Eochaidh Uaircheas and Macha Mongruadh

Here ensue sixteen reigns, of average duration and no particular interest, until we reach the martial period of Seadna Ionarraidh, the first king to pay fighting men in Ireland. Four further reigns are recorded before that of Eanna Dearg. It was in his time, at Airgeadros, that money was first coined in Ireland. He died of the plague at Sliabh Mis. Two more uneventful reigns bring us to Eochaidh Uaircheas who used to have bare canoes for a fleet. He was two years on sea, in exile from Ireland, and was wont to plunder the borders of every country he passed by.

A dozen reigns intervene between Eochaidh Uaircheas and Macha Mongruadh with nothing noteworthy except that the first was a joint reign and, at the close, Diothorba and Ciombaoth reigned alternately, for periods of seven years, with Aodh Ruadh father of Macha.

Macha Mongruadh, after the death of her father, demanded the sovereignty of Ireland, with the result that a battle was fought between herself and the children of Diothorba, in which Macha was victorious. The children of Diothorba having fled for safety, Macha took Ciombaoth for husband, and instantly pursued the fugitives. Having overtaken them, she succeeded by stratagem in bringing them back bound. She then compelled them to erect a fort for her at Eamhain Macha x to be " the capital of the province forever." She was slain eventually by Reachtaidh, and he in turn Mras slain by Ugaine Mor.  From  this period  onwards   Ireland’s  foreign  intercourse and dominion are much more in evidence.