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Cenél Loairn facts for kids

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The Cenél Loairn were an important group of people in ancient Scotland. They were like a powerful family or clan, and they controlled parts of northern Argyll. This area is around the Firth of Lorne, which is a sea inlet. Their main home was probably in a place called Lorne. They might have also controlled islands like Mull and Colonsay, and areas called Morvern and Ardnamurchan.

The mountains of Druim Alban formed their eastern border. These mountains separated their land, called Dál Riata, from another kingdom called Pictland. The Cenél Loairn had important strongholds at Dun Ollaigh, which is near Oban, and Dunadd, near Crinan. A very important religious place for them might have been on Lismore. This island later became the main church center for the bishop of Argyll.

Who Were the Cenél Loairn?

The Cenél Loairn were believed to be the descendants of a person named Loarn mac Eirc. This means they were his family line. Being a descendant of Loarn was very important. It gave them a special claim to power and leadership in their region.

Kings from Cenél Loairn

Many kings of Dál Riata came from the Cenél Loairn. These kings claimed to be direct descendants of Loarn. They ruled over the kingdom of Dál Riata, which was a powerful kingdom in early medieval Scotland.

Here are some of the kings who were part of the Cenél Loairn:

Later Descendants

Much later, during the High Medieval period, another powerful family claimed to be descendants of Loarn. These were the Mormaers of Moray. A Mormaer was a powerful regional ruler, similar to an earl.

Here are some of the Mormaers of Moray who claimed descent from Loarn:

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