Cimbáeth

Cimbáeth (Cimbaeth or Kimbay) was the king of Ulaid (Ulster). Cimbáeth was the brother of Áed Ruad and Dithorba. Cimbáeth was the uncle and husband of Macha.

The three brothers agreed that each of them were to rule for a term of 7 years in a 21-year cycle. Áed Ruad was ruling at the time, when he had an untimely demise by drowning at a waterfall before he could complete his term as king. Macha, the daughter of Áed Ruad, should have ruled in her father's place and completed the term of rulership, but Cimbáeth and his brother (Dithorba) opposed their neice ruling Ulster.

At Áed Ruad's death, his daughter Macha refused to give up the kingdom to either brother. Macha killed Dithorba in battle, and compelled her other uncle (Cimbáeth) to marry her.

Cimbáeth and Macha ruled Ulaid together, but it was Macha who founded the royal fort, Emain Macha. See Emain Macha for more information about Macha.

According to The Roll of Kings of Ireland found in the Lebor Gabala, after a year's reign as a king of Ulster, Cimbáeth became high king of Ireland and ruled for 27 years with his wife. At his death, Macha, who had ruled together with him, both in Ulster and sharing the power of Ard Ri, became the sole ruler of Ulster and Ireland for seven years before she was murdered by Rechtad Riderg of Mumu (Munster).