Lios Aedha of Aodha mac Eochaid
Articles by Richard Warner - Keeper of the Antiquities Department of the Ulster Museum, where he specialises in the Early Iron Age and the Early Christian period.

The Journey North through County Down

The Journey North through County Down

Artwork found at Lois Aedha

Artwork found at Lois Aedha

Map of Craeb Tulcha showing the forts at Lios Aedha and Dún Echdach

Map of Craeb Tulcha showing the forts at Lios Aedha and Dún Echdach
Ainbíth mac Áedo

Ainbíth mac Áedo was a Dál Fiatach king of Ulaid. He was the grandson of Eochaid mac Fiachnai (died 810), a previous king of Ulaid. He ruled from 873-882. He was the son of Aodha mac Eochaid, who was not a king, but moved the Dál Fiatach north by building Lois Aedha I. Ainbíth built Lois Aedha II.

Ainbíth became king in 873 and in 878 the Ulaid killed Cummascach mac Muiredaig, King of the Uá Cremthainn (a tribe of the Airgialla in County Fermanagh and County Monaghan). In 882 the Ualid fought a skirmish with the Conaille Muirtheimne of County Louth. Ainbíth was slain along with his ally Conallán mac Máele Dúin, king of the Uí Echach Cobo of west County Down.

References
  • Lisburn Historical Society
  • Byrne, Francis John (2001), Irish Kings and High-Kings, Dublin: Four Courts Press, ISBN 978-1-85182-196-9
  • Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2000), Early Christian Ireland, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-36395-0
  • Dáibhí Ó Cróinín (2005), A New History of Ireland, Volume One, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  • Gearoid Mac Niocaill (1972), Ireland before the Vikings, Dublin: Gill and Macmillan