Máel Dúin mac Áedo Bennán

Who was Máel Dúin mac Áedo Bennán?

Máel Dúin mac Áedo Bennán was a King of Iarmuman from the Eóganacht Locha Léin branch of the Eoganachta. He was the son of Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn, who may have been King of all Munster. His uncle Áed Dammán is called King of Iarmumu in his death obit giving Máel Dúin a possible reign of 633–661.

Some of the events of his reign concern a feud with the Glendamnach sept of the Eoganachta. The roots of this feud are found in an old saga poem Mór Muman and the Violent Death of Cuanu mac Ailchine. During the reign of Cathal mac Áedo Flaind Chathrach of Munster, the husband of Aed Bennan's daughter Ruithchern, Lonán mac Findig, was murdered by Cuanu mac Ailchine of the Fir Maige Féne who abducts Ruithchern. They were on their way to seek shelter in Iarmuman and Cathal was blamed for not ensuring their safety.

Warfare then ensued between the two septs of the Eoganachta. The battle of Cenn Con in Munster between Mael Dúin and Aengus Liath of Glendamnach was fought in 644 with much slaughter on both sides and Mael Dúin was put to flight.

His son Congal mac Máele Dúin was also King of Iarmuman.