Máel Dúin mac Áedo

Who is Máel Dúin mac Áedo?

Máel Dúin mac Áedo was a possible King of Munster from the Eóganacht Locha Léin branch of the Eóganachta. He was the son of Áed Bennán mac Conaing, a king of Iarmuman or West Munster and great great grandson of Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn who may have been King of all Munster.

The Eóganacht Locha Léin branch ruled in west Munster or Iarmumu with authority over the surrounding peoples and were semi-independent of the ruling inner circle of Eóganachta ruling from Cashel. Máel Dúin possibly succeeded to the throne of Iarmumu in 747 when Cairpre son of Cú Dínisc was slain at the Battle of Carn Ailche in a civil war amongst the men of Munster.

His accession to the throne of Munster cannot be dated with certainty. His accession broke the rotation of the Munster throne among the inner circle Eóganachta. The records become obfuscated for the later 8th century after the reign of the powerful Cathal mac Finguine. Cathal's successor Cathussach mac Eterscélai is only known from king lists and the Laud Synchronisms give him a reign of 27 years which would put the end of his reign in 769. However the annals record activity of Máel Dúin prior to this who is not included in the king lists.