Aedh, King of Ireland

Alfred Webb

A Compendium of Irish Biography

1878

Aedh, King of Ireland, son of Laeghaire, reigned from 566 to 593. This monarch summoned a convention at Dromketh, now Daisy Hill, near Limavady — to reduce the power of the Fileas or Bards, of whom there were then in Ireland some 1,000, with hosts of followers; also to impose a tribute on the Scottish Dalriada, who until that time were bound to furnish an army and a fleet in time of war only; and to depose Sganlan Mor, King of Ossory, for refusal to pay tribute to the Ard Righ. This convention was attended by twelve "Kings of the Fifths and Lords of Cantons," and by St. Columcille from Iona. Chiefly through St. Columcille's influence and advice, it was arranged that the number of head fileas should be reduced to those to be supported by the kings and chieftains, who were to allot them regular districts. St. Columcille refused to agree to the King's great desire to tax the Irish-Scotch, or to the deposition of Sganlan Mor, whom he freed from imprisonment, and reinstated on his throne. It appears to have been during Aedh's reign that the Isle of Man was lost to the Irish kings. Aedh fell at the battle of Dunbolg, in 593.

Sources

171. Ireland, History of, from the earliest period to the English Invasion: Rev. Geoffrey Keating: Translated from the Irish, and Noted by John O'Mahony. New York, 1857.

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