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Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada (died 695) was High King of Ireland. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern Síl nÁedo Sláine sept of the Uí Néill and was King of Brega, in modern County Meath, Ireland. He was a grandson of Áed Sláine.^[1] His father Dúnchad had died in 659.^[2] His byname "Fledach" meant "the bountiful" or "the festive".

High King

He became King of Brega and High King in 675, after killing his predecessor, and first cousin, Cenn Fáelad in battle at Aircheltra, a place which is not identified.^[3] The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland relate how Finsnechta won support by his generosity. Among those he won over were the king of Fir Rois and Saint Adomnán. According to this annal, he had been granted a stewardship by Cenn Fáelad, but was unsatisfied with this and, encouraged by his friend of Fir Rois, challenged Cenn Faelad to battle and won the kingship.^[4]

He appears to have faced resistance from the King of Leinster, and a Battle of Loch Gabor (Lagore) was fought in 677.^[5] There was mutual slaughter on both sides but Finsnechta emerged the victor. In 680, Finsnechta had the King of Leinster, Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile, assassinated.^[6]

Finsnechta was involved in the north as well. In 676, he destroyed Ailech, center of Cenél nEógain power.^[7] He fought Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic (d. 718), King of Ulster, in 679 at the Battle of Tailtiu.^[8]

In June 684, Ecgfrith, the King of Northumbria, sent an army under Berht to Ireland which laid waste to the plain of Brega, the heart of Fínsnechta's kingdom.^[9] The reasons the army was sent are still not fully understood. The hostages taken in the raid were later returned through the offices of Adomnán in 687.^[10]

According to the saga Bóroma ("The Cattle Tribute"), it is mentioned that Fínsnechta Fledach undertook an expedition against Leinster when the Laigin refused to pay the cattle tribute. The Leinster king Bran Mut mac Conaill (died 693) assembled the Leinster forces and sent Saint Moling (d. 697), the abbot of Ferns, to negotiate with Fínsnechta. Mo-Ling tricked Fínsnechta into remitting the tribute. As a result, Saint Adomnan grew angry with the high king and cursed saying that his descendants would have no fame. Fínsnechta did penance to Adomnan and was forgiven for remitting the Boruma.^[11]

Temporary abdication and death

In 688, Fínsnechta abdicated to become a monk, but he left the clerical life and resumed the kingship in 689. This return to power may have been a result of the break-out of a civil war among the Síl nÁedo Sláine when Niall mac Cernaig Sotal (died 701) of the Uí Chernaig sept of south Brega defeated Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre (died 696) of north Brega at the Battle of Imlech Pich in 688. Also, Áed mac Dlúthaig (died 701) of the Síl nDlúthaig sept killed Diarmait Dian mac Airmetaig Cáech, the King of Uisnech, of the Clann Cholmáin, in 689.^[12]

He was killed, along with his son Bresal, by his kinsmen Áed mac Dlúthaig and Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre at Grellaigh Dollaith. According to the Annals of Tigernach, this occurred in battle, but the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland state that Finsnechta was murdered in a tent by Congalach.^[13] Congalach succeeded Fínsnechta as King of Brega, and Loingsech mac Óengusso, of the northern Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill, was the next High King.

Fínsnechta's descendants, the Clan Fínsnechtai, played no important role after him. Fínsnechta was survived by a son named Ailill who was killed in 718.

The earliest surviving list of High Kings of Ireland, that in the Baile Chuind Chétchathaig was apparently compiled in Fínsnechta's reign.

Notes

^ T.M. Charles-Edwards, Early Christian Ireland, Appendix II
^ Annals of Ulster AU 659.1; Annals of Tigernach AT 655.5, 658.1
^ Annals of the Four Masters state it was in Ui Maine
^ Fragmentary Annals, FA 67
^ Annals of Ulster AU 677.3
^ Annals of Tigernach AT 680.3
^ Annals of Ulster AU 676.4
^ Annals of Tigernach AT 679.3
^ Bede. Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum.
^ Annals of Ulster AU 685.2; AU 687.5
^ Bóroma Archived 7 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine at Dan Wiley's site on the Cycles of the Kings
^ Annals of Ulster AU 688.3, 688.4, 689.2, 689.3
^ Annals of Tigernach AT 695.1; Fragmentary Annals, FA 124

