The High Kingship of Ireland was a pseudohistorical construct of the eighth century AD, a projection into the distant past of a political entity that did not become reality until the ninth century. The traditional list of High Kings of Ireland is thus a mixture of fact and fiction, the individuals appearing prior to the fifth century AD being fictions and the application of the title to individuals before the ninth century being anachronistic. The annalists frequently describe later high kings as rig erenn co fressabra (kings of Ireland with opposition) but it is important to realise that these kings were with opposition only when compared to the imagined high kings of an idealised past and that Ireland as a national kingdom lacking a settled monarchy was well within the European norm.

High Kings of Ireland, 1934 BC - 1186 AD

AFM: chronology from the Annals of the Four Masters; FFE: chronology based on reign-lengths given in Seathrún Céitinn's Forus Feasa ar Erinn. Both were compiled ca. 1634 from much the same sources. Cétinn's chronology is considerably shorter than the Four Masters'.

Fir Bolg High Kings

AFM 1934-1897 BC; FFE 1514-1477 BC

• Sláinge (2) AFM 1934-1933 BC; FFE 1514-1513 BC
• Rudraige (2) AFM 1933-1931 BC; FFE 1513-1511 BC
• Gann (2) and Genann AFM 1931-1927 BC; FFE 1511-1507 BC
• Sengann (2) AFM 1927-1922 BC; FFE 1507-1502 BC
• Fiacha Cennfinnán AFM 1922-1917 BC; FFE 1502-1497 BC
• Rinnal AFM 1917-1911 BC; FFE 1497-1491 BC
• Foidbgen AFM 1911-1907 BC; FFE 1491-1487 BC
• Eochaid mac Eirc AFM 1907-1897 BC; FFE 1487-1477 BC

Tuatha Dé Danann High Kings

AFM 1897-1700 BC; FFE 1477-1287 BC

(Many if not all of these Kings are, in origin, ancient Irish deities)

• Bres AFM 1897-1890 BC; FFE 1477-1470 BC
• Nuada AFM 1890-1870 BC; FFE 1470-1447 BC
• Lug AFM 1870-1830 BC; FFE 1447-1407 BC
• Eochaid Ollathair AFM 1830-1750 BC; FFE 1407-1337 BC
• Delbáeth AFM 1750-1740 BC; FFE 1337-1327 BC
• Fiachna AFM 1740-1730 BC; FFE 1327-1317 BC
• Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine AFM 1730-1700 BC; FFE 1317-1287 BC

Milesian High Kings

AFM 1700 BC - 76 AD; FFE 1287 BC - 80 AD

• Eber Finn and Eremon AFM 1700 BC; FFE 1287-1286 BC
• Eremon AFM 1700-1684 BC; FFE 1286-1272 BC
• Muimne, Luigne and Laigne AFM 1684-1681 BC; FFE 1272-1269 BC
• Ir, Orba, Fearon and Ferga AFM 1681 BC; FFE 1269 BC
• Irial Fáith AFM 1681-1671 BC; FFE 1269-1259 BC
• Eithrial AFM 1671-1651 BC; FFE 1259-1239 BC
• Conmael AFM 1651-1621 BC; FFE 1239-1209 BC
• Tigernmas AFM 1621-1544 BC; FFE 1209-1159 BC

(AFM: interregnum 1544-1537 BC)

