Aodh Eangach ''(Aodh who leaves a trail of fire'' or ''the pennoned one)'' was a prophesied

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and was later sometimes assigned anachronously or to leg ...

in the middle ages who, it was said, would arise from the 'lonely mountains of Patrick' and dislodge the English from Ireland. The story seems to have originated in the 'Vision of St. Bearchan' and most references to Aodh's coming frame it in a Christian perspective, such as Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe's poem addressed to Aodh O Domhnaill stating explicitly the prophecies origins from Christian saints of Irelands past. However another source by the mysterious Flann File (Flann the Poet) indicates pagan undertones for Aodh's return, that he would reoccupy the

Hill of Tara The Hill of Tara ( or ) is a hill and ancient ceremonial and burial site near Skryne in County Meath, Ireland. Tradition identifies the hill as the inauguration place and seat of the High Kings of Ireland; it also appears in Irish mythology. ...

and restore druidism. This pagan undercurrent to Aodh's foretold banishing of the English from Ireland can be seen against the background of the Anglo-Norman reform of the Irish church, whereby it became an institution dominated in the higher ranks by Englishmen, and the native Irish resistance and resentment to this change. Various O Conor

Kings of Connacht The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the ''cóiced'' (variously translated as portion, fifth, province) of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being name ...

were claimed by their court poets to be the prophesied Aodh including

Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair (Anglicised as Cathal O'Connor/O'Conor and Cathal the Red-handed O'Conor) (1153–1224), was a king of Connacht. He was the youngest son of the High King of Ireland Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair and brother to the ...

, his son

Aedh Ua Conchobair Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair (reigned 1224–1228) was King of Connacht with opposition alongside his uncle Toirdhealbhach mac Ruaidhrí Ó Conchobhair. Aedh succeeded his father Cathal Crobhdearg upon his death in 1224 but strugg ...

, and

Áed na nGall Áed mac Felidlimid Ó Conchobair (English: Hugh McFelim O'Connor), known as Áed na nGall (Áed of the foreigners/ Hebrideans), was king of Connacht alongside his father Felim from 1258 reigning solely from 1265 until his own death in 1274. He ...

in an apparent attempt to enhance their prestige and legitimacy. Whether the Kings and their subjects believed these prophecies to be true is debatable, but its clear it held the position of a powerful metaphorical literary motif and showed a desire for a return to a perceived golden age in Ireland that existed before the coming of the Normans to the island. In 1214 the

Annals of Loch Ce Annals (, from , "year") are a concise historical record in which events are arranged chronologically, year by year, although the term is also used loosely for any historical record. Scope The nature of the distinction between annals and histor ...

make reference to the prophecy when they state ''''In this year, moreover, appeared the false Aedh, who was called 'the Aider'(The deliverer)''.'' The referred to Aedh caused a brief sensation claiming to be the fulfillment of the prophecy and must have had some following who believed his claims for it to be mentioned at all, though the annalist clearly refutes them and no more is heard of this individual.

Hugh Roe O'Donnell Hugh Roe O'Donnell II (; 20 October 1572 – 30 August 1602), also known as Red Hugh O'Donnell, was an Irish Chief of the Name, clan chief and senior leader of the Irish confederacy during the Nine Years' War (Ireland), Nine Years' War. He was ...

(1572–1602) was associated with the prophecy, which was spread by his mother

Iníon Dubh Lady Fiona MacDonald (), better known by her nickname Iníon Dubh ( ''in-NEEN DOO''; "Black-Haired Daughter"), was a Scottish aristocrat and queen consort of Tyrconnell from 1569 to 1592. The mother of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, she was a significant ...

. After Hugh Roe died, his nephew Hugh O'Donnell (1605–1625; son of Hugh Roe's brother Cathbarr) was also associated with the prophecy.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eangach, Aodh Legendary High Kings of Ireland 12th-century Irish monarchs Prophecy in Christianity