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Dúnchad mac Conaing

600 – 654

King Dal Riata

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About Dúnchad mac Conaing

Lived 600 – 654. Dúnchad mac Conaing was a monarch.

Dúnchad mac Conaing (or Dúnchad mac Dubáin) (died 654) was king of Dál Riata (modern western Scotland). He was joint ruler with Conall Crandomna until he was defeated and killed by Talorgan son of Eanfrith, king of the Picts, in the Battle of Strathyre. Sources differ on Dúnchad's patronym and thus his presumed ancestry.

The death of Dúnchad mac Conaing in battle is reported in the Annals of Tigernach in 654: "... there fell Dúnchad, son of Conaing, and Congal, son of Ronan". John Bannerman proposed that this Dúnchad was the same person as the Dúnchad or Dúngal who is found as joint ruler with Conall Crandomna. Dúnchad mac Conaing appears in the Senchus fer n-Alban: "These are the sons of Conaing, son of Áedán .i. Rigallán, Ferchar, Artán, Artúr, Dondchad, Domungart, Nechtan, Ném, Crumíne.

However, the Synchronisms of Flann Mainistrech list Dúnchad mac Dubáin as king, while the Duan Albanach associated one Dúngal with Conall. Dubán may be a hypocoristic form of Dub, and represent a byname ("little Black"). An alternative reconstruction made Dúnchad a descendant of Áedán mac Gabráin's passed-over brother Eoganán.

He is presumed to have had at least one son, Conall Cáel (died 681), and it is possible that he was the grandfather, or great-grandfather by some readings, of Fiannamail ua Dúnchado and an ancestor of Dúnchad Bec.

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Important facts

Born
600
Birth century
Died
654
Occupation
Nationality
Dál Riata
Positions held
List of kings of Dál Riata
Also known as
Dunchad mac Conaing

People in Dúnchad mac Conaing's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Dúnchad mac Conaing's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Dúnchad mac Conaing?

King Dal Riata

When was Dúnchad mac Conaing born?

Dúnchad mac Conaing was born in 600.

When did Dúnchad mac Conaing die?

Dúnchad mac Conaing died in 654.

What was Dúnchad mac Conaing's occupation?

Dúnchad mac Conaing was a monarch.

What nationality was Dúnchad mac Conaing?

Dúnchad mac Conaing's recorded nationality: Dál Riata.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Dúnchad mac Conaing

· Wikidata: Q879112

· DBpedia: Dúnchad mac Conaing

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Dúnchad mac Conaing. https://biography.guide/dunchad-mac-conaing/

MLA: "Dúnchad mac Conaing." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/dunchad-mac-conaing/.

Chicago: "Dúnchad mac Conaing." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/dunchad-mac-conaing/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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