Uí Néill [SEP] founder
Uí Néill


The Uí Néill ( , "descendants of Niall") are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who died c. 405. The founders of the Uí Néill branches are the alleged sons of Niall Noigiallach, seven in all: The Northern Uí Néill branch: The Southern Uí Néill branch: All these men were in their lifetime known as members of Connachta dynasty, or as "the sons of Niall." The term Uí Néill did not
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Northern Uí Néill


The Northern Uí Néill is the name given to several dynasties in north-western medieval Ireland that claimed descent from a common ancestor, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Other dynasties in central and eastern Ireland who also claimed descent from Niall were termed the Southern Uí Néill (together they are known as the Uí Néill dynasty). The dynasties of the Northern Uí Néill were the Cenél Conaill and Cenél nEógain, named after supposed sons of Niall: Conall and Eógain. The Northern Uí Néill's over-kingdom in its earliest days
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Northern Uí Néill


a challenge from Áed Allán, king of the Cenél nEógain, the Cenél Conaill over-king of the Northern Uí Néill, and the Uí Néill as a whole, Flaithbertach mac Loingsech abdicated. From then onwards the Cenél Conaill's dominance started to wane, and their rulers would never again attain the status of over-king of the Uí Néill. It was from this point that the lengthy rotation of the kingship of Tara between the Cenél nEógain and Clann Cholmáin of the Southern Uí Néill started. The power of the Cenél
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Southern Uí Néill


The Southern Uí Néill or "Uí Néill Deisceart" were that branch of the Uí Néill dynasty that invaded and settled in the Kingdom of Mide and its associated kingdoms. In the initial decades two sons of Niall Noigiallach, Lóegaire and Coirpre and their immediate descendants led the dynasty. However, after the murder of Túathal Máelgarb in about 549, it was left to another branch of the family descended from another of Niall's sons - Conall Cremthainne - to continue Uí Néill expansion and consolidate their position. No descendants of either Lugaid
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Ulaid


Noígiallach, eponymous founder of the Uí Néill, who they propose were the true conquerors of Emain in the 5th century. The Kings of Tara in the Ulster Cycle are the kindred of the Ulaid, the Érainn, and are generally portrayed sympathetically, especially Conaire Mór. It was remembered that the Connachta and Uí Néill had not yet taken the kingship. Tara was later occupied by the Laigin, who are to some extent strangely integrated with the Connachta in the Ulster Cycle. The latter later took the midlands from the Laigin and
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History of Ireland (800–1169)


Leinster, it roughly corresponds with the modern four provinces of Ireland. The Uí Néill, divided in two main branches known as "Northern Uí Néill" and "Southern Uí Néill", was the leading dynasty in Ireland. The Northern Uí Néill controlled the north-western part of Ireland, and was divided into two leading branches, the Cenél Conaill in the west and Cenél nEógain, also known as the kingdom of Ailech. Cenél nEógain had become the more powerful of the two in 789, and had expanded east and
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Ainmuire mac Sétnai


Ainmuire mac Sétnai (died 569) or Ainmire or Ainmere was a High King of Ireland from the Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. He was the great grandson of Conall Gulban (died 464), founder of this branch. He ruled from 566-569. He was the first high king from the Cenél Conaill. Before becoming high king, Ainmere is mentioned in a number of events in which he is allied to other northern Uí Néill princes. These were Forggus mac Muirchertaig and his brother Domnall Ilchelgach (died
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Northern Uí Néill


place, as well as whether the invaders even belonged to the Uí Néill at all. Despite the questions over the validity of the traditional accounts, these alleged sons of Niall are collectively known by historians as the Northern Uí Néill. From the 8th century onwards, likely sponsored by Áed Allán, a Cenél nEógain king of Tara, and Congus, the bishop of Armagh, early Irish historians carefully constructed propaganda to shore up and cement Uí Néill political supremacy along with the ecclesiastical supremacy of Armagh. This involved the ruthless re-
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Cathal mac Finguine


the kings of Connacht were significant forces. Leinster, once a much larger region, the northern parts of which had been conquered by the Uí Néill, was the target of expansionist Uí Néill kings, and also of the Eóganachta. The contest for control of Leinster would play a major part in Cathal's reign, and indeed in relations between the Eóganachta and Uí Néill in the centuries which followed. The kings of Connacht claimed a common kinship with the Uí Néill, and were largely favourable towards them. The remaining provincial kingship
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Eógan Bél


