The Genealogy of the Name. - The Line of Heremon from the Irish genealogical tracts down to the Middle Ages - Line to Columba and the Kings of Scots.
.Chapter 3
The genealogy of the line of Heremon, seventh son of Milesius of Spain.
36. Milesius of Spain1. ( Mile/Mil). The aristocracy that gathered round the High kings (Ard-ri) of Tara about the time that Patrick began to preach Christianity, called themselves Milesians; the sons of Mile; and caused a Milesian literature to come into being2.
Henri Hubert places the Goidelic Celts landing in Ireland around 1600BC.
37. Heremon. Along with his elder brother Heber he was the first joint Monarch of Ireland in 1699BC. He slew his brother in 1698BC and then reigned for fourteen years until his death in 1683BC. Three of his sons succeeded him, in a joint monarchy, until slain by members of the line of Heber.
38. Irial Faidh. The 10th Monarch of Ireland who was very learned and could foretell the future. Faidh means a prophet.
He cleared much of the forests and he fought four great battles, the most important of which was at Cuill Marth where he defeated the four sons of Heber. He died two years later , after a reign of ten years, in 1670BC and was buried at Magh Muagh.
39. Eithrial. The 11th Monarch of Ireland who reigned for twenty years until slain by Conmaol, of the Heberian Line, at the Battle of Soirrean in Leinster; 1650BC. He was also a learned man who wrote a History of the Gadelians (Gaels), and during his reign another seven woods were cleared with much advance in agriculture.
40. Foll Aich. He was kept out of the monarchy by Conmaol the usurper.
41. Tigernmass. The 13th Monarch of Ireland who reigned for fifty years. It was Tigernmass who set up the famous idol called Crom Cruagh on the Plain of Magh Sleaght, worshipped for hundreds of years until it was destroyed by Saint Patrick. The introduction of a system of coloured clothes to denote rank (the first form of tartans) is also credited to him. Accordingly the lower ranks wore one colour, the next two colours, and so on. In his time he fought twenty-seven great battles with the line of Heber, winning all. On the 1st of November (Samian - the day that mortals made peace with the spirits) in the year 1543BC, he died at the Plains of Magh Sleaght, worshipping the Sun God; Crom Cruagh. Gold was mined near the Liffey during his time by the Inchadham, and he is credited as the first to bring image worship to Ireland. During his time almost two-thirds of the population were wiped out by a great plague.
42. Ehboath. It was during his time that the country was divided into two kingdoms.
43. Smiomghall. During his time there was a great deal of fighting between the Gaels and the Picts. The Picts were far more numerous in the island and the Gaels a small aristocracy.
44. Fiacha Labhrainn. The 18th Monarch of
45. Aongus Olmucach. The 20th Monarch of Ireland who sent a strong army to Alba3 and after thirty pitched, long and arduous battles he subdued the natives and extracted the tribute he was due; finishing the work his father had began. He was eventually slain on the battlefield in 1409BC by Ean.
46. Main. The kingship was kept from him by Ean, of the line of Heber, his father’s slayer. The chronicles show that during his life was the first time four-horsed chariots were used and a silver sword was awarded for bravery.
47. Rotheachtach. The 22nd Monarch of Ireland who was slain by Sedne of the line of Ir.
48. Dein. He was kept from the monarchy by his father's slayer and his son. In his time nobles first wore gold chains4 at the neck to denote birth, and golden helmets were given to the bravest of men.
49. Siorna. The 34th Monarch of Ireland who was slain at Aillin in 1030BC by Rotheachta of the line of Heber, who usurped and excluded his son from the throne.
50. Olioll Aocheoin. The son of Siorna, he was never in a strong enough position to challenge the killer of his father.
51. Gialchadh. The 37th Monarch of Ireland who was killed by Art Imleach, of the line of Heber, at Moighe Muadh in 1013BC.
52. Nuadhas Fionnfail. The 39th Monarch of Ireland who was slain by his successor Breasriogh Breasrioghacts in the year 961BC.
53. Aedan Glas. In his time Ireland was attacked often by pirates5 and there was a great plague.
54. Simeon Breac. The 44th Monarch of Ireland of whom it was said that he caused his predecessor to be torn asunder. After a reign of six years the same fate befell him at the hands of the murdered king's son, Duach Fionn, in the year 903BC.
