View source for Ulaid

{{Short description|Ancient Irish kingdom}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox country
|native_name            =
|conventional_long_name = Ulaid
|common_name            = Ireland
|year_start             = Before 450&nbsp;
|year_end               = &nbsp;1177
|life_span              =
|date_start             =
|date_end               =
|event_start            =
|event_end              =
|p1                     = 
|flag_p1                =
|s1                     = Airgíalla
|image_s1               = [[File:O'Hanlon.png|x30px|link=Airgíalla]]
|s2                     = Earldom of Ulster
|image_s2               = [[File:Lacy Coat of arms.svg|x30px|link=Earldom of Ulster]]
|image_flag             =
|image_coat             =
|symbol_type            =
|image_map              = Ireland900.png
|image_map_caption      = Map of Ireland's over-kingdoms circa 900 AD.
|national_motto         =
|today       = {{plainlist|
*United Kingdom}}
|capital                = ''Various''
|common_languages       = [[Irish language|Irish]]
|government_type        = Monarchy
|title_leader           = [[List of kings of Ulster|King]]
|leader1                = [[Forga mac Dallán]]
|year_leader1           = –465
|leader2                = [[Ruaidrí Mac Duinn Sléibe]]
|year_leader2           = 1172–1177
|stat_year1             =
|stat_area1             =
|stat_pop1              =
|currency               =
|footnotes              =
}}
[[File:UlsterDioceseKingdoms.png|thumb|Ulaid during the 10th–11th century and its three main sub-kingdoms, along with some of its neighbouring kingdoms. These boundaries would be used as the basis for the dioceses created in the 12th century.]]
'''{{lang|sga|Ulaid|italic=unset}}''' ([[Old Irish]], {{IPA|sga|ˈuləðʲ|pron}}) or '''{{lang|ga|Ulaidh|italic=unset}}''' ([[Irish language|Modern Irish]], {{IPA|ga|ˈʊlˠiː, ˈʊlˠə|pron}}) was a [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] [[Provinces of Ireland|over-kingdom]] in north-eastern Ireland during the [[Middle Ages]] made up of a confederation of dynastic groups.<ref name="Connolly589" /> Alternative names include '''{{lang|la|Ulidia}}''', which is the Latin form of {{lang|sga|Ulaid}},<ref name="Hack38" /><ref name="ANHoI17" /><ref name="Tracts" /> and '''{{lang|sga|in Cóiced}}''', Irish for 'the Fifth'.<ref name="ANHoI17" /><ref name="MacNeill651" /> The king of Ulaid was called the {{lang|sga|[[rí]] Ulad}} or {{lang|sga|rí in Chóicid}}.<ref name="MacNeill651" /><ref name="FraserPage159" /><ref name="ANHOI212" />

Ulaid also refers to a people of early Ireland, and it is from them that the province of Ulster derives its name.<ref name="ANHOI212" /> Some of the dynasties in the over-kingdom claimed descent from the Ulaid, but others are cited as being of [[Cruithin]] descent. In historical documents, the term Ulaid was used to refer to the population group of which the {{lang|sga|[[Dál Fiatach]]|italic=unset}} was the ruling dynasty.<ref name="ANHOI212" /> As such, the title {{lang|sga|rí Ulad}} held two meanings: over-king of the Kingdom of Ulaid and king of the Ulaid people, as in the {{lang|sga|Dál Fiatach|italic=unset}}.<ref name="MacNeill651" /><ref name="ANHOI212" />

The Ulaid feature prominently in the [[Ulster Cycle]] of [[Irish mythology]]. According to legend, the ancient territory of Ulaid spanned the whole of the modern province of [[Ulster]], excluding [[County Cavan]], but including [[County Louth]].<ref name="Connolly589" /><ref name="Hack38" /> Its southern border was said to stretch from the River Drowes in the west to the [[River Boyne]] in the east.<ref name="Connolly589" /><ref name="Hack38" /><ref name="ANHOI212" /> At the onset of the historic period of Irish history in the 6th century, the territory of Ulaid was largely confined to east of the [[River Bann]], as it is said to have lost land to the [[Airgíalla]] and the [[Northern Uí Néill]].<ref name="Connolly589" /> Ulaid ceased to exist after its conquest in the late 12th century by the [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]] knight [[John de Courcy]], and was replaced with the [[Earldom of Ulster]].<ref name="Connolly589" />

An individual from Ulaid was known in Irish as an {{lang|mga|Ultach}}, the nominative plural being {{lang|mga|Ultaigh}}.
This name lives on in the surname [[McNulty|McAnulty or McNulty]], from {{lang|mga|mac an Ultaigh}} ('son of the Ulsterman').<ref name="Neafsey">{{cite book |last=Neafsey |first=Edward |title=The Surnames of Ireland: Origins and Numbers of Selected Irish Surnames |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fwxxSDG1a_cC&pg=PA168 |date=2002 |publisher=Irish Roots |isbn=9780940134973 |page=168}}</ref>

==Name==
Ulaid is a plural noun and originated as an [[ethnonym]]; however, Irish nomenclature followed a pattern where the names of population groups and apical ancestor figures became more and more associated with geographical areas even when the ruling dynasty had no links to that figure, and this was the case with the Ulaid.<ref name="Byrne46"/><ref name="Clontarf7-8"/><ref name="MacNeill60"/> Ulaid was also known as ''Cóiced Ulad'', the "Fifth of Ulster", and was one of the legendary five provinces of Ireland. After the subsequent loss of territory to the [[Airgíalla]] and [[Northern Uí Néill]], the eastern remnant of the province that formed medieval Ulaid was alternatively known as ''in Cóiced'', in reference to the unconquered part of ''Cóiced Ulad''.<ref name="MacNeill651"/>

The Ulaid are likely the Ούολουντιοι (''Uoluntii'' or ''Voluntii'') mentioned in [[Ptolemy]]'s 2nd century ''[[Geographia (Ptolemy)|Geographia]]''.<ref name="Ptolemy"/> This may be a corruption of Ούλουτοι (''Uluti''). The name is likely derived from the Gaelic ''ul'', meaning "[[beard]]".<ref>Karl Horst Schmidt, "Insular P- and Q-Celtic", in Martin J. Ball and James Fife (eds.), ''The Celtic Languages'', Routledge, 1993, p. 67</ref> The late 7th-century writer, Muirchú, spells Ulaid as ''Ulothi'' in his work the ''Life of Patrick''.<ref name="MIaE493"/>

Ulaid has historically been anglicised as ''Ulagh'' or ''Ullagh''<ref name="Library"/> and Latinized as ''Ulidia'' or ''Ultonia''.<ref name="Hack38"/><ref name="ANHoI17"/><ref name="Tracts"/> The latter two have yielded the terms ''Ulidian'' and ''Ultonian''.  The Irish word for someone from Ulaid is ''Ultach'' (also spelt as ''Ultaigh'' and ''Ultagh''),<ref name="Hack38"/><ref name="Surnames">Robert Bell; ''The book of Ulster Surnames'', page 180. The Blackstaff Press, 2003. {{ISBN|0-85640-602-3}}</ref> which in Latin became ''Ultonii'' and ''Ultoniensis''.<ref name="Hack38"/>

Ulaid gave its name to the province of Ulster, though the exact composition of it is disputed: it may derive from ''Ulaidh'' with or without the Norse genitive ''s'' and Irish ''tír'' ("land, country, earth"),<ref name="Bardon27"/><ref name="Clontarf26"/> or else the second element may be Norse ''-ster'' (meaning "place", common in Shetland and Norway).<ref name="Isaac"/><ref name="UHC"/>

The Ulaid are also referred to as being of the ''[[Clanna Rudraige]]'', a late form of group name.<ref name="Cultures"/>

==Population groups within Ulaid==
{{Further|Ulster Cycle}}
According to historical tradition, the ruling dynasties of the Ulaid were either of the Ulaid population-group or the [[Cruthin]]. Medieval Irish genealogists traced the descent of the Ulaid from the legendary [[High King of Ireland]], [[Rudraige mac Sithrigi]].<ref>O'Rahilly 1946, p. 480</ref> The Cruthin on the other hand is the Irish term for the [[Picts]], and are stated as initially being the most powerful and numerous of the two groupings.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> The terms Ulaid and Cruthin in early sources referred to the Dál Fiatach and Dál nAraidi respectively, the most powerful dynasties of both groups.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

