Énnae Cennsalach

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Énnae Cennsalach

Énnae Cennsalach was a 5th-century king of Leinster and the founder of the Uí Cheinnselaig, a ruling family of the Laigin. He was the grandson of Bressal Bélach, who had been king and died in 436.

The succession of Leinster kings in the 5th century is unclear. Some sources, like the Book of Leinster, list Énnae as a King of Laigin, but he is not always mentioned in the annals.

Keating’s history records wars between the High King Eochaid Mugmedón and Énnae Cennsalach, with Eochaid defeated at the Battle of Cruachan Claonta by Leinster forces.

In the legends Aided Néill and Orcuin Néill Noígíallaig, Énnae’s son Eochu is said to have killed the high king Niall Noígíallach. One version says Eochu killed Niall’s chief poet, which led Niall to harry Leinster and exile Eochu. Eochu found refuge with Erc of Dalriada and later killed Niall on his return from a raid. A different version says Fergus, Niall’s son, avenged his father by killing Eochu.

Énnae’s son Crimthann mac Énnai became king of Leinster as well (died 486). Another son, Fedelmid, was an ancestor of the Uí Felmeda branch of the Uí Cheinnselaig.