Dal Riata

Dal Riata was a state in British Isles (Europe) that lasted from c. 500 to 850 CE, about 350 years. Its people spoke Celtic languages (Gaulish, Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Breton).

A Gaelic kingdom straddling Antrim and Argyll that brought the Irish language to Scotland. Saint Columba founded the monastery of Iona within it in 563.

See Dal Riata on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 500 to 850 CE
Duration: 350 years
Type: State
Region: British Isles, Europe
Language family: Celtic
Capital: Dunadd

Became

Kingdom of Scotland 843 to 1707 CE

Events in Europe during its time

541 Plague of Justinian
732 Battle of Tours
793 Viking raid on Lindisfarne
800 Charlemagne crowned emperor

Neighbours in Europe

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
Carolingian Empire 751 to 843 CE
Papal States 756 to 1870 CE
Kingdom of Scotland 843 to 1707 CE
Kingdom of Wessex c. 519 to 927 CE
Kingdom of Mercia c. 527 to 918 CE
First Bulgarian Empire 681 to 1018 CE
Khazar Khaganate c. 650 to 969 CE
Merovingian Kingdom 481 to 751 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East

Questions

When did Dal Riata exist?

c. 500 to 850 CE, about 350 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Dal Riata?

British Isles, in Europe. Its capital was Dunadd.

What language did Dal Riata speak?

Celtic. This family includes Gaulish, Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Breton.

What came after Dal Riata?

Kingdom of Scotland.