Tuathal Techtmar

Tuathal Techtmar, Túathal Techtmar, Teachtmhar, Teachmhar, Teachtmhair [Ir. tuathal, ruler of all the people, from Romano-Celtic teuto-valos (?); techtmar, possessing wealth (?), legitimate (?)]. Possibly historical but shadowy ard rí [high king] of 2nd-century Ireland known mostly from genealogy, pedigree, and pseudo-history. Although documents purporting to tell of Tuathal's life, including the dates of his reign, AD 130–60, were not composed until after the 8th century, his two most important attributed achievements, leading Goidelic invaders to Ireland and carving out the kingdom of Mide from portions of other provinces, demonstrably did take place in pre-Patrician Ireland. T. F. O'Rahilly asserted (1946) that his central presence in history is factual but much embroidered in retelling. Other commentators have been more doubtful, seeing him as an invented grandfather to the eminent heroic king Conn Cétchathach [of the Hundred Battles]; the institution of the ard rí dates from a later time. Coordinating his contradictory chronology has presented problems for historians since the time of Geoffrey Keating (17th cent.).

According to post-8th-century tradition, Tuathal invaded Ireland after an exiled birth and childhood in Scotland to avenge the displacement of his father, Fiachu Findholaid, but O'Rahilly felt that the Scottish exile was only a cover for his foreign origin. Fiachu had been murdered by Éllim mac Conrach of the Dál nAraide, a wickedness punished by God with famine. With an army mostly of foreigners, the 20-year-old Tuathal arrived at Inber Domnann [Malahide Bay] and quickly conquered the nearby Fir Bolg, Domnainn, and Galióin, eventually marching on Tara, where he slew Éllim. In a 10th-century text Tuathal Techtmar is credited with the institution of the boráma tribute from the subject Laginian [Leinster] peoples; the boráma usually consisted of 5,000 cows, sheep, pigs, cloaks, bronze vessels, and ounces of silver, and was collected for many centuries. The pretext for the tribute was the disgrace Eochaid (8) brought upon his kinsmen after he married Tuathal's daughter Fithir and later came to desire her sister Dáirine, bringing her into his household as well; the result was that Fithir died of shame and Dáirine died of grief. Tuathal would have imposed his will upon Connacht, Munster, and Ulster as well to construct his own kingdom of Mide. Although Mide certainly existed, Tuathal's association with it appears based on a misreading of etymology; the text describes him as making Mide [mide, middle, centre] from the ‘neck’ [méide] of each province. Mide also encompasses the territory around the hill of Uisnech, perceived centre of Ireland, where Tuathal Techtmar was thought to have founded the annual óenach [fair], but probably did not.

Tuathal Techtmar claimed descent from Eochaid Feidlech through six generations. His grandfather was Feradach Fechtnach, his mother Eithne Imgel. The son who fathered Conn Cétchathach was Fedlim[m]id Rechtaid (or Rechtmar); another daughter was Báine. See also MÍL ESPÁINE.

Bibliography

See Thomas F. O'Rahilly , ‘Tuathal Techtmar’, in Early Irish History and Mythology (Dublin, 1946), 154–70

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