The Kings of Ailech were the over-kings of the medieval Irish province of Ailech in north-western Ireland. It encompassed the territories of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill. After the battle of Cloítech in 789 its kings were exclusively from the Cenél nEógain. The royal fort for Ailech was the Grianan of Aileach,Seán Duffy (2014); "Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf", page 21. Gill & Macmillan. . a hillfort on top of Greenan Mountain in modern-day County Donegal, Ireland.
Early kings (5th–8th centuries) Earlier Kings of Cenél nEógain and Ailech included: Eógan mac Néill Noigallach (died 465) Muiredach mac Eógain (died c. 489) Muirchertach mac Muiredaig (died 534) Forggus mac Muirchertaig (died 566) Domnall Ilchelgach mac Muirchertaig (died 566) Báetán mac Muirchertaig (died 572) Eochaid mac Domnaill (died 572) Colcu mac Domnaill (died 580) Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin (died 604) Áed Uaridnach mac Domnaill (died 612) Suibne Menn mac Fiachnai (died 628) Máel Fithrich mac Áedo Uaridnach (died 630) Ernaine mac Fiachnai (died 636) Crundmáel mac Suibni Menn (died c. 660) Ferg mac Crundmaíl (died c. 668) Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich (died 681) Fland mac Máele Tuile (died 700) Urthuile mac Máele Tuile.
Kings between 700 and 1185 The following is a list of their Kings from 700 to 1197. Some were also High Kings of Ireland: Fergal mac Máele Dúin 700 – 11 December 722 Áed Allán mac Fergaile 722–743 Niall Frossach mac Fergaile 743–770 Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin 770–788 Áed Oirdnide mac Néill 788–819 Murchad mac Máele Dúin 819–823 Niall Caille mac Áeda 823–846 Máel Dúin mac Áeda 846–867 Áed Findliath mac Néill c. 855 – 20 November 879 Murchad mac Máele Dúin 879–887 Flaithbertach mac Murchado 887–896 Domnall mac Áeda 887–915 Niall Glúndub mac Áeda 896 – 15 September 919 Flaithbertach mac Domnaill 916–919 Fergal mac Domnaill 919–938 Muirchertach mac Néill 938 – 26 February 943 Domnall mac Muirchertaig ua Néill 943–980 Flaithbertach mac Muirchertaig meic Néill 943 Ruaidrí ua Canannáin 943–956 Flaithbertach mac Conchobair 956–962 Tadg mac Conchobair 956–962 Conn mac Conchobair 956–962 Murchad Glun re Lar mac Flaithbertaigh 962–972 Fergal mac Domnaill meic Conaing 980–989 (still styled as king of Aileach in his obituary in 1000) Áed mac Domnaill Ua Néill 989–1004 Flaithbertach Ua Néill 1004–1031 Áed mac Flaithbertaig Ua Néill 1031–1033 Flaithbertach Ua Néill (again) 1033–1036 Niall mac Máel Sechnaill 1036–1061 Ardgar mac Lochlainn 1061–1064 Áed Ua hUalgairg 1064–1067 Domnall mac Néill 1067–1068 Áed mac Néill 1068–1083 Donnchad mac Néill 1083–1083 Domnall Ua Lochlainn 1083 – 9 February 1121 Conchobar mac Domnaill 1121–1128 Magnus Ua Lochlainn 1128–1129 Conchobar mac Domnaill 1129–1136 Domhnall Mac Lochlainn 1136–1136 Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1136–1143 Domnall Ua Gairmledaig 1143–1145 Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn (again) 1145–1166 Conchobar mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn 1166–1167 Niall Mac Lochlainn 1167–1176 Aed In Macaem Toinlesc Ua Neill 1167–1177 Mael Sechlainn mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn 1177–1185 Domhnall Mac Aedh Mac Lochlainn 1185–1186 Ruaidhri Ua Flaithbheartaigh 1186–1187 Domhnall Mac Aedh Mac Lochlainn (again) 1187–1188 Muirchertach Mac Muirchertaigh Mac Lochlainn 1188–1196 Flaithbheartach Ua Maol Doraidh 1196–1197
Kings post-1185 From 1185, the Cenél nEógain ruled as Kings of Tír Eógain.
The last to actually be styled King of Ailech was Áed Buide Ua Néill (died 1283).
See also List of Irish kings Irish royal families
References
Sources "Cenel nEogain Kings of Ailech 700–1185", pages 194–195 in A New History of Ireland, volume IX, ed. Byrne, Martin, Moody, 1984. T. M. Charles-Edwards; Early Christian Ireland. Francis J.Byrne; Irish Kings and High-Kings.
External links Grianan of Aileach Visitor Centre