Áed Muinderg

Who was Áed Muinderg?

Áed mac Flaithbertaig, called Áed Muinderg, was a chief of the Cenél Conaill of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the high king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig. His byname Muinderg means "red-necked".

His father Flaithbertach was the last Cenél Conaill high king of Ireland. He was deposed or abdicated in 734 in favor of the rival northern Ui Neill family, the Cenél nEógain, led by Áed Allán. His father later died as a monk at Armagh in 765.

Áed Allán was defeated and slain in the battle at Seredmag by Domnall Midi of the Clann Cholmáin branch of the southern Ui Neill in 743. Domnall may have appointed Áed Muinderg as his deputy in the north and he is styled "King of the North" in the Irish annals. As such his rule in the north lasted from 743 to 747.

His brothers Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig and Murchad mac Flaithbertaig were simply called chiefs of the Cenél Conaill. His son Domnall mac Áeda Muindeirg was also called King of the North in the annals.