Murchad mac Flaithbertaig

Who was Murchad mac Flaithbertaig?

Murchad mac Flaithbertaig was a chief of the Cenél Conaill of the northern Uí Néill in modern County Donegal. He was the son of the high king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig who abdicated in 734 and retired to the monastery at Armagh.

Murchad succeeded his brother Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig as chief of the Cenél Conaill in 754. His brother Áed Muinderg had been recognized as King of the North as the representative of the high king Domnall Midi of the Clann Cholmáin of the southern Ui Neill. However Loingsech did not succeed to this title and neither did Murchad and they were only called king of the Cenél Conaill at their death notices in the annals. During Murchad's reign the rival Cenél nEógain had acquired the kingship in the person of Niall Frossach in 763. The annals record that Murchad was killed in 767 but give no details.

His son Máel Bresail mac Murchada was also King of the Cenél Conaill.