"Irish Kings and High-Kings" is an analysis of the nature of early Irish kingship. Using annalistic and genealogical material to interpret Irish saga and legend Professor Byrne examines the unique blend of pagan tribalism and Christian monasticism which characterizes the political landscape of early Ireland, exploring the nature of the traditional Five Fifths of Ireland, the mythology of Tara, and the growth of the highkingship of Ireland. Numerous maps and genealogical tables illustrate the development of the great overkingships of Ulster, Leinster, Connacht, and Cashel. The confrontation of St Patrick with the Irish kings, the relations between St Colum Cille and his royal cousins, and the ecclesiastical politics of Armagh, Kildare and Clonmacnoise are described and analysed.
This new edition includes an essay on the emergence of Irish surnames, additional notes and corrigenda to the first edition and review of recent work in the field. More than twenty years after its original publication, "Irish Kings and High-Kings" remains unsurpassed as an overview of this central theme in Irish history.
Author(s): Francis John Byrne
Series: Four Courts History Classics
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: Four Courts Press
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: LXVI+342
City: Dublin
List of Illustrations vii
Acknowledgements xiv
Additional Notes and Corrigenda xv
A Note on the Emergence of Irish Surnames xxxi
Preface to the Second Edition xlv
Preface 1
1. The Irish Concept of Kingship 7
2. King and People 28
3. Kings and High-Kings 40
4. The Kingship of Tara 48
5. Niall of the Nine Hostages 70
6. Diarmait mac Cerbaill and the Consolidation of Uí Néill Power 87
7. Ulster Kings 106
8. Kings of Leinster 130
9. Cashel 165
10. Leth Cuinn and Leth Moga 202
11. Connacht 230
12. The High-Kingship of Ireland 254
Appendix I: King Lists 275
Appendix II: Genealogical Tables 280
Appendix III: The Pronunciation of Old Irish Names 302
Bibliographical Note 308
Index 317