55. Muredach Bolgach. The 46th Monarch of
56. Fiacha Tolgrach. The 55th Monarch of
57. Duach Ladhrach. The 59th Monarch of Ireland killed in 737BC by Lughaidh, the son of Olioll.
58. Eochaidh Buadhach. During his exclusion from the throne by Lughaidh there were two great plagues.
59. Ugaine Mor (the Great). The 66th Monarch of Ireland who was called the Great because of his extensive domains - all the isles to the west of Europe. He was the Celtic version of Alexander the Great. Taking his fleet to the Mediterranean he landed in Africa and Sicily before proceeding to Gaul and marrying Caesair, the daughter of the King of Gaul. During the Punic Wars he sent auxiliaries to help the Belgic Gauls who were allied with the Carthaginians under Hannibal, fighting the Romans in Spain and Italy. He was slain in 593BC for his crown by Badhbhchadh, who in turn was executed by his son Laeghaire Lorc who became the 69th monarch. According to the Annals of Tighearnach he became king in the eighteenth year of Ptolemy, son of Lagos. About the time of Ugaine Mor the Britons were arriving on the shores of what is now
60. Colethach Caol-breagh. The 69th Monarch of Ireland who was said to have slain Laegair Lorc his brother and his son, Ailill, to gain the throne. He spared Laegair`s grandson, Labraid Loingsech, because he was dumb and therefore could not take kingship. Labraid fled to the isle of the Britons, and then to Gaul7. He returned with a band of Gallians and destroyed Dind Rig8, avenging his father and grandfather. He was in turn slain by Maion his nephew in 541BC.
61. Melg Molbhthach. The 71st Monarch of Ireland, who was killed in single combat by Cobhthach of the line of Heber in 541BC.
62. Iaran Gleofathach. The 71st Monarch of Ireland, who was noted for his wisdom and justice. Slain in 473BC by Fearchorb.
63. Coula Caomh. The 76th Monarch of
64. Olioll Casfiachlach. The 77th Monarch of Ireland who was slain by Adhaman Faltchaion in 417BC.
65. Eochaidh Alt Leathan. The 79th Monarch of Ireland who was slain by the axe of Feangus Foutainhal in 395BC.
66. Aongus Tuirmeach-Teamrach. The 81st Monarch of Ireland who was slain at Tara 324BC. Aongus had a special place in the ancestors of the Dalriada9.
67. Enna Aigneuch. The 84th Monarch of Ireland who lost his life at the hands of Criomthan Cosgrach in the year of 292BC.
68. Assaman Eainhnn. He was excluded from the monarchy by his father's murderer.
69. Roighen Ruadh. During his life there was a great cattle plague that wiped out half the beasts in Ireland.
70. Fionnlogh.
71. Fionn. Married Benia, the daughter of Criomthan.
72. Eochaidh Feidlioch. The 93rd Monarch of Ireland who divided Ugaine Mor`s kingdom into twenty-five parts, and Ireland into four; Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Connacht. After the division he erected a Royal Palace in Connacht, on a site called Rath Eochaidh, which was later re-named Craughan by Maedhbh. Maedhbh, his daughter and heredity queen of the province, he bestowed on Tinne and constituted him King of Connacht. Tinne was eventually slain at Tara by Maceacht and Queen Maedhbh ruled for ten years. She married Oilioll Mor who was the son of Ros Ruadh of
73. Bress-Nar-Lothan. In his lifetime they started to bury the dead in the earth instead of the previous method of simply covering them with stones.
74. Lughaidh Sriabh-n Dearg. The 98th Monarch of Ireland who entered into an alliance with the King of the Danes and married his daughter, the princess Dearborguill. He killed himself by falling on his sword in 8BC.
75. Crimthann Niadh Nar. The 100th monarch of Ireland and styled the Heroic. Reigning at the time of the birth of Christ, he was killed in 9AD by a fall from his horse. During his reign he made many expeditions to Gaul and Britain to assist in the fight against the Roman menace. Crimthann was married to Tar-Tath Chaoch the daughter of Laoch, son of Daire who lived in the land of the Picts11. Crimthann was renowned for his expeditions and returned with many wonderful objects, a golden chariot, a gold chessboard inlaid with three-hundred transparent gems, a shield entwined with serpents of gold, a silver embossed shield, and a pair of hounds with silver chains.
