Colmán Rímid

Colmán Rímid (or Colmán mac Báetáin) (died 604) was an Irish king who is included in some lists as a High King of Ireland. Colmán was the son of Báetán mac Muirchertaig (died 572), also considered to be a high king, and belonged to the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill.^[1] He ruled in Ailech from 578 to 602.^[2] His byname rímid means "the Counter", suggesting that he was numerate, unlike most contemporary kings.^[3]

The high kingship of Ireland rotated between the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill branches in the late 6th century.^[4] He is said to have shared the High Kingship with Áed Sláine. The accession of Colmán and Áed to the high kingship is recorded in the annals in 598.^[5] They are also listed as kings in the king lists.^[6] They are however omitted from the earliest king list, the Baile Chuind (The Ecstasy of Conn), a late 7th-century Irish poem. Fiachnae mac Báetáin of Ulaid may have been effectively king.^[7]

In 602 Colmán defeated his Cenél Conaill rival, Conall Cú mac Áedo (died 604) at the Battle of Cúl Sleamna (in Raphoe barony) and Conall was put to flight.^[8] Colmán met his death in 604 when he was killed by a kinsman, Lochán Dilmana.^[9] The Annals of Ulster state of this:^[10]

Of what value kingship, of what value law; of what value power over princes; Since it is king Colmán the Counter whom Lochan Dithnadha has slain?

His daughter, or perhaps granddaughter, Fín, was the mother of Aldfrith son of Oswiu.^[11] The poet Cenn Fáelad mac Aillila (died 679) was his nephew.^[12] His brother Máel Umai (died 610) fought at the Battle of Degsastan where he is said to have killed the brother of King Æthelfrith of Bernicia.