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List of High Kings of Ireland facts for kids

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High Kingship of Ireland
Lia Fail.jpg
The Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny) and symbol of sovereignty on the Hill of Tara.
Details
Style Ard-Rí na hÉireann
Rí Érenn Uile
First monarch Sláine mac Dela (mythical)
Máel Sechnaill I (historical)
Last monarch
Formation 1934 BC (by tradition)
Abolition 1198 AD
Residence Hill of Tara
Pretender(s) Brian Ua Néill/Edubard a Briuis (claimant)

Imagine a time when Ireland had a special king who was supposed to rule over all the other kings. This was the Ard Rí, or High King of Ireland. Many old Irish stories and books, like the Lebor Gabála Érenn (written in the 11th century), tell us about these High Kings. They even tried to list all of them, going back thousands of years!

However, historians today think that it was very hard for any one king to truly control all of Ireland before the 800s AD. The kings of Tara were important, but they didn't always have power over the whole island.

The first High King who historians agree was a real person with some power over much of Ireland was Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid. He ruled in the 800s. Before him, many kings listed as "High Kings" are mostly from legends, not actual history. So, the list of High Kings is a mix of exciting stories and real historical facts.

Sometimes, later High Kings were called rígh Érenn co fressabra, which means "Kings of Ireland with opposition." This happened when other powerful families started challenging the High King's power. For example, Brian Boru took over from Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill in 1002. After Brian's death in 1014, many other families tried to become High King. The idea of a single High King mostly ended in the 1170s, after the Anglo-Norman invasion. The last true High King was Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair.

Who Were the High Kings of Ireland?

Legendary Kings from Ancient Times

Many of the earliest High Kings are part of Irish myths and legends. These stories were passed down through generations. They help us understand what ancient Irish people believed about their past.

Kings in the Baile Chuind

One of the oldest lists of kings comes from a poem called Baile Chuind (meaning "The Ecstasy of Conn"). This poem was written around the late 600s. In the poem, a king named Conn of the Hundred Battles has a vision. He sees all the kings who will rule after him.

Many kings in this poem match kings in later stories. But their order is different, and some kings are unknown. The poem seems to have been written when Fínsnechta Fledach was king. The kings listed after him are probably made up. Most of the kings in this list belonged to the Dál Cuinn family group. This list doesn't include all important kings from other parts of Ireland, like Laigin or Ulaid.

Name Presumed identity Notes
Not named Conn Cétchathach The list tells about Conn's vision of future kings.
Art Art mac Cuinn From the Dál Cuinn family.
Mac Con moccu Lugde Loígde Lugaid Mac Con From the Dáirine family.
Corbmac Cormac mac Airt From the Dál Cuinn family.
Corpre Cairbre Lifechair From the Dál Cuinn family.
Fiechri Fiachrae Cássan Possibly from Cruthin or Airgialla.
Dáire Drechlethan likely Dáire Doimthech From the Dáirine family.
Fécho Fíacha Sroiptine? From the Dál Cuinn family.
Muiredach Tirech Muiredach Tírech From the Dál Cuinn family.
Crimthand Crimthann mac Fidaig From the Eóganachta/Dáirine families.
Níell Niall Noígíallach From the Dál Cuinn family.
Loígaire Lóegaire mac Néill From the Dál Cuinn/Uí Néill families.
Corpri Coirpre mac Néill (d. c. 463) From the Dál Cuinn/Uí Néill families.
Ailill Ailill Molt (d. 482) From the Connachta/Uí Fiachrach families.
Lugid Lugaid mac Lóegairi (d. c. 507) From the Uí Néill family.
Mac Ercéni Muirchertach mac Ercae (d. c. 536) From the Uí Néill/Cenél nEógain families.
Óengarb Túathal Máelgarb (d. c. 544) From the Uí Néill family.
Aíd probably Áed mac Ainmuirech (d. 598) From the Uí Néill/Cenél Conaill families; out of order.
Aíd Olláin probably Áed Uaridnach (d. 612) From the Uí Néill/Cenél nEógain families; out of order.
Diermait Diarmait mac Cerbaill (d. c. 565) From the Uí Néill family? Origins are unclear.
Feáchno Fiachnae mac Báetáin (d. 626), or perhaps Fiachnae mac Feradaig, father of Suibne Menn From the Cruthin/Dál nAraidi, or Uí Néill/Cenél nEógain families.
Suibne Suibne Menn (d. 628) From the Uí Néill/Cenél nEógain families.
Domnall Domnall mac Áedo (d. c. 642) From the Uí Néill/Cenél Conaill families.
Blathmac and Diarmaid grandson of the other one Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine & Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine (both d. 665) From the Southern Uí Néill family.
Snechta Fína Fínsnechta Fledach (d. c. 695) From the Uí Néill/Síl nÁedo Sláine families.
(Cathal mac Finguine) (d. 742) From the Eóganachta/Eóganacht Glendamnach families.

