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Artrí

Contributed by
McGettigan, Darren; Mac Shamhráin, Ailbhe

Artrí (d. 833), bishop and abbot of Armagh, was son of Conchobar – perhaps Conchobar (qv) son of Donnchad Midi (qv) and king of Tara 819–33. This parentage would attach him to the Clann Cholmáin dynasty, but the Annals of the Four Masters refer to him as a brother of the king of Airgialla. Artrí was bishop of Armagh by 812 at latest, and appears to have acted as head of the community on at least three occasions – perhaps standing in for the abbot Flanngus. In 818 Artrí brought the shrine of St Patrick (qv) on circuit in Connacht. In 823 he promulgated the Law of Patrick in Munster, in conjunction with the bishop-king of Caisel (Cashel), Fedelmid (qv) son of Crimthann; two years later he imposed the same ‘law’ on Connacht.

On the death of Flanngus (826), Artrí formally succeeded to the abbacy but soon found himself in conflict with a rival claimant, Éogan Mainistrech (qv), who also held in plurality the abbacies of Clonard and Monasterboice. Artrí was supported by Fedelmid of Caisel, by Muiredach son of Eochaid, king of the Ulaid, and by Cummascach son of Cathal, overking of Airgialla. Éogan Mainistrech had the backing of Niall Caille (qv), king of Ailech, and the Cenél nÉogain dynasty. This conflict led to the battle of Leth Cam (827). Not only were the supporters of Artrí defeated, but the Airgialla fell firmly under the control of the Cenél nÉogain. The subsequent deposition of Artrí was a great setback for Fedelmid, but there was little he could do to support his protégé. Artrí died in 833, with the Annals of Ulster still styling him abb Airdd Machae (‘abbot of Armagh’).

Sources

AU; Ann. Inisf.; AFM; Bk Leinster, i, 200; Byrne, Ir. kings, 125, 220–21; Ó Corráin, Ire. before Normans, 98; NHI, ix, 238, 240; Jaski, Early Ir. kingship, 221–2

Publishing information

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3318/dib.000237.v1
Originally published October 2009 as part of the Dictionary of Irish Biography
Last revised October 2009

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This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International license.
Full name: Artrí
Gender: Male
Career: Religion
Born in Ireland
Died 833 in Ireland

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