Áed Uaridnach (d. 612), son of Domnall and king of Tara, belonged to Cenél nÉogain, a dynasty of Uí Néill. Originally accorded the epithet Allán or Ollán, the meaning of which is uncertain, Áed was dubbed Uaridnach (martial or war-like) by Middle Irish writers to distinguish him from a later namesake from the same dynasty, Áed Allán (qv) son of Fergal (qv). Áed's father, Domnall Ilchelgach (d. c.566) and grandfather Muirchertach/Mac Ercae (qv) are reckoned as kings of Tara in Middle Irish lists – the latter arguably to be identified with an individual included in the Old Irish regnal poem ‘Baile Chuinn’. His mother is named as Bríg, daughter of Orcha son of Caírthenn of Uí Meic Caírthinn, and he had at least two brothers, Echu and Colcu. According to the ‘Banshenchas’ (lore of women), Áed's wife was Damnat daughter of Murchad a Luirg, mother of his son Máel-fithrich (d. 630). He had another son, Dáire (or Dór), who died of wounds after a conflict with Cenél Lóegaire in 624 (Ann. Tig.)
In 604, or shortly thereafter, Áed emerged as overking of the Uí Néill in succession to his cousin Colmán Rímid (qv) and laid claim to the kingship of Tara. Although his Uí Néill kinsmen are credited in later sources with a monopoly of that kingship throughout the early historical period, the reality was probably more complex, with other dynasties – including Dál nAraide of Ulster – contesting the dignity. Áed, however, is quite possibly the king of that name featured in ‘Baile Chuinn’; certainly, he is styled rex Temro (king of Tara) in his obit (AU). He is accorded a reign of seven (or eight) years in the Middle Irish king-lists. It is said that in 605 he defeated Brandub (qv), overking of Leinster, at the battle of Slabar (in Co. Meath). Little else is known of his reign, although conflict with his neighbours to the south is reflected in later hagiographical tradition: one story, which represents him as a patron of the saintly Mura (qv) of Othain, has the latter prophesy a short life for the king because of his hatred for the Leinstermen.
Áed died in 612; the formula of his obit in AU implies a natural death, although later tradition claims that he was killed in a battle at Áth dá Fherta in Mag Conaille (north Co. Louth). His son Máel-fithrich (whose descendants, Síl Máele-fithrich, provided most of the later rulers of Cenél nÉogain) was powerful at local level, but the paramount kingship of Uí Néill passed to Máel-Cobo son of Áed (qv) son of Ainmere (qv), of the rival dynasty of Cenél Conaill.