Dál Riata facts for kids
Dál Riata (also called Dalriada) was an ancient kingdom located on the western coast of what is now Scotland. It began around the early 5th century. The people of Dál Riata were called Gaels, and they came from County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
These Gaels were also known as 'Scots'. They settled in areas like Argyll and Bute and Lochaber in Scotland. The Romans called these Irish settlers Scotti. This group eventually gave Scotland its name.
What was Dál Riata?
Dál Riata was a kingdom of people who spoke a language called Gaelic. They lived on the western side of Scotland. At this time, Scotland was often known as Pictland. The Dál Riatans were one of the main groups living there.
Early History
When the Dál Riatans first arrived, the only other main group in northern Great Britain were the Picts. The Picts lived in the eastern part of Scotland. This was north of where Edinburgh is today.
Around the year 297 AD, Roman writers mentioned the Picts. They talked about an attack along Hadrian's Wall. Even then, the Romans saw Irish Scotti helping the Picts. This showed that the two groups were allies.
Historians are not completely sure how Dál Riata in Scotland was connected to Ireland. Some think it had its own kings, but with a main ruler in Ireland. Others believe it was ruled by one king.
Important People and Events
Dál Riata became famous as the home of Saint Columba. He was an Irish monk. Saint Columba started a Christian community on the island of Iona. He helped bring Christianity to all of Scotland. This included both the Gaels and the Picts.
The kingdom grew strong under its king, Aedan mac Gabrain. He became king in 574 AD. In 603 AD, King Aedan led his people into battle. They fought against Athelfrith of Bernicia at a place called Degsastan. The Dál Riatan Scots were badly defeated.
Later, during the time of King Domnall Brecc (who died in 642 AD), Dál Riata faced more defeats. These happened in both Ireland and Scotland. These losses ended Dál Riata's power. The kingdom then came under the control of Northumbria. After that, it was controlled by the Picts.
The independence of Dál Riata ended during the Viking Age. It joined with the lands of the Picts. Together, they formed a new kingdom called the Kingdom of Alba. This new kingdom eventually became Scotland.
Images for kids
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Ulster and the Hebrides
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9th-century St Martin's Cross on Iona.
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Saint Matthew, folio 28v in the Book of Kells
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Footprint (replica) used in king-making ceremonies, Dunadd
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Map of Dál Riata at its height, c. 580–600. Pictish regions are marked in yellow.