The general scholarly consensus since the time of [[Eoin MacNeill]] has been that the Ulaid were kin to the [[Érainn]],<ref>[[Eoin MacNeill]], [https://archive.org/details/papersirishacad00macnuoft "Early Irish Population Groups: their nomenclature, classification and chronology"], in ''Proceedings of the [[Royal Irish Academy]] (C) 29''. (1911): 59–114</ref> or at least to their royal families, sometimes called the [[Clanna Dedad]], and perhaps not their nebulous subject populations.<ref>[[Eoin MacNeill]], ''[https://archive.org/details/phasesofirishhis00macn Phases of Irish History]''. Dublin: M. H. Gill & Son. 1920.</ref> [[T. F. O'Rahilly]] notably believed the Ulaid were an actual branch of the Érainn.<ref>[[T. F. O'Rahilly]], ''Early Irish History and Mythology'', 1946, p. 81</ref> Also claimed as being related to the Ulaid are the [[Dáirine]], another name for the Érainn royalty, both of which may have been related or derived from the [[Darini]] of Ptolemy.<ref>Discussed at length by O'Rahilly 1946</ref>

There is uncertainty however over the actual ancestry of the people and dynasties within the medieval over-kingdom of Ulaid. Those claimed as being descended from the Ulaid people included medieval tribes that were said to be instead of the [[Cruthin]] or [[Iverni|Érainn]],<ref name="Cultures"/> for example:
*the [[Dál Riata]], [[Dál Fiatach]], and [[Uí Echach Arda]] are counted as being of the Ulaid. The Dál Riata and Dál Fiatach however professed to be of Érainn descent.<ref name="Cultures"/><ref name="ThorntonPage201"/> Despite this the term Ulaid still referred to the Dál Fiatach until the Anglo-Norman conquest of the over-kingdom in the late 12th century.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>
*the [[Conaille Muirtheimne]], [[Dál nAraidi]] and [[Uí Echach Cobo]] are counted as being of the Cruthin. However, after the 8th century, the ''[[Síl Ír]]''—the book of genealogies on the descendants of the mythical Ír—focuses on the theme that they are the ''fír Ulaid'', "the true Ulaid".<ref name="Kelleher141"/> The Dál nAraidi still maintained the claim in the 10th century, long after their power declined.<ref name="ANHOI212"/><ref name="Cultures"/><ref name="ThorntonPage201"/>

==History of the over-kingdom==

===Early history===
[[Ptolemy]]'s ''[[Geographia (Ptolemy)|Geographia]]'', written in the 2nd century, places the ''Uoluntii'' or ''Voluntii'' in the southeast of what is now Ulster, somewhere south of the [[River Lagan]] and north of the [[River Boyne]]. To their north were the [[Darini]] and to their south were the [[Eblani]]. [[Muirchú moccu Machtheni|Muirchú]]'s "Life of Patrick", written in the 7th century, also says that the territory of the ''Ulothi'' lay between the Lagan and the Boyne.<ref>Duffy (2005), p.817</ref> In the [[Ulster Cycle]] of [[Irish mythology]]—which survives in texts from the 8th century onward—the pre-historic Ulaid are said to dominate the whole north of Ireland, their southern border stretching from the River Boyne in the east to the [[River Drowes]] in the west, with their capital at [[Emain Macha]] (Navan Fort) near present-day [[Armagh]], [[County Armagh]].<ref name="ANHOI212"/><ref name="Clontarf26"/> According to legend, around 331 AD the [[Three Collas]] invaded Ulaid, destroyed its ancient capital Emain Macha, and restricted Ulaid to the eastern part of its territory: east of the [[River Bann|Lower Bann]] and [[Newry River]].<ref name="OBrien170-1"/><ref name="Schlegel173-4"/> It is said that the territory the Three Collas conquered became the kingdom of [[Airgíalla]].<ref name="OBrien170-1"/> Another tradition that survived until the 11th century dated the fall of Emain Macha to 450 AD—within the time of [[Saint Patrick]]—which may explain why he chose Armagh, near Emain Macha, as the site of his episcopacy, as it would then still be under Ulaid control.<ref name="Schlegel173-4"/> It may also explain why he was buried in eastern Ulster in the restricted territory of the Ulaid rather than at Armagh, as it had by then come under Airgíallan control.<ref name="Schlegel173-4"/> It is likely that the Airgíalla were not settlers in Ulaid territory, but indigenous tribes;<ref>[[Dáibhí Ó Cróinín|Ó Cróinín, Dáibhí]]. ''A New History of Ireland I: Prehistoric and Early Ireland''. Oxford University Press, 2005. p.202</ref> most of whom were [[vassal]]s of the Ulaid before casting off Ulaid overlordship and becoming independent.<ref>Byrne (2001), p.73</ref> It has been suggested that the [[Airthir]]—in whose lands lay Emain Macha—were originally an Ulaid tribe before becoming one of the Airgíalla.<ref>[[David Dumville|Dumville, David]]. ''Saint Patrick''. Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 1999. p. 151</ref>

Towards the end of the 5th century, the Ulaid sub-group [[Dál Riata]], located in the [[Glens of Antrim]], had started settling in modern-day Scotland, forming a cross-channel kingdom.<ref name="Bardon17"/> Their first settlements were in the region of [[Argyll]], which means "eastern province of the Gael".<ref name="Bardon17"/>

It is to these boundaries that Ulaid entered the historic period in Ireland in the 6th century, though the Dál nAraidi still held territory west of the Bann in County Londonderry.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> The emergence of the Dál nAraidi and Dál Fiatach dynasties may have concealed the dominance of earlier tribal groupings.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

===6th to 7th centuries===
By the mid-6th century, the Dál Riata possessions in Scotland came under serious threat from [[Bridei I]], [[king of the Picts]], resulting in them seeking the Northern Uí Néill's aid.<ref name="Bardon17"/> The king of Dál Riata, [[Áedán mac Gabráin]], had already granted the island of [[Iona]] off the coast of Scotland to the Cenél Conaill prince and saint, [[Columba]], who in turn negotiated an alliance between the Northern Uí Néill and Dál Riata in 575 at Druim Ceit near [[Derry]].<ref name="Bardon17"/> The result of this pact was the removal of Dál Riata from Ulaid's overlordship allowing it to concentrate on extending its Scottish domain.<ref name="Bardon17"/> That same year either before or after the convention of Druim Ceit, the king of Dál Riata was killed in a bloody battle with the Dál nAraidi at Fid Euin.<ref name="FraserMedievalPg317"/>

In 563, according to the Annals of Ulster, an apparent internal struggle amongst the Cruthin resulted in Báetán mac Cinn making a deal with the Northern Uí Néill, promising them the territories of Ard Eólairgg ([[Magilligan peninsula]]) and the Lee, both west of the River Bann.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> As a result, the [[battle of Móin Dairi Lothair]] (modern-day Moneymore) took place between them and an alliance of Cruthin kings, in which the Cruthin suffered a devastating defeat.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> Afterwards the Northern Uí Néill settled their Airgíalla allies in the Cruthin territory of [[Eilne]], which lay between the River Bann and the River Bush.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> The defeated Cruthin alliance meanwhile consolidated themselves on Dál nAraidi.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

The Dál nAraidi king [[Congal Cáech]] took possession of the overlordship of Ulaid in 626, and in 628 killed the [[High King of Ireland]], [[Suibne Menn]] of the Northern Uí Néill in battle.<ref name="Bardon20-1"/> In 629, Congal led the Dál nAraidi to defeat against the same foes.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> In an attempt to have himself installed as [[High King of Ireland]], Congal made alliances with Dál Riata and [[Kingdom of Strathclyde|Strathclyde]], which resulted in the disastrous [[Battle of Moira]] in 637, in modern-day County Down, which saw Congal slain by High King [[Domnall mac Áedo]] of the Northern Uí Néill and resulted in Dál Riata losing possession of its Scottish lands.<ref name="Bardon20-1"/>

