Aodh an Macaoimh Tóinleasg
| Áed in Macáem Tóinlesc | |
|---|---|
| King of Tír Eogain | |
| Reign | c. 1167–77 [with opposition] c. 1170–74 [supreme] |
| Successor | Máel Sechlainn Mac Lochlainn / Áed Méith |
| Died | 1177 |
| Issue | Áed Méith, Niall Ruad |
| Middle Irish | Áed mac Muirchertaig, "in Macáem Tóinlesc" |
| Modern Irish | Aodh mac Muircheartaigh, "an Macaoimh Tóinleasg" |
Áed in Macáem Tóinlesc or Aodh an Macaoimh Tóinleasg (died 1177) was a 12th-century ruler of Tulach Óc and Tír Eogain. He was the first of his family to play a significant role in the high politics of northern Ireland, following the death of the Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn king of Tír Eogain and high king of Ireland.
With the help of Donnchad Ua Cerbaill, king of Airgíalla, Áed was able to become king of Tír Eogain himself, though for much of the time he was forced to share the position with a Meic Lochlainn. Áed secured his hold on kingship partly by submitting to the Connacht high king Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair. As one of the latter's chief vassals, he was involved in the early stages of resistance to the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
Áed is alleged to have been the son of a noble named Muirchertach, claimed in the 13th century to be a member of the Ua Néill family, who disappeared in the late 11th century. Áed is said to have been fostered among the Uí Thuirtre kindred, an Airgíallan group to the north of Lough Neagh. The 16th-century Leabhar Eoghanach said that he was fostered by the Ua Flainn (O'Lynn) chief of Uí Thuirtre, but there are signs that it may have been with the Ua hUrthuile (O'Hurley), a more junior Uí Thuirtre nobleman.
In 1160, Muirchertach was killed at the battle of Magh Lughad (Maloon, near Cookstown), allegedly struck down "innocently" [Annals of Ulster] by Lochlann Mac Lochlainn, kinsman of the king of Tir Eogain and high king of Ireland Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn. Lochlann Mac Lochlann was putting down a rebellion by Domnall Ua Gairmledaigh (O'Gormely) and the Cenél Móen (or Cineál Múáin), a group living to the south of modern Strabane. It was in revenge for this that a son of the slain Muirchertach—either Áed himself or a brother—killed Lochlann Mac Lochlainn.
...
Wikipedia