Conall Grant

Who was Conall Grant?

Conall Grant mac Cernaig was a King of Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine. His father Cernach Sotal had died during plague years in 664. His byname Grant meant "Grey-haired"

In his time there was a rivalry between the northern septs of the Síl nÁedo Sláine, including the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba and the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl, with the southern sept of the Uí Chernaig. Conall's brother Niall mac Cernaig Sotal had been killed by the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre The kingship of Brega at this time was in rivalry between the septs. Two contemporaries were also considered kings of Brega around this time, Amalgaid mac Congalaig of the Uí Chonaing, and Conall Grant's nephew, Fogartach mac Néill.

Conall is among the guarantors of the Cáin Adomnáin proclaimed at the Synod of Birr in 697 where he is given the title King of Deiscirt Breg or southern Brega. These titles were added to the list of guarantors in 727 and the first use of the title King of South Brega in the Annals of Ulster is not until 751