The Annals of Ulster record that in 668, the battle of ''Bellum Fertsi'' (modern-day Belfast) took place between the Ulaid and Cruithin, both terms which then referred to the Dál Fiatach and Dál nAraide respectively.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

Meanwhile, the Dál nAraidi were still resisting the encroaching Northern Uí Néill and in 681, Dúngal Eilni, king of the Dál nAraidi, and his ally Cenn Fáelad of [[Keenaght (barony)|Ciannachta]] were killed at Dún Cethirinn.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

===8th to 10th centuries===
By the 8th century the territory of the Ulaid shrunk to east of the Bann into what is now the modern-day counties [[County Antrim|Antrim]], [[County Down|Down]] and [[County Louth|Louth]].<ref name="Clontarf26"/> In either 732 or 735, the Ulaid suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Cenél nEógain led by [[Áed Allán]] in the [[battle of Fochart]] in Magh Muirthemne,<ref name="Wiley19"/> which saw the king of Ulaid, [[Áed Róin]], decapitated.<ref name="MacNiocaill124"/> As a result, the Cenél nEógain brought Conaille Muirthemne under their suzerainty.<ref name="Wiley19"/><ref name="Byrne118"/><ref name="Charles573"/>

The taking over of the Ulaid's ancestral lands by first the Northern Uí Néill and the end of their glory led to a constant antagonism between them.<ref name="Clontarf26"/> It was in the 8th century that the kingdom of Dál Riata was overrun by the Dál nAraidi.<ref name="ANHoI17"/>

The Dál Fiatach dynasty held sway over Ulaid until the battle of Leth Cam in 827, when they attempted to remove Airgíalla from Northern Uí Néill dominance.<ref name="MIaE493"/> The Dál Fiatach may have been distracted by the presence of at least one Viking base along [[Strangford Lough]], and by the end of the century, the Dál nAraidi had risen to dominance over them. However, this only lasted until 972, when Eochaid mac Ardgail restored Dál Fiatach's fortunes.<ref name="MIaE493"/>

During the 9th and 10th centuries, the Vikings had founded several bases in Ulaid, primarily at [[Annagassan]], [[Carlingford Lough]], [[Lough Neagh]], and [[Strangford Lough]].<ref name="ANHoI38"/> There was also a significant port at Ulfreksfjord, located at Latharna, present-day Larne, County Antrim.<ref name="ANHoI38"/> All but Ulfreksfjord were destroyed by the combined efforts of the Ulaid and the Northern Uí Néill, however as a result they deprived themselves of the economic advantages provided by prosperous Viking settlements.<ref name="ANHoI38"/>

===11th century===
In 1000 the Viking [[Kingdom of Dublin|king of Dublin]], [[Sigtrygg Silkbeard]], was expelled by [[Brian Boru]] the [[High King of Ireland]], and was refused sanctuary by the Ulaid.<ref name="Hudson86-7"/> Eventually Sigtrygg was forced to return to Dublin and submitted to Brian.<ref name="Corrain123"/> Sigtrygg didn't forget the Ulaid's refusal,<ref name="Hudson86-7"/> and in 1001 his fleet plundered [[Inch Abbey|Inis Cumhscraigh]] and [[Kilclief|Cill Cleithe]] in Dál Fiatach, taking many prisoners.<ref name="AOFM1001"/> Sigtrygg's forces also served in Brian's campaigns against the Ulaid in 1002 and 1005.<ref name="Hudson86-7"/><ref name="Hudson95"/>

At Craeb Telcha in 1003 the Northern Uí Néill and Ulaid fought a major battle, the Ulaid inauguration site.<ref name="MIaE493"/><ref name="Clontarf26"/><ref name="PlacenamesCraeb"/> Here Eochaid mac Ardgail, and most of Ulaid's nobility were slaughtered, along with the Northern Uí Néill king.<ref name="MIaE493"/><ref name="Clontarf26"/> The result was a bloody succession war amongst the princes of the Dál Fiatach, who also had to war with the Dál nAraidi who eyed the kingship.<ref name="Clontarf138-9"/>

In 1005, Brian Boru, marched north to accept submissions from the Ulaid, and set-up camp at Emain Macha possibly with the intention of exploiting the symbolism it held for the Ulaid.<ref name="Clontarf138-9"/> From here, Boru marched to the Dál nAraidi capital, Ráith Mór, where he received only the submissions of their king and that of the Dál Fiatach.<ref name="Clontarf138-9"/> This however appears to have been the catalyst for a series of attacks by [[Flaithbertach Ua Néill]], king of the Cenél nEógain, to punish the Ulaid.<ref name="Clontarf151-4"/> In 1006, an army led by Flaithbertach marched into [[Lecale|Leth Cathail]] and killed its king, followed by the slaying of the heir of Uí Echach Cobo at [[Loughbrickland]].<ref name="Clontarf151-4"/>

The battle of Craeb Telcha resulted in the inability of the Ulaid to provide any useful aid to Boru, when in 1006 he led an army made up of men from all over Ireland in an attempt to force the submission of the Northern Uí Néill.<ref name="Clontarf26"/><ref name="Clontarf151-4"/> Having marched through the lands of the Cenél Conaill and Cenél nEógain, Boru led his army across the River Bann at Fersat Camsa (Macosquin) and into Ulaid, where he accepted submissions from the Ulaid at Craeb Telcha, before marching south and through the traditional assembly place of the [[Conaille Muirtheimne]] at ''i n-oenach Conaille''.<ref name="Clontarf151-4"/>

Flaithbertach Ua Néill continued his attacks on Ulaid in 1007, attacking the Conaille Muirtheimne.<ref name="Clontarf151-4"/> In 1011, the same year Boru finally achieved hegemony over the entire of Ireland, Flaithbertach launched an invasion of Ulaid, and after destroying Dún Echdach (Duneight, south of Lisburn) and the surrounding settlement, took the submission of the Dál Fiatach, who had the Ulaid kingship, thus removing them from Boru's over-lordship.<ref name="Clontarf168-9"/> The next year, Flaithbertach raided the Ards peninsula and took an uncountable number of spoils.<ref name="Clontarf168-9"/>

At Ulfreksfjord in 1018, a combined force of native Irish, led by a king called Conchobar, and their Norse allies, led by Eyvind Urarhorn, defeated a major Viking expedition launched by the [[Earl of Orkney]], [[Einar Sigurdsson]], who was aiming to re-assert [[Sigurd the Stout|his father's]] lordship over the seaways between Ireland and Scotland.<ref name="Pedersen271"/><ref name="Snorri330"/> In 1022, Niall mac Eochaid, the king of Ulaid, inflicted a major defeat on Sigtrygg's Dublin fleet, decimating it and taking its crew captive.<ref name="Pedersen231"/><ref name="Hudson108-9"/> Niall followed up this victory in 1026 attacking Finn Gall, a Viking settlement just north of Dublin itself.<ref name="Pedersen231"/><ref name="Hudson108-9"/>

Sigtrygg's nephew, [[Ímar mac Arailt|Ivar Haraldsson]], plundered [[Rathlin Island]] just off the north coast of Ulaid in 1038 and again in 1045.<ref name="Hudson136"/> The latter attack saw Ímar kill Ragnall Ua Eochada, the heir-apparent of Ulaid and brother of Niall mac Eochaid, along with three hundred Ulaid nobles.<ref name="Hudson136"/><ref name="Tigernach1045"/><ref name="AOFM1045"/> In retribution Niall again attacked Finn Gall.<ref name="Hudson136"/> In 1087, a son of the king of Ulaid, allied with two grandsons Ragnall, attacked the [[Isle of Man]] in a failed attempt to oust [[Godred Crovan]], king of Dublin and [[kingdom of the Isles|the Isles]].<ref name="Pedersen233"/><ref name="Oram32"/><ref name="AoU1087"/>