Uí Fiachrach Aidhne branch in the south under its king Goibnenn mac Conaill over Maine mac Cerbaill (brother of Diarmait mac Cerbaill) of the southern Uí Néill who was slain in 537. Goibnenn was defending the right to take hostages from the Uí Maine. This battle was significant in separating the Uí Maine from the Cenel Maine of Meath and in separating the Uí Néill from the Connachta. Eogan's feud with the northern Uí Néill finally led to the Battle of Slicech (Sligo) in 542 in which Eogan was slain. According
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Cathal mac Finguine


heard of Cathal's grudge against them, so this was the counsel they framed, to carry to Cathal Fergal's head as a trophy of the action. On the death of Fergal, the Uí Néill kingship of Tara passed to Fogartach mac Néill of the Síl nÁedo Sláine of South Brega, whose nominal High Kingship was ended in 724 when he was killed fighting against his Síl nÁedo Sláine kinsman Cináed mac Írgalaid of North Brega, who became the new overking of the Uí Néill. Cináed retained the overlordship of the Uí Néill
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Domnall Midi


in 689 until his own death in 715. He was killed by Conall Grant of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. A year earlier Murchad drove out Conall's nephew Fogartach mac Néill, probably the chief king among the southern Uí Néill, who was exiled to Britain. The notice of Murchad's death calls him "king of the Uí Néill", meaning that he was the southern deputy of then-High King Fergal mac Máele Dúin of the northern Cenél nEógain. According to later king lists such
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Áed in Macáem Tóinlesc


-century high-king Niall Glúndub. For more than a century the Uí Néill of Tír Eogain had been eclipsed by the Meic Lochlainn kin-group centred on Inishowen; the latter claimed descent from Domnall Dabaill, Niall's brother (sharing Áed Findliath as father), and thus were relatives. The dominance of the Meic Lochlainn group from 1053 to 1166 saw the Uí Néill disappear from the sources, and even the Uí Néill centre of Tulach Óc was lost to them. Indeed, Uí Briain dynasts are recorded holding the
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Cathal mac Néill


Cathal mac Néill (died 729) or Cathal Cerr or Cathal Corc was a king of Southern Brega at Lagore. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. He was the son of Niall mac Cernaig Sotal (died 701) and great-grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine (died 665). He ruled the Uí Chernaig from 724-729 succeeding his brother the high king Fogartach mac Néill (died 724). His father had been assassinated by
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Domnall ua Néill


Domhnall ua Néill (old spelling: "Domnall ua Néill"; anglicised as Donal O'Neill) (died 980) was High King of Ireland from 956 to 980. Domnall was the son of Muirchertach mac Néill, and grandson of Niall Glúndub, a member of the Cenél nEógain northern Uí Néill. He became co-King of Ailech with his brother Flaithbertach on the death of his father in 943. He became High King of Ireland on the death of his maternal cousin Congalach Cnogba of the southern Uí Néill sept of the
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Uí Ímair


are found mainly in the northern half of Ireland: their pedigrees associate them with the Connachta, Uí Maine, and Northern Uí Néill. None of these northern dynasties have a documented history of willing association with the Uí Ímair, or in the case of the first two any association at all. The Uí Ímair are only documented intermarrying with the Osraighe (the FitzPatricks), Laigin, O'Brien dynasty, the Southern Uí Néill Clann Cholmáin and Síl nÁedo Sláine and the aforementioned O'Donovans. In any event, the one long surviving source
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Donnchad mac Briain


the south such as Limerick and Cork first took control of Munster, overthrowing the domination of the Eóganachta, a kindred which had dominated the kingship of Munster as effectively as the Uí Néill had dominated the High Kingship, and for just as long. With the Uí Néill disunited, and the resources of Munster, Brian first brought the Uí Néill High King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill to recognise him as an equal, and then as the master of Ireland. Brian met his death at the Battle of Clontarf on 23 April 1014,
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Northern Uí Néill


kingship as well as from Mag nÍtha, the valuable plains south of Greenan Mountain in Inishowen. Following this battle, the Northern Uí Néill over-kingdom became known as "Ailech" instead of "In Fochla" and "In Tuaiscert". The Cenél Conaill where afterwards confined to their sub-kingdom of Tír Conaill. The Northern Uí Néill were initially hesitant to test the might of Ulster's more powerful kingdoms such as Airgialla, Ulaid, and even the minor Cianacht; however over the following centuries they would come to
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History of Ireland (400–800)


