Fiachnae mac Báetáin

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Fiachnae mac Báetáin, also called Fiachnae Lurgan or Fiachnae Find, was king of the Dál nAraidi and high-king of the Ulaid in the early 7th century. He was a son of Báetán mac Echdach and brother of Fiachra Cáech (died c. 608).^[1]

The Dál nAraidi kingdom was, in fact, a number of competing cruithne tribes at this time, so that succession to the kingship was achieved through force of arms and prestige, rather than by any regular means. Fiachnae's predecessor according to the genealogies was his great-uncle Áed Dub mac Suibni, who died c. 588, and Fiachnae will have become king some time after Áed Dub's death. The kingship of the Ulaid was contested by Dál nAraidi and Dál Fiatach kings, so that Fiachnae will again not have succeeded directly to the kingship, but have required some time to impose himself as high-king after the death of his predecessor, again Áed Dub.^[2]

While no historical sources for Fiachnae's life now remain, excepting a few bald entries in the Irish annals, a number of later traditions and a lost poem called Sluagad Fiachnae meic Báetáin co Dún nGuaire i Saxanaib (The hosting of Fiachnae mac Báetáin to Dún Guaire (Bamburgh) in the kingdom of the Saxons) suggest that he was a significant figure in his time, campaigning against Edwin of Deira, and perhaps against Edwin's predecessor Æthelfrith of Bernicia. He may have captured Bamburgh - or only besieged it - circa 623.^[3]

Literary sources claim that Fiachnae's mother, who is said to have come from the Dál Fiatach, conceived him as a means of revenge against her husband. Báetán did not like the child, and once set a ferocious dog on him, which Fiachnae killed by spearing it through the heart with a meat-spit.^[4]

The 8th century saga Compert Mongáin, which recounts the deeds of a half legendary son Mongán mac Fiachnai, fathered on Fiachnnae's wife by the sea-god Manannán mac Lir, while Fiachnae campaigned alongside Áedán mac Gabráin of Dál Riata. Mongán was killed in c. 625, in battle against the Britons of the kingdom of Strathclyde.^[5] It may be that Fiachnae was, in fact, High-king of Ireland for some time, if he is to be identified with the Féachno who followed Diermait (presumed to be Diarmait mac Cerbaill) in the Baile Chuind list.^[6]

The Middle Irish language tale Fiachna mac Báetáin 7 Ríge Alban (Fiachnae mac Báetáin and the Kingship of Scotland) recounts how Fiachnae obtained the kingship of Scotland. The tale includes supernatural features and common literary tropes.

Fiachnae was killed at the battle of Leithet Midind, defeated by Fiachnae mac Demmáin of the Dál Fiatach in 626. His son Mongán had predeceased him, and a second son, Scandal Sciathlethan, father of Congal Cáech, may have done so, but a third son, Eochaid Iarlaithe, died around 666.^[7]

[edit] Notes

^ Byrne, p.287
^ Byrne, pp. 106–112 & 287.
^ Byrne, p. 112;Ó Cróinín, pp 51–52.
^ MacKillop, pp. 218–219.
^ Byrne, p. 112
^ Byrne, pp. 112 & 276–277.
^ Byrne, pp. 111 & 287.

[edit] References

Byrne, Francis John, Irish Kings and High-Kings. Batsford, London, 1973. ISBN 0-7134-5882-8
MacKillop, James, The Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford U.P., Oxford, 1998. ISBN 0-19-860967-1
Ó Cróinín, Dáibhí, Early Medieval Ireland: 400–1200. Longman, London, 1995. ISBN 0-582-01565-0