Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn

Who was Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn?

Coirpre Cromm mac Crimthainn was a King of Munster from the Eóganacht Glendamnach sept of the ruling Eoganachta dynasty. This branch was centered at Glanworth, County Cork. He was the son of Crimthann Srem mac Echado.

The chronology of the 6th-century kings of Munster in the sources is contradictory. The Annals of Tigernach mention him as king in 542 but then name another king in 545 Cormac mac Aillela. The annals then mention his death again at 577 after reigning 17 years This would give a possible reign of 560–577. King-lists contained in the Laud Synchronisms, the Book of Leinster and the saga Senchas Fagbála Caisil also mention him.

In 572 he fought the Battle of Feimin, and defeated Colmán Bec mac Diarmata and many of the men of Meath were slain. A poem on the origin of the name of Loch Cenn gives the following information about this battle:

His sons were Feidlimid mac Coirpri Chruimm,a possible king of Munster and Áed Fland Cathrach who was ancestor of the later kings from the Glendamnach line. He gave Cloyne to God and its first bishop was Saint Colman of Cloyne. His widow Cumman married Feidlimid mac Tigernaig, also King of Munster.