Maine mac Néill


Maine mac Néill was a king in southern Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the son of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal and great-grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine.
Maine is listed as one of the guarantors of the Cáin Adomnáin of Saint Adomnán arranged at the Synod of Birr in 697 during his father's lifetime. In his time a feud broke out among the Síl nÁedo Sláine between the Uí Chernaig sept and the northern septs of Uí Chonaing of Cnogba and the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl. In 701 Maine's father Niall had been killed by the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre.
His brother Fogartach mac Néill held power as well and was defeated at the Battle of Claenath, fought near Clane in modern County Kildare by Cellach Cualann, the King of Leinster in 704. His brother Fogartach was able to hold the kingship of all Brega at times.
Maine himself was slain in battle in 712 as part of the Síl nÁedo Sláine feud by Flann mac Áedo of the Síl nDlúthaig.