• Eochaid Étgudach AFM 1537-1533 BC; FFE 1159-1155 BC
• Cearmna Finn and Sobhairce AFM 1533-1493 BC; FFE 1155-1115 BC
• Eochaid Faebar Glas AFM 1493-1473 BC; FFE 1115-1095 BC
• Fiacha Labhrainne AFM 1473-1449 BC; FFE 1095-1071 BC
• Eochaid Mumho AFM 1449-1428 BC; FFE 1071-1050 BC
• Aengus Olmucada AFM 1428-1410 BC; FFE 1050-1032 BC
• Enna Airgtheach AFM 1410-1383 BC; FFE 1032-1005 BC
• Roitheachtaigh (I) AFM 1383-1358 BC; FFE 1005-980 BC
• Sedna (I) AFM 1358-1353 BC; FFE 980-975 BC
• Fiacha Finscothach AFM 1353-1333 BC; FFE 975-955 BC
• Muineamhón AFM 1333-1328 BC; FFE 955-950 BC
• Faildeargdoid AFM 1328-1318 BC; FFE 950-943 BC
• Ollamh Fodhla AFM 1318-1278 BC; FFE 943-913 BC
• Finnachta AFM 1278-1258 BC; FFE 913-895 BC
• Slanoll AFM 1257-1241 BC; FFE 895-880 BC
• Gedhe Ollghothach AFM 1241-1231 BC; FFE 880-863 BC
• Fiacha Finnailches AFM 1231-1209 BC; FFE 863-833 BC
• Bearnghal AFM 1209-1197 BC; FFE 833-831 BC
• Ailill mac Slanuill AFM 1197-1181 BC; FFE 831-815 BC
• Sírna AFM 1181-1031 BC; FFE 814-794 BC
• Roitheachtaigh (II) AFM 1031-1024 BC; FFE 794-787 BC
• Elim Oillfinshneachta AFM 1024-1023 BC; FFE 787-786 BC
• Giallchaidh AFM 1023-1014 BC; FFE 786-777 BC
• Art Imleach AFM 1014-1002 BC; FFE 777-755 BC
• Nuadat Finnfail AFM 1002-962 BC; FFE 755-735 BC
• Breisrigh AFM 962-953 BC; FFE 735-726 BC
• Eochaid Apthach AFM 953-952 BC; FFE 726-725 BC
• Fionn mac Brátha AFM 952-930 BC; FFE 725-705 BC
• Sedna (II) AFM 930-910 BC; FFE 705-685 BC
• Simeon Breac AFM 910-904 BC; FFE 685-679 BC
• Duach Finn AFM 904-894 BC; FFE 679-674 BC
• Muireadach Bolgrach AFM 894-893 BC; FFE 674-670 BC
• Enda Dearg AFM 893-881 BC; FFE 670-658 BC
• Lugaid Iardonn AFM 881-872 BC; FFE 658-649BC
• Sirlám AFM 872-856 BC; FFE 649-633 BC
• Eochaid Uaircheas AFM 856-844 BC; FFE 633-621 BC
• Eochaid Fiadmuine and Conaing Begeaglach AFM 844-839 BC; FFE 621-616 BC
• Lugaid Lámdearg AFM 839-832 BC; FFE 616-609 BC
• Conaing Begeaglach (restored) AFM 832-812 BC; FFE 609-599 BC
• Art mac Lugdach AFM 812-806 BC; FFE 599-593 BC
• Fiacha Tolgrach AFM 806-796 BC; FFE 593-586 BC
• Ailill Finn AFM 796-785 BC; FFE 586-577 BC
• Eochaid mac Ailella AFM 785-778 BC; FFE 577-570 BC
• Airgeatmhar AFM 778-748 BC; FFE 570-547 BC
• Duach Ladhgrach AFM 748-738 BC; FFE 547-537 BC
• Lugaid Laigde AFM 738-731 BC; FFE 537-530 BC
• Áed Ruad AFM 731-724 BC; FFE 530-509 BC
• Díthorba AFM 724-717 BC; FFE 509-488 BC
• Cimbáeth AFM 717-710 BC; FFE 488-468 BC
• (AFM Áed Ruad (2nd time) 710-703 BC)
• (AFM Díthorba (2nd time) 703-696 BC)
• (AFM Cimbáeth (2nd time) 696-689 BC)
• (AFM Áed Ruad (3rd time) 689-682 BC)
• (AFM Díthorba (3rd time) 682-675 BC)
• (AFM Cimbáeth (3rd time) 675-668 BC)
• (AFM Cimbáeth and queen Macha 668-661 BC)
• Queen Macha AFM 661-654 BC; FFE 468-461 BC
• Rechtaid Rígderg AFM 654-634 BC; FFE 461-441 BC
• Úgaine Mor AFM 634-594 BC; FFE 441-411 BC
• Badbchaid AFM 594 BC; FFE 411 BC
• Lóegaire Lorc AFM 594-592 BC; FFE 411-409 BC
• Cobthach Cóel Breg AFM 592-542 BC; FFE 409-379 BC
• Labraid Loingsech AFM 542-523 BC; FFE 379-369 BC
• Meilge Molbthach AFM 523-506 BC; FFE 369-362 BC
• Mog Corb AFM 506-499 BC; FFE 362-355 BC
• Aengus Ollamh AFM 499-481 BC; FFE 355-337 BC
• Irereo AFM 481-474 BC; FFE 337-330 BC
• Fer Corb AFM 474-463 BC; FFE 330-319 BC
• Connla Cáem AFM 463-443 BC; FFE 319-315 BC
• Ailill Caisfhiaclach AFM 443-418 BC; FFE 315-290 BC
• Adamair AFM 418-414 BC; FFE 290-285 BC
• Eochaid Ailtleathan AFM 414-396 BC; FFE 285-274 BC
• Fergus Fortamail AFM 396-385; FFE 274-262 BC
• Aengus Tuirmech Temrach AFM 385-326 BC; FFE 262-232 BC
• Conall Collamrach AFM 326-320 BC; FFE 232-226 BC
• Nia Segamain AFM 320-313 BC; FFE 226-219 BC
• Enna Aignech AFM 313-293 BC; FFE 219-191 BC
• Crimthann Coscrach AFM 293-289 BC; FFE 191-184 BC
• Rudraige (3) AFM 289-219 BC; FFE 184-154 BC
• Innatmar AFM 219-210 BC; FFE 154-151 BC
• Breasal Boidhiobhadh AFM 210-199 BC; FFE 151-140 BC
• Lugaid Luaigne AFM 199-184 BC; FFE 140-135 BC
• Congal Clairinech AFM 184-169 BC; FFE 135-120 BC
• Duach Dallta Dedad AFM 169-159 BC; FFE 120-110 BC
• Fachtna Fáthach AFM 159-143 BC; FFE 110-94 BC
• Eochaid Feidlech AFM 143-131 BC; FFE 94-82 BC (father of Queen Medb)
• Eochaid Airem AFM 131-116 BC; FFE 82-70 BC
• Ederscel AFM 116-111 BC; FFE 70-64 BC
• Nuada Necht AFM 111-110 BC; FFE 64-63 BC
• Conaire Mor AFM 110-40 BC; FFE 63-33 BC

