Grellach Dollaig’s Broken Kingship
Archived: 2 November 2026
Abstract
In 695 CE, the most securely placed Irish development was the killing of Fínsnechtae Fledach, king of Tara, and of his son Bresal at Grellach Dollaig. The Annals of Tigernach and Chronicon Scotorum assign the event to this year, naming the killers as Áed son of Dlúthach and Congalach son of Conaing. Their terse record calls it a battle, but supplies neither day nor season, nor a narrative of manoeuvres or troop numbers. It nevertheless marked a decisive rupture in the leadership of Brega and in the wider overkingship which Fínsnechtae had exercised for about two decades. An Annalistic Date,
