The
Dáirine (Dárine, Dáirfine, Dáirfhine, Dárfine, Dárinne, Dairinne), later known dynastically as the
Corcu Loígde, were the proto-historical rulers of
Munster before the rise of the
Eóganachta in the 7th century AD. They appear to have derived from the
Darini of
Ptolemy and to have been related to the
Ulaid and
Dál Riata of
Ulster and
Scotland. In support of this, their ancestors appear frequently in the
Ulster Cycle, where they are known as the
Clanna Dedad, and are the killers of
Cú Chulainn. All are considered
Érainn (see also
O'Rahilly's historical model). In historical times the Dáirine were represented, as stated, by the
Corcu Loígde, and probably by the
Uí Fidgenti and
Uí Liatháin, as well as a few other early historical kindreds of both Munster and Ulster. In ancient genealogical schemes, the historical
Dál Fiatach of Ulaid also belong to the Dáirine (Clanna Dedad).