Oriel (dervied from Irish orgialla meaning "hostage of gold"; also Airgialla, Uriel, Orgialla, Orgiall, Oryallia, Ergallia) was an ancient Irish kingdom.

The ancient kingdom or principality of Orgiall comprised an extensive territory in Ulster. In the beginning of the 4th century three warlike princes, called the Three Collas, sons of Eochy Doimhlein, son of Cairbre Lifeachar, legendary High King of Ireland, of the race of Eremon, made a conquest of a great part of Ulster, which they wrested from the old possessors, princes of the race of Ir, called the Clanna Rory, or Rudericians. Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh) is one of the four provinces on the island of Ireland. ... (3rd century - 4th century - 5th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century was that century which lasted from 301 to 400. ... The Three Collas were three brothers, sons of Eochaid Doimhlen, son of the High King Cairbre Lifechair, who are credited with establishing the kingdom of Airgialla in north-eastern Ireland in the 4th century. ... Cairbre Lifechair (lover of the Liffey), son of Cormac mac Airt, was a legendary High King of Ireland of the 3rd century. ... In Irish mythology Eremon or Heremon was a son of Míl Espáine who participated in the Milesian conquest of Ireland, defeating the Tuatha Dé Danann at Tailtiu. ...

The Three Collas in the great Battle of Achadh Leithdheirg in Fearmuighe (also Fearnmhagh), in Dalaradia, on the borders of Down and Antrim, 331, defeated the forces of Fergus Foga, king of Ulster, who was slain; and the victors burned to the ground Eamhain Macha or Emania, (near the present city of Armagh,) the famous palace of the Ultonian kings, which had stood for six centuries, and had been long celebrated by the Irish bards. The place where this battle was fought is called also Carn Achy-Leth-Derg, and is now known as the parish of Aghaderg, in the barony of Iveagh, county of Down, where there still remains a huge Carn of loose stones near Loughbrickland. The sovereignty of Ulster thus passed from the race of Ir to the race of Heremon. Events Gregory the Illuminator withdraws from the world; his death occurs sometime in the next couple of years. ... Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh) is one of the four provinces on the island of Ireland. ...

The names of the three chiefs were Colla Uais, or Colla the noble, Colla Meann, or Colla the famous, and Colla da Chroich, or Colla of the two territories. Colla Uais became monarch of Ireland 327, and died in 332. The territory conquered by the three Collas comprised the present countries of Louth, Monaghan, and Armagh. The Three Collas were three brothers, sons of Eochaid Doimhlen, son of the High King Cairbre Lifechair, who are credited with establishing the kingdom of Airgialla in north-eastern Ireland in the 4th century. ... Events September 1 - start of first indiction cycle Christianity was adopted as a state religion of Georgia. ... Events Constantine the Great emperor of the Roman Empire, engaged the Visigoths in battle and was victorious. ... This article is about the town of Louth in England. ... Monaghan (Muineachán in Irish) is a town in the Republic of Ireland, the administrative capital of County Monaghan. ... Armagh is a city in Northern Ireland, the capital of County Armagh. ...

The name of Oirgiall is thought to derive from the circumstance of the Collas having stipulated with the king of Ireland, for themselves and their posterity, that if any chiefs of the clan Colla should be at any time demanded as hostages, and if shackled, their fetters should be of gold: thus, from the Irish, ór, gold, and giall, a hostage, came the name orgialla.

The O'Carrolls, a noble clan of the race of the Dal Fiatachs, were at the time of St. Patrick, kings of Oriell, or that part of it comprising the county of Louth. The Dal Fiatachs or Dalfiatacians, who founded many powerful families in Ulster, particularly in Dalaradia or Down, were descended from Fiatach Fionn, legendary high king of Ireland at the commencement of the second century, of the race of Eremon. The O'Carrolls continued kings of Oriel, down to the 12th century, when they were dispossessed by the Anglo-Normans under John de Courcy. Donogh O'Carroll, prince of Oriel, the last celebrated head of this dynasty, founded the great Abbey of Mellifont in Louth, in the twelfth century. Fiatach Finn was a legendary High King of Ireland of the 1st century AD. The Dál Fiatach of Ulster are said to have been descended from him. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... John de Courcy (1160? - 1219) was a colorful knight and Earl of Ulster, Ireland in the 12th Century. ... Mellifont Abbey is the first Cistercian abbey to be built in Ireland. ...

The Mac Mahon family styled themselves Princes of Oriel. The title barons of Oriel has existed and was held by the Foster family.

In early manuscripts, the bishops of Clogher are frequently styled bishops of Orgiall and Ergallia.

See Also

• Kings of Airgialla