Énna Derg, son of Dui Finn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland, who took power after killing his predecessor, and his father's killer, Muiredach Bolgrach. He was called derg, red, because he had a red face. It is said that coins were first used in Ireland during his reign. He ruled for twelve years, before dying of plague in Sliab Mis, surrounded by a large number of his troops. He was succeeded by his son Lugaid Íardonn. The Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of Artaxerxes I of Persia (465–424 BC).[1] The chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 670–658 BC,[2] that of the Annals of the Four Masters to 893–881 BC.[3]
References
edit- ^ R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V, Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 253-255
- ^ Geoffrey Keating, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn 1.26
- ^ Annals of the Four Masters M4306-4307