Deda mac Sin facts for kids

Deda mac Sin was a legendary king from ancient Ireland. He lived around the 1st century BC. His name means "Deda, son of Sen."

Deda mac Sin is known as the ancestor of a powerful family group called the Clanna Dedad. He might have also been a king in the region of Munster.

Many famous people from Irish legends are related to Deda. These include his sons Íar mac Dedad and Dáire mac Dedad. Later descendants include Cú Roí mac Dáire, Conaire Mór, and Conaire Cóem.

Through his family, Deda mac Sin is also an ancestor of several historical groups. These groups lived in both Ireland and Scotland. They include the Dál Riata, Dal Fiatach, Múscraige, Corcu Duibne, and Corcu Baiscind. All these groups were part of the Érainn people. The Clanna Dedad were a very important royal family among them.

Some old family records show Deda's ancestors. However, these records are not always accurate. They eventually connect him to Óengus Tuirmech Temrach. This would mean a distant link to the Connachta and Uí Néill families.

A related group called the Dáirine came from Deda's son Dáire mac Dedad. They were later known as the Corcu Loígde. This group is also linked to the Darini from Ulster. The Darini and Iverni (Érainn) peoples were clearly connected.

Some old books say Deda had a brother named Eochaid mac Sin. The Dál Fiatach family of Ulster might have come from him. But other stories say they came directly from Cú Roí mac Dáire. This would mean they were part of the Clanna Dedad.

The Conaille Muirtheimne people are also believed to be descendants of Deda mac Sin. They came from another of his sons, Conall Anglonnach.

Dedu also had a foster-son named Dui Dallta Dedad.

An ancient writing system called Ogham has a special section for Dedu. It is found in the Book of Ogams. Many Ogham inscriptions are found in the lands of his descendants, the Corcu Duibne.

Who Were the Síl Conairi?

The Síl Conairi were family groups that came from Conaire Mór. Conaire Mór was a descendant of Deda mac Sin. These groups included the Dál Riata, Múscraige, Corcu Duibne, and Corcu Baiscinn.

The Dál Riata settled in northeastern Ulster a long time ago. They famously went on to create the Kingdom of Scotland. The royal family of Scotland, the House of Dunkeld, were called the "seed of Conaire Mór." This was true even in the 1100s.

Through the House of Dunkeld and Conaire Mór, Deda mac Sin is an ancestor of the modern British royal family. The last king directly from the Clanna Dedad and Síl Conairi was Alexander III of Scotland. He passed away in 1286.

The other Síl Conairi groups stayed in Munster, a region in Ireland. They kept their unique identity. However, they later came under the rule of the Eóganachta family. It seems the Síl Conairi, especially the Múscraige, helped the Eóganachta. This was likely against their relatives, the Dáirine. A king of Munster from the Múscraige was Flaithbertach mac Inmainén. He ruled in the 900s.

The story of Conaire Mór's life is told in an epic tale called Togail Bruidne Dá Derga.

The Dáirine (Corcu Loígde) Family

The Corcu Loígde were the main historical descendants of the Dáirine. A scholar named John O'Donovan noted in 1849 that their family tree was not complete. Many parts before the legendary king Lugaid Mac Con were missing.

Deda mac Sin's Family Tree

Here is a simplified family tree showing some of Deda mac Sin's descendants.

• Sen mac Rosin
  • Dedu mac Sin (the ancestor of the Clanna Dedad)
    • Íar mac Dedad
      • Ailill Anglonnach

* Éogan ** Eterscél *** Conaire Mór (the ancestor of the Síl Conaire) **** Mug Láma ***** Conaire Cóem ****** Eochaid (Cairpre) Riata (Rigfhota) (ancestor of) ******* Dál Riata ******** Erc of Dalriada ********* Fergus Mór ********** Domangart Réti *********** Gabrán mac Domangairt (ancestor of) ************ Cenél nGabráin ************* House of Alpin ************* House of Dunkeld *********** Comgall mac Domangairt (ancestor of) ************ Cenél Comgaill ********* Loarn mac Eirc (ancestor of) ********** Cenél Loairn *********** House of Moray ************ Mormaers of Moray ********* Óengus Mór mac Eirc (ancestor of) ********** Cenél nÓengusa ****** Cairpre Músc (ancestor of) ******* Múscraige ******* Corc Duibne (ancestor of) ******** Corcu Duibne ****** Cairpre Baschaín (ancestor of) ******* Corcu Baiscind

• • • Dáire mac Dedad / Dairi Sirchrechtaig / Dáire Doimthech
      • Cú Roí mac Dáire

* Lugaid mac Con Roí * Fuirme mac Con Roí ** (F)Iatach Find (ancestor of) *** Dál Fiatach

• • • • Dáirine

* Corcu Loígde

• • • Conganchnes mac Dedad
    • Conall Anglonnach mac Dedad (ancestor of)
      • Conaille Muirtheimne
  • Eochaid (Echdach/Echach) mac Sin
    • Deitsin/Deitsini
      • Dlúthaich/Dluthaig

* Dáire/Dairi ** Fir furmi *** Fiatach Finn / Fiachach Fir Umai **** Dál Fiatach