(AFM: Interregnum 40-33 BC)

• Lugaid Riab nDerg AFM 33-9 BC; FFE 33-13 BC
• Conchobar Abradruad AFM 9-8 BC; FFE 13-12 BC
• Crimthann Nia Náir AFM 8 BC - 9 AD; FFE 12 BC - 5 AD
• AFM Cairbre Cinnchait 9-14; FFE Feradach Finnfechtnach 5-25
• AFM Feradach Finnfechtnach 14-36; FFE Fiatach Finn 25-28
• AFM Fiatach Finn 36-39; FFE Fiacha Finnfolaidh 28-55
• AFM Fiacha Finnfolaidh 39-56; FFE Cairbre Cinnchait 55-60
• Éllim AFM 56-76; FFE 60-80

High Kings, 76-458

• Tuathal Teachtmhar AFM 76-106; FFE 80-100
• Mal AFM 106-110; FFE 100-104
• Fedlimid Rechtmar AFM 110-119; FFE 104-113
• Cathair Mor AFM 119-122; FFE 113-116
• Conn Cétchathach AFM 122-157; FFE 116-136
• Conaire AFM 157-165; FFE 136-143
• Art mac Cuinn AFM 165-195; FFE 143-173
• Lugaid mac Con AFM 195-225; FFE 173-203
• Fergus Dubdétach AFM 225-226; FFE 203-204
• Cormac mac Airt AFM 226-266; FFE 204-244
• Eochaid Gonnat AFM 266-267; FFE 244-245
• Cairbre Lifechair AFM 267-284; FFE 245-272
• Fothad Cairpthech and Fothad Airgthech AFM 284-285; FFE 272-273
• Fiacha Sraibhtine AFM 285-322; FFE 273-306
• Colla Uais AFM 322-326; FFE 306-310
• Muiredach Tirech AFM 326-356; FFE 310-343
• Cáelbad AFM 356-357; FFE 343-344
• Eochaid Mugmedon AFM 357-365; FFE 344-351
• Crimthann mac Fidaig AFM 365-376; FFE 351-368
• Niall Noigiallach AFM 376-405; FFE 368-395
• Dathí AFM 405-428; FFE 395-418
• Lóegaire mac Néill AFM 428-458; FFE 418-448

High Kings of Ireland, 459-831

• Ailill Molt 459-478
• Lughaid mac Loeguire 479-503
• Daui Tenga Uma
• Muircheartach 504-527
• Tuathal Maelgarbh 528-538
• Diarmaid mac Cearbhaill 539-558
• Domhnall and Fearghus 559-561
• Eochaidh and Baedan 562-563
• Ainmire 564-566
• Baedan 567
• Aedh 568-594
• Aedh Slaine and Colman Rimidh 595-600
• Aedh Uairidhnach 601-607
• Maelcobha 608-610
• Suibhne Meann/Suibhne Gelt/King Sweeney 611-623
• Domhnall 624-639
• Ceallach and Conall Cael 640-656
• Diarmaid and Blathmac 657-664
• Seachnasach 665-669
• Ceannfaeladh 670-673
• Finnachta Fleadhach 674-693
• Loingseach 694-701
• Congal of Ceann Maghair 702-708
• Fearghal 709-718
• Forgartach 719
• Cinaeth 720-722
• Flaithbheartach 723-729
• Aedh Allan 730-738
• Domhnall 739-758
• Niall Frosach 759-765
• Donnchadh 766-792
• Aedh Oirdnidhe 793-817
• Conchobar 818-831

High Kings of Ireland, 832-1318

• Nial Caille 832-845.
• Mael Seachlainn I 845-860.
• Aedh Finnliath 861-876.
• Flann Sinna 877-914.
• Niall Glundubh 915-917.
• Donnchadh 918-942.
• Tomar of Limerick, 922-930.
• Conghalach 943-954.
• Domhnall 955-978.
• Mael Seachlainn II Mor 979-1002.
• Brian Boru 1002-1014.
• Mael Seachlainn II, Mor (restored) 1014-1022.
• Corcran Claireach and Conn O Lochlain 1022-1024.
• Donnchad mac Briain, 1024-1064. (with opposition)
• Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain 1055-1086 (with opposition)
• Domhnall MacLochlainn 1083-1121 (with opposition)
• Muircheartach Ua Briain 1101-1119 (with opposition)
• Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, 1119-1156.
• Muirchertach MacLochlainn 1156-1166.
• Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair 1166-1186.
• Brian O'Neill , 1258-1260.
• Edward Bruce, 1315-1318.