Ciannachta

The Ciannachta were a population group of early historic Ireland. They claimed descent from the legendary figure Tadc mac Céin. They first appear in historical sources in the 6th century, and were found in several parts of the island, including in Brega and Tír Eoghain. The Ciannachta groups were absorbed over time.

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 Aulomm. 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. 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. However, the battle of Imblech Pich (Emlach, near Kells) in 688 was 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 from this point on were referred to as Ard Ciannachta, reflecting their loss of territory in south-east Brega.

In 742 the Síl nÁedo Sláine king of North Brega, Conaing mac Amalgada, 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.

Byrne remarks:

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