derive from the wars between the Ulaid and the midland dynasties of the Connachta and the nascent Uí Néill in the 4th and 5th centuries, at the end of which the Ulaid lost much of their territory, and their capital, to the new kingdoms of the Airgíalla. Traditional history credits this to the Three Collas, three great-great-great-grandsons of Conn, who defeated the Ulaid king Fergus Foga at Achad Lethderg in County Monaghan, seized all Ulaid territory west of the Newry River and Lough Neagh, and burned Emain Macha. Fergus Foga is said to have been the last king of the Ulaid to reign there. The Annals of the Four Masters dates this to AD 331. O'Rahilly and his followers believe the Collas are literary doublets of the sons of Niall Noígiallach, eponymous founder of the Uí Néill, who they propose were the true conquerors of Emain in the 5th century. The Kings of Tara in the Ulster Cycle are the kindred of the Ulaid, the Érainn, and are generally portrayed sympathetically, especially Conaire Mór. It was remembered that the Connachta and Uí Néill had not yet taken the kingship. Tara was later occupied by the Laigin, who are to some extent strangely integrated with the Connachta in the Ulster Cycle. The latter later took the midlands from the Laigin and their historical antagonism is legendary. The Érainn, led by Cú Roí, also rule in distant Munster and, while presented as deadly rivals of the Ulaid, are again portrayed with unusual interest and sympathy. Cultural impact There two known communities in North Carolina, the United States, that are likely to have been named after Ulaid - Mount Ulla and Ulah. The Ulaid have inspired the name of traditional Irish group Ulaid featuring Dónal O'Connor, John McSherry & Seán Óg Graham who have released two critically acclaimed albums. See also Cruthin List of kings of Ulster List of clans and septs in Ulaid Osraige Early history of Ireland Early Medieval Ireland 800–1166 References Bibliography External links Genealogy of the kings of the Ulaid Gaelic-Irish nations and dynasties Kingdoms of medieval Ireland Ulster Cycle Ancient Irish dynasties Prehistoric Ireland Former kingdoms in Ireland