At the end of the 11th century, the Ulaid had a final revival under Donn Sléibe mac Echdacha, from whom descended the Mac Dúinn Shléibe—anglicised MacDonlevy—kings that ruled Ulaid in the 12th century, with the Dál Fiatach kingship restricted to their dynasty after 1137.<ref name="Byrne128"/> They developed close ties with the [[kingdom of the Isles]].<ref name="MIaE493"/> The Mac Dúinn Shléibe kings desperately maintained the independence of Ulaid from the Mac Lochlainn rulers of the Northern Uí Néill.<ref name="ANHoI17"/>

===12th century===
By the beginning of the 12th century the Dál nAraidi, ruled by the Ó Loingsigh (O'Lynch), had lost control of most of Antrim to the Ua Flainn (O'Lynn) and became restricted to a stretch of land in south Antrim with their base at Mag Line (Moylinny). The Ua Flainn were the ruling sept of the Airgíallan Uí Thuirtre as well as rulers of Fir Lí, both of which lay west of the River Bann. In a process of gradual infiltration by marital and military alliances as well as growing pressure from the encroaching Cenél nEógain, they moved their power east of the Bann. Once they had come to prominence in Antrim the Ua Flainn styled themselves as king of Dál nAraidi, Dál Riata, and Fir Lí, alongside their own Uí Thuirtre.<ref name="ANHoI17"/>

By 1130, the most southerly part of Ulaid, Conaille Muirtheimne, had been conquered by [[Donnchad Ua Cerbaill]], king of Airgíalla.<ref name="ANHoI16"/> The part of Muirtheimne called Cualigne was subsequently settled by the Airgíallan Uí Méith (from which Omeath derives its name).<ref name="ANHoI16"/>

The earliest Irish land charter to survive is that of the grant in [[1157 in Ireland|1157]] of land to the Cistercians in Newry, which lay in Uí Echach, by the High King [[Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn]].<ref name="ANHoI12"/> This grant was made with the consent of the king of Ulaid, Cú Ulad Mac Dúinn Sléibe, and the king of Uí Echach, Domnall Ua hÁeda.<ref name="ANHoI12"/>

The Annals of Ulster record that in April [[1165 in Ireland|1165]], the Ulaid, ruled by Eochaidh Mac Dúinn Sléibe, turned against Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn, and attacked the Uí Méith as well as the Uí Breasail in modern barony [[Oneilland East]], County Armagh (which was also formerly part of Ulaid), and the Dál Riata.<ref name="AoU1165"/> In retaliation Mac Lochlainn led a force consisting of the Northern Uí Néill and Airgíalla into Ulaid killing many and expelling Eochaid from the kingship.<ref name="AoU1165"/> In September Eochaid tried to reclaim the kingship, however was expelled by his own people who feared reprisals from Mac Lochlainn, upon whose command had Eochaid confined by Ua Cerbaill.<ref name="AoU1165"/> The next month Mac Lochlainn led another raid into Ulaid, receiving their hostages along with a large amount of their treasure.<ref name="AoU1165"/> Later that same month Ua Cerbaill along with Eochaid held a meeting with Mac Lochlainn where Eochaid requested the kingship of Ulaid in return for the hostages of all Ulaid, which included the son of every chief along with his own daughter.<ref name="AoU1165"/> Eochaid also gave Mac Lochlainn a considerable amount of treasure along with the territory of [[Bairrche]], and the [[townland]] of Saul.<ref name="ANHoI12"/><ref name="AoU1165"/> In turn, Mac Lochlainn swore an oath to the Bishop of Armagh amongst other nobles for his good behaviour. Mac Lochlainn then give Bairrche to Ua Cerbaill for his part in mediating what turned out to be short-lived reconciliation.<ref name="ANHoI16"/><ref name="AoU1165"/><ref name="Magoo"/> Over the following century, the Airgíallan [[Mourne (barony)|Mughdorna]] would settle Bairrche, and from them derives its present-day name of Mourne.<ref name="ANHoI16"/> Despite his oath, Muirchertach had Eochaid seized and blinded, after which his allies abandoned him, and he was reduced to a handful of followers. With sixteen of these closest associates, he was killed in [[1166 in Ireland|1166]].

In 1170 Eochaid's brother Magnus who had become king of Ulaid expelled the Augustinian canons from [[Saul, County Down|Saul]].<ref name="ANHoI12"/>

===Ulaid and the Normans===
Despite the turmoil amongst the Ulaid, they continued to survive but not for much longer. In 1177 [[Earldom of Ulster#De Courcy's invasion of Ulaid|Ulaid was invaded]] by the [[Normans]] led by [[John de Courcy]], who in a surprise attack captured and held the Dál Fiatach capital, Dún De Lethglaise ([[Downpatrick]]), forcing the Ulaid over-king, Ruaidrí Mac Duinn Sléibe (Rory MacDonleavy), to flee.<ref name="Bardon35"/><ref name="Adamson116"/> A week later, Mac Duinn Sléibe returned with a great host from across Ulaid, and despite heavily outnumbering de Courcy's forces, were defeated.<ref name="Bardon33">Bardon, page 33–5.</ref><ref name="ANHoI115"/> In another attempt to retake Dún De Lethglaise, Mac Duinn Sléibe followed up with an even greater force made up a coalition of Ulster's powers that included the king of the [[Cenél nEógain]], [[Máel Sechnaill Mac Lochlainn]], and the chief prelates in the province such as the archbishop of Armagh and the bishop of Down.<ref name="Bardon33"/><ref name="ANHoI115"/> Once again however the Normans won, capturing the clergy and many of their relics.<ref name="Bardon33"/><ref name="ANHoI115"/>

In 1178, after John de Courcy had retired to Glenree in ''Machaire Conaille'' (another name for Conaille Muirtheimne), Mac Duinn Sléibe, along with the king of Airgíalla, Murchard Ua Cerbaill (Murrough O'Carroll), attacked the Normans, killing around 450, and suffering 100 fatalities themselves.<ref name="AOTFM1178"/>

Despite forming alliances, constant inter-warring amongst the Ulaid and against their Irish neighbours continued oblivious to the threat of the Normans.<ref name="Adamson116"/> De Courcy would take advantage of this instability and over the following years, despite some setbacks, set about conquering the neighbouring districts in Ulaid shifting the focus of power.<ref name="Bardon35"/><ref name="Adamson116"/>

By 1181, Mac Duinn Sléibe and Cú Mide Ua Flainn, the king of Uí Thuirtre and Fir Lí in County Antrim, had come around and served loyally as sub-kings of de Courcy.<ref name="ANHoI116"/> Mac Duinn Sléibe, possibly inspired by the chance to restore Ulaid to its ancient extent, may have encouraged de Courcy to campaign westwards, which saw attacks on Armagh in 1189 and then Derry and the Inishowen peninsula in 1197.<ref name="ANHoI116"/>

De Courcy would style himself as ''princeps Ultoniae'', "master of Ulster", and ruled his conquests like an independent king.<ref name="Adamson116"/> The Uí Echach Coba in central and western Down however escaped conquest.<ref name="Bardon35"/>

In 1199 [[King John I of England]] sent [[Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster|Hugh de Lacy]] to arrest de Courcy and take his possessions. In 1205, de Lacy was made the first Earl of Ulster, founding the [[Earldom of Ulster]], with which he continued the conquest of the Ulaid. The earldom would expand along the northern coast of Ulster all the way to the Cenél nEógain's old power-base of [[Inishowen]].

