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 named after the Connachta.
The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht (the fifth of the Ol nEchmacht). Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD does in fact list a people called the Nagnatae as living in the west of Ireland. Some are of the opinion that Ptolemy's Map of Ireland may be based on cartography carried out as much as five hundred years before his time.
The Connachta were a group of dynasties who claimed descent from the three eldest sons of Eochaid Mugmedon: Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae. They took their collective name from their alleged descent from Conn Cétchathach. Their younger brother, Niall Noigiallach was ancestor to the Uí Néill.
The following is a list of kings of Connacht from the fifth to fifteenth centuries.
Contents
Prehistoric kings of Ol nEchmacht
Genann
Conrac Cas
Eochaid Feidlech
Eochaidh Allat
Tinni mac Conri
Medb, Queen of Connacht
Medb and Ailill mac Máta
Maine Aithreamhail mac Ailill Máta
Sanbh Sithcheann mac Ceat mac Magha
Cairbre mac Maine Aithreamhail
Eochaidh Fionn
Aodh mac Cu Odhar
Eochaidh mac Cairbre
Aonghus Fionn mac Domhnall
Cormac Ulfhada
Aonghus Feirt mac Aonghus Fionn
Connall Cruchain mac Aonghus Feirt
Fearadach mac Connal Cruchain
Forghus Fiansa
Forghus Fiansa and Art mac Conn
Ceidghin Cruchain mac Connall Cruchain
Aodh mac Eochaidh
Aodh Alainn mac Eochaidh Baicidh
Nia Mór mac Lughna
Lughaidh mac Lughna Fear Tri
Aodh Caomh mac Garadh Glundubh
Coinne mac Fear Tri
Muireadh Tireach mac Fiachra Sraibrintne
Eochaid Mugmedon
Niall Noigiallach/Niall of the Nine Hostages, died c. 450/455