Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig

Who is Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig?

Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig was king of the Cenél Loairn, and of Dál Riata, from about 733 until 736.

He was the son of Ainbcellach mac Ferchair. His coming to power is reported in 733, and is not obviously associated with the death of Eochaid mac Echdach, king of Dál Riata, in the Irish annals. It is not certain who preceded Muiredach as king of the Cenél Loairn, but it may have been his cousin Dúngal mac Selbaig. Muiredach is one of the kings named in the 11th century praise poem Duan Albanach.

It is likely that his reign ended as a result of his defeat at the hands of the Picts of Fortriu, led by Talorgan mac Fergusa, brother of Óengus, at "Cnoc Cairpri in Calathros at Etarlinde". The battle is recorded by the Annals of Ulster, but Muiredach's death is not.

The independent existence of the kingdom of the Cenél Loairn, and that of Dál Riata, probably ended in 736, after which time it formed part of the kingdom of the Picts, ruled by Óengus mac Fergusa. The next king of Dál Riata reported by the Irish annals is Áed Find, of the Cenél nGabráin, named in 768. Some Scottish sources, including the Chronicle of Melrose, have Muiredach's son Eógan as his successor.