Everything about Ailill Molt totally explained
Ailill mac Nath Í (died
c. 482), called
Ailill Molt, is included in most lists of
High Kings of Ireland and is also called
King of Connacht. His
cognomen,
molt, means ram but its origin is unknown.
Ailill was said to be the son of
Nath Í and Ethne ingen Chonrach Cais. His paternal grandfather Fiachra is called a brother of
Niall of the Nine Hostages. Ailill thus belonged to the
Connachta, a kindred united by supposed descent from
Conn of the Hundred Battles, which included the
Uí Néill, the
Uí Briúin and, named for Ailill's grandfather, the
Uí Fiachrach.
The broad agreement of generally pro-Uí Néill sources that Ailill was High King is offered as proof that this was the case. Although the chronology of fifth century High Kings has been the subject of manipulation, it's seen as unlikely that later historians and genealogists would have added a non-Uí Néill king had the belief that Ailill was king not been widespread. Ailill is said to have become High King following the supernatural death of
Lóegaire mac Néill, supposedly circa 463. The
Irish annals contain many references to him, but most of these are taken to be late additions, or come from the now lost
Book of Cuanu, extracts of which are preserved in the
Annals of Ulster. Tradition has him killed in battle at
Faughan Hill, fighting against the sons of Niall. The king lists say that he was succeeded by
Lugaid mac Lóegairi.
Opposing the view that Ailill was included as a High King from the earliest times, Thomas Charles-Edwards suggests that the inclusion of Nath Í and Ailill Molt was a means to reinforce links between the Uí Néill and the other branches of the Connachta in the late seventh or eight centuries. when he presumes the king lists and the annals related to
Saint Patrick to have been collected and edited. This without giving undue support to any contemporary claims by the other Connachta kindreds, the Uí Ailello and, in particular, the powerful Uí Briúin, to the High Kingship.
Although Ailill's descendants are not reckoned High Kings of Ireland, his grandson
Eógan Bél and great-grandson
Ailill Inbanda are counted as Kings of Connacht. Ailill's son Mac Ercae may have been an important historical figure, but the record conflates Mac Ercae mac Ailello Muilt and the Uí Néill king
Muirchertach mac Muiredaig, called Muirchertach Mac Ercae, probably confusing events beyond recovery.
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