Dal Cuinn: Dal Riata Predecessors
(- threads, 3 posts)
 The Three Collas
General Thread
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Exerpts regarding the sons of Eochaidh and Alechia...
According to the tradition of Cineal ua Dhomhnuil, Eochaidh Duibhlein (Eochu), King of Aileach, had married an Alban Princess, Ailech, daughter of an Alban king, perhaps of the Epidii, thus acquiring her property (under the pagan Gaelic tradition of matrilineal succession) and giving the Dál Cuinn interests in Alba. Ailech was probably not the mother of either “Niall Noígiallach” nor of Eochu’s other son “Eochaidh Mugmedón.” An old Irish poem describes the Princess as “a mild, true woman, modest, blooming till the love of the Gael disturbed her, and she passed with him from the midst of Kintyre to the land of Ulaidh.” Their three sons all eventually bore the name of Colla - Colla Uais, Colla Meann and Colla da Crich. The designation Colla was “imposed on them for rebelling” and means a strong man, their original names being Aodh, Muredach and Cairsall.
The three Collas, half brothers of Niall Noígiallach, had founded a confederation of nine petty kingdoms in the north known as “Airgialla” (The Hostage Givers, English - Oriel) which originally ran from Cul Rath (Coleraine) to Newry. One of their strongholds may have been “Dun Sobhairce” (Dunseverick). Local folklore claims that Dun Sobhairce was named for King Sobhairce, said to have been a local king (possibly of the Dál n’Araide). His "dun" was the terminus of one of the royal roads from Tara. It was associated in legend with Cú Chulainn, Queen Maeve, Saint Patrick and other legendary Irish heroes. Saint Patrick was said to have visited the area several times.
Cineal Cholla," (The Descendants of Colla)
Their mother was Alechia, dau. of the King of Alba (Scotland). One of Eochaidh's two brothers was Fiacha Srabhteine, who was the 12Oth Monarch and he begins the branch from which descends the Royal Family of England. Queen Victoria is number 136. He was also the ancestor of O'Neill, princes of Tyrone.
COLLA da CHRIOCH; He also had three sons. The Collas ruled Orgiall down to the 12th century. Orgiall was the ancient territory now known as Ulster.
