Thanks to Piaras Mac Domhnaill for providing the website which is the basis for this information.
According to legend the earliest inhabitants of Ireland were a godlike race called the Tuatha De Danann. Legend goes on to tell how these people were defeated by the forces of Milesius, an Iberian warrior of the 15th-century BC. The victorious invaders were led by two men, Eireamhón (also called Eremon) and Éibhear (also called Eber), the former becoming the sole king of Ireland after killing the latter in a battle. Eireamhón ruled from a court located on the hill of Tara.Although the earliest of the kings in these lists are legendary characters, the later kings are historical persons. The first king to truly have power throughout Ireland was Niall Naoighiallach (379). His descendants were known as the Uí Néill, and they ruled for the next several centuries. However the title High King (in Irish Ard Rí) was not actually used until later.
The line of Irish high kings was ended shortly after the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169. There were attempts to fill the throne, most notably in 1316 by Edward Bruce, brother of Robert the king of Scotland.
Name | Years | |
---|---|---|
Adamair | 283-278 BC | ![]() |
Ainmire | 568-570 | ![]() |
Airgeatmhar | 643-613 BC | ![]() |
Aodh I Ruadh | 596-589 BC; 575-568 BC; 554-547 BC | ![]() |
Aodh II Mac Ainmire | 571-598 | ![]() |
Aodh III Allán | 598-605 | ![]() |
Aodh IV Uairiodhnach | 605-612 | ![]() |
Aodh Ó Lochlainn | 1153-1154; 1156-1166 | ![]() |
Aodh V Álainn | 734-743 | ![]() |
Aodh VI Oirdnidhe | 797-819 | ![]() |
Aodh VII Finnliath | 862-879 | ![]() |
Aonghus I Olmucadha | 1162-1144 BC | ![]() |
Aonghus II Ollamh | 364-346 BC | ![]() |
Aonghus III Tuirmheach | 250-218 BC | ![]() |
Art I Imleach | 880-868 BC | ![]() |
Art II | 677-671 BC | ![]() |
Art III Aoinfhear | 219-249 | ![]() |
Badhbhchadh | 459 BC | ![]() |
Baodán I | 566-568 | ![]() |
Baodán II | 570-571 | ![]() |
Bearnghal | 946-934 BC | ![]() |
Blathmhac | 658-665 | ![]() |
Breas | 828-819 BC | ![]() |
Breasal | 103-91 BC | ![]() |
Brian Bórú | 1002-1014 | ![]() |
Cairbre I Ceanncait | 88-93 | ![]() |
Cairbre II Lifiochair | 279-296 | ![]() |
Caolbhadh | 357-358 | ![]() |
Cathaoir Mór | 173-176 | ![]() |
Ceannfaolaidh | 671-674 | ![]() |
Cearma Fionn | 1267-1227 BC | ![]() |
Cellach | 642-654 | ![]() |
Cimbaoth | 582-575 BC; 561-554 BC; 540-526 BC | ![]() |
Cionnaith | 724-727 | ![]() |
Cobhtach Caol Breagh | 457-407 BC | ![]() |
Colla Uais | 327-331 | ![]() |
Colmán | 598-605 | ![]() |
Conaing I | 709-704 BC | ![]() |
Conaing II Beag-Eaglach | 697-677 BC | ![]() |
Conaire I | 2 BC-58 | ![]() |
Conaire II | 211-219 | ![]() |
Conall I Collamhrach | 218-213 BC | ![]() |
Conall II | 642-654 | ![]() |
Conall III | 654-658 | ![]() |
Conchubhar I | 71-72 | ![]() |
Conchubhar II | 819-833 | ![]() |
Conghalach I | 76-61 BC | ![]() |
Conghalach II | 704-711 | ![]() |
Conghalach III | 943-956 | ![]() |
Conmaol | 1384-1354 BC | ![]() |
Conn Céad Cathach | 176-211 | ![]() |
Conn Ó Lochlainn | 1022-1024 | ![]() |
Connla Caomh | 328-308 BC | ![]() |
Corcrán Claireach | 1022-1024 | ![]() |
Cormac Ulfhada Mac Airt | 254-277 | ![]() |
Criomthann I Cosgrach | 186-182 BC | ![]() |
Criomthann II | 72-88 | ![]() |
Criomthann III | 366-379 | ![]() |
Daithí | 405-428 | ![]() |
Diarmuid I | 544-565 | ![]() |
Diarmuid II | 658-665 | ![]() |
Diarmuid Ó Briain | 1117-1118 | ![]() |
Diothorba | 589-582 BC; 568-561 BC; 547-540 BC | ![]() |
Domhnall I Ilchealgach | 565-566 | ![]() |
Domhnall II | 628-642 | ![]() |
Domhnall III | 743-763 | ![]() |
Domhnall IV Ard Mhacha Ó Néill | 956-980 | ![]() |
Domhnall Ó Lochlainn | 1089-1101; 1118-1121 | ![]() |
Donnchadh | 770-797 | ![]() |
Donnchadh Ó Briain | 1024-1064 | ![]() |
Duach I Fionn | 770-760 BC | ![]() |
Duach II Ladhgrach | 613-603 BC | ![]() |
Duach III Dallta Deadhadh | 61-51 BC | ![]() |
Éanna I Airgtheach | 1144-1117 BC | ![]() |
Éanna II | 758-746 BC | ![]() |
Éanna III Aigneach | 206-186 BC | ![]() |
Éibhear | 1434-1433 BC | ![]() |
Eideard Bruis | 1316-1318 | ![]() |
Eidirsceol | 8-3 BC | ![]() |
Eireamhón | 1434-1418 BC | ![]() |
Eithrial | 1404-1384 BC | ![]() |
Elim I Oillfionnsheachta | 890-889 BC | ![]() |
Elim II | 125-129 | ![]() |
Eochaidh I Eadghadhach | 1271-1267 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh II Faobharghlas | 1227-1207 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh III Mumho | 1183-1162 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh IV Aptach | 819-818 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh IX Aireamh | 35-23 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh V Uaircheas | 721-709 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh VI | 709-704 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh VII | 650-643 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh VIII Ailtleathan | 278-261 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh X Feidhliach | 23-8 BC | ![]() |
Eochaidh XI | 277-279 | ![]() |
Eochaidh XII | 358-366 | ![]() |
Eochaidh XIII | 566-568 | ![]() |
Fachtna Fathach | 51-35 BC | ![]() |
Faildeargdoid | 1062-1052 BC | ![]() |
Fearadhach Finnfeachtnach | 93-115 | ![]() |
Fearán | 1415 BC | ![]() |
Fearchar | 339-328 BC | ![]() |
Fearghal | 711-722 | ![]() |
Fearghus I Fortamhail | 261-250 BC | ![]() |
Fearghus II | 252-254 | ![]() |
Fearghus III | 565-566 | ![]() |
Feidhlimidh Reachtmhar | 163-173 | ![]() |
Fergen | 1415 BC | ![]() |
Fiachadh I Labhrainne | 1207-1183 BC | ![]() |
Fiachadh II Fionnscothach | 1087-1067 BC | ![]() |
Fiachadh III Fionnailches | 966-946 BC | ![]() |
Fiachadh IV | 118-125 | ![]() |
Fiachadh V | 297-327 | ![]() |
Fiachna Tolgrach | 671-661 BC | ![]() |
