Limerick for several centuries more as lords under the new Earls of Desmond Important families which did not survive intact from the war waged by the O Briens and the subsequent incursion of the FitzGeralds were Kenneally Flannery Tracey Clerkin and Ring These septs scattered all over Munster The recurring conflict with the O Briens had its most infamous event more than two centuries before when Donnuban mac Cathail progenitor of the O Donovans formed an anti Dalcassian alliance with two other leaders his father in law Ivar of Limerick the Danish king of Limerick and Mael Muad mac Brain King of Munster The result of this was the death of the elder brother of Brian Boruma Mahon Mathgamain mac Cennetig for his frequent attacks on Ui Fidghente His death resulted in Brian Boru s subsequent revenge by defeating all three members of the alliance 33 In the 10th century the territory of the Ui Fidghente bordered those of Mahon in Cashel and of Brian Boru in Thomond and territorial conflicts were not uncommon o Coileain coat of arms The Danish connection of the Ui Fidghente was also a considerable factor in the decrease of their power The Ui Fidghenete had allied with the Ui Imhar five generations before Donovan was slain in 977 and the O Donovans continued to carry Danish dominated names well past the death of Amlaib Olaf Ua Donnubainof in 1201 Having allied with the losing side of the Danish Irish conflicts in the late 10th century the O Donovans of Ui Chairbre saw their influence wane during the next two centuries while they tried to stem the tide against more powerful forces The core of the Ui Chonaill Gabra under the O Collins remained a powerful force in Munster for some period of time The Annals of Inisfallen note that in 1177 there was An expedition by Domnall Ua Donnchada Donnell O Donoghue and Cuilen Ua Cuilein Colin O Collins against Machaire and they took away many cows Peace was afterwards made by the son of Mac Carthaig MacCarthy and by the Ui Briain O Briens 34 This suggests the Ui Chonaill Gabra commanded one of the largest forces in Munster at this time and that it was not until after sustained attacks from the FitzGeralds that they were forced to retire to Cork in the mid 13th century The same Cuilein Ua Cuilein and many of the nobles of Ui Chonaill Gabra were slain in a battle with Domnall Mac Carthaig in 1189 35 an unfortunate event which contributed to their weak resistance against the invading Cambro Normans Shortly thereafter in 1201 Domnall Mac Carthaig brought a hosting into Ui Chairpri where he was slain one year later the last king of Ui Chairpre mentioned in the annals Amlaib Ua Donnubain was slain by William de Burgh and the sons of Domnall Mor Ua Briain in the year 1201 AI It is clear that the chiefs and territories of what were formerly the Ui Fidghente i e the Ui Chonaill Gabra and the Ui Chairpri were under pressure after 1178 indicating they were still in their historical territory after the 1169 invasion of foreigners and were caught in the crossfire between the MacCarthaigs the O Brians and the English foreigners By the end of the 12th century the Ui Fidghente territory was under extreme pressure from all sides as the MacCarthaigs O Brians and the English foreigners Fitzgerald Fitzmaurice DeBurgo looked to the south and west to expand against the remnants of the Ui Fidghente the Ui Chonaill Gabra and the Ui Chairpre who were without formidable allies County Clare EditBecause of the later dominance of County Clare by the Dal gCais the Ui Fidgenti septs there have proven difficult to trace and identify A powerful branch of the Ui Chonaill Gabra known as the Ui Chormaic preserved their identity from whom descend the O Hehirs but it is believed that other families were later wrongly classified as Dalcassian Corcu Loigde EditEvidence may or may not exist for long term exchange between the Ui Fidgenti and Corcu Loigde This appears to be a relic of the pre Eoganachta political configuration of Munster and may support the theory of some Ui Fidgenti origins among the Dairine as cousins of the Corcu Loigde There are a number of historical septs who may have their origins with one or the other evident in collections of pedigrees as early as those found in Rawlinson B 502 36 dating from 550 to 1130 37 and as late as those collected by John O Hart in the 19th century 32 Michael o Coileains An early O Leary family are given an Ui Fidgenti Ui Chonaill Gabra pedigree 38 but the Munster sept as a whole are generally regarded to belong to the Corcu Loigde It is worth noting that Michael Collins Irish leader was descended from the o Coileains of Ui Chonaill Gabra 39 Both the Ui Chonaill and the Ui Donnobhans were tribes within the Ui Fidghente Contents EditAI635 1 The