Máel Coba mac Áedo
Máel Coba was a High King of Ireland.
Máel Coba was the son of Áed mac Ainmuirech and brother of Domnall mac Áedo, both also reckoned High Kings of Ireland. They belonged to the northern Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill.
Máel Coba became chief of the Cenél Conaill upon the death of his brother Conall Cú mac Áedo in 604.
The high kingship of Ireland tended to rotate between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches from the mid 6th century. He follows Áed Uaridnach in the king lists, and is followed by Suibne Menn, both of the neighbouring Cenél nEógain, but of rival lines. He ruled from 612-615
In 615 Máel Coba was defeated and slain by Suibne Menn at the Battle of Sliab Truim in Tyrone. However later texts state he survived the battle, became a poet, a bishop of Clogher, then a hermit at Druminillar townland, Beleek parish, County Fermanagh and then died of the plague.
Suibne Menn apparently installed Óengus mac Colmáin as High King, at least in name.
He had two sons who were counted as joint High Kings in some sources, Cellach and Conall. Dúnchad mac Cinn Fáelad, abbot of Iona, is recorded as Máel Coba's grandson.