References

"The Annals of Ulster, volume 1". CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
Annals of Tigernach at CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork
Fragmentary Annals of Ireland at CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork
Byrne, Francis John, Irish Kings and High-Kings. Batsford, London, 1973. ISBN 0-7134-5882-8
Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2000), Early Christian Ireland, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-36395-0
Wiley, Dan, Cycles of the Kings, Bóroma

[1] T.M. Charles-Edwards, Early Christian Ireland, Appendix II

[2] Annals of Ulster AU 659.1; Annals of Tigernach AT 655.5, 658.1

[3] Annals of the Four Masters state it was in Ui Maine

[4] Fragmentary Annals, FA 67

[5] Annals of Ulster AU 677.3

[6] Annals of Tigernach AT 680.3

[7] Annals of Ulster AU 676.4

[8] Annals of Tigernach AT 679.3

[9] Bede. Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum.

[10] Annals of Ulster AU 685.2; AU 687.5

[11] Bóroma Archived 7 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine at Dan Wiley's site on the Cycles of the Kings

[12] Annals of Ulster AU 688.3, 688.4, 689.2, 689.3

[13] Annals of Tigernach AT 695.1; Fragmentary Annals, FA 124

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[3]

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[5]

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+{{Short description|High King of Ireland (died 695)}}
-'''Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada''' (died 695) was [[High King of Ireland]]. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern [[Síl nÁedo Sláine]] sept of the [[Uí Néill]] and was [[King of Brega]], in modern [[County Meath]], [[Ireland]]. He was a grandson of [[Áed Sláine]].<ref>T.M. Charles-Edwards, ''Early Christian Ireland'', Appendix II</ref> His father Dúnchad had died in 659.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 659.1; ''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 655.5, 658.1</ref> His byname "Fledach" meant "the bountiful" or "the festive".
+{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
+'''Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchada''' (died 695) was [[High King of Ireland]]. Fínsnechta belonged to the southern [[Síl nÁedo Sláine]] sept of the [[Uí Néill]] and was [[King of Brega]], in modern [[County Meath]], Ireland. He was a grandson of [[Áed Sláine]].<ref>T.M. Charles-Edwards, ''Early Christian Ireland'', Appendix II</ref> His father Dúnchad had died in 659.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 659.1; ''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 655.5, 658.1</ref> His byname "Fledach" meant "the bountiful" or "the festive".
 ==High King==
-He became King of Brega and High King in 675, after killing his predecessor, and first cousin, [[Cenn Fáelad]] in battle at Aircheltra, a place which is not identified.<ref>''Annals of the Four Masters'' state it was in Ui Maine</ref> The ''Fragmentary Annals of Ireland'' relate how Finsnechta won support by his generosity. Among those he won over were the king of Fir Rois and Saint [[Adomnán]]. According to this annal, he had been granted a stewardship by Cenn Fáelad, but was unsatisfied with this and ecouraged by his friend of Fir Rois he challenged Cenn Faelad to batlle and won the kingship.<ref>''Fragmentary Annals'', FA 67</ref>
+He became King of Brega and High King in 675, after killing his predecessor, and first cousin, [[Cenn Fáelad]] in battle at Aircheltra, a place which is not identified.<ref>''Annals of the Four Masters'' state it was in Ui Maine</ref> The ''Fragmentary Annals of Ireland'' relate how Finsnechta won support by his generosity. Among those he won over were the king of Fir Rois and Saint [[Adomnán]]. According to this annal, he had been granted a stewardship by Cenn Fáelad, but was unsatisfied with this and, encouraged by his friend of Fir Rois, challenged Cenn Faelad to battle and won the kingship.<ref>''Fragmentary Annals'', FA 67</ref>
-He appears to have faced resistance from the [[King of Leinster]], a Battle of Loch Gabor(Lagore) was fought in 677.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 677.3</ref>
+He appears to have faced resistance from the [[King of Leinster]], and a Battle of Loch Gabor (Lagore) was fought in 677.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 677.3</ref> There was mutual slaughter on both sides but Finsnechta emerged the victor. In 680, Finsnechta had the King of Leinster, [[Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile]], assassinated.<ref>''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 680.3</ref>
-There was mutual slaughter on both sides but Finsnechta emerged the victor. In 680 Finsnechta had the King of Leinster, [[Fiannamail mac Máele Tuile]], assassinated.<ref>''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 680.3</ref>
-Finsnechta was involved in the north as well. In 676 he destroyed Ailech, center of [[Cenél nEógain]] power.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 676.4</ref>
+Finsnechta was involved in the north as well. In 676, he destroyed Ailech, center of [[Cenél nEógain]] power.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 676.4</ref> He fought [[Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic]] (d. 718), King of Ulster, in 679 at the Battle of Tailtiu.<ref>''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 679.3</ref>
-He fought [[Bécc Bairrche mac Blathmaic]] (d. 718), King of Ulster, in 679 at the Battle of Tailtiu.<ref>''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 679.3</ref>
-In June 685 [[Ecgfrith of Northumbria|Ecgfrith]], the [[King of Northumbria]], sent an army under [[Berht]] to Ireland which laid waste to the plain of Brega, the heart of Fínsnechta's kingdom. The reasons for the sending of the army are unclear. The hostages taken in the raid were later returned through the offices of Adomnán in 687.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 685.2; AU 687.5</ref>
+In June 684, [[Ecgfrith of Northumbria|Ecgfrith]], the [[King of Northumbria]], sent an army under [[Berht]] to Ireland which laid waste to the plain of Brega, the heart of Fínsnechta's kingdom.<ref>[[Bede]]. ''[[Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum]]''.</ref> The reasons the army was sent are still not fully understood. The hostages taken in the raid were later returned through the offices of Adomnán in 687.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 685.2; AU 687.5</ref>
-According to the saga Bóroma ("The Cattle Tribute"), it is mentioned that the Fínsnechta Fledach undertook an expedition against Leinster when the Laigin refused to pay the cattle tribute. The Leinster king [[Bran Mut mac Conaill]] (died 693) assembled the Leinster forces and sent Saint Moling (d. 697), the abbot of Ferns, to negotiate with Fisnechta. Mo-Ling tricked Fisnechta into remitting the tribute. As a result Saint Adomnan grew angry with the high king and cursed saying that his descendants would have no fame. Finsnechta did penance to Adomnan and was forgiven for remitting the Boruma.<ref>[http://www.hastings.edu/academic/english/Kings/Boroma.htm  Bóroma] at Dan Wiley's site on the ''Cycles of the Kings''</ref>
+According to the saga Bóroma ("The Cattle Tribute"), it is mentioned that Fínsnechta Fledach undertook an expedition against Leinster when the Laigin refused to pay the cattle tribute. The Leinster king [[Bran Mut mac Conaill]] (died 693) assembled the Leinster forces and sent Saint Moling (d. 697), the abbot of Ferns, to negotiate with Fínsnechta. Mo-Ling tricked Fínsnechta into remitting the tribute. As a result, Saint Adomnan grew angry with the high king and cursed saying that his descendants would have no fame. Fínsnechta did penance to Adomnan and was forgiven for remitting the Boruma.<ref>[http://www.hastings.edu/academic/english/Kings/Boroma.htm  Bóroma] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507075306/http://www.hastings.edu/academic/english/Kings/Boroma.htm |date=7 May 2008 }} at Dan Wiley's site on the ''Cycles of the Kings''</ref>
-==Temporary Abdication and Death==
+==Temporary abdication and death==
-In 688 Fínsnechta abdicated to become a [[monk]], but he left the clerical life and resumed the kingship in 689. This return to power may have been a result of the breakout of a civil war among the Síl nÁedo Sláine when [[Niall mac Cernaig Sotal]] (died 701) of the Uí Chernaig sept of south Brega defeated [[Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre]] (died 696) of north Brega at the Battle of Imlech Pich in 688. Also, [[Áed mac Dlúthaig]] (died 701) of the Síl nDlúthaig sept killed [[Diarmait Dian]] mac Airmetaig Cáech, the King of [[Uisnech]] of the [[Clann Cholmáin]] in 689.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU  688.3, 688.4, 689.2, 689.3</ref>
