List of Dalriadan monarchs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kingdom of Dalriada |
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Map of Dalriada
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| Details | |
| First monarch | Loarn |
| Last monarch | Cináed |
| Formation | 5th century |
| Abolition | 858 |
Dalriada (also spelled Dál Riata) was an ancient kingdom. It was located in parts of what is now western Scotland and northeastern Ireland. This kingdom existed from the 5th century until 858 AD. Its rulers were called monarchs or kings.
This article lists the kings who ruled Dalriada. For many early kings, we are not completely sure about their exact reign dates. Historians have estimated these dates based on old records. Dates from 726 AD onwards are usually more certain.
Contents
Early Kings of Dalriada
The first known kings of Dalriada ruled before a big event called the Battle of Mag Rath. This battle happened around 637 AD. Many of these early kings' exact reign dates are not fully known.
- Loarn (unknown death) (unknown reign)
- Fergus Mór (unknown death) (reigned until 501 AD)
- Domangart Réti (unknown death) (reigned 501-507 AD)
- Comgall (died around 540 AD) (reigned 507-540 AD)
- Gabrán (died around 560 AD) (reigned 540-560 AD)
- Conall I (died around 574 AD) (reigned 560-574 AD)
- Áedan (died around 606 AD) (reigned 574-606 AD)
- Eochaid Buide (died around 629 AD) (reigned 606-629 AD)
- Connad Cerr (died around 629 AD, before Eochaid) (reigned until 629 AD)
- Domnall Brecc (died around 642 AD) (reigned 629-642 AD)
- Ferchar (unknown death) (reigned 642 AD to unknown date, before 654 AD)
Kings After a Major Battle
After the Battle of Mag Rath, the kingdom of Dalriada continued to have kings. The dates for these rulers are a bit more certain.
- Dúnchad I (died around 654 AD) (reigned after 642-654 AD)
- Conall Crandomna (died around 660 AD) (reigned 654-660 AD)
- Domangart (died around 660 AD) (reigned 660 AD)
- Máel Dúin (died around 689 AD) (reigned 660-689 AD)
- Domnall Donn (died around 696 AD) (reigned 689-696 AD)
- Ferchar Fota (died around 697 AD) (reigned 696-697 AD)
- Eochaid I (unknown death) (reigned around 697 AD)
- Ainbcellach (removed from power around 698 AD)
- Fiannamail (died 700 AD) (reigned 698-700 AD)
- Béc (died 707 AD) (reigned 700-707 AD)
- Dúnchad II (died 721 AD) (reigned 707-721 AD)
- Selbach (gave up his throne in 723 AD) (reigned 721-723 AD)
- Dúngal (removed from power in 726 AD) (reigned 723-726 AD)
- Eochaid II (reigned 726-733 AD)
- Muiredach (reigned 733-736 AD)
- Alpín I (reigned around 736 AD to unknown date)
- Eógan (reigned unknown date to before 741 AD)
- Indrechtach (died 741 AD)
Period of Pictish Influence
After 736 AD, Dalriada might have been ruled by kings from the Picts. The Picts were another group of people living in ancient Scotland. No specific kings are known for Dalriada during this time (after 741 AD). It is also possible that Dalriada was controlled by Pictland, acting like a "puppet state."
Later Kings of Dalriada
After the 740s, more kings ruled Dalriada. Some of these kings also had connections to the Picts.
- Áed Find (reigned before 768-778 AD)
- Fergus (reigned 778-781 AD)
- Eochaid III (reigned after 781 AD)
- Donncoirce (died 792 AD)
- Caustantín (also king of the Picts from 792-820 AD)
Kings from 805 AD Onwards
There is a period from 792-805 AD where we don't know for sure who ruled Dalriada. It's possible that Caustantín, who was king of the Picts, also ruled Dalriada during this time.
- Conall II (reigned around 805-807 AD)
- Conall III (reigned around 807-811 AD)
- Domnall (reigned around 811-835 AD)
The Final Kings and the Rise of Scotland
This period saw the end of Dalriada as a separate kingdom. Some kings listed here were also kings of the Picts. This time was important because it led to the creation of the Kingdom of Alba, which later became Scotland.
- Óengus (reigned around 820-834 AD) - king of the Picts
- Alpín II (reigned around 834 AD) - king of the Picts and Dalriada
- Cináed (reigned 834-858 AD) - king of the Picts (later Dalriada) - his rule is sometimes debated
- Áed (reigned around 835-839 AD)
- Eóganán (reigned 837-839 AD) - king of the Picts
- Alpín II (reigned around 834 AD)
- Cináéd (as king of Dalriada) (reigned 843-858 AD) - his rule is sometimes debated
Kenneth MacAlpin is often seen as the last king of Dalriada. He united the Scots of Dalriada with the Picts. This union formed the Kingdom of Alba, which was the beginning of modern Scotland.