Until the end of the 13th century, the Dál Fiatach, still led by the Mac Dúinnshléibe, retained a fraction of their power being given the title of ''rex Hibernicorum Ulidiae'', meaning "king of the Irish of Ulaid".<ref name="DownArdsxix"/> The Gaelic title of ''rí Ulad'', meaning "king of Ulster", upon the extinction of Dál Fiatach was usurped by the encroaching Ó Néills of the Cenél nEógain.<ref name="DownArdsxix"/>

==Religion==
[[File:Gravestone of St. Patrick, Downpatrick 2018-07-25.jpg|thumb|The burial site of St. Patrick at [[Downpatrick]], [[County Down]]]]
[[File:DioceseDownandConnor.png|thumb|Highlighted in brown, the diocese of Down and Connor, having been united in 1439. Directly south of it is the diocese of Dromore.]]
Ulaid was the location where the future patron saint of Ireland, [[Saint Patrick]], was held during his early captivity.<ref name="OHart"/> It is here that he made the first Irish converts to [[Christianity]], with the Dál Fiatach the first ruling dynasty to do so.<ref name="OHart"/> Patrick died at [[Saul, County Down|Saul]], and buried at ''Dún De Lethglaise'', which in the 13th century was renamed ''Dún Phádraig'', which became Anglicised as Downpatrick.<ref name="SPC"/>

When Ireland was being organised into a diocesan system in the 12th century, the following dioceses where created based on the territory of the main dynasties of the Ulaid: the diocese of Down, based on the territory of the Dál Fiatach, with its cathedral at Bangor, however later moved to Downpatrick by John de Courcy; and the diocese of Connor, based on the territory of the Dál nAraidi.<ref name="Keenan139-40"/><ref name="Keenan347-9"/> Around 1197 the diocese of Down was split in two with the creation of the diocese of Dromore, based on the territory of the [[Uí Echach Cobo]], with its cathedral at Dromore.<ref name="Keenan139-40"/><ref name="Keenan347-9"/>

===Principal churches/monasteries===
The chief churches, or more accurately monasteries, of the main sub-kingdoms of Ulaid were:
*Mag Bile (modern Irish: ''Maigh Bhile'', meaning "plain of [the] sacred trees"), now known as Movilla in County Down.<ref name="PlaceNamesMovilla"/> It was the chief church of the Dál Fiatach, and linked with their ecclesiastical origins, having been founded circa 540 by St. [[Finnian of Movilla]], who was of the Dál Fiatach.<ref name="PlaceNamesMovilla"/><ref name="Carey97"/> The name Mag Bile suggests that this monastery was purposely built on the site of an ancient sacred tree.<ref name="PlaceNamesMovilla"/>
*Bennchair (modern Irish: ''Beannchar'', possibly meaning "place of points"), now known as [[Bangor, County Down|Bangor]] in County Down.<ref name="PlaceNamesBangor"/> Built circa 555 or 559 by [[St. Comgall]] of the Dál nAraidi in what was Dál Fiatach territory, it was one of the main monastic foundations in Ireland.<ref name="Carey97"/><ref name="PlaceNamesBangor"/>
*Condaire (modern Irish: ''Coinnire'', meaning "[wild-]dog oak-wood"), now known as [[Connor, County Antrim|Connor]] in County Antrim.<ref name="PlaceNamesConnor"/> It was the chief church of the Dál nAraidi located in the minor-kingdom of [[Dál Sailni]], and was founded by [[St. Mac Nisse]].<ref name="PlaceNamesConnor"/><ref name="Edwards63"/><ref name="Charles-Edwards59-60"/> It would become the cathedral for the diocese of Connor.
*Airther Maigi (modern Irish: ''Oirthear Maí'', meaning "the east of the plain"), now known as [[Armoy, County Antrim|Armoy]] in County Antrim.<ref name="PlaceNamesArmoy"/> It was the chief church of the Dál Riata founded by [[St. Olcan]]; however, after Dál nAraidi expansion in the 7th century it lost its episcopal status and was superseded by the church of Connor.<ref name="Charles-Edwards59-60"/>
*Droma Móir (modern Irish: ''Droim Mór'', meaning "big ridge"), now known as [[Dromore, County Down|Dromore]] in County Down.<ref name="PlaceNamesDromore"/> It became the chief church of the Uí Echach Cobo, and was founded circa 510 by [[Colman of Dromore|St. Colmán]].<ref name="Dromore_Cathedral">{{Cite web |url=http://www.downanddromore.org/pages/diocesan-info/dromore-cathedral#.V6npsjX6k-1|title=About Us|publisher=Diocese of Down and Dromore|access-date= 9 August 2016}}</ref> It would become the cathedral for the diocese of Dromore.

==Artefacts==
Although [[Francis John Byrne]] describes the few La Tène artefacts discovered in Ireland as 'rather scanty',<ref>[[Francis John Byrne|Byrne, Francis John]], ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''. [[Four Courts Press]]. 2nd revised edition, 2001.</ref> most of the artefacts (mostly weapons and harness pieces) have been found in the north of Ireland, suggesting 'small bands of settlers (warriors and metalworkers) arrived' from Britain in the 3rd century BC, and may have been absorbed into the Ulaid population.<ref>[[Connolly, S.J]], ''The Oxford companion to Irish history.'' [[Oxford University Press]]. 2nd edition, 2007.</ref>{{page needed|date=September 2015}}

==Kingdoms, dynasties, and septs==
{{Main|List of clans and septs in Ulaid}}
By the 12th century Ulaid was divided into four main dynastic sub-kingdoms, each consisting of smaller petty-kingdoms:
* [[Dál Fiatach]], an Ulaid people based at Dún De Lethglaise (present-day [[Downpatrick]], County Down), who dominated the over-kingship of Ulaid and had interests in the [[Isle of Man]].<ref name="Clontarf26"/> Their principal sept were the Mac Duinnshléibhe.
* [[Dál nAraidi]] a Cruithin people, dominated by the Dál nAraidi of Magh Line based at Ráith Mór (near present-day [[Antrim town]], County Antrim). They were the Dál Fiatach's main challengers for the over-kingship.<ref name="Clontarf26"/> Their principal sept were the Uí Choelbad.
* [[Iveagh|Uí Echach Cobo]], a Cruithin sept, kin with the Dál nAraidi, who also challenged for the over-kingship of Ulaid.<ref name="Iveagh"/> They were based in modern-day County Down, possibly at ''Cnoc Uí Echach'' ([[Knock Iveagh]]).<ref name="Drumballyroney"/> Their principal sept were the Mag Aonghusa;
* [[Uí Tuirtri]], originating from Airgíalla they took control of most of Dál nAraidi's territory. Its principal sept was the Uí Fhloinn.

In the 10th-century revision of the [[Lebor na Cert]], the following twelve Ulaid petty-kingdoms are given as paying stipends to the king of Ulaid:<ref name="Dobbs78"/>
* Dál nAraidi of Magh Line
* Cobha, ruled by the Uí Echach Cobo
* [[Dál Riata]], based in the [[Glens of Antrim]]
* Airrther, a district located in eastern [[County Armagh]]
* [[Uí Erca Céin]], a branch of the Dál nAraidi
* [[Leth Cathail]], a branch of the Dál Fiatach, located in and around the modern barony of Lecale, County Down<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/> 
* [[Conaille Muirtheimne]], close kin of the Uí Echach Cobo, located in and around the modern barony of [[Dundalk (barony)|Dundalk]], [[County Louth]]<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/> 
* [[Dál mBuinne]], also known as the Muintir Branáin, a branch of the Dál nAraidi located along the border area between County Antrim and Down<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/> 
* [[Uí Blathmaic]], a branch of the Dál Fiatach whose territory was located in the north-western part of the barony of [[Ards (territory)|Ards]] and part of Castlereagh;<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/> 
*Na hArda, ruled by the [[Uí Echach Arda]], a branch of the Dál Fiatach whose territory was located in the northern part of the [[Ards peninsula]]<ref name="DownArdsPg3"/> 
*Boirche, alias Bairrche, a branch of the Dál Fiatach located in what is now the barony of [[Mourne (barony)|Mourne]] in southern County Down
*[[Duibhthrian]], west of [[Strangford Lough]], County Down.

