Gíallchad

Who is Gíallchad?

Gíallchad, the son of Ailill Olcháin, son of Sírna Sáeglach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. Gíallchad took power after killing his predecessor, and the son of his grandfather's killer, Elim Olfínechta, in the battle of Comair Trí nUisce. He is said to have taken one out of every five men of Munster hostage. Gíallchad reigned for nine years, before being killed by Elim's son Art Imlech at Mag Muaide. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Phraortes of the Medes. The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 786-777 BC, that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 1023-1014 BC.

Gíallchad's son was Nuadu Finn Fáil.