battle of Cuil ochtair between the UI Fhidgeinte and the Araid AI649 2 Death of Crunnmael son of Aed king of Ui Fhidgeinte AI683 1 Kl Death of Donennach king of Ui Fhidgeinte and the mortality of the children AU AU 683 684 AI732 1 Kl Death of Dub Indrecht son of Erc king of Ui Fhidgeinte AI751 1 Kl Death of Dub da Bairenn son of Aed Ron king of Ui Fhidgeinte AI762 2 Death of Flann son of Erc king of Ui Fhidgeinte AI766 2 A defeat was inflicted by the Ui Fhidgeinte and by the Araid Cliach on Mael Duin son of Aed in Brega i e Enboth Breg AI774 4 Death of Cenn Faelad king of Ui Fhidgeinte and of Rechtabra king of Corcu Bascinn AI786 2 Death of Scandlan son of Flann son of Erc king of Ui Fhidgeinte AI834 8 Dunadach son of Scannlan king of Ui Fhidgeinte won a battle against the heathens in which many fell AI835 9 Death of Dunadach son of Scannlan king of Ui Fhidgente AI846 5 Niall son of Cenn Faelad king of Ui Fhidgente dies AI860 2 Aed son of Dub da Bairenn king of Ui Fhidgeinte dies AI846 5 Niall son of Cenn Faelad king of Ui Fhidgente dies AI906 4 Ciarmac king of Ui Fhidgente dies AI962 4 Death of Scandlan grandson of Riacan king of Ui Fhidgeinte AI972 3 The capture of Mathgamain son of Cennetig king of Caisel He was treacherously seized by Donnuban and handed over to the son of Bran in violation of the guarantee and despite the interdiction of the elders of Mumu and he was put to death by Bran s son AI974 0 Death of Dhonnabhan mac Cathail tigherna Ua Fidhgeinte AI977 3 A raid by Brian son of Cennetig on Ui Fhidgeinte and he made a slaughter of foreigners therein AI982 4 Uainide son of Dhonnabhan king of Ui Chairpri died AI989 4 Congal son of Anrudan king of Corcu Duibne dies AI1177 3 Great warfare this year between Tuadmumu Thomond and Desmumu Munster and from Luimnech to Corcach and from Clar Doire Mor to Cnoc Brenainn was laid waste both church and lay property And the Ui Meic Caille and the Ui Liathain came into the west of Ireland and the Eoganacht Locha Lein came as far as Ferdruim in Ui Echach the Ciarraige Luachra into Tuadmumu and the Ui Chonaill and Ui Chairpri as far as Eoganacht Locha Lein MCB1177 2 A great war broke out between Domhnall Mor o Briain and Diarmaid Mor Mac Carthaigh and they laid waste from Limerick to Cork and from Clar Doire Mhoir and Waterford to Cnoc Breanainn both church and lay property The Ui Mac Caille fled southwards across the Lee into Ui Eachach the Eoghanacht Locha Lein fled to Feardhruim in Ui Eachach the Ciarraighe Luahra into Thomond the Ui Chairbre the Ui Chonaill and the Ui Dhonnabhain into Eoghanacht Locha Lein and to the country around Mangarta Pedigree EditBased primarily on Rawlinson B 502 40 Daire Cerbba Maine Munchain Fidach Ui Liathain Ui Fidgenti Ui Dedaid Ui Duach Argetrois Crimthann mac Fidaig Mongfind Eochaid Mugmedon Cairenn Connachta Ui NeillNotes Edit In the pronunciation the d is silent and the g becomes a glide producing what might be anglicized Feeyenti or Feeyenta References Edit Book of Munster ed Meyer 1901 Appendix to the Annals of the Four Masters edited by John O Donovan page 2434 O Donovan 1856 a b c Begley Mac Spealain 1960 Mac Spealain 2004 MacCarthaigs Book 1177 2 O Hart pp 183 85 Cusack p 6 ff Coogan pp 5 6 O Hart Byrne passim Charles Edwards passim Westropp Ancient Churches in Co Limerick page 332 333 Lewis Topographical Dictionary under the word Mahonagh Genealogical Memoir of the O Donovans formerly Kings of Ui Fidgheinte C L Nono amp Son Printers and Stationers Ennis Co Clare Ireland 1902 Stokes 1887 pp 202 5 Byrne 2001 p 243 o Coileain 1981 p 133 FitzPatrick p 123 a b Begley 1906harvcolnb error no target CITEREFBegley1906 help Joyce 1903 vol II pp 101 2harvcolnb error no target CITEREFJoyce 1903 vol II pp 101 2 help Placenames Database of Ireland permanent dead link FitzPatrick 2004 pp 131 2 Gogan 1932harvcolnb error no target CITEREFGogan 1932 help Begley 1906harvcolnb error no target CITEREFBegley 1906 help Appendix to the Annals of the Four Masters edited by John O Donovan page 2432 Meyer 1901harvcolnb error no target CITEREFMeyer 1901 help Byrne 2001 p 178harvcolnb error no target CITEREFByrne 2001 p 178 help Byrne 2001 p 197harvcolnb error no target CITEREFByrne 2001 p 197 help a b c O Hart 1892harvcolnb error no target CITEREFO Hart 1892 help Todd 1867harvcolnb error no target CITEREFTodd 1867 help Annals of Inisfallen 1177 4 Annals of Inisfallen 1189 3 see edition by o Corrain 1997harvcolnb error no target CITEREFsee edition by o Corrain 1997 help o Corrain 1997harvcolnb error no target CITEREFo Corrain 1997 help O Leary of Ui Fidgenti O Hart 1892 Coogan Tim Pat 2002 Michael Collins The Man Who Made Ireland Palgrave Macmillan pp 5 6 ISBN 0312295111 ed o Corrain 1997 p 195 176 harvcolnb error