Other territories and dynasties within Ulaid included:
* Cuailgne, located in the area of [[Carlingford Lough]] and Dundalk, County Louth. Their name is preserved in the name of the parish of Cooley,<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/> as well as the [[Cooley Peninsula]]. Cooley is the location of the ''Táin Bó Cúailnge'' or Cattle Raid of Cooley.
* Dál Sailni, a client-kingdom of the Dál nAraidi of Magh Line. Whilst the Uí Choelbad dynasty of Dál nAraidi supplied the principal kings, the Dál Sailni held the principal church of Connor.<ref name="Edwards63"/> After the Viking period, the church of Connor and the territory of the Dál Sailni were taken over by the Uí Tuirtri.<ref name="Edwards63"/>
* [[Kinelarty|Cineál Fhaghartaigh]], an offshoot of the Uí Echach Cobo, who at one time held the modern baronies of Kinelarty, [[Dufferin (barony)|Dufferin]], and part of [[Castlereagh (County Down barony)|Castlereagh]].<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/>
* Monaig, a people whose locale is disputed. The annals and historians make mention of several different Monaigs: the Monaigh Uladh, in the area of Downpatrick; Monaich Ulad of Rusat; Monaigh at Lough Erne, County Fermanagh; Monaigh Aird, in County Down; the Cenél Maelche/Mailche in [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]], County Antrim, "alias Monach"; Magh Monaigh; Monach-an-Dúin in Cath Monaigh, possibly in Iveagh, County Down. The ancient Manaigh/Monaigh who settled near Lough Erne, are associated with the [[Menapii]], a [[Belgae]] tribe from northern [[Gaul]].<ref name="IHiMUlaid"/>

===Descended houses===
The first king of Scotland, [[Kenneth MacAlpin]], founder of the [[House of Alpin]], is said to descend from the mid-6th-century king of Dál Riata, [[Gabrán mac Domangairt]]. Along with this, the following Scottish Highland houses are reputed to be of Ulaid descent: [[Clan MacEwen|McEwen]], [[Clan Maclachlan|MacLachlan]], [[Clan MacNeil|McNeill]]s, and the [[Clan Sweeney|MacSweens]].<ref>John O'Hart, ''Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation'', 5th edition, in two volumes, originally published in Dublin in 1892, reprinted, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976, Vol. 1, p 604</ref><ref>John O'Hart, ''Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation'', 5th edition, in two volumes, originally published in Dublin in 1892, reprinted, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976, Vol. 1, pp 558–559</ref><ref>Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk ''The Highland Clans'' (1982) New York: Clarkson N. Potter {{ISBN|0-517-54659-0}}, pp. 117–119, The Donlevy are also reputed to have given rise in Scotland to the Highland MacEwens, Maclachlans, MacNeils and MacSweens.</ref> The royal [[House of Stuart]] is also claimed as being descended from the Ulaid.<ref>again, G.H. Hack ''Genealogical History of the Donlevy Family'' Columbus, Ohio: printed for private distribution by Chaucer Press, Evans Printing Co. (1901), p 38 (Wisconsin Historical Society Copy) "From the chiefs of the Dalriadians were descended the ancient Scottish kings and also the House of Stuart."</ref>

==In medieval literature==
According to medieval pseudo-historians a group of brothers known as the [[Three Collas]] in the 4th century founded the over-kingdom of [[Airgíalla]] after a decisive defeat of the Ulaid, and afterwards destroyed their ancient capital [[Emain Macha]]. This however is a fabrication.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

The Ulaid feature in [[Irish mythology|Irish legends]] and historical traditions of [[Prehistoric Ireland|prehistoric]] times, most notably in the group of sagas known as the [[Ulster Cycle]]. These stories are set during the reign of the Ulaid king [[Conchobar mac Nessa]] at [[Emain Macha]] (Navan Fort, near [[Armagh]]) and tell of his conflicts with the Connachta, led by queen [[Medb]] and her husband [[Ailill mac Máta]]. The chief hero is Conchobar's nephew [[Cú Chulainn]], and the central story is the proto-epic ''[[Táin Bó Cúailnge]]'', "The Cattle Raid of Cooley".

In this period Ireland is said to have been divided into five independent over-kingdoms—or ''cuigeadh'', literally meaning "a fifth"—of which Ulaid was one, with its capital at ''[[Emain Macha]]''.<ref name="Hurbert169-171"/><ref name="MacNeill"/><ref name="Hogan1"/> Medieval pseudo-historians called this era ''Aimser na Coicedach'', which has been translated as: "Time of the Pentarchs";<ref name="MacNeill"/> "Time of the Five Fifths";<ref name="Hurbert169-171"/> and "Time of the provincial kings".<ref name="Ossianic75"/> It was also described as "the Pentarchy".<ref name="MacNeill"/><ref name="Hogan1"/>

In some stories Conchobar's birth and death are synchronised with those of Christ, which creates an apparent anachronism in the presence of the Connachta. The historical Connachta were a group of dynasties who traced their descent to the legendary king [[Conn Cétchathach]], whose reign is traditionally dated to the 2nd century.<ref>R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), ''Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V'', Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 331–333</ref> However, the chronology of early Irish historical tradition is inconsistent and highly artificial.<ref>Byrne 2001, p. 50–51.</ref> One early saga makes [[Fergus mac Léti]], one of Conchobar's predecessors as king of the Ulaid, a contemporary of Conn,<ref>D. A. Binchy (ed. & trans.), [http://www.ucd.ie/tlh/trans/dab.eriu.16.001.t.text.html "The Saga of Fergus mac Léti"], ''[[Ériu (journal)|Ériu]]'' 16, 1952, pp. 33–48</ref> and [[Tírechán]]'s 7th century memoir of [[Saint Patrick]] says that [[Cairbre Nia Fer]], Conchobar's son-in-law in the sagas, lived only 100 years before the saint, i.e. in the 4th century.<ref>Ludwig Bieler (ed. & trans.), ''The Patrician Texts in the Book of Armagh'', Tírechán 40</ref>

Kenneth Jackson, based on his estimates on the survival of oral tradition, also suggested that the Ulster Cycle originated in the 4th century.<ref>[[Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson]], ''The Oldest Irish Tradition: a Window on the Iron Age'', Cambridge University Press, 1964</ref> Other scholars, following T. F. O'Rahilly, propose that the sagas of the Ulster Cycle derive from the wars between the Ulaid and the midland dynasties of the Connachta and the nascent Uí Néill in the 4th and 5th centuries, at the end of which the Ulaid lost much of their territory, and their capital, to the new kingdoms of the Airgíalla.<ref>O'Rahilly 1946, pp. 207–234</ref> Traditional history credits this to the [[Three Collas]], three great-great-great-grandsons of Conn, who defeated the Ulaid king Fergus Foga at [[Achaidh Leithdeircc|Achad Lethderg]] in [[County Monaghan]], seized all Ulaid territory west of the [[Newry River]] and [[Lough Neagh]], and burned Emain Macha. Fergus Foga is said to have been the last king of the Ulaid to reign there. The ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'' dates this to AD 331.<ref>''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'' [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/text030.html M322-331]</ref> O'Rahilly and his followers believe the Collas are literary doublets of the sons of [[Niall Noígiallach]], eponymous founder of the Uí Néill, who they propose were the true conquerors of Emain in the 5th century.<ref name="DOC">Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, "Ireland, 400–800", in Dáibhí Ó Cróinín (ed.), ''A New History of Ireland'' Vol 1, 2005, pp. 182–234</ref>

The [[Kings of Tara]] in the Ulster Cycle are the kindred of the Ulaid, the Érainn, and are generally portrayed sympathetically, especially [[Conaire Mór]]. It was remembered that the Connachta and Uí Néill had not yet taken the kingship. Tara was later occupied by the [[Laigin]], who are to some extent strangely integrated with the Connachta in the Ulster Cycle.<ref>Apparently the Laigin had a prehistoric presence in Connacht and may once have been its sovereigns. See Byrne, pp. 130 ff.</ref> The latter later took the midlands from the Laigin and their historical antagonism is legendary. The Érainn, led by [[Cú Roí]], also rule in distant [[Munster]] and, while presented as deadly rivals of the Ulaid, are again portrayed with unusual interest and sympathy.

==Cultural impact==
There are two known communities in North Carolina, the United States, that are likely to have been named after Ulaid – Mount Ulla and [[Ulah, North Carolina|Ulah]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mtullahistorian.wordpress.com/2019/01/31/etymology-of-mount-ulla-or-where-the-place-name-came-from/|title=Etymology of "Mount Ulla" or Where the Place-Name Came From|date=31 January 2019|website=Mount Ulla Historian|access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref>

The Ulaid have inspired the name of traditional Irish group Ulaid featuring [[Dónal O'Connor]], [[John McSherry]] & Seán Óg Graham who have released two critically acclaimed albums.