Ulaid to counties Down and Antrim in the 4th of 5th century, establishing the tributary kingdom of the Airgíalla in the centre and the Uí Néill kingdom of Ailech in the west of the old province. Early Irish annals also show regular warfare between the Uí Néill and the Laigin in the midlands, with the Uí Néill conquering as far south as the Kildare/Offaly border, and claiming the kingship of Tara, beginning to be conceptualised as the High Kingship of Ireland. This led to a new division of the country into two
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Flaithbertach Ua Néill


Flaithbertach Ua Néill (before 978–1036) was king of Ailech, a kingdom of north-west Ireland. He abdicated in 1030 and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, for which reason he was known as Flaithbertach an Trostáin (Flaithbertach of the Pilgrim's staff). Following the death of his son Áed in 1033, Flaithbertach left his retirement and resumed the leadership of the Northern Uí Néill. Flaithbertach, a grandson of Domnall ua Néill, belonged to the northern Cenél nEógain branch of the Northern Uí Néill. The later O'Neill (
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Leabhar na nGenealach


their many sub-divisions: Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill (Northern Uí Néill); Clann Cholmáin and Síl nÁedo Sláine (Southern Uí Néill); Uí Briúin and Uí Fiachrach (Connachta); Airgíalla (including the Uí Maine, the Déisi and the Dál Riata); the Laigin. While much of Book Five's information is derived from the Book of Lecan or the Book of Ballymote, Mac Fhirbhisigh added material not found in either of these sources; indeed, much of it is entirely unique to Leabhar na nGenealach
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History of Ireland (800–1169)


Uí Néill. Conchobar mac Donnchada (Duncan) succeeded Áed Oirdnide as Uí Néill overking in 819, and soon found himself challenged by Feidlimid, both by Feidlimid launching raids into Mide and Connacht and by him interfering (as would be the Uí Néill view) in the affairs of Armagh. Conchobar and Feidlimid met at Birr in 827 to discuss peace terms, and the very fact that "the king of Munster could force the high-king to a peace conference is indicative of Feidlimid's growing power". Conchobar was succeeded
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Northern Uí Néill


writing and doctoring of genealogies, lists of kings, history, and early annals, tracing the current situation as having primacy all the way back into the undocumented 5th century. In tandem, about a dozen peoples became designated within what was called "Uí Néill in Tuaiscirt", of which the Cenél Conaill and Cenél nEógain were the most dominant. By the 13th-century, the Cenél Conaill had come to dominance over the original territory of the Northern Uí Néill in County Donegal, and sponsored their own history, which incorporated
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Domnall Midi


Domhnall Mac Murchada (born c. 700, died 20 November 763), called Domnall Midi (Donald of Meath), was High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill. Clann Cholmáin's pre-eminence among the southern Uí Néill, which would last until the rise of Brian Bóruma and the end of the Uí Néill dominance in Ireland, dates from his lifetime. Domnall was chief of Clann Cholmáin for almost fifty years, and High King of Ireland for twenty. In spite of
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Ainmuire mac Sétnai


566) of the Cenél nEógain, as well as Ainmere's cousin Ninnid mac Dauach (a member of the Cenél nDuach branch of the Cenél Conaill). The northern Uí Néill fought the Connachta at the Battle of Slicech (modern County Sligo) in 544/547 and slew the king Eógan Bél. In 561 these northern Uí Néill princes allied with Áed mac Echach (died 577) of Connacht versus the high king Diarmait mac Cerbaill (died 565) of the southern Uí Néill whom they defeated at the Battle of Cúl Dreimne (
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Eógan Bél


the head of Eoghan Bel." A Middle Irish poem "Caithréim Cellaig" gives a different view of this battle. It states that Eogan won the battle but was mortally wounded and died afterwards. He was buried standing up in pagan style at Ráith Ua Fiachrach on Knocknarea with his red spear in his hand as a challenge to the northern Uí Néill. The Uí Néill later dug up his body and buried it face down at Óenach Locha Gile on Lough Gill in Cenél Caipre territory of the Uí Néill. Eogan is mentioned
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List of Irish clans in Ulster


