Conn Ceadeathach King of Ireland [60912]

  General Notes:

http://www.rpi.edu/~holmes/Hobbies/Genealogy/ps11/ps11_012.htm


Also known as Conn of the Hundred Battles

This Conn was so called from hundreds of battles by him fought and won : viz., sixty battles against Cahir Mór, King of Leinster and the 109th Monarch of Ireland, whom he slew and succeeded in the Monarchy; one bundred battles against the Ulsterians ; and one hundred more in Munster against Owen Mór (or Mogha Nua-Dhad), their King, who, notwithstanding, forced the said Conn to an equal division of the Kingdom with him. He had two brothers \emdash 1. Eochaidh Fionn-Fohart, 2. Fiacha Suidhe, who, to make way for themselves, murdered two of their brother's sons named Conla Ruadh and Crionna; but they were by the third son Art Eanfhear banished, first into Leinster, and then into Munster, where they lived near Cashel. They were seated at Deici Teamhrach (now the barony of Desee in Meath), whence they were expelled by the Monarch Cormac Ulfhada, son of Art; and, after various wanderings, they went to Munster where Oilioll Olum, who was married to Sadhbh, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, gave them a large district of the present county of Waterford, a part of which is still called Na-Deiseacha, or the baronies of Desies. They were also given the country comprised in the present baronies of Clonmel, Upper-Third, and Middle-Third, in the co. Tipperary, which they held till the Anglo-Norman Invasion. From Eochaidh Fionn-Fohart decended O'NowIan or Nolan of Fowerty (or Foharta), in Lease (or Leix), and Saint Bridget ; and from Fiacha Suidhe are O'Dolan, O'Brick of Dunbrick, and O'Faelan of Dun Faelan, near Cashel. Conn of the Hundred Battles had also three daughters: 1. Sadhbh, who m. first, MacNiadh, after whose death she m. Oilioll Olum, King of Munster. (See No. 84 on the "Line of Heber"); 2.Maoin; and 3.Sarah (or Sarad), m. to Conan MacMogha Laine. \emdash (See No. 81 infra).
Conn reigned 35 years; but was at length barbarously slain by Tiobraidhe Tireach, son of Mal, son of Rochruidhe, King of Ulster. This murder was committed in Tara, A.D. 157, when Conn chanced to be alone and unattended by his guards; the assassins were fifty ruffians, disguised as women, whom the King of Ulster employed for the purpose.


Conn of the Hundred Fights : This name in Irish is "Conn Cead-Cathach," a designation given to that hero of antiquity, in a Poem by O'Gnive, the bard of O'Neill, which is quoted in the " Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland," page 423:
"Conn of the Hundred Fights, sleep in thy grass-grown tomb, and upbraid not cur defeats with thy victories."
To that amcient hero and warrior, Moore pays a graceful tribute of respect in the songs "How oft has the Banshee cried," given in the Irish Mdodies.
According to the popular belief, the "Banshee" or guardian spirit Of the House of Conn of the Hundred Fights, above mentioned, night after night, in the Castle of Dungannon, upbraided the famous Hugh O'Neill, for having accepted the Earldom of Tir-owen, conferred on him by Queen Elizabeth, A.D. 1587. "Hence," writes O'Callaghan, "the Earl did afterwards assume the name of O'Neill, and therewith he was so elevated that he would often boast, that he would rather be O'Neill of Ulster than King of Spain." On his submission, however, A. D. 1603, his title and estates were confirmed to him by King James the First. \emdash O'CALLAGRAN.
It is worthy of remark, that, while Conn of the Hundred Battles lived in the second century, we read in the Tripartite Life St. Patrick, that this Pagan Monarch "prophesied" the introduction of Christianity into Ireland!


Part III, Chapter IV of Irish Pedigrees, by John O'Hart, published 1892, pages 351-9, 664-8 and 708-9.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Boyle_Donegal

Conn of the Hundred Battles <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conn_of_the_Hundred_Battles> (Conn Cead Cathach/Conn Cetchatach) King 176-211

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=john_d_newport&id=I02126#s2

Conn married Landabaria Már [60938] [MRIN: 551617291], daughter of Cathaír Már King of Leinster [7068] and Unknown.