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Cenél nÓengusa facts for kids

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Islay
Islay (in green) and the rest of Argyll. Colonsay is the island above Islay.

The Cenél nÓengusa (say "Ken-EL NAY-ng-goo-sa") were an important family group, or clan, who lived on the island of Islay in Scotland a long, long time ago, during the early Middle Ages. They might have also lived on the nearby island of Colonsay. These people were a key part of a larger kingdom called Dál Riata.

Who Were the Cenél nÓengusa?

The Cenél nÓengusa were one of the main family groups that made up the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata. This kingdom was located in what is now western Scotland, in an area called Argyll.

Other important groups in Dál Riata included:

These groups are listed in an old record called the Senchus fer n-Alban. This record was like a special book that counted people and listed family histories (genealogies) in the mid-seventh century.

The Senchus fer n-Alban: A Look into the Past

The Senchus fer n-Alban is a very old document. It tells us a lot about the kingdom of Dál Riata. It lists the Cenél nÓengusa as one of the main groups.

Family History

The Senchus says that the Cenél nÓengusa came from a person named Óengus Mór mac Eirc. He was supposedly the brother of Fergus Mór, a famous early king. However, historians today think this family connection was probably made up later.

It's interesting to note that even though the Cenél nÓengusa were a big group, no kings of Dál Riata are recorded as coming directly from their family in other old Irish records.

People and Homes

The Senchus also tells us that Óengus Mór had two sons, Nadsluaig and Fergna. Their descendants are listed in the record. The document also describes different parts of Islay and how many homes were in each area. It says the Cenél nÓengusa had about thirty households.

Another family group, the Cenél Conchride, also lived on Islay, according to the Senchus.

Their Military Role

The Senchus states that the Cenél nÓengusa were a powerful group. They were said to control four hundred and thirty households. This meant they had important duties to the overking (the main king) of Dál Riata.

They had to provide:

  • Two ships with seven benches each for every twenty households when the kingdom went on sea trips.
  • Five hundred fighting men for land battles.

This shows they were a very important part of Dál Riata's military strength.

Wfm islay landsat
NASA Landsat image of Islay.

Other Historical Clues

There are not many other old writings that talk about the Cenél nÓengusa.

One old story, the Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick, mentions that Saint Patrick appointed a bishop named Ném in the lands of the Cenél nÓengusa. This suggests they were a known group during that time.

Also, Adomnán's book about Columba (a famous saint) mentions a rich landowner on Islay named Feradach. But this book doesn't give details about the rulers or politics of the island.

These few mentions are some of the only clues we have about the Cenél nÓengusa outside of the main Senchus fer n-Alban record.

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