Diarmait Dian

Who was Diarmait Dian?

Diarmait Dian mac Airmetaig was a King of Uisnech in Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the grandson of Conall Guthbinn mac Suibni, a previous king. His father Airmetach Cáech was slain at the Battle of Mag Rath in 637. He ruled from 653 to 689.

The feud between Clann Cholmáin and the Síl nÁedo Sláine of the early 7th century had ended in victory for the Síl nÁedo Sláine who dominated the high kingship of Ireland in the second half of the 7th century. However they began to feud among themselves and Clann Cholmain became caught up in this as well. In 662, a member of the cousin line of Clann Cholmáin Bicc, Fáelchú mac Máele Umai was slain at the Battle of Ogamain fighting on the side of Conaing Cuirre mac Congaile of Cnogba and Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine versus the adherents of Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine.

Diarmait himself was killed in 689 as part of the old feud by Áed mac Dlúthaig of the Fir Cúl Breg sept of Síl nÁedo Sláine. Áed's grandfather Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine had been slain in battle by Diarmait's grandfather Conall Guthbinn in 634. According to the Book of Leinster it was the high king Fínsnechta Fledach mac Dúnchado of Brega who killed him.