==See also==
*[[Cruthin]]
*[[List of kings of Ulster]]
*[[List of clans and septs in Ulaid]]
*[[Osraige]]
*[[Early history of Ireland]]
*[[Early Medieval Ireland 800–1166]]
*[[Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups]], from whom many of the modern Irish surnames came from

==References==
{{Reflist|20em|refs=
<!-- Book citations /-->
<ref name="Adamson116">Adamson (1998), pp. 116–7</ref>
<ref name="ANHoI12">Cosgrove (2008), p. 12.</ref>
<ref name="ANHoI16">Cosgrove (2008), p. 16.</ref>
<ref name="ANHoI17">Cosgrove (2008), p. 17.</ref>
<ref name="ANHoI38">Cosgrove (2008), p. 38.</ref>
<ref name="ANHoI115">Cosgrove (2008), p. 115.</ref>
<ref name="ANHoI116">Cosgrove (2008), p. 116.</ref>
<ref name="ANHOI212">Cosgrove (2008), pp. 212–5.</ref>
<ref name="Hack38">Hack (1901), p. 38.</ref>
<ref name="Hudson86-7">Hudson, pp. 86–7.</ref>
<ref name="Hudson95">Hudson, p. 95.</ref>
<ref name="Hudson108-9">Hudson, pp. 108–9.</ref>
<ref name="Hudson136">Hudson, p. 136.</ref>
<ref name="Bardon17">Bardon (2005), p. 17.</ref>
<ref name="Bardon20-1">Bardon (2005), pp. 20–1.</ref>
<ref name="Bardon27">Bardon (2005), p. 27.</ref>
<ref name="Bardon35">Bardon (2005), pp. 33–37</ref>
<ref name="Connolly589">Connolly (2007), p. 589.</ref>
<ref name="Corrain123">Ó Corráin (1972), p 123.</ref>
<ref name="Pedersen231">Pedersen, p. 231.</ref>
<ref name="Pedersen233">Pedersen, p. 233.</ref>
<ref name="Pedersen271">Pedersen, p. 271.</ref>
<ref name="MIaE493">Duffy (2005), p. 493.</ref>
<ref name="Clontarf26">Duffy (2014), pp. 26–27</ref>
<ref name="Clontarf7-8">Duffy (2014), pp. 7–8</ref>
<ref name="Clontarf138-9">Duffy (2014), pp. 138–9</ref>
<ref name="Clontarf151-4">Duffy (2014), pp. 151–4</ref>
<ref name="Clontarf168-9">Duffy (2014), pp. 168–9</ref>
<ref name="Hogan1">Hogan (1928), p. 1.</ref>
<ref name="OBrien170-1">OBrien, pp. 170–1.</ref>
<ref name="Hurbert169-171">Hurbert, pp. 169–171</ref>
<ref name="Byrne46">Byrne (2001), p. 46.</ref>
<ref name="Byrne118">Byrne (2001), p. 118.</ref>
<ref name="Byrne128">Byrne (2001), p. 128.</ref>
<ref name="MacNeill60">MacNeill (1911/2), p. 60.</ref>
<ref name="MacNeill">{{Cite book |title=The Five Fifths of Ireland |author=Eoin MacNeill |year=1920}}</ref>
<ref name="Ossianic75">Stafford & Gaskill, p. 75</ref>
<ref name="Snorri330">Sturluson, p. 330.</ref>
<ref name="DownArdsxix">Stockman, p. xix.</ref>
<ref name="DownArdsPg3">Stockman, p. 3.</ref>
<ref name="Oram32">Oram (2011), p. 32.</ref>
<ref name="OHart">O'Hart (1976), pp. 427 & 819.</ref>
<ref name="Keenan139-40">Keenan, pp. 139–140.</ref>
<ref name="Keenan347-9">Keenan, pp. 347–349.</ref>
<ref name="ThorntonPage201">Thornton, p. 201.</ref>
<ref name="FraserPage159">Fraser (2009), p. 159.</ref>
<ref name="FraserMedievalPg317">Fraser (2007), p. 317.</ref>
<ref name="Kelleher141">Kelleher, p. 141.</ref>
<ref name="Schlegel173-4">Schlegel, pp. 173–4.</ref>
<ref name="Dobbs78">Dobbs, p. 78.</ref>
<ref name="MacNeill651">MacNeill (1919), p. 651.</ref>
<ref name="Charles573">Charles-Edwards, p. 573.</ref>
<ref name="Edwards63">Charles-Edwards, p. 63.</ref>
<ref name="Wiley19">Wiley, p. 19.</ref>
<ref name="MacNiocaill124">Mac Niocaill, p. 124.</ref>
<ref name="Carey97">Carey, p. 97.</ref>
<ref name="Charles-Edwards59-60">Charles-Edwards, pp. 59–60.</ref>