rich area of Magh Ithe, in the valley of the river Finn. For a time the Cenél Eóghain and Cenél Conaill alternated as kings of the Northern Uí Néill until the 8th century. The Northern Uí Néill would also alternate the High-Kingship of Ireland with their southern cousins the Southern Uí Néill into the 10th century. The Cianachta, or the race of Kane, also known as Clann Cian, descend from Cian, son of Oilioll Ólum, king of Munster in the 3rd century. The territory of the Cianachta spanned
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Southern Uí Néill


mac Lóegairi or Túathal Máelgarb are recorded, and it is not unlikely that they were either erased from the genealogical record, or indeed literally erased from history. Just as their kinsmen the Northern Uí Néill split into two main branches, so too did the Southern Uí Néill, both being descended from sons of Diarmait mac Cerbaill, Colmán Már and Áed Sláine. The former was the progenitor of the Clann Cholmáin Kings of Mide, while the latter was the eponymous ancestor of the Síl nÁedo Sláine Kings of Brega. Niall Noigíallach,
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Cathal mac Finguine


for less than four years, being killed in battle at Druim Corcain against the Cenél Conaill king Flaithbertach mac Loingsig, who took the overlordship of the Uí Néill. Flaithbertach himself reigned for only a few years before Áed Allán of the Cenél nEógain, son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin, fought him for the leadership of the Uí Néill, beginning in 732 and continuing through several battles until Flaithbertach abdicated and entered a monastery in 734. With the Uí Néill kings no great threat during the reigns of Fogartach, Cináed and Flaithbertach,
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Síl nÁedo Sláine


Síl nÁedo Sláine are the descendants of Áed Sláine (Áed mac Diarmato), son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne. With the possible exception of Óengus mac Colmáin, all Uí Néill kings descended from Diarmait mac Cerbaill belonged to the Síl nÁedo Sláine until the death of Cináed mac Írgalaig in 728. Thereafter the southern Uí Néill were dominated by Clann Cholmáin, or more precisely Clann Cholmáin Már, descended
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Lyons Hill


The Uí Dúnchada dynasty held an important ecclesiastical role within the triumvirate, the Abbacy of Kildare, and Muiredach was simultaneously abbot and Kings of Leinster. The Uí Néill clientship dates to 806 when High King Aed Oirdnide mac Néill invaded Leinster and deposed Finsnechtae. Finsnechtae regained the kingdom, presumably with Uí Néill support until his death in 808 causing dynastic strife and a further invasion of the High King. When Bran was "ordained" King of Leinster in 835 by High king Niall Caille mac Áedo it may have been the first instance
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Fincath mac Garrchu


Fincath mac Garrchu (or Findchad mac Garrchon) (died 485) was a king of Leinster. He was a member of the Dál Messin Corb dynasty's principal sub-sept, the Uí Garrchon. He was the son of the founder of this sept Garrchú mac Fothaid. Not mentioned as king in the "Book of Leinster", he is however given this title in the "Annals of Innisfallen". He was defeated and killed in the first Battle of Grainaret in 485 by the Uí Néill. The victor of
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Coirpre mac Néill


of Conn of the Hundred Battles. However, since Uí Néill means grandsons of Niall, the Uí Néill cannot have existed before the time of Niall's grandsons, towards the middle of the 6th century. Medieval genealogists provided Niall with a large number of sons, some of very doubtful historicity. Maine, ancestor of the Cenél Maini is generally presumed to be a late addition. The dates claimed for Lóegaire mac Néill, "great pagan Emperor of the Irish" and adversary of Saint Patrick in Muirchiu and Tirechán's 7th
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Haplogroup R-M269