Lists from Later Stories

Other old Irish books, like the Lebor Gabála Érenn (from the 1000s-1100s), tried to list every High King. These lists go all the way back to the very first people in Ireland, according to legend.

  • The Fir Bolg: These were the first people said to have High Kings.
  • The Tuatha Dé Danann: After the Fir Bolg, these magical people ruled. Many of them were seen as gods.
  • The Milesians: These were the ancestors of the Gaelic Irish people. Their kings fought for control for many centuries.

Later books, like the Annals of the Four Masters and Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn, continued these traditions. They tried to give exact dates for these ancient kings, but these dates often differ between the books.

  • LGE: Dates from Lebor Gabála Érenn.
  • FFE: Dates from Geoffrey Keating's Forus Feasa ar Erinn.
  • AFM: Dates from the Annals of the Four Masters.
Fir Bolg High Kings

These kings are part of ancient Irish legends.

LGE FFE AFM
Sláine mac Dela   1514–1513 BC 1934–1933 BC
Rudraige mac Dela   1513–1511 BC 1933–1931 BC
Gann and Genann mac Dela   1511–1507 BC 1931–1927 BC
Sengann mac Dela   1507–1502 BC 1927–1922 BC
Fiacha Cennfinnán mac Starn   1502–1497 BC 1922–1917 BC
Rinnal mac Genann   1497–1491 BC 1917–1911 BC
Fodbgen mac Sengann   1491–1487 BC 1911–1907 BC
Eochaid mac Eirc   1487–1477 BC 1907–1897 BC
Tuatha Dé Danann High Kings

These kings are also from legends and myths.

LGE FFE AFM
Bres   1477–1470 BC 1897–1890 BC
Nuada   1470–1447 BC 1890–1870 BC
Lugh   1447–1407 BC 1870–1830 BC
Eochaid Ollathair (The Dagda)   1407–1337 BC 1830–1750 BC
Delbáeth   1337–1327 BC 1750–1740 BC
Fiacha   1327–1317 BC 1740–1730 BC
Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine   1317–1287 BC 1730–1700 BC
Milesian High Kings

These kings are also considered legendary.

