Conaing Bececlach

Conaing Begeclach was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, joint High King of Ireland with his brother or half-brother Eochu Fíadmuine. They took power after killing the previous High King, Eochu Uairches. Conaing ruled the northern half of Ireland, Eochu the south.

Their parentage is unclear. The Lebor Gabála Érenn reports two possibilities: that he and Eochu were the sons of Congal, son of Lugaid Cal of the Corcu Laigde of County Cork; or that Eochu was the son of Congal, and Conaing was the son of Dui Temrach, son of Muiredach Bolgrach, but both had the same mother, who was also the mother of Eochu Uairches.[1] Geoffrey Keating makes them both sons of Dui Temrach,[2] and the Four Masters make them the sons of Dui's son Congal Coscarach.[3] After five years of joint rule, Eochu was killed by Eochu Uairches' son Lugaid Lámderg. According to the Lebor Gabála, Conaing remained in power in the north, while Lugaid took the south. The Annals of the Four Masters say Lugaid ousted Conaing and took complete control of Ireland. Seven years later, Conaing killed Lugaid and became sole ruler for a further ten (or twenty) years, after which he was killed by Lugaid's son Art.

The Lebor Gabála synchronises Conaing's career with the reigns of Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC) and Darius II (423–404) of Persia. The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his career to 621–599 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 844–812 BC. However, in the saga Do suidigud tellaich Temra ("the settling of the manor of Tara"), the crucifixion of Christ takes place during his reign.[4]

Preceded by
Eochu Uairches		 High King of Ireland Succeeded by
Art mac Lugdach
with Eochu Fíadmuine
LGE 5th century BC
FFE 621–616 BC
AFM 844–839 BC		 with Lugaid Lámderg
LGE 5th century BC
FFE 616–609 BC
AFM 839–832 BC		 alone
LGE 5th century BC
FFE 609–599 BC
AFM 832–812 BC

References
  1. R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V, Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 255-259
  2. Geoffrey Keating, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn 1.27
  3. Annals of the Four Masters M4356-4388
  4. R. I. Best (ed. & trans.), "The Settling of the Manor of Tara", Ériu 4, 1910, pp. 121-72


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