A Compendium of Irish Biography/Callaghan
Callaghan or Kellachan, King of Cashel, reigned some ten years, dying in 952. He is worthy of notice from the interesting account Keating gives of his capture and imprisonment by Sitric, Scandinavian King of Dublin. Sitric lured him to Dublin with promises of the hand of his sister. There he was seized and sent in chains to Armagh. Cennedigh, son of Lorcan, a powerful prince, immediately mustered both land and sea forces to proceed to his release. A fierce encounter ensued at Dundalk, and Callaghan, found bound on one of Sitric's ships in the bay, was released. On Cennedigh and Callaghan's return to Munster, they wreaked vengeance upon the Ard-Righ and other Irish princes who had connived at, and indeed advised, Callaghan's capture. According to another account, it was by Muircheartach, King of Aileach, that Callaghan was imprisoned for a time with other Irish kings. As Keating says, "He returned to Aileach, carrying these kings with him, and they were for nine months feasting there." [1]
- Authorities
- ↑ Ireland, History of, from the earliest period to the English Invasion: Rev. Geoffrey Keating: Translated from the Irish, and Noted by John O'Mahony. New York, 1857.