Fáelán mac Murchado

Who was Fáelán mac Murchado?

Fáelán mac Murchado was a King of Leinster from the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. He was the son of Murchad mac Brain Mut, a previous king. He ruled from 728 to 738.

He is first mentioned in the annals in 727 when he won a victory at the Battle of Bairenn or Inis Bregainn leading the men of Liffey over Eterscél mac Cellaig of the Uí Máil of Cualu and Congal mac Brain who were slain. In 728 he acquired the throne of Leinster by slaying his elder brother Dúnchad mac Murchado at the Battle of Ailenn.

The weakness of the Ui Neill at this time led Cathal mac Finguine, the King of Munster, to assert his claims over Leinster. In 735 was fought the Battle of Belach Éile between the Leinstermen and Munstermen with much slaughter on both sides. Cellach mac Fáelchair of the Osraige was slain fighting for Cathal who was defeated. The Annals of Innisfallen, however, claim that Cathal won the battle. The location of the battle makes it probable that Cellach of the Osraige was the aggressor and was taking advantage of the rivalry of Faelan with Áed mac Colggen of the Uí Cheinnselaig. In 738 Cathal was able to lead a hosting into Leinster and took hostages and treasure from Faelan who then died that year at an "unripe" age. The Annals of Tigernach claim it was his brother Bran Becc mac Murchado whom the hostages were taken from but it was more probably Faelan.