Tigernmas
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Tigernmas was a pre-Christian High King of Ireland, 13th in the Milesian line. A descendant of Eremon, he took the kingship when he overthrew Conmael, a descendant of Eber Finn. During his reign he fought twenty-seven battles with Eber's descendants.
In his time gold was first smelted in Ireland, and clothes were first dyed purple, blue and green. Also in his time, embroidery, fringes and filigree were first used.
He introduced the worship of Crom Cruach, the "bloody crescent", a deity who was propitiated with human sacrifice. However, he and many followers went to worship the deity on Magh Slécht one Samhain night and were all found dead in the morning. Depending on the source consulted he had ruled for seventeen or fifty years. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, after his death Ireland was without a High King for seven years, before Eochaid Étgudach took the kingship.
His name is spelled in various ways: Tigernmas, Tighernmas, Tigernmais, Tighernmais, Tigernmair, Tiernmas, Tiernmais, Tighearnmhas, Tighearnmas, Tighearnmais, Tigearnmas, Tigearnmais, Tigearnmhas, Tigearnmhais, Tigernmus.
His genealogy is Tigernmais m.Fćlad m.Etheuir m.Iriail m.Erimoin.
The Metrical Dindshenchas poem 50 on the meaning of the placename Carn Feradaig gives the following lines about some of his battles-
- This carn I see, pre-eminent,
- the carn of Feradach of the true judgments:
- I am versed completely in every spot
- in the tale whence it took its name.
- Feradach of the noble pride
- was son of Rochorp son of Gollan:
- Gollan with the bright 'wind of wailing'
- was son-of Conmael son of Eber.
- A prince seized the high ground,
- even Tigernmas, with powerful sway:
- thrice nine battles with his line of slender spears
- he won against the children of Conmael.
- He slew Conmael, head of battle,
- in the battle of great Oenach Macha,
- in the battle of Eille in fight early-arrayed
- he slew Rochorp son of Gollan.
- He slew Feradach thereafter
- the noble son of Rochorp, kingly in valour:
- the body whence he departed after his slaying
- lies under thy mounds, O pleasant carn!
- Feradach, who offered battles
- till the prince of Macha slew him,
- met an encounter hence — better he had not!
- the fixed term of their truce had expired.
- Tigernmas with many a conflict,
- with [...] slaughter, with furious strife,
- with his army high in renown
- gained many victories about the cairns.
| Preceded by: Conmael | High King of Ireland AFM 1621-1544 BC FFE 1209-1159 BC | Succeeded by: Eochaid Étgudach See also |