Domnall mac Donnchada Midi

Who is Domnall mac Donnchada Midi?

Domnall mac Donnchada Midi was a King of Mide of the Clann Cholmáin. He was the son of the High King of Ireland, Donnchad Midi. He ruled in as King of Mide from 797 to 799. Omitted from the king list of Uisnech in the Book of Leinster, he is included in the poem on the kings of Mide.

The period between the death of Donnchad Midi and the accession of his son Conchobar mac Donnchado in 803 was a time of civil strife and confusion amongst the Clann Cholmáin. Apparently Donnchad was succeeded by his son Domnall mac Donnchada Midi in 797. That same year the high king Áed Oirdnide of the Cenél nEógain invaded Meath and defeated Clann Cholmáin at the Battle of Druim Ríg. In this battle were slain two of Domnall's uncles, Fínnechta and Diarmait Odar as well as Fínnechta son of Follaman of the related Caílle Follamain. Áed went on to devastate Meath which submitted to him and the beginning of his high kingship is considered to have occurred from that point on.

In 799 Domnall mac Donnchada Midi was asssinated by his own kinsmen and his uncle Muiredach mac Domnaill Midi became King of Mide. Muiredach first appears in 799 as leading the forces of Mide in a victory over the Cenél Cairpri of Tethba at the Battle of Finnabair in Tethba in which the king of the Cenél Cairpri was slain. He may have been acting in the interest of his nephew Domnall as the Annals of Ulster place this event before Domnall's assassination. However, the Annals of the Four Masters place this even after Domnall's assassination and so Muiredach may have been imposing his own authority.