76. Feredach Fionn-Feachuach. The 102nd Monarch of
77. Fiacha Fionn Ola. The 104th Monarch of
78. Tuathal Teachtmar (teachtmar - the legitimate). The 106th Monarch of
Tuathal`s reign about 76AD, and Agricola was fighting the Caledonians from 76 to 78AD. It is therefore possible that Tuathal was the prince asking for an alliance which he would keep in return with assistance fighting the Caledonians.
79. Fedhlimidh (Felim) Rachtmar. He took the throne as 108th Monarch of Ireland and was a respected lawgiver. Following his father`s works of law he established the Lex Talionis (an eye for an eye) which held until Saint Patrick's days. Marrying Ughna the daughter of the King of Denmark, he eventually died of thirst in 119AD or, in another version, "died on his pillow".
80. Conn Ceadeathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles). After he had slain Cahn Mor, the 109th Monarch and King of Leinster, he took the throne as the 110th Monarch of Ireland. Conn reigned for thirty-five years until barbarously slain by men in the pay of Tiobraidhe, grandson of the King of Ulster. The foul assassination took place at Tara in 157AD when twelve ruffians dressed as women stabbed him to death. It is from him that the MacDonalds of the Isles claim their descent12.
81. Art Eanfhear (man or god of war). The 112th Monarch of Ireland who died in battle in 195AD.
82. Cormac Ulfhada. The 115th Monarch of Ireland, also known as Cormac McArt. He was called ulfhada because of his long beard and was reputedly the best Milesian king to date. Renowned for his treatises on government, he was also famous for his writing of just laws. He lived in splendour at his palace at Tara with never less than 1,150 people in attendance. The Great Hall at Tara was three-hundred feet long, thirty feet high, and fifty feet broad. It had fourteen doors and a normal table service of one-hundred and fifty pieces of the best gold and silver plate. Cormac ordained that from henceforth the Monarchs of Ireland would be attended by ten chosen persons:-
1. A nobleman as companion to the monarch.
2. A judge to explain and declare the laws.
3. An antiquary to preserve the genealogies.
4. A druid or magician to offer sacrifice and interpret omens.
5. A physic to attend the monarch, his wife, and family.
6. A poet to praise the monarch's actions.
7. A musician to compose sonnets.
8,9,10. Three stewards to govern the house.
These attendants were preserved until the time of the 175th monarch. Cormac found the Christian faith seven years before his death and refused the druids the right to sacrifice or worship. The druids in turn damned him and conjured up spirits which eventually choked him. In actual fact he died, after a reign of forty years, in 266AD when a bone from the salmon he was eating stuck in his throat.
83. Cairbre Lifeachar. The 117th Monarch of Ireland who was the King of Connacht before attaining the high office of Ard-ri. He reigned for seventeen years until he was eventually slain at the Battle of Gabhra, in 284AD, by Simeon from south Leinster.
84. Fiacha Srabhteine. King of Connacht and the 120th Monarch of Ireland, who was married to Aoife the daughter of the King of Gaul. In 322AD he was slain in the Battle of Dubhcomar and replaced by his nephews the Three Collas. He had reigned for thirty years.
85. Muireadach Tireach. In 326AD he defeated Colla Uais and banished him and his two brothers to Scotland. He regained the throne of his father to become the 122nd Monarch of Ireland., and held it for thirty years.
86. Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin. The 124th Monarch of Ireland who died of natural causes at Tara in the eighth year of his reign. He left four sons by his first wife Mong Fionn; Brian, Fiachra, Olioll, and Fergus. His second wife was Carthan Cais, the daughter of the Celtic King of
87. Brian. The elder son of Eochaidh by his first wife was King of Connacht and Cruithne Ard-ri. This was the time that Saint Patrick began his ministry in Ireland, 420AD. Brian was the first King of Connacht of the Hy Niall Sept.
