Selbach mac Ferchair facts for kids
Selbach mac Ferchair was an important king who lived a long time ago. He ruled two groups of people: the Cenél Loairn and the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata. We know a lot about Selbach because his story is written down in old Irish history books called annals. He died in the year 730.
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Who Was Selbach mac Ferchair?
Selbach mac Ferchair was the son of a king named Ferchar Fota. Selbach ruled as king of the Cenél Loairn from about 698. He gave up his throne in 723. It's possible that he was the only king of Dál Riata that everyone agreed on only during the last few years of his rule.
Family and History
Selbach had two sons, Dúngal and Feredach. Interestingly, Selbach is not mentioned in an old poem called the Duan Albanach. This poem lists the ancestors of a later king, Máel Coluim mac Donnchada (Malcolm III) of Scotland. Selbach's father, brother, son, and nephew are all in the poem, but he is not. This might mean that people tried to erase his memory from history.
Battles and Power Struggles
Selbach is first mentioned after the death of Fiannamail ua Dúnchado in 700. It seems he took over from his brother, Ainbcellach, in 698. In 701, Selbach destroyed a place called Dún Olaigh. We don't know if this was part of a war against his brother, against another group called the Cenél nGabráin, or other enemies.
Many battles happened in Dál Riata during Selbach's time.
- In 704, they lost a battle in a place called Glen Lemnae.
- In 711, they won against the Britons at Lorg Ecclet.
- In 717, they won again at a rock called Minuirc.
Selbach himself is not named in these battle reports. In 712, Selbach attacked Aberte (Dunaverty), which was in the lands of the Cenél nGabráin. He also rebuilt Dún Olaigh in 714.
The Battle of Finnglen
In September 719, Selbach fought against his brother Ainbcellach at Finnglen, which might have been near Loch Fyne. Ainbcellach was killed in this battle.
Sea Battle and Victory
A month later, Selbach faced the Cenél nGabráin in a sea battle. Their king was Dúnchad Bec, who was also called the king of Cenn Tíre (Kintyre). This battle happened off Ard Nesbi. Selbach lost this battle. However, Dúnchad Bec died in 721. This might have left Selbach as the only king of Dál Riata that no one challenged.
Giving Up the Throne
In 723, Selbach gave up his throne and went to live in a monastery. At this time, one historian called him the lord of Dál Riata. His son, Dungal, probably became king after him. But Dungal was replaced by Eochaid mac Echdach in 726. Selbach was still involved in fighting in 727. He fought against the supporters of Eochaid at a place called Irros Foichnae.
See also
- List of legendary kings of Scotland