LGE FFE AFM
Eber Finn and Érimón   1287–1286 BC 1700 BC
Érimón   1286–1272 BC 1700–1684 BC
Muimne, Luigne and Laigne   1272–1269 BC 1684–1681 BC
Ér, Orba, Ferón and Fergna   1269 BC 1681 BC
Íriel Fáid   1269–1259 BC 1681–1671 BC
Ethriel   1259–1239 BC 1671–1651 BC
Conmáel   1239–1209 BC 1651–1621 BC
Tigernmas   1209–1159 BC 1621–1544 BC
      Interregnum 1544–1537 BC
Eochaid Étgudach   1159–1155 BC 1537–1533 BC
Cermna Finn and Sobairce   1155–1115 BC 1533–1493 BC
Eochaid Faebar Glas   1115–1095 BC 1493–1473 BC
Fíachu Labrainne   1095–1071 BC 1473–1449 BC
Eochu Mumu   1071–1050 BC 1449–1428 BC
Óengus Olmucaid   1050–1032 BC 1428–1410 BC
Énna Airgdech   1032–1005 BC 1410–1383 BC
Rothechtaid mac Main   1005–980 BC 1383–1358 BC
Sétna Airt   980–975 BC 1358–1353 BC
Fíachu Fínscothach   975–955 BC 1353–1333 BC
Muinemón   955–950 BC 1333–1328 BC
Faildergdóit   950–943 BC 1328–1318 BC
Ollom Fotla   943–913 BC 1318–1278 BC
Fínnachta   913–895 BC 1278–1258 BC
Slánoll   895–880 BC 1257–1241 BC
Géde Ollgothach   880–863 BC 1241–1231 BC
Fíachu Findoilches   863–833 BC 1231–1209 BC
Berngal 7th century BC 833–831 BC 1209–1197 BC
Ailill mac Slánuill 7th century BC 831–815 BC 1197–1181 BC
Sírna Sáeglach 7th century BC 814–794 BC 1181–1031 BC
Rothechtaid Rotha 7th century BC 794–787 BC 1031–1024 BC
Elim Olfínechta 7th century BC 787–786 BC 1024–1023 BC
Gíallchad 7th century BC 786–777 BC 1023–1014 BC
Art Imlech 7th–6th century BC 777–755 BC 1014–1002 BC
Nuadu Finn Fáil 7th–6th century BC 755–735 BC 1002–962 BC
Bres Rí 7th–6th century BC 735–726 BC 962–953 BC
Eochu Apthach 6th–5th century BC 726–725 BC 953–952 BC
Finn mac Blatha 6th–5th century BC 725–705 BC 952–930 BC
Sétna Innarraid 5th century BC 705–685 BC 930–910 BC
Siomón Brecc 5th century BC 685–679 BC 910–904 BC
Dui Finn 5th century BC 679–674 BC 904–894 BC
Muiredach Bolgrach 5th century BC 674–670 BC 894–893 BC
Énna Derg 5th century BC 670–658 BC 893–881 BC
Lugaid Íardonn 5th century BC 658–649 BC 881–872 BC
Sírlám 5th century BC 649–633 BC 872–856 BC
Eochu Uairches 5th century BC 633–621 BC 856–844 BC
Eochu Fíadmuine and Conaing Bececlach 5th century BC 621–616 BC 844–839 BC
Lugaid Lámderg and Conaing Bececlach 5th century BC 616–609 BC 839–832 BC
Conaing Bececlach (alone) 5th century BC 609–599 BC 832–812 BC
Art mac Lugdach 5th century BC 599–593 BC 812–806 BC
Fíachu Tolgrach   593–586 BC 806–796 BC
Ailill Finn 5th–4th century BC 586–577 BC 796–785 BC
Eochu mac Ailella 5th–4th century BC 577–570 BC 785–778 BC
Airgetmar 4th century BC 570–547 BC 778–748 BC
Dui Ladrach 4th century BC 547–537 BC 748–738 BC
Lugaid Laigdech 4th century BC 537–530 BC 738–731 BC
Áed Rúad 4th century BC 530–509 BC 731–724 BC
Díthorba 4th century BC 509–488 BC 724–717 BC
Cimbáeth 4th century BC 488–468 BC 717–710 BC
Áed Rúad (2nd time)     710–703 BC
Díthorba (2nd time)     703–696 BC
Cimbáeth (2nd time)     696–689 BC
Áed Rúad (3rd time)     689–682 BC
Díthorba (3rd time)     682–675 BC
Cimbáeth (3rd time)     675–668 BC
Cimbáeth and queen Macha     668–661 BC
Macha Mong Ruad (alone) 4th–3rd century BC 468–461 BC 661–654 BC
Rechtaid Rígderg 4th–3rd century BC 461–441 BC 654–634 BC
Úgaine Mor 3rd century BC 441–411 BC 634–594 BC
Lóegaire Lorc 3rd century BC 411–409 BC 594–592 BC
Cobthach Cóel Breg 3rd century BC 409–379 BC 592–542 BC
Labraid Loingsech 3rd century BC 379–369 BC 542–523 BC
Meilge Molbthach 3rd century BC 369–362 BC 523–506 BC
Mug Corb 3rd century BC 362–355 BC 506–499 BC
Óengus Ollom 3rd century BC 355–337 BC 499–481 BC
Irereo 3rd century BC 337–330 BC 481–474 BC
Fer Corb 3rd century BC 330–319 BC 474–463 BC
Connla Cáem 3rd century BC 319–315 BC 463–443 BC
Ailill Caisfiaclach 3rd–2nd century BC 315–290 BC 443–418 BC
Adamair 3rd–2nd century BC 290–285 BC 418–414 BC
Eochaid Ailtlethan 3rd–2nd century BC 285–274 BC 414–396 BC
Fergus Fortamail 2nd century BC 274–262 BC 396–385 BC
Óengus Tuirmech Temrach 2nd century BC 262–232 BC 385–326 BC
Conall Collamrach 2nd century BC 232–226 BC 326–320 BC
Nia Segamain 2nd century BC 226–219 BC 320–313 BC
Énna Aignech 2nd century BC 219–191 BC 313–293 BC
Crimthann Coscrach 2nd century BC 191–184 BC 293–289 BC
Rudraige mac Sithrigi 2nd–1st century BC 184–154 BC 289–219 BC
Finnat Már 2nd–1st century BC 154–151 BC 219–210 BC
Bresal Bó-Díbad 2nd–1st century BC 151–140 BC 210–199 BC
Lugaid Luaigne 2nd–1st century BC 140–135 BC 199–184 BC
Congal Cláiringnech 1st century BC 135–120 BC 184–169 BC
Dui Dallta Dedad 1st century BC 120–110 BC 169–159 BC
Fachtna Fáthach 1st century BC 110–94 BC 159–143 BC
Eochu Feidlech 1st century BC 94–82 BC 143–131 BC
Eochu Airem 1st century BC 82–70 BC 131–116 BC
Eterscél 1st century BC–1st century AD 70–64 BC 116–111 BC
Nuadu Necht 1st century 64–63 BC 111–110 BC
Conaire Mór 1st century 63–33 BC 110–40 BC
  interregnum (5 years)   interregnum
40–33 BC
Lugaid Riab nDerg 1st century 33–13 BC 33–9 BC
Conchobar Abradruad 1st century 13–12 BC 9–8 BC
  Cairbre Cinnchait 1st century Crimthann Nia Náir 12 BC – AD 5 Crimthann Nia Náir
8 BC – AD 9
  Feradach Finnfechtnach 1st century Feradach Finnfechtnach
AD 5–25		 Cairbre Cinnchait
AD 9–14
  Fíatach Finn 1st century Fiatach Finn 25–28 Feradach Finnfechtnach 14–36
  Fíachu Finnolach 1st century Fiacha Finnfolaidh
28–55		 Fiatach Finn 36–39
  Elim mac Conrach 2nd century Cairbre Cinnchait
55–60		 Fiacha Finnfolaidh
39–56
    Elim mac Conrach
60–80		 Elim mac Conrach
56–76
Goidelic High Kings