<!-- Web page citations /-->
<ref name="Iveagh">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=17705 |title=Iveagh |author=Placenames NI |access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Drumballyroney">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=17600 |title=Drumballyroney|author=Placenames NI |access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Library">{{cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/D/Down-County-of.php |title=County Down|work=A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland|year=1837|last=Lewis|first=Samuel |access-date= 15 September 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Ptolemy">{{cite web|author=[[Ptolemy]]|work=[[Geographia (Ptolemy)|Geographia]]|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Periods/Roman/_Texts/Ptolemy/2/1*.html|title= Book II, Chapter 1. Location of Hibernia island of Britannia |access-date= 15 September 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Tracts">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PFFXAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA31|work=Tracts Relating to Ireland Publications|author=Irish Archaeological Society|title=Volume 1|year=1841 |access-date= 15 September 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Isaac">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/wordsandplaceso04taylgoog |page=[https://archive.org/details/wordsandplaceso04taylgoog/page/n222 182] |last=Taylor|first=Rev. Isaac|year=1865 |access-date=5 August 2015 |title=Words and Places: Or, Etymological Illustrations of History, Ethnology, and Geography |publisher=Macmillan & Co.}}</ref>
<ref name="UHC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/2065 |access-date=5 August 2015 |title=Professor Sir John Byers (1853–1920) |last=Froggart|first=Richard |publisher=Ulster History Circle}}</ref>
<ref name="Cultures">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vSFzo9-pdT4C&q=ulaid&pg=PA184 |title=The Early Cultures of North-West Europe |isbn=9781107686557 |access-date=10 July 2016|last1=Chadwick |first1=Hector Munro |date=21 March 2013 |publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref>
<ref name="IHiMUlaid">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/ulster.htm |access-date= 15 September 2015|title=Ancient Uladh, Kingdom of Ulster|last=Walsh|first=Dennis|work=Ireland's History in Maps}}</ref>
<ref name="AOFM1001">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text010.html |title=Annals of the Four Masters, 993 AD|publisher=University College Cork |access-date= 15 October 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="AOFM1045">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text015.html |title=Annals of the Four Masters, 1045 AD|publisher=University College Cork |access-date= 15 October 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="AOTFM1178">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005C/ |title=Annals of the Four Masters|publisher=University College Cork |access-date= 15 September 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Tigernach1045">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100002A/text017.html |title=Annals of Tigernach, 1045 AD|publisher=University College Cork |access-date= 15 October 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="PlacenamesCraeb">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=6170|title=Crew, County Antrim|author=Placenamesni.org |access-date= 15 October 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="PlaceNamesConnor">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=16927|title=Connor parish|author=Placenamesni.org |access-date= 9 August 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="PlaceNamesMovilla">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=6801|title=Movilla, County Down|author=Placenamesni.org |access-date= 9 August 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="PlaceNamesBangor">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=17106|title=Bangor, County Down|author=Placenamesni.org |access-date= 9 August 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="PlaceNamesArmoy">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=15890|title=Armoy, County Antrim|author=Placenamesni.org |access-date= 9 August 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="PlaceNamesDromore">{{Cite web |url=http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=11375|title=Dromore, County Down|author=Placenamesni.org |access-date= 9 August 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="AoU1165">[http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100001A/text713.html Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition] – Annals of Ulster, 1165 AD</ref>
<ref name="AoU1087">[http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100001A/text657.html Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition] – Annals of Ulster, 1087 AD</ref>
<ref name="Magoo">[http://www.magoo.com/hugh/mughdhorna.html Magoo] – The Mughdorna</ref>
<ref name="SPC">{{cite web |url=http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/news/downpatrick/# |title=Downpatrick |publisher=The Saint Patrick Centre |access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref>
}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
<!-- A /-->
* {{cite book |title=Dalaradia, Kingdom of the Cruithin|last=Adamson|first=Ian|year=1998|publisher=Pretani Press|isbn=0-948868-25-2}}
<!-- B /-->
* {{cite book|title=A History of Ulster|last=Bardon|first=Jonathan|year=2005|publisher=The Black Staff Press|isbn=0-85640-764-X|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofulster00jona}}
* {{cite book |title=The Book of Ulster Surnames|last=Bell|first=Robert|year=2003|publisher=The Blackstaff Press|isbn=978-0-85640-602-7}}
* {{cite book |title=Irish Kings and High Kings|url=https://archive.org/details/irishkingshighki00byrn_0|url-access=registration|publisher=Four Courts Press|year=2001|last=Byrne|first=Francis J.|isbn=9781851821969 }}
<!-- C /-->
* {{cite journal|title=Scél Tuáin Meic Chairill|last=Carey|first=John|journal=Ériu |volume=35 |year=1984 |pages=93–111}}
* {{cite book |title=Early Christian Ireland|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-36395-0|year=2000|last=Charles-Edwards|first=T.M.}}
* {{cite book |title=A New History of Ireland, II Medieval Ireland 1169–1534|year=2008|editor=Cosgrove, Art|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-953970-3}}
* {{cite book |title=Oxford Companion to Irish History|editor=Connolly, S.J.|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-923483-7}}
* {{cite book |title=A History of the Clanna-Rory, Or Rudricians: Descendants of Roderick the Great, Monarch of Ireland|last=Cronnelly|first=Richard Francis|year=1864|publisher=Goodwin, Son and Nethercott}}
<!-- D /-->
* {{cite journal|title=The Dál Fiatach|last=Dobbs|first=Margaret|journal=Ulster Journal of Archaeology |series=Third Series |volume=8 |year=1945 |pages=66–79}}
* {{cite book |title=Medieval Ireland an Encyclopedia|last=Duffy|first=Seán|year=2005|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-94052-8}}
* {{cite book |title=Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf|last=Duffy|first=Seán|year=2014|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|isbn=978-0-7171-6207-9}}
<!-- F /-->
* {{cite book|title=From Caledonia to Pictland: Scotland to 795 |last=Fraser|first=James|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7486-2820-9}}
* {{cite book|title=St Columba and the convention at Druimm Cete: peace and politics at seventh-century Iona |last=Fraser|first=James|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=2007}}
<!-- H /-->
* {{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/genealogicalhist00hack |last=Hack|first=G.H.|title=Genealogical History of the Donlevy Family|publisher=Chaucer Press, Evans Printing Co. |year=1901}}
* {{cite journal |title=The Tricha Cét and Related Land-Measures|last=Hogan|first=James|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Section C |volume=38 |year=1928–1929 |pages=148–235}}
* {{cite book |first=Benjamin T |last=Hudson|author-link=Benjamin Hudson |title=Viking Pirates and Christian Princes: Dynasty, Religion, and Empire in the North Atlantic |edition=Illustrated |year=2005 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=United States |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fH0mL0m95fsC |isbn=978-0-19-516237-0}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=twcVAgAAQBAJ&q=aimser+na+coicedach&pg=PA170|last=Hurbert|first=Henri|title=The Greatness and Decline of the Celts|date=12 November 2013|publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136202926}}
<!-- K /-->
* {{cite journal |title=The Pre-Norman Irish Genealogies|last=Kelleher|first=John V.|journal=Irish Historical Studies |volume=16 |issue=62 |year=1968 |pages=138–153|doi=10.1017/S0021121400021921|s2cid=159636196 }}
* {{cite book |title=Ireland 1170–1509, Society and History|first=Desmond|last=Keenan|year=2010|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=978-1-4535-8431-6}}{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}}
<!-- M /-->
* {{cite journal|title=Early Irish Population-Groups: Their Nomenclature, Classification, and Chronology|last=MacNeill|first=John|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Section C |volume=29|year=1911–1912 |pages=59–114}}
* {{cite journal|title=The Irish Law of Dynastic Succession: Part II|last=MacNeill|first=Eoin|journal=Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review |volume=8 |issue=32 |year=1919 |pages=640–653}}
* {{cite book |title=Ireland before the Vikings|last=Mac Niocaill|first=Gearoid|year=1972|publisher=Gill and Macmillan}}
* {{cite book |title=Origin and History of the Magennis Family|last=Meginnes|first=John Francis|year=1891|publisher=Heller Brothers Printing}}
<!-- O /-->
* {{cite journal|title=The Oldest Account of the Raid of the Collas (Circa A.D. 330)|last=O'Brien|first=M.A.|journal=Ulster Journal of Archaeology |series=Third Series |volume=2 |year=1939 |pages=170–177}}
* {{cite book |first=Donnchadh |last=Ó Corráin |author-link=Donnchadh Ó Corráin |title=Ireland Before the Normans |year=1972 |publisher=[[Gill and Macmillan]] |location=Ireland }}
* {{cite book |first=John|last=O'Hart |title=Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation |edition=5th |publisher=Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company |year=1976  |chapter=Heremon Genealogies – Dunlevy, Princes of Ulidia}}
* {{cite book|last=Oram|first=Richard D.|title=Domination and Lordship: Scotland, 1070–1230|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|year=2011|isbn=978-0-7486-1497-4}}
<!-- P /-->
* {{cite book |title=Viking Empires|last=Pedersen|first=Frederik|year=2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-82992-2}}
<!-- S /-->
*{{cite journal|title=The Origin of the Three Collas and the Fall of Emain|last=Schlegel|first=Donald M.|journal=Clogher Record |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=159–181 |year=1998|publisher=Clogher Historical Society|doi=10.2307/20641355|jstor=20641355}}
* {{cite book |last=Stafford, Fiona J.|first=Gaskill, Howard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4eUpQCP4WMIC&q=aimser+na+coicedach|title=From Gaelic to Romantic: Ossianic Translations|year=1998|publisher=Rodopi |isbn=9042007818}}
* {{cite book |work=Place-Names of Northern Ireland|title=Volume Two, County Down II, The Ards|last=Stockman|first=Gerrard|year=1992|publisher=The Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast|isbn=0-85389-450-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Sturluson|first=Snorri|title=Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway|publisher=Texas University Press, Austin|isbn=978-0-292-73061-8|year=2009|url=https://archive.org/details/heimskringla00snor}}
<!-- T /-->
* {{cite book |last=Thornton|first=David E.|title=Kings, Chronologies, and Genealogies: Studies in the Political History of Early Medieval Ireland and Wales|publisher=Occasional Publications UPR|year=2003|isbn=978-1-900934-09-1}}
<!-- W /-->
* {{cite journal|last=Wiley|first=Dan M.|journal=Ériu |volume=55 |year=2005 |pages=19–36|title=Niall Frossach's True Judgement|doi=10.3318/ERIU.2005.55.1.19|s2cid=170708492 }}
{{refend|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/ulskings.htm Genealogy of the kings of the Ulaid]
{{Ulaid}}
{{Munster}}
{{Gaels}}
{{Ptolemy's Ireland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulaid}}
[[Category:Ulaid| ]]
[[Category:Gaelic-Irish nations and dynasties]]
[[Category:Kingdoms of medieval Ireland]]
[[Category:Ulster Cycle]]
[[Category:Ancient Irish dynasties]]
[[Category:Prehistoric Ireland]]
[[Category:Former kingdoms in Ireland]]