Fiatach Fionn | 115-118 | ![]() |
Fionn | 818-796 BC | ![]() |
Fionnachta I | 1015-995 BC | ![]() |
Fionnachta II | 674-690 | ![]() |
Flaithbheartach | 727-734 | ![]() |
Flann | 879-915 | ![]() |
Fógartach | 722-724 | ![]() |
Fothadh I | 296-297 | ![]() |
Fothadh II | 296-297 | ![]() |
Gedhe Ollghothach | 978-966 BC | ![]() |
Giallchaidh | 889-880 BC | ![]() |
Innatmar | 112-103 BC | ![]() |
Ir | 1415 BC | ![]() |
Irereo | 346-339 BC | ![]() |
Irial Faidh | 1414-1404 BC | ![]() |
Labhraidh Loingseach | 407-388 BC | ![]() |
Laighne | 1418-1415 BC | ![]() |
Laoghaire I Lorc | 459-457 BC | ![]() |
Laoghaire II | 428-463 | ![]() |
Loingseach | 690-704 | ![]() |
Lughaidh I Iardonn | 746-737 BC | ![]() |
Lughaidh II Láimhdhearg | 704-697 BC | ![]() |
Lughaidh III Laighdhe | 603-596 BC | ![]() |
Lughaidh IV Luaighne | 91-76 BC | ![]() |
Lughaidh V | 63-71 | ![]() |
Lughaidh VI | 249-252 | ![]() |
Lughaidh VII | 483-508 | ![]() |
Luighne | 1418-1415 BC | ![]() |
Macha | 533-519 BC | ![]() |
Mal Mac Rochraidhe | 159-163 | ![]() |
Maoilsheachlainn I | 846-862 | ![]() |
Maoilsheachlainn II | 980-1002; 1014-1022 | ![]() |
Maolcobha | 612-615 | ![]() |
Melghe Molbhthach | 388-371 BC | ![]() |
Modhcorb | 371-364 BC | ![]() |
Morán | 88-93 | ![]() |
Muimhne | 1418-1415 BC | ![]() |
Muineamhón | 1067-1062 BC | ![]() |
Muircheartach I Mór Mac Earca | 508-527 | ![]() |
Muircheartach II Na Gcochall Craicneach | 919-943 | ![]() |
Muircheartach Mór Ó Briain | 1086-1089; 1101-1117 | ![]() |
Muireadhach I Bolgrach | 760-758 BC | ![]() |
Muireadhach II | 331-357 | ![]() |
Nia Seadhamáin | 213-206 BC | ![]() |
Niall I Naoighiallach | 379-405 | ![]() |
Niall II Frasach | 763-770 | ![]() |
Niall III Caille | 833-846 | ![]() |
Niall IV Glúin Dubh | 915-919 | ![]() |
Nuadhat I Neacht | 1415-1414 BC | ![]() |
Nuadhat II Fionn Fáil | 868-828 BC | ![]() |
Nuadhat III | 3-2 BC | ![]() |
Oilioll I | 934-918 BC | ![]() |
Oilioll II Fionn | 661-650 BC | ![]() |
Oilioll III Caisfhiaclach | 308-283 BC | ![]() |
Oilioll IV Molt | 463-483 | ![]() |
Ollamh Fodhla | 1052-1015 BC | ![]() |
Orba | 1415 BC | ![]() |
Reachtaidh Righdhearg | 519-499 BC | ![]() |
Roitheachtaigh I | 1117-1092 BC | ![]() |
Roitheachtaigh II | 897-890 BC | ![]() |
Ruadhraighe | 182-112 BC | ![]() |
Ruaidhrí Ó Conchubhair | 1166-1175 | ![]() |
Seachnasach | 665-671 | ![]() |
Séadhna I | 1092-1087 BC | ![]() |
Séadhna II Innarraigh | 796-776 BC | ![]() |
Simeon Breac | 776-770 BC | ![]() |
Síorlámh | 737-721 BC | ![]() |
Siorna Saoghaileach | 918-897 BC | ![]() |
Slanoll | 995-978 BC | ![]() |
Sobhairce | 1267-1227 BC | ![]() |
Suibhne | 615-628 | ![]() |
Tighearnmhas | 1354-1278 BC | ![]() |
Toirdealbach Mór Ó Conchubhair | 1127-1153; 1154-1156 | ![]() |
Toirdealbach Ó Briain | 1064-1086 | ![]() |
Tuathal I Teachtmhar | 129-159 | ![]() |
Tuathal II | 527-544 | ![]() |
Ugaine Mór | 499-459 BC | ![]() |