Irish Kings

According to legend the earliest inhabitants of Ireland were a godlike race called the Tuatha De Danann. Legend goes on to tell how these people were defeated by the forces of Milesius, an Iberian warrior. The victorious invaders were led by two men, Éremón and Eber, the former becoming the sole king of Ireland after killing the latter in battle. Éremón ruled from a court located on the hill of Tara.

Although the earliest of the kings listed here are legendary, the later kings are historical persons. The first to truly have power throughout Ireland was Niall Noígíallach in the 4th century. His descendants were known as the Uí Néill, and they dominated Ireland for the next several centuries. The title High King (in Irish Ardrí) was not actually used until the 9th century. Few kings ruled the entirety of Ireland in practice; listed here are those who controlled a large portion of the island.

The Irish kingship was ended shortly after the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169. There were later attempts to fill the position, most notably in 1316 by Edward Bruce, brother of Robert the king of Scotland.