Áed mac Dlúthaig

Who was Áed mac Dlúthaig?

Áed mac Dlúthaig was a King of Fir Cúl in Brega of the Síl nDlúthaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine of Brega. He was the grandson of Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine, a king of Brega.

In his time the Síl nDlúthaig were closely associated with the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba in rivalry with the southern septs of Síl nÁedo Sláine, including the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore. Áed was involved in two killings. In 689 Áed killed Diarmait Dian mac Airmetaig Cáech, the King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. This was an old feud; Diarmait's grandfather Conall Guthbinn had slain Áed's grandfather Ailill Cruitire.

Then in 695 Áed and Congalach mac Conaing Cuirre of the Uí Chonaing were responsible for the death of the high king Fínsnechta Fledach and his son Bresal of the southern Clan Fínsnechtai sept at Grellaigh Dollaith. According to the Annals of Tigernach, this occurred in battle, but the Fragmentary Annals of Ireland state that Finsnechta was murdered in a tent by Congalach and Áed.

Áed is listed as one of the guarantors of the Cáin Adomnáin of Saint Adomnán arranged at the Synod of Birr in 697 where he is called King of Cúl.