Ireland may be due to positive social selection, as it is suggested to have been the Y-chromosome haplogroup of the Uí Néill dynastic kindred of ancient Ireland. However, it is not restricted to the Uí Néill as it is associated with the closely related Connachta dynasties, the Uí Briúin and Uí Fiachrach. M222 is also found as a substantial proportion of the population of Scotland which may indicate substantial settlement from northern Ireland or at least links to it. Those areas settled by large numbers of Irish and Scottish emigrants such as
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Lyons Hill


the three septs of the Uí Dúnlainge to exchange the kingship of Leinster in rotation was almost unique in Irish history. It meant that by the end of the three century-arrangement, monarchs who were seventh cousins were swapping the kingship. By then the dynasty, traditionally clients of the Uí Néill, had become weakened by the battle for control of the region between Brian Bóruma of Dál Cais, the Uí Néill king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill and the Viking kingdom of Dublin, as well as the Uí Chennselaig of South Leinster.
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Leinster


century, the emerging Uí Néill dynasties from Connacht conquered areas of Westmeath, Meath and Offaly from the Uí Enechglaiss and Uí Failge of the Laigin. Uí Néill Ard Righ attempted to exact the "Boroimhe Laighean" (cattle-tribute) from the Laigin from that time, in the process becoming their traditional enemies. By the 8th century the rulers of Laigin had split into two dynasties: After the death of the last Kildare-based King of Laigin, Murchad Mac Dunlainge in 1042, the kingship of Leinster reverted to the
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Ó hÁdhmaill


the fifth-century Néill Noígiallaig (Niall of the Nine Hostages), founder of the Uí Néill dynasty. Cenél mBinnigh where the first clan of the Cenél nEógain (Cenél nEóghain) to advance from Inishowen. The O'Hamills continued to move from North Ulster with the Northern Ui Neill's, and ruled territory in County Tyrone and County Armagh, South Ulster. Prior to the middle of the 20th century, Irish was usually written using the Gaelic typefaces, in this case the surname appeared as Ó hÁḋmaıll. The dot above the
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Muiredach mac Eógain


Muiredach mac Eógain (died c. 489) was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the founder of this dynasty Eógan mac Néill (died 465). There is no mention of him in the Irish annals but the "Laud Synchronisms" give him a reign of 24 years as King of Ailech giving him an approximate reign of 465–489. He married Erca, daughter of Loarn mac Eirc of Dál Riata who was mother of his son Muirchertach mac Muiredaig
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Ailill Molt


, which included the Uí Néill, the Uí Briúin and, named for Ailill's grandfather, the Uí Fiachrach. Although Ailill's descendants are not reckoned High Kings of Ireland, his grandson Eógan Bél and great-grandson Ailill Inbanda are counted as Kings of Connacht. Ailill's son Mac Ercae may have been an important historical figure, but the record conflates Mac Ercae mac Ailello Muilt and the Uí Néill king Muirchertach mac Muiredaig, called Muirchertach Mac Ercae, probably confusing events beyond recovery. The broad agreement of generally pro-
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Cathal mac Áeda


kings traditionally held their main óenach. He was attacked there by Domnall Midi of the Clann Cholmáin branch and defeated. This was a step in the rise to Domnall as high king. Cathal however defeated the minor Uí Néill kindred of Clann Cholmáin Bicc under Fallomon mac Con Congalt at Tlachtga, the Hill of Ward, the site of another major Uí Néill óenach. The Uí Chernaig sept had a feud with the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba (Knowth) in North Brega going back to the assassination of Cathal's grandfather Niall mac
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Tethbae


Irish traditions presented the lands of the Uí Néill as conquests by Niall of the Nine Hostages and his sons. Niall's son Coirpre was the eponymous ancestor of Cenél Coirpri. Along with Fiachu, he may have led the earliest Uí Néill conquests in the midlands. North Tethbae, "Cenél Coirpri Mór", was one of three kingdoms named for Coirpre mac Néill. To the north-west of Tethbae, on the shore of Donegal Bay, was the kingdom of "Cenél Coirpi Dromma Clíab". To the south-
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Coat of arms of Ulster


a sinister (left) hand. The exclusive rights to the use of the Red Hand symbol has proved a matter of debate over the centuries, primarily whether it belonged to the O'Neills ("Uí Néill") or the Magennises ("Méig Aonghasa"). The O'Neills became the chief dynasty of the Cenél nEógain of the Northern Uí Néill and later the kings of Ulster, whilst the Magennises were the ruling dynasty of the Uí Eachach Cobo, the chief dynasty of the Cruthin of Ulaid, and also head of the
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Coirpre mac Néill


