Editing Dál Riata (section)

===Druim Cett to Mag Rath===
[[File:Dalriada.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Map of Dál Riata at its height, c. 580–600. [[Picts|Pictish]] regions are marked in yellow.]]
By the mid-6th century, the Dál Riata in Scotland came under serious threat from [[Bridei I]], [[king of the Picts]], whilst the Irish portion faced hostility from the [[Dál nAraidi]] of [[Ulaid]], resulting in their seeking the aid of the Irish [[Northern Uí Néill]].<ref name="Bardon17"/><ref name="Fraser2007pg316-9"/> Dál Riata reached its greatest extent in the reign of Áedán mac Gabráin, who was said to have been consecrated by Columba,<ref>Adomnán, ''[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/columba-e.html Life of St Columba]'', Book III, Chapter 6.</ref> to whom Áedán granted the island of [[Iona]] off the coast of Scotland. Columba, who was also a [[Cenél Conaill]] prince, negotiated an alliance between Dál Riata and the Cenél Conaill, who were the ruling dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill, in 575 at the Convention of Druim Cett near [[Limavady]].<ref name="Bardon17"/><ref name="McSparron109"/> In attendance were Columba, Áedán mac Gabráin, and [[Áed mac Ainmuirech]], king of the Northern Uí Néill and [[High King of Ireland]].

What was actually discussed at Druim Cett is a matter of debate, with various suggestions that it was: to determine the constitutional status of both parts of Dál Riata; to determine the status of Irish Dál Riata only with it having its own king; that Dál Riata was to become independent of the High King of Ireland;<ref name="Fraser2007pg316-9"/> that the Irish part of Dál Riata would pay tribute to the High King and support him with land forces, and that the Scottish part would be independent but support the High King with its fleet when needed;<ref name="duffy586"/> the removal of Dál Riata from Ulaid's overlordship, allowing it to concentrate on extending its Scottish domain.<ref name="Bardon17"/> What is certain is that both parties had the Dál nAraidi as a common foe.<ref name="Fraser2007pg316-9"/>

This pact between the Dál Riata and Cenél Conaill was successful, first in defeating Báetan mac Cairill, king of the Dál nAraidi, then in allowing Áedán to campaign widely against his neighbours, as far afield as [[Orkney]] and lands of the [[Maeatae]], on the [[River Forth]]. Áedán appears to have been very successful in extending his power, until he faced the [[Bernicia]]n king [[Æthelfrith of Northumbria|Æthelfrith]] at [[Battle of Degsastan|Degsastan]] {{c.}} 603. Æthelfrith's brother was among the dead, but Áedán was defeated, and the Bernician kings continued their advances in southern Scotland. Áedán died {{c.}} 608 aged about 70. Dál Riata did expand to include [[Skye]], possibly conquered by Áedán's son Gartnait.

It has been suggested that [[Fiachnae mac Báetáin]] (died 626), Dál nAraidi over-king of Ulaid, was overlord of both parts of Dál Riata. Fiachnae campaigned against the Northumbrians, and besieged [[Bamburgh]], and the Dál Riatans are thought to have fought in this campaign.<ref>For Báetan and Fiachnae see Byrne, ''Irish Kings and High-Kings'', pp. 109–112, and Ó Cróinín, ''Early Medieval Ireland'', pp. 48–52.</ref>

In 629, the Dál Riata suffered significant losses at the battle of Fid Euin where the Dál nAraidi, led by [[Congal Cáech|Congal Cáech mac Scandláin]], killed the Dál Riata king as well as three grandsons of Áedán mac Gabráin. It is suggested to have been an achievement that Dál Riata itself survived this battle.<ref name="Fraser2007pg316-9"/> That same year the Cenél Conaill defeated Congal Cáech at the battle of Dún Ceithirn.<ref name="Fraser2007pg316-9"/>

Dál Riata remained allied with the Northern Uí Néill until the reign of [[Domnall Brecc]], who was persuaded by the king of Dál nAraidi, [[Congal Cáech]], to renounce this alliance.<ref name="McSparron109"/> 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 Magh Rath]] in 637, which saw Congal slain by High King [[Domnall mac Áedo]] of the Northern Uí Néill and resulted in Irish Dál Riata losing possession of its Scottish lands.<ref name="Bardon20-1"/> A battle had also taken place at sea at Sailtír, off Kintyre, in 637. This defeat was then attributed as divine retribution for Domnall Brecc turning his back on his prior alliance.<ref>See Cumméne's "Life of Columba" quoted in Sharpe's edition of Adomnán, Book III, Chapter 5, and notes 360, 362.</ref> Domnall Brecc's policy appears to have died with him in 642, at his final, and fatal, defeat by [[Eugein I of Alt Clut|Eugein map Beli]] of Strathclyde at [[River Carron, Forth|Strathcarron]], for as late as the 730s, armies and fleets from Dál Riata fought alongside the Uí Néill.<ref>Byrne, ''Irish Kings and High-Kings'', p. 114; Annals of the Four Masters, s.a. 728.</ref>

This defeat shattered the power of Dál Riata as well as that of Dál nAraidi, allowing the Northern Uí Néill to become the dominant force in the north of Ireland.<ref name="McSparron109"/> By the 10th century, the Irish lands of Dál Riata were under the control of the [[Uí Tuirtri]], and their clients, the Fir Lí.<ref name="McSparron109"/>