Flann Sinna

Flann Sinna
High King of Ireland
Opening lines of Máel Mura Othna's poem Flann for Érinn (Flann over Ireland), from the Great Book of Lecan (RIA MS 23 P 2), 296v
Reign	879–916
Predecessor	Áed Findliath
Successor	Niall Glúndub
Born	847
Died	25 May 916 (aged 68–69) Lough Ennel, Kingdom of Meath
Spouse	Gormlaith ingen Flainn Eithne ingen Áeda Máel Muire ingen Cináeda
Issue	Donnchad Donn Máel Ruanaid Óengus Domnall Conchobar Áed Cerball Gormlaith Eithne Lígach Muirgel
Father	Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid
Mother	Land ingen Dúngaile

Flann mac Máel Sechnaill (847 – 25 May 916), better known as Flann Sinna (lit. 'Flann of the Shannon'; Irish: Flann na Sionainne), was the son of Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid of Clann Cholmáin, the leading branch of the Southern Uí Néill. He was King of Mide from 877 onwards and a High King of Ireland. His mother Land ingen Dúngaile was a sister of Cerball mac Dúnlainge, King of Osraige.

Flann was chosen as the High King of Ireland, also known as King of Tara, following the death of his first cousin and stepfather Áed Findliath on 20 November 879. Flann's reign followed the usual pattern of Irish High Kings, beginning by levying hostages and tribute from Leinster and then to wars with Munster, Ulster, and Connacht. Flann was more successful than most kings of Ireland. However, rather than the military and diplomatic successes of his reign, it is his propaganda statements, in the form of monumental high crosses naming him and his father as kings of Ireland, that are exceptional.

Flann may have had the intention of abandoning the traditional succession to the kingship of Tara, whereby the northern and southern branches of the Uí Néill held the kingship alternately, but such plans were thwarted when his favoured son Óengus was killed by his son-in-law and eventual successor Niall Glúndub, son of Áed Findliath, on 7 February 915. Flann's other sons revolted and his authority collapsed.