Coirpre mac Néill (abt. 429 - aft. 501)

Born about 0429 in Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died after 0501 after about age 72 in Ireland

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Southern O' Neill

Biography

He was the son of Niall Noigiallach Eochaid and possibly Rignach Ingen Meadaib. He passed away some time after 0501.

The King-list of Tara from Baile Chuind includes Corpre but not in later lists.^[1] This may be due to his infighting with St. Patrick. Coirpre refused to be baptized by St. Patrick.^[2] He had tried to murder him and Coirpre's descendants were cursed.^[3]

Research Notes

The following is taken from Chronicon Scotorum at CELT

CS 491 The battle of Taillten was gained over the Lagenians by Coirpre, son of Niall.

CS 492 The second battle of Graine, in which fell Fraech, son of Finnchadh, King of Southern Leinster. Eochaidh, son of Coirpre, was the victor.

Kal 494 The battle of Slemhain of Meath gained over the Lagenians by Coirpre, son of Niall.

496 The battle of Cenn Ailbhe gained over the Lagenians by Coirpre, son of Niall^[4]

Kal 524 The battle of Luachair gained by Coirpre over the Uibh Neill

Kal 544 Tuathal Maelgarbh, son of Cormac Caech, son of Coirpre, son of Niall, King of Temhair, died from a wound inflicted by Maelmor Ua Machí, who also was forthwith slain himself. Hence is said "the feat of Maelmor".

The following is taken from The Annals of Ulster at CELT

U485.1 The first battle of Granairet. Coirpre, son of Niall Naígiallach, was victor, and Finnchad fell; or, Mac Erca was victor, as others state.

U495.1 The second battle of Granairet, in which fell Fraech son of Finnchad son of Gairchú son of Fothad son of Eochu Lámhdóid son of Mess Corb, king of Laigin. Eochu, son of Coirpre—i.e. Eochu son of Coirpre son of Ailill son of Dúnlang son of Énna Niad—was victor.

U497.4 Or here, the second battle of Granairet, in which Fraech son of Finnchad, king of Laigin Desgabhair, fell. Eochu, son of Coirpre, was victor.

The following is taken from Annals of the Four Masters at CELT note the spelling Cairbre

M489.4 The battle of Tailtin against the Leinstermen, by Cairbre, son of Niall.

M492.2 The battle of Sleamhain, in Meath was fought by Cairbre, son of Niall, against the Leinstermen.

M494.2 The battle of Ceann Ailbhe by Cairbre, son of Niall, against the Leinstermen.

M489.4 The battle of Tailtin against the Leinstermen, by Cairbre, son of Niall.

M492.2 The battle of Sleamhain, in Meath was fought by Cairbre, son of Niall, against the Leinstermen.

M494.2 The battle of Ceann Ailbhe by Cairbre, son of Niall, against the Leinstermen.

M528.1 The first year of Tuathal Maelgarbh, son of Cormac Caech, son of Cairbre, son of Niall, in the sovereignty of Ireland.

M538.1 After Tuathal Maelgarbh, son of Cormac Caech, son of Cairbre, son of Niall, had been eleven years in the sovereignty of Ireland, he was slain, at Greallach Eillte, by Maelmor, son of Airgeadan, who was the tutor of Diarmaid mac Cearbhaill; and Maelmor fell in revenge of it thereof immediately

The following is taken from The Annals of Tigernach at CELT

T494.1 The battle of Tailtiu gained over Leinster by Cairbre son of Niall.

T495.1 The second battle of Grane, wherein Fraech son of Fidchadh, king of South Leinster, fell by Eochaidh, son of Cairbre. Eochaidh was victor.

T497.2 The battle of Sleamain in Meath won over Leinster by Cairbre mac Neill.

T499.2 The battle of Cenn Ailbe gained over Leinster by Cairbre son of Niall.

Tuathal Maol Garbh, son of Cormac Caoch, son of Cairbre, son of Niall Naoighiallach, of the race of Eireahmon, held the sovereignty of Ireland thirteen years.^[5]

Rawlinson B502^[6] GENELACH CAIRPRI MÓIR. 993 Uallgarg m. Máel Ruanaid m. Máel Fábaill m. Ciardai m. Máel Bennachtai m. Écneicháin m. Dúnchada m. Arttgaile m. Donngaile m. Loingsich m. Lóegaire m. Con Gamna m. Moínaich m. Fiangusa m. Congaile m. Máel Dúin m. Scandláin m. Roitich m. Ainmerech m. Cormaicc m. Cairpri m. Néill Noígiallaig.

Sources

1. ↑ Irish Kings and High-Kings by F.J. Byrne 1973,2001 pg. 91
2. ↑ On the Life of St. Patrick Author unknown pg.29
3. ↑ Irish Kings and High-Kings by F.J. Byrne 1973,2001 pg. 90
4. ↑ Chronicon Scotorum CS496 at CELT
5. ↑ The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating Section 6 pg. 52
6. ↑ Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502 - CELT

• DICTIONARY OF IRISH BIOGRAPHY - Cairpre
• Coirpre mac Néill (Wikipedia)
• Irish Kings and High-Kings by F.J. Byrne 1973,2001 pgs. 81, 90-91, 94, 244, 280
• Genealogical tables of medieval Irish royal dynasties by Bart Jaski Table-6, 16 Early Irish Kingship Succession by Jaski Bart, Published by Four Courts Press, 2013, ISBN 10: 1846824265 ISBN 13: 9781846824265