Bressal mac Áedo Róin

Who is Bressal mac Áedo Róin?

Bressal mac Áedo Róin was a Dal Fiatach king of Ulaid, which is now Ulster, Ireland. He reigned from 749 to 750. He was the son of Áed Róin, a previous king. This family had their base in modern County Down.

His father had been slain in battle in 735 by the high king Áed Allán of the Cenél nEógain and the kingship of Ulaid passed to the rival Dal nAraide of southern County Antrim. However in 749 the Dal nAraide king of Ulaid Cathussach mac Ailello was killed at Ráith Beithech probably in the interest of the Dal Fiatach and Bressal became king. Bressal himself was killed in 750 but the Dal Fiatach retained the kingship.

The king list in the Book of Leinster places his reign immediately after his father's and state he ruled for one year. This is the chronology followed by the later and more synthetic Annals of the Four Masters which state that he was killed at Dun Celtchair. The historian Professor Byrne believes that it is probable there was an interregnum in Ulaid between the reigns of Áed Róin and Bressal's brother Fiachnae mac Áedo Róin.