Cináed ua hArtacáin (died 975) was an Irish Gaelic poet.
The chief poet of Leth Cuinn according to the Annals of Tigernach and the chief poet of all Ireland according to the Annals of Ulster, Cináed wrote dinsenchas pertaining to the Kingdom of Brega.[1] Edward O'Reilly gives a full account of his works in his 'Irish Writers', LXXXVIII sq.; d. anno 975.[2] A marginal note in the Annals of Ulster suggests he was one of the southern branch of the Uí Néill dynasty of Síl nÁedo Sláine.[1] Apart from the year of his death (975), no further biographical facts are known about him.
His most ambitious poem was a list of the graves of prominent warriors entitled ‘Fianna bátar i nEmain’.[1] He wrote a eulogy for the Brega king Congalach mac Mael Mithig (died 956).[3] He also appears to have been patronised by the Viking king of Dublin Olaf Cuarán (Olaf Sihtricson).[1]
| Preceded by Cormacan Eigeas | Chief Ollam of Ireland 946–975 | Succeeded by Eochaidh Ua Floinn |
References
- ^ a b c d John Carey, "Cináed ua hArtacáin [Cineth O'Hartagain] (d. 975)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 22 Nov 2016
- ^ Transactions of the Iberno-Celtic Society for 1820. Vol I. Dublin: Iberno-Celtic Society. 1820. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
- ^ "Cináed Ó hArtacáin", Ricorso: A Knowledge of Irish Literature, 1990-2010, devised and compiled by Bruce Stewart, accessed 22 November 2016