Diarmait mac Cerbaill facts for kids
Diarmait mac Cerbaill (died c. 565) was a powerful leader in ancient Ireland. He was known as the King of Tara or High King of Ireland. People believe he was the last High King to follow the old, non-Christian ways when he became king. These old traditions involved a special ceremony.
Even though many stories were told about Diarmait later, he was a real ruler. His family became very important in Ireland during the Middle Ages.
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Who Were Diarmait's Ancestors?
Diarmait was the son of Fergus Cerrbél. Fergus was the son of Conall Cremthainne, who was the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Niall was a very famous ancestor. Historians believe Niall was a real person.
Niall's descendants often argued and fought among themselves. This was common for royal families in Ireland. Before Niall, the High Kingship of Tara wasn't held by just one family. But by the late 400s, Niall's family started to control it.
Niall's sons and grandsons wanted to keep the High Kingship for themselves. They changed their family name to Uí Néill, which means "descendants of Niall." Diarmait was a great-grandson of Niall, so his family was part of the Uí Néill.
Important Uí Néill Families
Two big Uí Néill families lived in the middle of Ireland. They were the Síl nÁedo Sláine and the Clann Cholmáin Máir. The Síl nÁedo Sláine were kings in the east, in a place called Brega. The Clann Cholmáin Máir were in Mide, which is now Westmeath.
The Síl nÁedo Sláine were more important in the 600s. But after 728, almost all the High Kings from the Southern Uí Néill came from the Clann Cholmáin. Only for a short time (between 944 and 956) did a king from the Brega line become High King again.
It's interesting that both the Síl nÁedo Sláine and Clann Cholmáin came from Diarmait mac Cerbaill. They were not direct descendants of Niall. Records show Diarmait was High King from about 544 to 565.
Diarmait had three sons who started important families:
- Colmáin Már, whose family became the Clann Cholmáin.
- Áed Sláine, whose family became the Síl nÁedo Sláine.
- Colmáin Bec, whose family ruled an area between Mide and Brega.
Diarmait's family background is a bit unclear. Even though his name is Diarmait mac Cerbaill (meaning "son of Cerball"), old family records say his father was Fergus. Fergus was nicknamed Cerrbél, meaning 'crooked mouth'.
Diarmait's Time as King
Old Irish records say that Diarmait became King of Tara in 558 or 560. He held a special ceremony called the Feast of Tara. The king before him was Óengarb, a name that means "extremely rough." This name probably referred to Diarmait's relative, Tuathal Maelgarb.
After Diarmait became king, his time as ruler was "surprisingly unlucky" for such a famous king.
The Battle of Cúl Dreimne
Diarmait lost a big battle called the Battle of Cúl Dreimne in 560 or 561. This battle happened near Ben Bulben in modern County Sligo. It is sometimes called the "Battle of the Books."
The story goes that the battle started because of a dispute between Columba and Finnian of Moville. Columba had secretly copied a book that belonged to Finnian. Diarmait was asked to decide who owned the copy. He ruled in Finnian's favor, supposedly saying, "To every cow its calf and to every book its copy."
Columba then got help from his relatives, the northern Uí Néill families. They went to war against Diarmait. However, older records say the battle was fought because Diarmait killed a man named Diarmait of Curnán. This man was the King of Connacht and was under Columba's protection.
After this defeat, Diarmait lost another battle. He was killed in 565, probably in Ulster. He was killed by Áed Dub mac Suibni, who was a king from another group called the Cruthin.
Later Irish historians say that Domnall Ilchegalch and Forguss became King of Tara after Diarmait. But other sources suggest that the title of King of Tara almost disappeared for a while after Diarmait's death. It might not have been until the time of Domnall mac Áedo that there was a High King of Ireland again.
Kings and Holy Men
Adomnán of Iona, who wrote about 150 years after Diarmait's death, said Diarmait was "chosen by God to be king of all Ireland." But since Diarmait followed old, non-Christian ways to become king, Adomnán's words show his own beliefs about kingship.
Most stories show Diarmait having problems with saints and holy men, especially Columba. A later poet wrote that Diarmait said, "Woe to him that fights with the clergy of the churches." This shows the conflict between the old ways and the new Christian faith.
Stories About Diarmait's Death
Many stories and poems were written about Diarmait's death. These stories often included magical or supernatural parts. Even the old Irish records mention magical fences being created at the Battle of Cúl Dreimne.
In one famous story, a prophet named Bec mac Dé told Diarmait that his foster-son, Áed Dub mac Suibni, would kill him. So, Diarmait sent Áed Dub away.
Another saint, Saint Ruadán, said Diarmait would be killed by a roof-beam from his own hall at Tara. Diarmait then had the beam thrown into the sea.
Diarmait asked his wise men to tell him how he would die. They said he would die three ways: by being killed, by drowning, and by burning. They also said there would be special signs: a shirt made from one flax seed, a cloak from one sheep's wool, ale from one corn seed, and bacon from a sow that never had piglets.
Later, Diarmait visited a hall at Ráith Bec. There, all the prophecies came true. The roof-beam from Tara had been found and was now in this hall. The special shirt, cloak, ale, and bacon were all there. As Diarmait tried to leave, Áed Dub was waiting. Áed Dub attacked him and set the hall on fire. Diarmait crawled into an ale vat to escape the flames, but the falling roof-beam killed him. So, all the prophecies were fulfilled.
This story shows how Diarmait was punished for his actions, like trying to judge a saint or killing someone. Similar stories of a "triple death" appear in other old Celtic tales.
It is believed that Áed Dub, Diarmait's killer, was later removed from his position as king. He might have spent time in a monastery in Great Britain before trying to get his throne back. Records say Áed Dub died on a ship, possibly on Lough Neagh.
Diarmait's Family Lines
- Síl nÁedo Sláine came from his son Áed Sláine.
- Clann Cholmáin came from his son Colmán Már.
- Caílle Follamain came from his son Colmán Bec.
See also
In Spanish: Diarmait mac Cerbaill para niños
