Dáire Doimthech,[1] alias Dáire Sírchréchtach,[2] son of Sithbolg,[3] was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland, and eponymous ancestor of the proto-historical Dáirine and historical Corcu Loígde of Munster. A son of his was Lugaid Loígde (a quo Corcu Loígde), an ancestor of Lugaid Mac Con. In the Scéla Mosauluim,[4][5] Dáire Doimthech is referred to as one of the five kings of Tara from Munster, or alternatively one of five Dáires to rule at Tara.[6]
He was almost certainly once identical with Dáire mac Dedad (son of Deda mac Sin),[7] father of Cú Roí, although traditions concerning him or them appear to have diverged at an early period, following regional paths. Scholars in medieval times were aware that both were believed to be ancestors of the Dáirine.[8][9] In fact in one manuscript, as Dairi Sirchrechtaig, he is listed as the father of Cú Roí,[10] and through him an ancestor of Fiatach Finn, a quo the Dál Fiatach of Ulster, son of Fuirme mac Con Roí. T. F. O'Rahilly saw even less distinction between these figures, stating that "Cú Roí and Dáire are ultimately one and the same".[11]
Eochaid Étgudach, a High King of Ireland, was another son of Dáire Doimthech, apparently misplaced chronologically by medieval scholars.
He is probably listed as Dáire Drechlethan in the Baile Chuinn Chétchathaig.[12]
Contents
Reign
Despite his prominence as an ancestral figure, little is recalled in Irish legend of Dáire's reign. However, it appears to have been remembered as strong, and in this way is typical for the Dáirine in legend, and as they were portrayed by later historians and storytellers. A passage of poetry in the Old Irish Scéla Mosauluim [13] is translated by Kuno Meyer:[6]
Dáre Doimthech dealt a draught of blood upon every stream,
so that he left his stories of kingship without concealment.
Dáre Doimthech was king over Brug; 'tis he ... from Srub Cermna to Srub Brain,
from the western ocean to the sea in the east.
alternative translation:[14]
Dáre Doimthech poured out
a draught of blood on every [battle-]rank
so that he left conspicuous [after him]
the chronicles(?) of his reign.
Dáre was king over the settled land of Ébers island
- ploughing after feats of valour-
from Dún (?) Cermna to Srúb Brain,
from the western ocean to the eastern sea.
Child(ren):