century lives, may make him an unlikely son of Niall. Diarmait mac Cerbaill, apical ancestor of the Síl nÁedo Sláine and Clann Cholmáin, the leading southern branches of the Uí Néill, is presented in the genealogies as the grandson of Niall's son Conall Cremthainne, but this is doubtful. As for Coirpre, he is called a son of Niall in one of the earliest surviving sources, Tirechán's life of Saint Patrick. Medieval Irish traditions claimed that the lands of the Uí Néill were conquered by Niall of the Nine
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Royal sites of Ireland


rite of the "single shoe." Accounts document the use of the rite at the inaugurations of the Uí Choncobhair in the fifteenth century and the Uí Néill and Méig Uidhir in the sixteenth century. An account of the Choncobhair ceremony records the would-be king leaving a single slipper at his inauguration site to signify his claim. The next day, the Mac Diarmada, a vassal family with the role of "king-maker", placed a shoe on his lord's foot during the inauguration. In the Uí Néill
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Conall Cremthainne


Conall Cremthainne (died 480), also called Conall Err Breg, was an Irish king. He was the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and one of the progenitors of the Uí Néill dynasty. He is the first king of Uisnech in Mide from the Uí Néill mentioned in the "Book of Leinster" king list. Conall son of Niall was nicknamed Cremthainne (possibly denoting fosterage among the Uí Chremthainn of Airgialla), to distinguish him from his brother Conall Gulban, ancestor of the Cenél Conaill. The habit
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Battle of Mag Femen


Niall Glúndub, overking of the Northern Uí Néill and High King of Ireland, and Augaire mac Ailella, overking of Leinster. The Vikings met Niall Glúndub and the men of the Uí Néill in battle at Mag Femen in County Tipperary. According to the "Annals of Ulster" the army of Niall Glúndub marched south to war against the Uí Ímair and halted on 22 August at Topar Glethrach in Mag Femen. A force of Vikings was nearby, and the Irish began the battle by attacking that morning. The battle lasted until
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Áed Allán


Áed Allán (or Áed mac Fergaile) (died 743) was an 8th-century Irish king of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Áed Allán was the son of Fergal mac Máele Dúin and a member of the Cenél nEógain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill. Fergal was killed, along with many others, at the battle of Almain, in 722. This battle had been fought against Murchad mac Brain of the Uí Dúnlainge, the king of Leinster. The king of the Northern Uí Néill at this time
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Northern Uí Néill


nEógain, Detailed analysis of maternal ancestries, placenames, hagiography, archaeology, and saints’ genealogies, has brought the origins of the Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Uí Néill into question, with it being claimed that they are most likely a branch of the Cruithin, linked to the Uí Echach Coba of Iveagh, and Conaille Muirtheimne. Adding to the confusion over the true origins of the Cenél Conaill and Cenél nEógain, recent DNA analysis of descendants from both branches shows a common ancestor in the north-west of Ireland dating
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Ailill Molt


Uí Néill sources that Ailill was High King is offered as proof that this was the case. Although the chronology of 5th century High Kings has been the subject of manipulation, it is seen as unlikely that later historians and genealogists would have added a non-Uí Néill king had the belief that Ailill was king not been widespread. Ailill is said to have become High King following the supernatural death of Lóegaire mac Néill, supposedly c. 463. The Irish annals contain many references to him, but most of these are taken to
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Coirpre mac Néill


the Nine Hostages—dominated the northern half of Ireland from the 7th century, and perhaps earlier. The various Uí Néill kingdoms, their allies, client kingdoms and subject tribes, comprised most of the province of Ulster, all of Connacht, and a large part of Leinster. Elaborate genealogies showed the descent of the various Uí Néill, while allies and favoured clients descended from Niall's brothers or other kinsmen. Along with the dominant southern kindred, the Eóganachta of Munster, all these were members of the Connachta, the descendants
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Gofraid ua Ímair