no target CITEREFed o Corrain 1997 p 195 176 help Bibliography EditBegley John The Diocese of Limerick Ancient and Medieval Dublin Browne amp Nolan 1906 Byrne Francis John Irish Kings and High Kings Four Courts Press 2nd revised edition 2001 Charles Edwards T M Early Christian Ireland Cambridge 2000 Coogan Tim Pat Michael Collins The Man Who Made Ireland Palgrave Macmillan 2002 Cormac mac Cuilennain and John O Donovan tr with Whitley Stokes ed Sanas Cormaic or Cormac s Glossary Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society Calcutta O T Cutter 1868 Cusack Sister Mary Frances Life of Daniel O Connell the Liberator His Times Political Social and Religious New York D amp J Sadlier amp Co 1872 FitzPatrick Elizabeth Royal Inauguration in Gaelic Ireland c 1100 1600 A Cultural Landscape Study Boydell Press 2004 Gogan Liam S The Ardagh Chalice Dublin 1932 Joyce Patrick Weston A Social History of Ancient Ireland Vol I and A Social History of Ancient Ireland Vol II Longmans Green and Co 1903 Geoffrey Keating with David Comyn and Patrick S Dinneen trans The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating 4 Vols London David Nutt for the Irish Texts Society 1902 14 Kelleher John V The Rise of the Dal Cais in Etienne Rynne ed North Munster Studies Essays in Commemoration of Monsignor Michael Moloney Limerick Thomond Archaeological Society 1967 pp 230 41 MacNeill Eoin Early Irish Population Groups their nomenclature classification and chronology in Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy C 29 1911 pp 59 114 Mac Spealain Gearoid Ui Cairbre Aobhdha Baile Atha Cliath Oifig an tSolathair 1960 Mac Spealain Gearoid Ui Conaill Gabhra i gContae Luimnigh A Stair A History of West County Limerick Limerick Comhar chumann Ide Naofa 2004 Meyer Kuno ed amp tr The Expulsion of the Dessi in Y Cymmrodor 14 1901 pgs 101 35 also available here Meyer Kuno ed The Laud Genealogies and Tribal Histories in Zeitschrift fur Celtische Philologie 8 Halle Saale Max Niemeyer 1912 Pages 291 338 Meyer Kuno ed amp tr The Song of Crede daughter of Guaire in Eriu 2 1905 15 17 translation available here Murphy Gerard ed The Lament of Creide Daughter of Guaire of Aidne for Dinertach Son of Guaire of the Ui Fhidgente in Gerard Murphy ed Early Irish Lyrics Eighth to Twelfth Century Oxford Clarendon Press 1956 pp 86 88 Also known as It e saigte gona suain comp Donnchadh o Corrain 1996 o Coileain Sean Some Problems of Story and History in Eriu 32 1981 115 36 O Connell Mary Ann Bianconi The Last Colonel of the Irish Brigade Count O Connell London Kegan Paul Trench Trubner and Co 1892 o Corrain Donnchadh ed Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502 University College Cork Corpus of Electronic Texts 1997 o Corrain Donnchadh Prehistoric and Early Christian Ireland in Foster Roy ed The Oxford Illustrated History of Ireland Oxford University Press 2001 pgs 1 52 o Croinin Daibhi ed A New History of Ireland Prehistoric and Early Ireland Vol 1 Oxford University Press 2005 O Donovan John ed amp tr Annala Rioghachta Eireann Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the Earliest Period to the Year 1616 7 vols Royal Irish Academy Dublin 1848 51 2nd edition 1856 O Hart John Irish Pedigrees Dublin 5th edition 1892 O Keeffe Eugene ed amp tr Eoganacht Genealogies from the Book of Munster Cork 1703 available here O Rahilly Thomas F Early Irish History and Mythology Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 1946 Rynne Etienne ed North Munster Studies Essays in Commemoration of Monsignor Michael Moloney Limerick 1967 Sproule David Origins of the Eoganachta in Eriu 35 1984 pp 31 37 Sproule David Politics and pure narrative in the stories about Corc of Cashel in Eriu 36 1985 pp 11 28 Stokes Whitley ed amp tr The Tripartite Life of Patrick London Eyre and Spottiswoode for Her Majesty s Stationery Office 1887 Todd James Henthorn ed and tr Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill Longmans 1867 Westropp Thomas Johnson A Survey of the Ancient Churches in the County of Limerick in Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Volume XXV Section C Archaeology Linguistic and Literature Dublin 1904 1905 Pages 327 480 Plates X XVIII External links EditThe Territory of Thomond discusses the extent of the Kingdom of Ui Fidgenti Tuadmumu has maps and convenient Ui Fidgenti related genealogies Tribes amp Territories of Mumhan Tracys of the Eoganachta features a very detailed genealogy of the Ui Fidgenti compiled and translated from numerous primary and secondary sources South Irish R1b Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ui Fidgenti amp oldid 1093865324, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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