Eógan Bél

Who was Eógan Bél?

Eógan Bél mac Cellaig was a king of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach branch of the Connachta. He was the grandson of the high king Ailill Molt. His reign began sometime after 500.

During his reign, he feuded with the northern Ui Neill and the Connachta suffered a defeat at Aidne in 531 during the reign of the powerful high king Muirchertach mac Ercae of the Cenél nEógain. Also during his reign, a victory was one at the Battle of Claenloch by the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne branch in the south under its king Goibnenn mac Conaill over Maine mac Cerbaill of the southern Ui Neill who was slain in 537. Goibnenn was defending the right to take hostages from the Ui Maine. This battle was significant in separating the Ui Maine from the Cenel Maine of Meath and in separating the Ui Neill from the Connachta.

Eogan's feud with the northern Ui Neill finally led to the Battle of Slicech in 542 in which Eogan was slain. According to the annals, the victors were Muichertach's sons Fergus and Domnall along with Ainmuire mac Sétnai and Ninnid mac Duach of the Cenel Conaill.

The Annals of the Four Masters say this of the battle: