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Kings of Connacht

Kings of Connacht
Rí Chonnacht
Kingdom of Connacht-900.svg
Map of Connacht, c. 10th century.
Details
Style Rí Chonnacht
First monarch Genann
Last monarch Feidhlimidh Geangcach Ó Conchobair
Formation Ancient
Abolition 1474
Residence Rathcroghan
Carnfree
Appointer Tanistry
Pretender(s) Desmond O'Conor Don
(Ó Conchubhair Donn)

The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the cóiced (variously translated as portion, fifth, province) of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named after the Connachta.

The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht (the fifth of the Ol nEchmacht). Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD does in fact list a people called the Nagnatae as living in the west of Ireland. Some are of the opinion that Ptolemy's Map of Ireland may be based on cartography carried out as much as five hundred years before his time.

The Connachta were a group of dynasties who claimed descent from the three eldest sons of Eochaid Mugmedon: Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae. They took their collective name from their alleged descent from Conn Cétchathach. Their younger brother, Niall Noigiallach was ancestor to the Uí Néill.

The following is a list of kings of Connacht from the fifth to fifteenth centuries.


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Wikipedia

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