Domnall mac Caustantín facts for kids
Domnall mac Caustantín was a person who might have been a king of Dál Riata a long, long time ago, in the early 800s. Dál Riata was an ancient kingdom in what is now parts of Scotland and Ireland. Historians are not entirely sure if Domnall really existed or if he was a king, because the records from that time are a bit confusing.
His story comes from old writings from the 1000s, like a poem called the Duan Albanach and historical notes by a writer named Flann Mainistrech. These old texts sometimes don't quite match up with other records, like the Irish annals, which were like ancient diaries of important events.
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Who Was Domnall mac Caustantín?
The old poem, the Duan Albanach, says that Domnall ruled for 24 years. It places his reign between two other kings: "Aodh" (who was Áed Find) and two kings named Conall (Conall mac Taidg and Conall mac Áedáin).
Flann Mainistrech's notes also say that Domnall's father was named "Constantine." The most famous person with that name around that time was Causantín mac Fergusa. He was a powerful king of the Picts from 792 to 820. The Picts were another ancient people in Scotland.
Why Is His Reign Unclear?
It's tricky to fit Domnall into the timeline of kings. For example, King Áed Find died in 778. His brother, Fergus mac Echdach, was king of Dál Riata and died in 781. If Domnall was Constantine's son, it's unlikely he could have been king as early as 781.
Also, another king named Donncoirce died in 792, and Conall mac Taidg died in 807. If Domnall ruled for 24 years, it's very hard to find a space for him between these known kings and their reigns. The dates just don't seem to add up easily.
When Might Domnall Have Ruled?
Historians have looked at the gaps in the records. We don't know much about the kings of Dál Riata between 811 and 835. The reign of Conall mac Áedáin is thought to have ended around 811. Then, Áed mac Boanta became king and died in 839.
Because of this gap, some historians think Domnall mac Caustantín might have been king during this time. He could have ruled from about 811 to around 835. This would give him a long reign, as mentioned in the old poem.
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