The year after he became king, the annals record that "Cathal, son of Ruaidhri, lord of West Connaught, went on his pilgrimage to Ard-Macha ( Armagh )." He appears to have died there in 1043. He was succeeded by his son, Amhalgaidh. Preceded by Murchadh an Chapail Ua Flaithbheartaigh King of Maigh