Many of these kings are also considered legendary. Their family groups are based on what later historical families claimed.

LGE FFE AFM Dynasty – Sept
Tuathal Techtmar 2nd century 80–100 76–106 Connachta (ancestor)
Mal mac Rochride 2nd century 100–104 106–110 Ulaid
Fedlimid Rechtmar 2nd century 104–113 110–119 Connachta (ancestor)
Cathair Mór 2nd century 113–116 119–122 Laigin
Conn Cétchathach 2nd century 116–136 122–157 Connachta (ancestor)
Conaire Cóem 2nd century 136–143 157–165 Clanna Dedad – Síl Conairi (ancestor)
Art mac Cuinn 2nd century 143–173 165–195 Connachta
Lugaid mac Con   173–203 195–225 Dáirine – Corcu Loígde
Fergus Dubdétach   203–204 225–226 Ulaid
Cormac mac Airt   204–244 226–266 Connachta
Eochaid Gonnat   244–245 266–267 Ulaid?
Cairbre Lifechair   245–272 267–284 Connachta
Fothad Cairpthech and Fothad Airgthech   272–273 284–285 Dáirine – Corcu Loígde
Fíacha Sroiptine   273–306 285–322 Connachta
Colla Uais   306–310 322–326 Connachta
Muiredach Tirech   310–343 326–356 Connachta
Cáelbad   343–344 356–357 Ulaid?
Eochaid Mugmedon   344–351 357–365 Connachta
Crimthann mac Fidaig   351–368 365–376 Érainn?
Niall Noígíallach (generally thought historical)   368–395 376–405 Connachta – Uí Néill (ancestor)
Nath Í (probably did not reign at Tara)   395–418 405–428 Connachta – Uí Fiachrach
Lóegaire mac Néill (historical)   418–448 428–458 Connachta – Uí Néill

