Áed Oirdnide

Communications between the northern and southern branches of Cenél Conaill, respectively based on the north-west coast of Donergal and in the south around Donegal town, ran through these.

[3] The region was still disputed in 787 when Máel Dúin defeated Domnall and appears to have gained some recognition as king of the North as he is so styled at his death the following year.

Áed succeeded Máel Dúin as king of Ailech, but was challenged by Domnall whom he defeated at the battle of Clóitech (modern Clady, County Tyrone) in 789.

Several of Áed's allies are said to have been killed, including the kings of two branches of Uí Chremthainn, an Airgíalla dynasty whose lands lay around Clogher and Clones.

The lands of Mugdorna Maigen lay around the upper reaches of the River Fane, with the chief church at Donaghmoyne, County Monaghan.

Áed led an army south to Mide where he divided the lands of Clann Cholmáin between two of Donnchad's sons, Ailill and Conchobar.

The motive for this conflict was apparently the killing of Dúnchú, superior of the monastery of Tulach Léis (now Tullylisk near Banbridge, County Down), by the Ulaid.

[18] That same year the vice abbot of Cell Mór Enir (modern Kilmore, County Armagh) was killed by the Laigin.

[19] As a result, Áed led another expedition versus Leinster and laid waste the land of Cualu as far as Glenn dá Locha (Glendalough).

[21] In 804 a meeting of the synods of the Uí Néill in Dún Cuair was presided over by Condmach mac Duib dá Leithe (died 807), abbot of Ard Macha (Armagh), at which the clergy were freed from military obligations by Áed.

Áed had some difficulty with the Columban church as well when Mael Dúin son of Cenn Faelad, superior of Ráith Both (Raphoe) was killed in 817.

[27] Also in 818 Cuanu, abbot of Lugmad Louth, went into exile into the lands of Munster with the shrine of Saint Mochtae, fleeing before Áed.