Editing Ulaid (section)

===6th to 7th centuries===
By the mid-6th century, the Dál Riata possessions in Scotland came under serious threat from [[Bridei I]], [[king of the Picts]], resulting in them seeking the Northern Uí Néill's aid.<ref name="Bardon17"/> The king of Dál Riata, [[Áedán mac Gabráin]], had already granted the island of [[Iona]] off the coast of Scotland to the Cenél Conaill prince and saint, [[Columba]], who in turn negotiated an alliance between the Northern Uí Néill and Dál Riata in 575 at Druim Ceit near [[Derry]].<ref name="Bardon17"/> The result of this pact was the removal of Dál Riata from Ulaid's overlordship allowing it to concentrate on extending its Scottish domain.<ref name="Bardon17"/> That same year either before or after the convention of Druim Ceit, the king of Dál Riata was killed in a bloody battle with the Dál nAraidi at Fid Euin.<ref name="FraserMedievalPg317"/>

In 563, according to the Annals of Ulster, an apparent internal struggle amongst the Cruthin resulted in Báetán mac Cinn making a deal with the Northern Uí Néill, promising them the territories of Ard Eólairgg ([[Magilligan peninsula]]) and the Lee, both west of the River Bann.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> As a result, the [[battle of Móin Dairi Lothair]] (modern-day Moneymore) took place between them and an alliance of Cruthin kings, in which the Cruthin suffered a devastating defeat.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> Afterwards the Northern Uí Néill settled their Airgíalla allies in the Cruthin territory of [[Eilne]], which lay between the River Bann and the River Bush.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> The defeated Cruthin alliance meanwhile consolidated themselves on Dál nAraidi.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

The Dál nAraidi king [[Congal Cáech]] took possession of the overlordship of Ulaid in 626, and in 628 killed the [[High King of Ireland]], [[Suibne Menn]] of the Northern Uí Néill in battle.<ref name="Bardon20-1"/> In 629, Congal led the Dál nAraidi to defeat against the same foes.<ref name="ANHOI212"/> In an attempt to have himself installed as [[High King of Ireland]], Congal made alliances with Dál Riata and [[Kingdom of Strathclyde|Strathclyde]], which resulted in the disastrous [[Battle of Moira]] in 637, in modern-day County Down, which saw Congal slain by High King [[Domnall mac Áedo]] of the Northern Uí Néill and resulted in Dál Riata losing possession of its Scottish lands.<ref name="Bardon20-1"/>

The Annals of Ulster record that in 668, the battle of ''Bellum Fertsi'' (modern-day Belfast) took place between the Ulaid and Cruithin, both terms which then referred to the Dál Fiatach and Dál nAraide respectively.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>

Meanwhile, the Dál nAraidi were still resisting the encroaching Northern Uí Néill and in 681, Dúngal Eilni, king of the Dál nAraidi, and his ally Cenn Fáelad of [[Keenaght (barony)|Ciannachta]] were killed at Dún Cethirinn.<ref name="ANHOI212"/>