Eóganacht

Eóganacht, Eoghanacht, Owenacht [Ir., people of Eógan, born of the yew]. Great historical dynasty, or federation of dynastic groups, that dominated southern Ireland from the 5th to the 12th centuries. Although it claimed Eógan Mór (also Mug Nuadat) as an ancestor, the family takes its name from Eógan Mór's grandson Eógan (ʒ), whose son Fiachu Muillethan became its first king. Some recent historians do not dismiss the family legend that it was established by Christianized Irishmen returning from Britain. The legendary founder of the dynasty is Corc mac Luigthig, who had a vision of a yew bush growing over a stone, leading him to the natural fortress of Cashel, Co. Tipperary. While the Eóganacht's political power was centred at Cashel, its influence extended all over the province of Munster, to the west as far as the Aran Islands and the Burren of Co. Clare and as far east as what is today Kilkenny. Cnoc Áine[Knockainy], Co. Limerick, was also important to them, but their church was at Imblech Ibair[Emly], Co. Tipperary. They formed alliances with the Ciarraige[Kerry] on the west and the Osraige[Ossory] and Múscraige[Muskerry] to the east. Together they may have beaten the invading Érainn, as represented in the legendary Battle of Cenn Abrat. At the beginning of the 12th century the fortress of Cashel was given to the Church in a stroke of political expediency.