88. Duach Galach. The first Christian King of
89. Eoghan Sreibh. The fifth Christian King of
90. Muireadach.
91. Fergus. During his lifetime saw the foundation of Iona by Columba in 563AD.
92. Eochaidh Tiormach.
93. Aodh Abraith. The eighth Christian King of
94. Cournan ( a horn). Brother of Vadach, the ninth Christian King of Connacht. During his time Aiden, a follower of Columba, founded Lindesfarne on the Northumbrian coast in 635AD.
95. Maolruanaidh. A chief who's domain was called the Soil Maolruan. He was born in the year that Guaire Aidna, Ui Fiachrach king of Connacht, died; 659AD.
96. Annadh. While he lived the Crith Gablach14 was written; c 700; and Abbot Adomnan15, 9th abbot of
97. Eocha. Born at a time when the Ui Briuin were the dominant dynasty in
98. Donoch. Born about the time of the completion of Collectio caonum Hibernensis, c 750.
99. Moroch. The Vikings start to play a menacing role during his life. They first raided Lindesfarne in 793, and two years later it was the turn of Iona, Rathlin, Inishmurray, and Inishbofin.
100. Muireadach. During his time, after the burnings and killings at Iona in 802 and 806, the construction of the monastery at Kells was began; 807AD.
101. Beolan (beol - mouth). The Vikings had been raiding into the heart of Ireland and large fleets had appeared at the Boyne and Liffey. The year Beolan was born 840/1 the fleet over wintered on Lough Neagh, and the following winter in Dublin.
102. Donall. By the time he was born around 870, the northern coasts had been cleared of Viking bases by Aed Finnliath. That other areas were suffering is attested to by the fact that Lindesfarne was finally abandoned in 875AD.
103. Flann (flann - blood or red complexion). When he was about fifteen, a great Viking fleet arrived at
104. Fhloinn. The hill Slaidh ui Fhloinn were named after him and his clan.
105. Fothach MagFhloinn. He was born about ten years after the end of the second period of raids, in 960.
106. Eocha MagFhloinn. First to use MagFhloinn as a surname. 990-1000 AD. Brian Boru, after defeating the Leinstermen and Ostmen at the battle of Glenn Mama in 999, took the submission of Sitric Silkbeard. Brian reigned as Ard-ri from 1002 until his death at the battle of Clontarf in 1014.
The O`Fhloinn were the chiefs of the Soil Maolruan, a large district in the barony of Ballintubber in Roscommon. The chiefs were chosen under the laws of Tanistry. McGlynn is the anglicised form of the Gadhelic MagFhloinn.
The use of the surname dates in Ireland from about the middle of the tenth to the end of the thirteenth century. They were formed by taking the genitive case of the ancestor and prefixing it with O` or Mac (Mag before an aspirate). Originally Mac was "son of" and O` was "grandson".
Celtic Lord with hunting dogs.
(styled on tomb carvings)
The following is the line from Fhloinn to Eoin MagFhloinn16, who lived at the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth centuries and is the Ancestor of the McGlynn of Donegal.
105. Fothach MagFhloinn. Son of Fhloinn.
106. Eocha MagFhloinn. First use as a surname about 100AD.
107. Brian. He was born a year after the Battle of Clontarf in which Brian Boru was assassinated after a bloody victory over the combined Viking armies;1014.
108. Donal.
109. Eocha.
110. David. During his time Muirchertach O`Brien, king of Munster, claimed the kingship of Ireland; 1093-1114.
111. Flann. Tairdelbach Ua Conchobair (Turlough O`Connor), king of Connacht from 1106, declared himself Ard-ri in 1118; the year Flann was born.
112. Fiachra. During his time Pope Adrian sanctioned the invasion of Ireland by Henry II of England; 1155.
113. Aongus. Ruaidri Ua Conchobair (Rory O`Connor) became High King of Ireland in 1166, the year Aongus was born.
114. Eochaid.
115. Conall.
116. Flan. He was born in 1240, five years after the final conquest of Connacht by Richard de Burgh.
117. Eochan.
118. David.
119. Donall. His birth in 1315 was the same year that Edward Bruce invaded and declared himself king, only to be defeated and killed the following year at the Battle of Athenry.
