Darini facts for kids

The Darini were an ancient people in Ireland. They are mentioned in a very old book called Geography, written by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. The Darini lived in what is now south County Antrim and north County Down. Their name suggests they were related to an ancestor named Dáire. Several other important groups in Ireland also claimed to be descendants of Dáire. These included the Dál Riata and Dál Fiatach in eastern Ulster, and the Érainn (Iverni) in Munster. An old name for Dundrum, County Down, was Dún Droma Dáirine, which means "fort of Dáirine's ridge". The name Dáirine was also used for the Érainn royal family.

Who Were the Darini?

The name Dari(o) is found in the ancient Gaulish language and means "agitation" or "rage." This might mean the Darini were known as a "fierce" or "powerful" people. Over time, the Irish name Dáire also came to mean "violent."

Sometimes, the name Dáirine refers to all the Érainn royal families, not just a few specific ones.

Famous Connections

Cú Roí mac Dáire was a king from Munster. He appears often in the Ulster Cycle, which is a collection of ancient Irish stories. His stories might show how powerful the Darini were in Ireland a very long time ago. The Dál Fiatach people in Ulster later said they were related to Cú Roí's family, the Clanna Dedad. This shows a link between Ulster and Munster. Cú Roí's father was Dáire mac Dedad. The Clanna Dedad got their name from his grandfather, Deda mac Sin.

The legendary Conaire Mór was another important figure. He was an ancestor of several groups, including the Dál Riata. Conaire Mór was said to be related to Íar mac Dedad, who was Dáire's brother. This shows even more connections between these ancient Irish groups.

Modern Families Connected to the Darini

Many families and Scottish clans in Ulster and Munster today believe they are descended from the Darini or groups closely related to them. Some of these families include:

• The McMahon and McKenzie families
• The Haughey and Hoey families
• The McNulty and McKinley families (from Dál Fiatach)
• The O'Driscoll and O'Leary families (from Corcu Loígde)

See also

• Irish nobility