Uí Enechglaiss


The Ui Enechglaiss were a dynasty attested in 5th-century Ireland, who provided some of the early kings of Laigin.

Background

The dynasty were initially based on the plains of Kildare around Naas, but were forced east over the Wicklow Mountains by the invasions and conquests by the Uí Néill in the first half of the 6th century. An ogham stone from south of Slane in County Meath points to a connection with that area. They became a politically unimportant people, situated between the Dal Messin Corb and the Ui Dega, on the coast of County Wicklow, based around Arklow. In the 11th century, their rulers adopted the surname Ua Fiachraige, now rendered as O'Fieghraie, O'Feary and Feary.

Heartland

Devane believes that "the heartland of Ui Enechglaiss in Carbury, Co. Kildare, before dislocation either by Coirpre, son of Niall, or by his sons in the late 5th/early 6th century." She goes on to state that, by inference of the sources, "the Dál Messin Corb was, in fact, dominant in north Leinster in the 5th century and was to the fore in the defence of the province against Coirpre and Ui Neill. This view is supported by the 'Vita Tripartia', in which Saint Patrick, or more likely Palladius, encountered members of the Uí Garrchon soon after his arrival in Ireland. The meeting took place in the vicinity of Naas, which is situated in Mag Liphi, then heartland of political power in north Leinster."

Notables

, who was killed at the battle of Fremen in 446, was King of Leinster and one of the earliest historically attested Irish kings.
The poet Dubhthach moccu Lughair was a native of Gorey, though he lived some sixty years prior to the dynasty's removal to the area.

Septs

A number of septs of the Ui Enechglais were the following:
Ui Enechglais
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Cathair mar
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Bressal Enechglas
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Finchad Emmal Nath I Daurthecht Nannaid

Ua/O Feary genealogy

Dicuill mac Eogan m. Berach m. Muiredach m. Amlagaid m. Nath I m. Bressal Enechglas
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Mael Doborchon
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Tuaimmin Cu Dobur
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Dungalach Conmael
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Dunlang Dub da Leithe
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Dunchad Rudgus
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Fiachra Dungalach
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Cathal Cinaed
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Cinaed, died 917
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Finsnechta
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Fiachra, fl. 984, a quo Ua/O Fiachraige
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Dunlang
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Gilla Coemgin
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Cu Mara
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Gilla Coemgin