120. Aodh (Hugh).
121. Conchobar Mor. The parliament was sitting in Kilkenny the year he was born, 1365, and it prohibited colonists from using the Irish language.
122. Connor Oge.
123. Donoch an Fionna (of the wine)17.
124. Felim.
125. Aodh.
126. Eoghan Fionn.
127. Donal.
128. Donoch. He was born the year that the parliament met to declare Henry VIII the king of Ireland, 1541.
129. Eoin. Born 1565, see Chapter 7.
130. The son of Eoin born in Connacht around 1590
131. The grandson of Eoin and would have been the first born in Donegal about 1615.
132 - 137. With the above two, these are nameless generations at present. The Line starts again with 138, born about 1800, and there are Official Records of Birth, Death, and Marriage from 1864; although approximately 15% were not registered until ten years later, especially in the west.
Pedigrees of other historical noteables of the Line of Heremon. Columba, King Aedan, King Arthur, Merlin, Kenneth macAlpin.
Line to Saint Columba from (86) Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin.
87. Niall Noigallah (of the Nine Hostages). King of Ireland from 379 till he died in Scotland in 405.
88. Conall Gulban of Tir Conaill.
89. Fergus (Longhead) of the Northern Ui Neill.
90. Fedhlimidh (Felim). Chief of the Clan O`Donnell who married Eithne of Leinster.
91. Saint Columba (Crimthann O`Donnell). Also known as Columcille (Dove of the Church). Born in Donegal in 521, he was in line for the Kingship of Ireland until he became a monk. Left Ireland and founded his monastery on Iona in Dal Riata.
Died in 597.
(88) Conall`s brothers were Eogan, King of Tyron Tir Eogain; Enda; and Loegaire, King of Tara who succeeded Naill (427-463). From Loegaire came the Northern Ui Neill of Ailech to the Kings of Tyrone, and the Southern Ui Neill to the later kings of Tara.
Line to Kings of Scots and King Arthur from (80)
81. Saraid. Married Conaire II, 88. Angus.
a descendant of the line of 89. Eochaidh Muin-remor.
Conaire Mor. 90. Erc.
82. Corbred of Dal Riata. 91. Fergus Mor (d501).
83. Eochaid. 92. Domangart of Dalriada.
84. Athirco. 93. King Gabrain 537-608.
85. Findacher. 94. King Aedan of Scots,
86. Thrinldind. 574-608.
87. Romaich. 95. Arthur of Dalriada,
High King of the Britons.
(93) Gabrain was the princely son of Domangart who married the daughter of Brychan II and became Lord of Forth. In 537 he became King of Scots with his court at Dunadd, while Maelgwgn of Gwynedd (Wales) was Pendragon18. On the death of Maelgwgn, Gabrain`s son Aedan became the Pendragon. When Aedan became King of Scots in 574, and was the first king to be installed by priestly ordination19, his son Arthur became King of the Britons. Arthur, born 559, married Gwenhwyfar of Brittany, and it was through her mother Ygerna (Igraine) del Acqs; the accepted true High Queen of the Britons; that he became High king of the Britons20.
Arthur's leanings towards the Roman Church were seen as a failure of his position in the Celtic Church with its druidic ritual. His son Modred, an Archpriest of the faith and therefore against his father, was on the opposite side of him and King Aedan at their last great battle against the Anglo-Saxons. Aedan left the battlefield defeated with two sons, Arthur and Eochaid Find, and a grandson, Modred, all slain. This battle caused the separation of Wales, Domnonia, and Scotland; leaving the Scots to look to the Picts to counter the threat of the Anglo-Saxon expansion.
(95) Eochaid Buide. The brother of Arthur
96. Donald Brec. 630-647. 99. Aed Find. 748-778.
97. Domangart. 659-673. 100. Eochaid. 781.
98. Eochaid. 695-696. 101. Alpin. King of Scots,
102. Kenneth macAlpin, the
King of Scots and Picts.
Kenneth became King of Scots in 841, after the death of Alpin. In 844 the Scots became allied with the Picts and Kenneth21 was the first King of Alba, Scotland. Future kings of Scotland were then elected through the male line of Kenneth and married to Pictish princesses22. Kenneth then took the Stone of Destiny23 to the Abbey at Scone, and future kings of a united
Line to Merlin Emrys of Arthurian lore from (79) Fedhlimidh Rachtmar.