The raiders were attacked by the army of Muirchertach mac Néill, overking of the Northern Uí Néill at the bridge of Cluain na Cruimther on 28 December and were routed. Albann and a large part of the force was killed, and around half of the army were besieged by the Uí Néill, at Athcrathin in County Down for a week, until a force led by Gofraid relieved them. In 927 Gofraid's kinsman Sitric Cáech, King of Northumbria, died. The Irish annals record the Gofraid left Ireland that year, along
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Blácaire mac Gofraid


is recording leading a raid on Armagh, defeating an army of the Northern Uí Néill and killing their king Muirchertach mac Néill along the way at Ardee. That same year Lorcán mac Fáelán, overking of Leinster, led an attack on the Vikings on Dublin, and although he won a victory he was killed in the battle. In 944 Lorcán's successor Bran Fionn mac Máelmórda, allied with Congalach Cnogba, overking of Brega and the Southern Uí Néill, made a follow-up attack on Dublin. The Vikings of Dublin were
9323619
Niall of the Nine Hostages


the Cenél Fiachach dynasty, Lóegaire (the king who Saint Patrick is said to have converted) of the Cenél Lóegaire, Maine of the Uí Maine, Eógan of the Cenél nEógain, Conall Cremthainne of the Clann Cholmáin and the Síl nÁedo Sláine, and Coirpre of the Cenél Coirpri, making up the southern Uí Néill. The O'Higgins family claims descent from the Southern branch of Uí Néill. Famous descendants include Niall's great-great-grandson Saint Columba, Saint Máel Ruba, the Kings of Ailech, the Kings of Tir
18391833
Maine of Tethba


Máiné of Tethbae or Máiné mac Néill was a supposed son of Niall Noigiallach. Writing of him in 1973, Irish historian Francis John Byrne stated his belief that: We may suspect then that eastern Uí Máiné was so successfully absorbed into the Uí Néill ambit that their kings, by a polite fiction, were accepted into the dominant dynasty circle ... The fact that the annalistic obit of Máiné mac Néill in 440 is so much earlier than that of any of his supposed brothers also suggests that he was adopted into the dynasty some time
5983675
Tethbae


even probable, that descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages through an otherwise poorly attested line of descent is a genealogical fiction designed to strengthen Uí Néill control of the midlands. The Cenél Maini probably originated as part of a much larger Uí Maine kingdom extending from the eastern part of modern County Galway through County Roscommon, across the River Shannon, and into County Longford. Although officially incorporated into the Uí Néill, no king of Cenél Maini was ever reckoned a High King of Ireland. The "Vita tripartita Sancti Patricii" does
10062577
Éile


of which, called Éile Uí Chearbhaill (Ely O'Carroll), was ruled the O'Carroll family. The southern lordship, called Éile Uí Fhogartaigh (Ely O'Fogarty), was ruled by the O'Fogarty family, who may have been of a separate lineage, possibly Dalcassian, from the O'Carrolls. Alternatively they were actually kindred but regional politics influenced later genealogists to associate them with different provincial dynasties at different periods. John O'Hart finds an Uí Néill descent from Fogartach mac Néill for the O'Fogartys. Ely O'Carroll originally belonged to Munster, but is
13811721
Maine mac Néill


among the Síl nÁedo Sláine between the Uí Chernaig sept and the northern septs of Uí Chonaing of Cnogba (Knowth) and the Síl nDlúthaig of Fir Cúl. In 701 Maine's father Niall had been killed by the Uí Chonaing king of Brega, Írgalach mac Conaing Cuirre (died 702). His brother Fogartach mac Néill (died 724) held power as well and was defeated at the Battle of Claenath, fought near Clane in modern County Kildare by Cellach Cualann (died 715), the King of Leinster in 704.
13967501
Cináed mac Írgalaig


Brega could date from 718 when he succeeded Amalgaid mac Congalaig (died 718). However, Suibne mac Congalaig of the Uí Chonaing is listed as being slain at the Battle of Allen where the Uí Néill were crushed by the men of Leinster in 722. He won the kingship of Brega and the high kingship by defeating and slaying Fogartach mac Néill of the Uí Chernaig sept at the Battle of Cenn Deilgden (possibly Kildalkey, Meath). The "Annals of Tigernach" record events of his reign where he asserted his dominance
544001
Tigernach mac Fócartai


