Fothairt facts for kids

The Fothairt were an ancient Irish group of people. They lived in the area known today as Leinster, which is a province in Ireland. They were an important part of Irish history during the Medieval times.

Who Were the Fothairt?

We know about the Fothairt from old Irish books and records. These include books like Leabhar na nGenealach and the Great Book of Lecan. These books help us understand their family trees and where different groups of Fothairt lived.

Here are some of the main Fothairt groups and where they were located:

• Fothairt in Chairn: These people lived in a place called Forth in County Wexford.
• Fothairt Mag Fea: You could find this group in the barony of Forth in County Carlow.
• Fothairt Airthir Liphe: They lived along the eastern side of the River Liffey.
• Fothairt Airbrech fri Brí Ele aniar: This group lived near the border of the old Kingdom of Uí Failghe.
• Fothairt Imchlair: This group, also known as Clan Corpri, lived around Donaghmore in County Tyrone and close to Armagh, County Armagh.
• Fothairt Maige Itha: These Fothairt lived around Lough Swilly in County Donegal. They were divided into seven smaller groups or tribes.

History of the Fothairt

The Fothairt were originally the main group of people living around the famous monastery of Kildare. This monastery was founded by Saint Brigid.

One part of the Fothairt, called the Uí Ercáin, were especially important. An old story, the 'Vita Tripartia', says that Saint Patrick himself blessed them. He promised them that they would always have their own leaders and judges in their land.

The Fothairt also had strong connections with the powerful Uí Dúnlainge family. The Uí Dúnlainge were kings of Leinster for many years. They made their power stronger by marrying Fothairt women. For example, Sárnat, a daughter of Eochu mac Baíth of the Fothairt, married into the Uí Dúnlainge family.

Some Fothairt leaders were involved in important battles. In 738, two Fothairt kings, Fergus mac Móenaig and Dub dá Chrich, were killed in the battle of Ath Senaig. They were fighting to support King Áed of Leinster.

Even though the Fothairt lost some political power over time, they continued to be important in the church. Many Fothairt people became leading clergy members at Kildare. For instance, two abbesses (leaders of a monastery for women), Muirenn (who died in 918) and Eithne (who died in 1016), belonged to a Fothairt group. This shows their lasting influence in the religious life of Ireland.