Colmán Rímid

Who was Colmán Rímid?

Colmán Rímid was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. Colmán was the son of Báetán mac Muirchertaig, also considered to be a high king, and belonged to the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He ruled in Ailech from 578 to 602 His byname meant "the counter".

The high kingship of Ireland rotated between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches in the late 6th century. He is said to have shared the High Kingship with Áed Sláine. The accession of Colmán and Áed to the high kingship is recorded in the annals in 598 They are also listed as kings in the king lists. They are however omitted from the earliest king list, the Baile Chuind, a late 7th-century Irish poem. Fiachnae mac Báetáin of Ulaid may have been effectively king.

In 602 Colmán defeated his Cenél Conaill rival, Conall Cú mac Áedo at the Battle of Cúl Sleamna and Conall was put to flight. Colmán met his death in 604 when he was killed by a kinsman, Lochán Dilmana. The Annals of Ulster state of this:

"Of what value kingship, of what value law; of what value power over princes; Since it is king Colmán the Counter whom Lochan Dithnadha has slain?"