Since it has been thought that Dál Riata swallowed Pictland to create the Kingdom of Alba, the later history of Dál Riata has tended to be seen as a prelude to future triumphs.The titles alone of John Bannerman's "The Scottish Takeover of Pictland" and Richard Sharpe's "The thriving of Dalriada" tell their own story. The annals make it clear that the Cenél Gabraín lost any earlier monopoly of royal power in the late 7th century and in the 8th, when Cenél Loairn kings such as Ferchar Fota, his son Selbach, and grandsons Dúngal and Muiredach are found contesting for the kingship of Dál Riata. The long period of instability in Dál Riata was only ended by the conquest of the kingdom by Óengus mac Fergusa, king of the Picts, in the 730s. After the third campaign by Óengus in 741, Dál Riata then disappears from the Irish records for a generation.
Since it has been thought that Dál Riata swallowed Pictland to create the Kingdom of Alba the later history of Dál Riata has tended to be seen as a prelude to future triumphsThe titles alone of John Bannerman's "The Scottish Takeover of Pictland" and Richard Sharpe's "The thriving of Dalriada" tell their own story The annals make it clear that the Cenél Gabraín lost any earlier monopoly of royal power in the late 7th century and in the 8th when Cenél Loairn kings such as Ferchar Fota his son Selbach and grandsons Dúngal and Muiredach are found contesting for the kingship of Dál Riata The long period of instability in Dál Riata was only ended by the conquest of the kingdom by Óengus mac Fergusa king of the Picts in the 730s After the third campaign by Óengus in 741 Dál Riata then disappears from the Irish records for a generation