Semi-Historical High Kings

These kings were real people, but calling them "High Kings of Ireland" might not be totally accurate for their time. Sometimes, their family groups are also unclear.

Kings of Ireland 459–831 Dynasty – Sept
Ailill Molt 459–478 Connachta – Uí Fiachrach
Lugaid mac Lóegairi 479–503 Uí Néill – Cenél Lóegairi
Muirchertach mac Ercae 504–527 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Túathal Máelgarb 528–538 Uí Néill – Cenél Coirpri
Diarmait mac Cerbaill 539–558 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Domhnall and Fearghus 559–561 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Eochaidh and Baedan 562–563 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Ainmuire mac Sétnai 564–566 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Báetán mac Ninnedo 567 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Áed mac Ainmuirech 568–594 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Áed Sláine and Colmán Rímid 595–600 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill and Cenél nEógain
Áed Uaridnach 601–607 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Máel Coba mac Áedo 608–610 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Suibne Menn 611–623 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Domnall mac Áedo 624–639 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Cellach and Conall 640–656 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Diarmait and Blathmac 657–664 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Sechnassach 665–669 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Cenn Fáelad 670–673 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Fínsnechta Fledach 674–693 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Loingsech mac Óengusso 694–701 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Congal Cennmagair 702–708 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Fergal mac Máele Dúin 709–718 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Fogartach mac Néill 719 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Cináed mac Írgalaig 720–722 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Flaithbertach mac Loingsig 723–729 Uí Néill – Cenél Conaill
Áed Allán 730–738 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Domnall Midi 739–758 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Niall Frossach 759–765 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Donnchad Midi 766–792 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Áed Oirdnide 793–819 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Conchobar mac Donnchada 819–833 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Feidlimid mac Crimthainn (according to the Annals of Inisfallen) 832–846
836–841		 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
or Eóganachta – Eóganacht Chaisil

Real High Kings Emerge

These kings are considered to be truly historical High Kings. Some of them faced challenges from other powerful rulers.

Kings of Ireland 832–1318 Dynasty – Sept
Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid 846–860 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Áed Findliath 861–876 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Flann Sinna 877–914 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Niall Glúndub 915–917 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Donnchad Donn 918–942 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Congalach Cnogba 943–954 Uí Néill – Síl nÁedo Sláine
Domnall ua Néill 955–978 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill 979–1002 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Brian Bóruma 1002–1014 Dál gCais
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill (restored) 1014–1022 Uí Néill – Clann Cholmáin
Donnchad mac Briain died 1064 (with opposition) Dál gCais
Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó died 1072 (with opposition) Uí Cheinnselaig
Toirdelbach Ua Briain died 1086 (with opposition) Dál gCais – Ua Briain
Domnall Ua Lochlainn died 1121 (with opposition) Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Muirchertach Ua Briain died 1119 (with opposition) Dál gCais – Ua Briain
Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair 1119–1156 Uí Briúin – Ua Conchobair
Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1156–1166 Uí Néill – Cenél nEógain
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair 1166–1198 Uí Briúin – Ua Conchobair

Later Attempts to Bring Back the High Kingship

Even after the High Kingship mostly ended, some people tried to bring it back.

  • Brian Ua Néill (died 1260) tried to become High King during a time when Irish people were fighting against the Anglo-Normans who were settling in Ireland.
  • Edubard a Briuis (died 1318) also tried to become High King as part of his family's military campaign in Ireland.

See also

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