The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the cóiced (variously translated as portion, fifth, province) of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named after the Connachta.
The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht (the fifth of the Ol nEchmacht). Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD does in fact list a people called the Nagnatae as living in the west of Ireland. Some are of the opinion that Ptolemy's Map of Ireland may be based on cartography carried out as much as five hundred years before his time.
The Connachta were a group of dynasties who claimed descent from the three eldest sons of Eochaid Mugmedon: Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae. They took their collective name from their alleged descent from Conn Cétchathach. Their younger brother, Niall Noigiallach was ancestor to the Uí Néill.
The following is a list of kings of Connacht from the fifth to fifteenth centuries.
Prehistoric kings of Ol nEchmacht Genann Conrac Cas Eochaid Feidlech Eochaidh Allat Tinni mac Conri Medb, Queen of Connacht Medb and Ailill mac Máta Maine Aithreamhail mac Ailill Máta Sanbh Sithcheann mac Ceat mac Magha Cairbre mac Maine Aithreamhail Eochaidh Fionn Aodh mac Cu Odhar Eochaidh mac Cairbre Aonghus Fionn mac Domhnall Cormac Ulfhada Aonghus Feirt mac Aonghus Fionn Connall Cruchain mac Aonghus Feirt Fearadach mac Connal Cruchain Forghus Fiansa Forghus Fiansa and Art mac Conn Ceidghin Cruchain mac Connall Cruchain Aodh mac Eochaidh Aodh Alainn mac Eochaidh Baicidh Nia Mór mac Lughna Lughaidh mac Lughna Fear Tri Aodh Caomh mac Garadh Glundubh Coinne mac Fear Tri Muireadh Tireach mac Fiachra Sraibrintne Eochaid Mugmedon Niall Noigiallach/Niall of the Nine Hostages, died c. 450/455
List of historical kings
Uí Fiachrach, 406–482
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Amalgaid mac Fiachrae 406–440 Son of Fiachrae 440 Nath Í mac Fiachrach 440–445 Son of Fiachrae 445 Ailill Molt 445–482 Son of Nath Í mac Fiachrach 482
Uí Briúin, 482–500
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Dauí Tenga Uma 482–500 Son of Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin 500
Uí Fiachrach, 500–549 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Eógan Bél 500–542 Son of Cellaig, the son of Ailill Molt 542 Ailill Inbanda 542–549 Son of Eógan Bél 549
Uí Briúin, 549–600 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Echu Tirmcharna 549–556 Son of Fergus mac Muireadach 556 Áed mac Echach 556–575 Son of Echu Tirmcharna 575 Uatu mac Áedo 575–600 Son of Áed mac Echach 600
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, 600–622
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Colmán mac Cobthaig 600–622 Son of Cobthach mac Gabran 622
Uí Briúin, 622–649 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Rogallach mac Uatach 622–649 Son of Uatu mac Áedo 649
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, 649–663 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Loingsech mac Colmáin 649–655 Son of Colmán mac Cobthaig 655 Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin 655–663 Son of Colmán mac Cobthaig 663
Uí Briúin Seóla, 663–682
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Cenn Fáelad mac Colgan 663–682 Son of Colga mac Aodha 682
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 682–683
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Dúnchad Muirisci 682–683 Son of Tipraite mac Máel Dubh 683
Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, 683–696 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage DeathFergal Aidne mac Artgaile 683–696 Son of Artgal mac Guaire 696
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 696–702
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Muiredach Muillethan 696–702 Son of Fergus mac Rogallaig 702
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 702–705 KingClan septReignCellach mac Rogallach mac Uatach Uí Briúin 702–705
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 705–707 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Indrechtach mac Dúnchado 705–707 Son of Dúnchad Muirisci 707
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 707–723 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Indrechtach mac Muiredaig 707–723 Son of Muiredach Muillethan 723
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 723–728 KingClan septReignDomnall mac Cellaig mac Rogallach Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig 723–728
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 728–735
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Cathal mac Muiredaig 728–735 Son of Muiredach Muillethan 735
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 735–742 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Áed Balb mac Indrechtaig 735–742 Son of Indrechtach mac Muiredaig 742
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 742–756 KingClan septReignForggus mac Cellaig Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig 742–756
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 756–764 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Ailill Medraige mac Indrechtaig 756–764 Son of Indrechtach mac Dúnchado 764
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 764–768 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Dub-Indrecht mac Cathail 764–768 Son of Cathal mac Muiredaig 768
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, 768–773 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Donn Cothaid mac Cathail 768–773 Son of Cathal mac Ailill Medraige 773
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 773–777 KingClan septReignFlaithrí mac Domnaill Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig 773–777
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 777–782 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Artgal mac Cathail 777–782 Son of Cathal mac Muiredaig 782
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 782–786 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Tipraite mac Taidg 782–786 Son of Tadhg mac Indrechtach 786
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 786–792 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Cináed mac Artgail 786–792 Son of Artgal mac Cathail 792
Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig, 792–796 KingClan septReignColla mac Fergusso Uí Briúin Síl Cellaig 792–796
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 796–839 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Muirgius mac Tommaltach 796–815 Son of Tommaltach mac Murgail 815 Diarmait mac Tommaltaig 815–833 Son of Tommaltach mac Murgail 833 Cathal mac Muirgiussa 833–839 Son of Muirgius mac Tommaltaig 839
