Aidhne


Aidhne, also known as Uí Fhiachrach Aidhni, Mag nAidni, later Maigh Aidhne, was the territory of the Uí Fhiachrach Aidhni, a túath located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. . Aidhne is coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh. The territory of Aidhne is bounded on the west by Loch Lurgan and the barony of Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster. County Clare also bounds Aidhne on its south and south-east side. Aidhne is bounded on the east by the low mountains of Sliabh Echtghe / Slieve Aughty, which separate Uí Fhiachrach Aidhni from the territory of Uí Maine in eastern County Galway. On the north-east Aidhne is bounded by the plains of Uí Mhaine and on the north by Mag Mucruime. On the north-west Aidhne is bounded by the parish of Mearaí / Maree which is in the territory of Uí Briúin Seola.
In placename lore the kingdom took its name from the mythological Aidhne, one of the ten daughters of Partholón by his first wife, Topha. Aidhne was married to Breac.
In a later age, a branch of the Fir Bolg made Aidhne their home. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's Book of Genealogies states that the Tuath mhac nUmhóirin Dál gCais and in Uí Fhiachrach of Aidhne. Their leader is given as Conall Caol, son of Aonghus mac Úmhór. Conall was killed at the Battle of Maigh Mucruimhe in 195 AD, and his body brought back to Aidhne where it was interred at a leacht called Carn Chonaill.
The territory of Uí Fhiachrach Aidhni is coextensive with the diocese of Cill Mhic Dhuach / Kilmacduagh, which contains the civil parishes of Kinvarradoorus, Killinny, Killeenavarra, Drumacoo, Kilcolgan, Ardrahan, Stradbally, Killeeneen, Killeely, Killora, Killogilleen, Kilchreest, Isertkelly, Killinan, Kilthomas, Kilbeacanty, Beagh, Kilmacduagh, Kiltartan. The diocese of Kilmacduagh contains the present Catholic parishes of Kinvara, Ballinderreen, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell, Beagh, Kilbeacanty, Kilthomas, Clarinbridge, Kilchreest.

Annalistic references