Aidhne

Aidhne also known as, Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne, Maigh Aidhne / Maigh nAidhne ('Plain (of) Aidhne') was the territory of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a tuath (tribal kingdom) located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. Aidhne is coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh. The territory of Aidhne is bounded on the west by Loch Lurgain (Galway Bay) and the barony of Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster. County Clare also bounds Aidhne on its south and south-east side. Aidhne is bounded on the east by the low mountains of Sliabh Echtghe / Slieve Aughty, which separate Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne from the territory of Uí Mhaine in eastern County Galway. On the north-east Aidhne is bounded by the plains of Uí Mhaine and on the north by Maigh Mucruimhe (the area around Athenry). On the north-west Aidhne is bounded by the parish of Meadhraighe / Maree (Ballynacourty) which is in the territory of Uí Bhriúin Seola.

In placename lore the kingdom took its name from the mythological Aidhne, one of the ten daughters of Partholon by his first wife, Topha. Aidhne was married to Breac.

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Uí Fiachrach

The Uí Fiachrach (Irish pronunciation: [iː ˈfʲiəxrəx]) were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the coicead or fifth of Connacht (a western province of Ireland) at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. They claimed descent from Fiachrae, an older half-brother of Niall Noigiallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages. Fiachrae and his two full brothers, Brion and Ailill, were the collective ancestors of the Connachta dynasty that eventually became the new name of the province. Their mother was Mongfind.

History

The other two dynasties within the Connachta were the Uí Briúin – descendants of Brion – and the Uí nAilello – descendants of Ailill. The latter sank into obscurity at an early stage but both the Uí Fiachrach and Ui Briuin and their many sub-septs featured prominently in the history of Connacht for one thousand years. In the 12th century, an Ui Briuin descendant, Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, became High King of Ireland.

The Uí Fiachrach separated into two distinct branches, situated widely apart from each other. The Ui Fiachrach Aidhne settled in the kingdom of Aidhne and established themselves as its new ruling dynasty. The Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe were based along the River Moy in what is now part of County Mayo and County Sligo. It appears that they once constituted a single overkingdom, and ruled or took tribute from the older tribes and nations situated between Aidhne and Muaide, but lost their grip on power by the early 8th century leaving them confined to their own strict territory.

Uí Fiachrach Aidhne

Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne (also known as Hy Fiachrach) was a kingdom located in what is now the south of County Galway.

Legendary origins and geography

Originally known as Aidhne, it was said to have been settled by the mythical Fir Bolg. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's Leabhar na nGenealach states that the Tuath mhac nUmhoir were led by leader Conall Caol, son of Aonghus mac Úmhór. Connall was killed at the Battle of Maigh Mucruimhe in 195, and his body brought back to Aidhne where it was interred at a leacht called Carn Connell (itself the site of a major battle some centuries later).

Located in the south of what is now County Galway, Aidhne was coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh. It was bounded on the west by Loch Lurgain (Galway Bay) and the district of Burren in County Clare. County Clare also bounds Aidhne on its south and south-east side. Aidhne is bounded on the east by the low mountains of Slieve Aughty, which separated Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne from Uí Maine.

Seachnasach mac Donnchadh

Seachnasach mac Donnchadh, ancestor to the family of O'Shaughnessy, fl. 10th century.

Seachnasach was a member of the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne dynasty, formerly Kings of Connacht. By the tenth century their power had been reduced to Aidhne, a small kingdom in what is now south County Galway. Seachnasach was a seventeen-time great-grandson of Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin, one of the dynastys most notable rulers. He was a kinsman of other Uí Fiachrach dynasts such as Giolla Ceallaigh mac Comhaltan, Scannlán mac Fearghal, Eidhean mac Cléireach, and Cathal mac Ógán, all of whom would have descendants who derived their surname from them.

Pedigree

Descendants