Cellach mac Brain

Who was Cellach mac Brain?

Cellach mac Brain was a King of Leinster of the Uí Muiredaig sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of the Laigin. This sept had their royal seat at Maistiu in South Kildare. He was the son of Bran Ardchenn mac Muiredaig, a previous king and brother of Muiredach mac Brain. He ruled from 829 to 834.

Cellach's brother Muiredach ruled as co-king with Muiredach mac Ruadrach of the Uí Fáeláin sept from 808 to 818. In 814 Muiredach and Cellach won a victory over the Uí Cheinnselaig of south Leinster. Upon the death of Muiredach, the other Muiredach mac Ruadrach became sole ruler until 829 at which time Cellach became king.

In August, 833 Cellach attacked the community of Kildare killing many. Common hostility to Kildare may show that Cellach was in sympathy with Feidlimid mac Cremthanin of Munster for political or religious reasons. In 831 the men of Laigin had joined Feidlimid in a campaign that plundered Brega. That same year the high king Conchobar mac Donnchada of Clann Cholmáin plundered the Liffey in retaliation.

His son Lorcán mac Cellaig was also king of Leinster. The later kings of the Uí Muiredaig descended from his brother Muiredach.