Cennétig mac Lorcáin

Tree graph showing relationships between the Dalcassian septs. Cennétig mac Lorcáin (died 951), was a prominent king of the Dál gCais (or "Dalcassians") and king of Tuadmumu. He raised the dynasty in power, from regional vassals of the kings of Munster, to challenging for the kingship himself. He was the father of Brian Boru, who would continue Cennétig's war-like rise to power, by becoming High King of Ireland in 1002.

Reign Cennétig took over after his father Lorcáin mac Lachtna, who is noted as a king of the Dál gCais. They belonged to the Uí Thairdhealbhach, a cadet branch of the Uí Bhloid ruling dynasty of the Dál gCais, the Uí Oengusso. After the death of Rebeachan Mac Mothla, who died as King of the Dál gCais and Abbot of Tuam Greine in 934, Cennetig's father Lorcáin is said to succeed him, being the first of the Uí Thairdhealbhach rulers. Cennétig married Beibhinn, daughter of Urchadh mac Murchadh, king of Iar Connacht (a political marriage typical of the time). Though he also had several other wives, unnamed in the historical sources.

He was the first King of the Dál gCais to lead an army outside his own territory (approximately modern day County Clare) and lead raids along the Shannon, reaching as far north as Athlone. Through the 940s, Cennétig engaged in an ongoing series of wars against the Eóganachta, the then ruling dynasties of Munster, with the aim of becoming king of Munster himself. His daughter Orlaith married the High King Donnchad Donn as part of an alliance between the Dál gCais and the Uí Neill against the King of Munster, Cellachán Caisil. He lost the Battle of Gort Rotacháin at Mag Dúin in 944 to Cellachán, where two of his sons are said to have died. An Leabhar Muimhneach ("The Book of Munster") reports that he won a battle against Cellachán at Inis Locha Saingleann (Singland, Limerick).

Cennétig seems to have fought against the new High King, Congalach Cnogba, in the later attack on Munster in 950. Two of Cennétig sons, Donncuan and Echthighern, were killed in the fighting. Congalach returned again in 951, this time with the combined fleet of "Leth Cuinn" (the northern half of Ireland) and plundered along the Shannon (some of which would have been Cennétig's territory). He was succeeded by his son Lachtna.

Both the Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib ("The War of the Irish with the Foreigners") and the Book of Leinster (both later sources) say that Cennétig was "slain", but do not specify by whom. Though the Cogad may be implying that the Vikings of Limerick played a part. The Banshenchas says that only Flann and Conchobar were full brothers of Brian (sons of Beibhinn).

Descendants Since several of his sons founded their own dynasties, Cennétig is the fore-father of many Irish surnames today. The Ó Cinnéide family (O'Kennedy or Kennedy) take their name directly from him.