Fedelmid mac Crimthainn | |
---|---|
King of Munster | |
Reign | 820-846 |
Predecessor | Tnúthgal mac Donngaile |
Successor | Ólchobar mac Cináeda |
Died | 847 |
Fedelmid mac Crimthainn was the King of Munster between 820 and 846. He was numbered as a member of the Céli Dé, an abbot of Cork Abbey and Clonfert Abbey, and possibly a bishop. After his death, he was later considered a saint in some martyrologies.
Fedelmid was of the Cenél Fíngin sept of the Eóganacht Chaisil branch of the Eóganachta, and he is noted as having assumed the sovereignty of Munster in 820. In 823, in co-operation with Bishop Artrí mac Conchobar of Armagh, he had the "Law of St. Patrick" established in Munster", and sacked the monastery, that of Gailline of the Britons, in modern County Offaly. The Dealbhna Breatha was burnt by Fedelmid in 825. In 827, there is the first of a number of royal meetings between Fedelmid and Conchobar mac Donnchada, the Southern Uí Néill, King of Tara or High King of Ireland.
In 830, Fedelmid was back burning monasteries this time it was probably that of Fore Abbey in modern County Westmeath, while in Southern Galway, he destroyed the Uí Briúin, and in the same year, the Munstermen were recorded as killing Folloman, son of Donnchad, brother of Conchobhar, the High King of Ireland. In 831 and 832, he is recorded as taking an army of Leinster and Munster into East Meath, plundering as far north as Slane, while also raiding the Dealbhna Beatha of southern Offaly three times, and burning Clonmacnoise. In 833, he is back in Clonmacnoise burning it and the Clann Cholmáin monastery of Durrow to the door of their churches. In 835, the Munstermen are recorded as having slain Fergus, son of Bodbchad, the King of Carraic-Brachaidhe, from the very north-west of country, Inishowen.