+In 688, Fínsnechta abdicated to become a [[monk]], but he left the clerical life and resumed the kingship in 689. This return to power may have been a result of the break-out of a civil war among the Síl nÁedo Sláine when [[Niall mac Cernaig Sotal]] (died 701) of the Uí Chernaig sept of south Brega defeated [[Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre]] (died 696) of north Brega at the Battle of Imlech Pich in 688. Also, [[Áed mac Dlúthaig]] (died 701) of the Síl nDlúthaig sept killed [[Diarmait Dian]] mac Airmetaig Cáech, the King of [[Uisnech]], of the [[Clann Cholmáin]], in 689.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 688.3, 688.4, 689.2, 689.3</ref>
 He was killed, along with his son Bresal, by his kinsmen Áed mac Dlúthaig and Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre at Grellaigh Dollaith. According to the ''Annals of Tigernach'', this occurred in battle, but the ''Fragmentary Annals of Ireland'' state that Finsnechta was murdered in a tent by Congalach.<ref>''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 695.1; '' Fragmentary Annals'', FA 124</ref> Congalach succeeded Fínsnechta as King of Brega, and [[Loingsech mac Óengusso]], of the northern [[Cenél Conaill]] branch of the Uí Néill, was the next High King.
-Finsnechta's descendants the Clan Fínsnechtai played no important role after him. Fínsnechta was survived by a son named Ailill who was killed in 718.
+Fínsnechta's descendants, the Clan Fínsnechtai, played no important role after him. Fínsnechta was survived by a son named Ailill who was killed in 718.
 The earliest surviving list of High Kings of Ireland, that in the ''[[Baile Chuind Chétchathaig]]'' was apparently compiled in Fínsnechta's reign.
+==See also==
+*[[Kings of Brega]]
 ==Notes==
 {{reflist}}
-==See also==
-*[[Kings of Brega]]
 ==References==
-* {{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/index.html |title=The Annals of Ulster, volume 1 |accessdate=2007-02-10 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}
+* {{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/index.html |title=The Annals of Ulster, volume 1 |access-date=10 February 2007 |publisher=CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts }}
 * ''Annals of Tigernach'' at [http://celt.ucc.ie/index.html CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts] at [http://www.ucc.ie/ University College Cork]
 * ''Fragmentary Annals of Ireland'' at [http://celt.ucc.ie/index.html CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts] at [http://www.ucc.ie/ University College Cork]
-* [[Francis John Byrne|Byrne, Francis John]], ''Irish Kings and High-Kings.'' Batsford, London, 1973. ISBN 0-7134-5882-8
+* [[Francis John Byrne|Byrne, Francis John]], ''Irish Kings and High-Kings.'' Batsford, London, 1973. {{ISBN|0-7134-5882-8}}
-* Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2000), ''Early Christian Ireland'', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-36395-0
+* Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2000), ''Early Christian Ireland'', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0-521-36395-0}}
-* Wiley, Dan, ''Cycles of the Kings'', [http://www.hastings.edu/academic/english/Kings/Boroma.htm  Bóroma]
+* Wiley, Dan, ''Cycles of the Kings'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20080507075306/http://www.hastings.edu/academic/english/kings/Boroma.htm  Bóroma]
 {{Kings of Ireland}}
-{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
-| NAME              = Finsnechta Fledach
-| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
-| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
-| DATE OF BIRTH     =
-| PLACE OF BIRTH    =
-| DATE OF DEATH     = 695
-| PLACE OF DEATH    =
-}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Finsnechta Fledach}}
 [[Category:High Kings of Ireland]]
 [[Category:Kings of Brega]]
 [[Category:695 deaths]]
-[[Category:People from County Meath]]
+[[Category:Nobility from County Meath]]
 [[Category:7th-century Irish monarchs]]
-[[Category:7th-century people]]
+[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
+[[Category:7th-century births]]
-[[fr:Fínnachta Fledach]]
-[[it:Fínsnechta Fledach]]
-[[sh:Fínsnechta Fledach]]