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 839–843 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Murchad mac Áedo 839–840 Son of Aedh mac Fogartach 840 Fergus mac Fothaid 840–843 Son of Fothaid mac Dub-Indrecht 843
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 843–848 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Finsnechta mac Tommaltaig 843–848 Son of Tommaltach mac Murgail 848
Uí Briúin Síl Cathail, 848–872 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Mugron mac Máel Cothaid 848–872 Son of Máel Cothaid mac Fogartaig 872
Uí Briúin Síl Muiredaig, 872–956 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Conchobar mac Taidg Mór 872–882 Son of Tadhg Mór mac Muirgius 882 Áed mac Conchobair 882–888 Son of Conchobar mac Taidg Mór 888 Tadg mac Conchobair 888–900 Son of Conchobar mac Taidg Mór 900 Cathal mac Conchobair 900–925 Son of Conchobar mac Taidg Mór 925 Tadg mac Cathail 925–956 Son of Cathal mac Conchobair 956
Ó Ruairc, 956–967
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Fergal Ua Ruairc 956–967 Son of Art mac Ruarc 967
Ó Conchobhair, 967–1030
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Conchobar mac Tadg 967–973 Son of Tadg mac Cathail 973 Cathal mac Tadg 973 Son of Tadg mac Cathail 973 Cathal mac Conchobar mac Taidg 973–1010 Son of Conchobar mac Tadg 1010 Tadg in Eich Gil 1010–1030 Son of Cathal mac Conchobar mac Taidg 1030
Ó Ruairc, 1030–1046 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Art Uallach Ua Ruairc 1030–1046 Son of Aedh mac Fergal 1046
Ó Conchobhair, 1046–1067 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Áed in Gai Bernaig 1046–1067 Son of Tadg in Eich Gil 1067
Ó Ruairc, 1067–1087 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Áed Ua Ruairc 1067–1087 Son of Art Uallach mac Aedh 1087
Ó Conchobhair, 1087–1092 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Ruaidrí na Saide Buide 1087–1092 Son of Áed in Gai Bernaig 1092
Ó Flaithbheartaigh, 1092–1095 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh 1092–1095 Son of Mac meic Aedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh 1098
Ó Conchobhair, 1092–1097 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Tadg mac Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair 1092–1097 Son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide and Mór Ní Briain 1097
Ó Ruairc, 1097–1102 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Domnall Ua Ruairc 1097–1102 Son of Tigernán mac Ualgharg 1102
Ó Conchobhair, 1102–1280 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Domnall Ua Conchobair 1102–1106 Son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide and Mór Ní Briain 1106 Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair 1106–1156 Son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide and Mór Ní Briain 1156 Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair 1156–1186 Son of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair 1198 Conchobar Máenmaige Ua Conchobhair 1186–1189 Son of Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair 1189 Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobhair 1190–1202 Son of Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair 1202 Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1202–1224 Son of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair 1224 Aedh Ua Conchobair 1224–1228 Son of Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1228 Aedh mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair 1228–1233 Son of Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair 1233 Felim mac Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1233–1265 Son of Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1265 Aedh mac Felim Ó Conchobair 1265–1274 Son of Felim Ua Conchobair 1274 Aedh Muimhnech Ó Conchobair 1274–1280 Son of Felim Ua Conchobair 1280
Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair, 1280–1293
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Cathal Ó Conchobair 1280–1288; 1293 Son of Conchobair Ruadh mac Muirchertaig Ó Conchobair 1293 Maghnus Ó Conchobair 1288–1293 Son of Conchobair Ruadh mac Muirchertaig Ó Conchobair 1293
Ó Conchobhair, 1293–1309 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Aedh Ó Conchobair 1293–1309 Son of Eoghan mac Ruaidri Ó Conchobair 1309
Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair, 1309–1310 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Ruaidri Ó Conchobair 1309–1310 Son of Cathal Ó Conchobair 1310
Ó Conchubhair Ruadh, 1310–1317 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Fedlim Ó Conchobair 1310–1316 Son of Aedh Ó Conchobair 1316
Ó Conchobhair, 1316–1317 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Ruaidri na bhFeadh Ó Conchobair 1316–1317 Son of Donnchadh mac Eoghan Ó Conchobair unknown
Ó Conchubhair Donn, 1317–1350
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Toirdelbach Ó Conchobair 1317–13181324–1350 Son of Aedh Ó Conchobair 1350 Aedh mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair 1324 Son of Toirdelbach Ó Conchobair 1345
Ó Conchobhair Sligigh, 1318–1324
Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Cathal mac Domhnall Ó Conchobair 1318–1324 Son of Domnall mac Tadg Ó Conchobair 1324
Muircheartaigh Uí Conchobhair, 1342–1350 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Aedh mac Aedh Breifneach Ó Conchobair 1342–1350 Son of Aedh Breifneach mac Cathal Ó Conchobair 1350
Ó Conchubhair Donn, 1368–1474 Name Reign Clan Arms Parentage Death Ruaidri mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair 1368–1384 Son of Toirdelbach Ó Conchobair 1384 Toirdhealbhach Óg Donn Ó Conchobair 1384–1406 Son of Aedh mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair 9 December 1406 Cathal mac Ruaidri Ó Conchobair 1406–1439 Son of Ruaidri mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair 19 March 1439 Aedh mac Tairdelbach Óg Ó Conchobair 1439–1461 Son of Toirdhealbhach Óg Donn Ó Conchobair 15 May 1461 Fedlim Geancach Ó Conchobair 1461–1474 Son of Toirdhealbhach Óg Donn Ó Conchobair 1474
See also List of High Kings of Ireland List of kings of Ulster List of kings of Leinster List of kings of Munster List of kings of Mide
Sources
Annals of the Four Masters, 1990 edition. The Annals of Connacht, A. Martin Freeman, 1944. Irish Kings and High Kings, Francis John Byrne, 1973. Leabhar Mor Genealach, Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, ed. O'Muralie, 2004.
External links Ó Conchobair and Burke at The Irish Story A Poem on the Kings of Connacht