Crimthann mac Énnai

Who is Crimthann mac Énnai?

Crimthann mac Énnai was a King of Leinster from the Uí Cheinnselaig sept of the Laigin. He was the son of Énnae Cennsalach, the ancestor of this dynasty.

It is not known when he acquired the throne but, in the annals record of the Battle of Áth Dara, on the River Barrow in Mag Ailbe, in 458, both the Annals of Ulster and the Chronicum Scotorum name Crimthann as the leader of the Laigin forces. The Laigin defeated the high king Lóegaire mac Néill and captured him. They released him after he promised not to levy the cattle-tribute from Leinster again.

Crimthann was baptized by Saint Patrick at Ráith Bilech

The Annals of the Four Masters claim he was present at the Battle of Ocha of 482 when the high king Ailill Molt was slain but this is not confirmed by the other annals.

The annals record that he was slain in 483 and the Chronicum Scotorum specifies that Eochaid Guinech of the Uí Bairrche and the men of Arad Cliach were responsible. The Annals of the Four Masters state that Eochaid Guinech was the son of his daughter. The Uí Bairrche probably held an earlier predominant position in the south part of Leinster prior to the rise of the Uí Cheinnselaig.