80. Fiachu Suidge. 86. Corath (Cyndwr).
81. Aonghus. 87. Ada Brose. (Ewen-vreise).
82. --- 88. Trestin (Tryphun).
83. --- 89. Alcholl (Alcon).
84. Arttchuirp (Artcharp).
85. Echach (Eochaid). Moved
to Demetia (Dyfedd).
90. Gartbuir (Gwrdaber). 94. Emrys. He was nephew
91. Congair (Kyngar). of Arthur and cousin to
92. Retheoir (Peder). (94) Aedan macGabrain
93. Arthur of Dyfedd. His King of Scots, and later
sister Niniane married appointed guardian to
Ambrosius Aurelus Arthur of Dalriada.
Merlin is the title given to the High King's seer or advisor and was long established in Druidic tradition. The husband of Viviane del Acqs, Taliesin the Bard, had been the Merlin before Emrys took over, after his death in 540. Emrys is the Merlin of Arthurian Lore.
1 Note Chapter 1 for the connotations of Spain. The continental Celtic Peoples during Roman times also gave themselves a classical mythology related to either the Trojan or Herculean tradition. It may be that it is lifted from the legends of the pre-Goidelic peoples who may have came from the Iberian Peninsular, or an insinuation of the underworld.
2 Duanaire Finn.
3 Alba is not what is now known as Scotland, The Irish called this area Cruitheantuaith, the lands of the Picts. The term Alba in the chronicles refers to the wider island of Britain.
4 This was not the typical Celtic torque (Irish muince) which did not come into use until the 'La Tene' era. The name torque was given to the neckwear of the Celts by the Latins, as it was usually a strip of twisted metal.
5 These would be raiders from what is now known as Britain.
6 If they had encountered a Goidelic kingdom some reference would be expected. On one side the serious incursion of pirates or on the other, battles fought to gain a foothold.
7 Longes Labrada, the Sailings or Exile of Labraid Loingsech. "The Gallians fed him during his exile in the land of Gall."
8Orgain Dinn Rig, the Destruction of Dind Rig.
9 Dalriada was an area roughly corresponding to modern Argyll, with the capital at Dunadd. The Kingdom of the Scots.
10 Maedhbh is the central character, along with Cu Chullain, in the Tain Bo Cuailgne (The Cattle Raid of Cooley) which gives a fascinating insight into court life and values. Trans’ J.Dunn, Nott & Co, London. 1914.
11 This is not to say Scotland, as the Picts had a large kingdom in what is now Ulster.
12 It is during his reign that the first map of Ireland was created by Ptolemy. See the end of Chpt 2.
13 Uisneck was said to be the primeval navel of Ireland. The mythical centre with magic cosmology.
14 The Crith Gablach was an important law tract on status.
15 Abbot Adomnan’s fame stems from his book on the Life of Saint Columba.
16 Eoin was known, after his arrival in Donegal, as Eoin na mBa mor or Eoin of the big cattle. See Chpt 7.
17 This may not be the obvious reason. Galway was a well known wine trading centre in these days and he may have been involved in the trade.
18 The Pendragon, like the Merlin, was a title that applied to different individuals in different generations.. The Pendragon (Pen Draco Insularis) was the guardian of the Celtic Isles, who was appointed by the druidic council of elders. He was the Ard-ri, king of kings.
19 Annointed by Saint Columba.
20 Geoffrey of Monmouth is responsible for the false notion that Arthur of Dyfedd was King Arthur. His Historia Regum Britanniae was funded by Norman money to place Arthur in the heart of English lore. He is not mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Arthur of Dyfed was not the son of a Pendragon and was in fact of the Deisi, expelled from Leinster and settled in Dyfedd. This Arthur, according to the Lives of the Saints, was a notorious tyrant.
21 They were not chosen from one family; but sons,cousins, nephews, of parallel lines through Tanist descent.
22 Pictish descent was through the matrilinear line.
23 See Chpt 1, note 12 and Chpt 2, note 4.
24 See Chpt 2, note 4.
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