Senchineoil

Early peoples and kingdoms of Ireland, c.800

The Senchineoil was the name of the pre-Gaelic inhabitants of what is now central and east County Galway and south County Roscommon.

Overview

The term Senchineoil (sen = old; chineoil = people/tribe/kindred) was used by the Uí Maine to described aithechtuatha - unfree, enslaved vassal peoples - who they subjugated during the founding of their kingdom sometime prior to the fifth century AD. They are described as:

"Seincheinéal of the old plain of Soghan/stretched eastward over [the river] Suck/until it reached Delbhna of Dealbhaoth; manly were the good heroes, like a flame."

It is not know by what term the Senchineoil described themselves, or even if it was in Gaelic. Their last recorded ruler was Cian d'Fhearaibh Bolg.

See also

• Uí Fiachrach Aidhne
• Clann Fhergail
• Clann Taidg
• Delbhna Tir Dha Locha
• Muintir Murchada
• Uí Maine
• Soghain
• Trícha Máenmaige
• Uí Díarmata
• Cóiced Ol nEchmacht
• Síol Anmchadha
• Iar Connacht
• Maigh Seola
• Cenél Áeda na hEchtge
• Cenél Guaire
• Muintir Máelfináin
• Conmaícne Cenéoil Dubáin
• Conmaícne Cúile Toland
• Bunrath
• Uí Briúin Rátha
• Tír Maine
• Uí Briúin Seola
• Machaire Riabhach
• Maigh Mucruimhe
• Airthir Connacht
• Meadraige
• Corca Moga
• Óic Bethra

References

• The Senchineoil and the Soghain: Differentiating between the pre-Celtic and early Celtic Tribes of Central East Galway, Joseph Mannion, Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, Volume 58, pp. 165–170, 2006.