Scandlán (d. 643/6), son of Colmán and king of Osraige, belonged to a dynasty known as Dál mBirn which took its name from an alleged ancestor, Lóegaire Birn Buadach. Despite confusion in some sources, notably in the Book of Leinster, it appears that Scandlán's father was Colmán son of Bicne Cáech, who reigned as king of Osraige, and that he had three brothers: Rónán, Máel-aithchén, and Bran. According to Adomnán (qv), he was detained at the court of the powerful Uí Néill king Áed (qv) son of Ainmere (qv) at the time of the synod of Druim Cett, an event the annals place at 575, but which probably took place at least a decade later. Reference to his being kept in chains suggests that he was a ‘forfeited hostage’, his father, presumably, not having fulfilled his obligations. Adomnán further relates that the young Scandlán was blessed by St Colum Cille (qv) who foretold that, after some time in exile, he would reign over Osraige for thirty years. Later traditions claim that following his release the young dynast paid a handsome tribute to the community of Iona; an exchange of gifts was also said to have taken place, with the youth receiving a crosier and the saint a gold brooch.
Scandlán's brother Rónán (dubbed rígfhlaith, ‘royal sovereign’) succeeded to the kingship of Osraige on the death of their father in 605/7. Rónán was followed by a certain Cenn-fáelad who may well have belonged to the rival dynasty of Corco Loígde. The lengths of their reigns are difficult to determine, but if the Columban prophecy is taken at face value, Scandlán (whom some sources confuse with a son of Cenn-fáelad) probably attained the kingship between 613 and 616; he is credited by some with the expulsion of Corco Loígde. There is no record of his wife, but apparently he had at least one son, Máelodrán. Again on the testimony of Adomnán, Scandlán was deposed towards the end of his reign but, after some time in exile, he was restored shortly before his death which probably occurred when he was over 70 years of age. His obit is entered in the annals at various dates between 643 and 646. His immediate successor was his great-nephew, Fáelán son of Crimthann son of Rónán, who was slain by the Leinstermen in 660. Scandlán's descendants through his son Máelodrán do not seem to have achieved great prominence; most of the later kings of Osraige, including the colourful Cerball (qv) son of Dúngal, were descended from his brother Rónán.