Ciannachta, Ireland
The Ciannachta were a population group of early historic Ireland. They claimed descent from the legendary figure Tadc mac Céin. Modern research indicates Saint Cianán and his followers may have been the origin behind the tribal name as it is a late construction similar in form to Eóganachta and Connachta. They first appear in historical sources in the 6th century, and were found in several parts
The Ciannachta claimed descend from Tadc mac Céin, a member of "the possibly legendary early Munster dynasty, who was said to be a grandson of Ailill Aulom. Tadc was also the putative ancestor of Luigni and Gailenga—peoples which were located in a number of centres in the midlands and the west of Ireland". The acquisition, by Tadc, of the territory held by his descendants in Brega is related in the possibly late-9th-century saga, Cath Crinna.
The fortunes of the historical Ciannachta can to an extent be traced via the Irish annals.Ciannachta Breg occupied the coastal area between Annagassan and Dublin. They are first recorded sub anno 535 when they were defeated in battle at Luachair Mór (between the rivers Nanny and Boyne), near Duleek, by Túathal Máelgarb.
The Ciannachta claimed descend from Tadc mac Céin, a member of "the possibly legendary early Munster dynasty, who was said to be a grandson of Ailill Aulom. Tadc was also the putative ancestor of Luigni and Gailenga—peoples which were located in a number of centres in the midlands and the west of Ireland". The acquisition, by Tadc, of the territory held by his descendants in Brega is related in the possibly late-9th-century saga, Cath Crinna.
The fortunes of the historical Ciannachta can to an extent be traced via the Irish annals.Ciannachta Breg occupied the coastal area between Annagassan and Dublin. They are first recorded sub anno 535 when they were defeated in battle at Luachair Mór (between the rivers Nanny and Boyne), near Duleek, by Túathal Máelgarb.
The Ciannachta kept their independence into the 9th century. A devastating seaborne attack by Ecgfrith of Northumbria in June 684, which resulted in the seizing of a large number of slaves and the sacking of many churches and monasteries in Brega, was followed in 688 by the battle of Imblech Pich (Emlach, near Kells) an important defeat, inflicted upon them by King Niall mac Cernaigh, king of Brega. After this, they lost their independence south of the Boyne and north of the Nanny Water, and from this point on were referred to as Ard Ciannachta, reflecting their loss of territory in south-east Brega.
The area taken over became important to the Síl nÁedo Sláine and included both Duleek and the place called Cerne, Cernae or Cerna, noted as the principal burial site for the men of east Midhe and Brega (Cernoi nominatur, al. Cernai .i. coernia daig is ann atá primreilec Airthir Midi ocus Breag), near to the townlands of Carnes. This included both síd Cerna and Cnoc Cerna, the hill of Cerna, noted in the Metrical Dindshenchus as holding the bodies of the sons and grandsons of Áed Slaine. These were located at the western end of Bellewstown ridge to the south of Duleek close to the famous Lia Ailbhe, the standing stone described as 'the chief monument of Brega' (príomh-dindgnai Maighi Bregh) in 999, when it fell and was made into four millstones by Máelaschlainn the high king".
In 742 the Síl nÁedo Sláine king of North Brega, Conaing mac Amalgado, began using the title king of Ciannachta, the first of seven North Brega kings to do so. In time, the Uí Chonaing conquered and assimilated it into Brega, while retaining use of the title for themselves.
Following the death of Cellach (786), the indigenous Ciannachta never again attained the kingship of their own territory and their political ambitions seem to have been entirely focused on the kingdom of Fir Arda Ciannachta ... The political eclipse of Ciannachta Breg from mid-8th century onwards may have resulted in members of that dynasty transferring their ambitions to the ecclesiastical sphere where one of their kindred, Conmael ua Loichene, took the abbacy of the same church [ Monasterboice ] in 733. Another member of the Ciannachta Breg, Ioseph ua Cernae, acceded to the abbacy of the same church in 790 ... Flann Mainistrech ... who died in 1056 is name in the Ciannachta Breg pedigree, as is his son, Echthigern ... who died in 1067. of the island, including in Brega and Airgialla. The Ciannachta groups were absorbed over time.
The area taken over became important to the Síl nÁedo Sláine and included both Duleek and the place called Cerne, Cernae or Cerna, noted as the principal burial site for the men of east Midhe and Brega (Cernoi nominatur, al. Cernai .i. coernia daig is ann atá primreilec Airthir Midi ocus Breag), near to the townlands of Carnes. This included both síd Cerna and Cnoc Cerna, the hill of Cerna, noted in the Metrical Dindshenchus as holding the bodies of the sons and grandsons of Áed Slaine. These were located at the western end of Bellewstown ridge to the south of Duleek close to the famous Lia Ailbhe, the standing stone described as 'the chief monument of Brega' (príomh-dindgnai Maighi Bregh) in 999, when it fell and was made into four millstones by Máelaschlainn the high king".
In 742 the Síl nÁedo Sláine king of North Brega, Conaing mac Amalgado, began using the title king of Ciannachta, the first of seven North Brega kings to do so. In time, the Uí Chonaing conquered and assimilated it into Brega, while retaining use of the title for themselves.
Following the death of Cellach (786), the indigenous Ciannachta never again attained the kingship of their own territory and their political ambitions seem to have been entirely focused on the kingdom of Fir Arda Ciannachta ... The political eclipse of Ciannachta Breg from mid-8th century onwards may have resulted in members of that dynasty transferring their ambitions to the ecclesiastical sphere where one of their kindred, Conmael ua Loichene, took the abbacy of the same church [ Monasterboice ] in 733. Another member of the Ciannachta Breg, Ioseph ua Cernae, acceded to the abbacy of the same church in 790 ... Flann Mainistrech ... who died in 1056 is name in the Ciannachta Breg pedigree, as is his son, Echthigern ... who died in 1067. of the island, including in Brega and Airgialla. The Ciannachta groups were absorbed over time.