Tigernach mac Fócartai (died 865), also called Tigernach of Lagore, was King of Lagore. Tigernach belonged to the Uí Chernaig branch of the once-powerful Síl nÁedo Sláine kindred, part of the southern Uí Néill. His great-great-grandfather Fogartach mac Néill had been High King of Ireland. The kingdom of Brega over which the Síl nÁedo Sláine had once ruled was, by the middle of the eighth century, divided into two or more parts. The Uí Chernaig were styled kings of Lagore, or of
8358400
Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid


any control over Osraige. Máel Sechnaill's successes raised more opposition from his Uí Néill kinsmen than from subject kings or the Norse and Norse-Gaels, and the latter part of his reign was spent in conflict with the northern Uí Neill, led by Áed Findliath, son of Niall Caille. In 860 Máel Sechnaill led an army raised from Munster, Leinster and Connacht against the northern Uí Néill. The annals say that Áed Findliath and Flann mac Conaing, brother of Cináed, led a night attack on Máel Sechnaill's camp
11460852
Flann Mainistrech


which together comprise an Uí Néill-orientated history of the kingship of Tara. Among his other poems, some apparently composed much later in his life, "Mide maigen clainne Cuind", deals with Clann Cholmáin, to which Máel Sechnaill belonged, while "Mugain ingen Choncraid chain" and "Síl nÁedo Sláine na sleg" both deal with the neighbouring Uí Néill kindred of Síl nÁedo Sláine, sometime overlords over Ciannachta Breg. Flann is also attributed a series of five poems on the kings and martial history of the northern Uí
4201377
History of Ireland (400–800)


" of the Ulaid (Ulster), the Connachta (Connacht), the Laigin (Leinster), Mumu (Munster) and Mide (Meath), although some accounts discount Mide and split Mumu in two. However, by the dawn of history this pentarchy no longer existed. The rise of new dynasties, notably the Uí Néill in the north and midlands and the Eóganachta in the south-west, changed the political landscape. The Uí Néill, or their parent group the Connachta, reduced the former fifth of the
20426072
History of Ireland (400–800)


-halves, "Leth Cuinn", "Conn's half" after Conn of the Hundred Battles, supposed ancestor of the Uí Néill and Connachta, in the north, and "Leth Moga", "Mug's half", after Mug Nuadat, supposed ancestor of the Eoganachta, in the south. Dynastic propaganda claimed this was a traditional division dating back to the 2nd century, but it probably originated in the 8th, at the height of Uí Néill power. Main source for the workings of civil society of the
20426074
Murchad Midi


others say that he himself been High King. Fogartach was probably expelled from the kingship of the southern Uí Néill, and Murchad drove him from power. Murchad was killed in 715 by Fogartach's uncle, the warlike Conall Grant. The "Annals of Ulster" and the "Annals of Tigernach" call him "king of the Uí Néill". This title is not common in the annals. It probably corresponds with the title "king of the North" ("Rí in Tuaiscert") found attached to some northern
13714397
Petty kingdom


higher positions. Many of these " survived as later Irish baronies. Several of the regional kings were at various points independent of their provincial over-king and indeed rivalled them in power and territory. ' was originally part of Connacht but much of it lay in what is today Ulster. It later split into East and West Bréifne. ' (Oriel) and ' (also known as the Northern Uí Néill, in contrast to the Southern Uí Néill who ruled '; ' or ', both meaning "the North"
18312662
Northern Uí Néill


Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Tyrone derives its name from the Cenél nEógain: "Tír nEógain", the "land of Eógan". Airgialla was a confederation of nine sub-kingdoms, with its name meaning "hostage-givers" in reference to its subordination. The eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill was Niall Noigiallach, or "Niall of the Nine Hostages", and it is suggested that this may be the origin of his nickname. Originally under the dominance of the Ulaid, Niall Caille, the son of Áed
18390081
Airgíalla


. Originally thought to have been under the dominance of the neighbouring Ulaid to the east, the territory of the Airgíalla from the 6th century onwards was gradually eroded by the encroachment of their northern neighbours, the Cenél nEógain of the Northern Uí Néill, as well as the Southern Uí Néill to their south. From 735 they fell under the dominance of the Cenél nEógain, and by 827 had become their vassals. The kingdom of Airgíalla was at its peak in the 12th century, under king Donnchad Ua Cerbaill. The later constricted
11141528
Provinces of Ireland


At the start of the 9th-century the following are listed: Airgíalla, Connachta, Laigin, Northern Uí Néill (Ailech), Southern Uí Néill (Mide), Mumu, and Ulaid. These seven over-kingdoms are again listed in the 12th-century "Lebor na Cert". Each over-kingdom was divided into smaller territorial units, the definition of which, whilst not consistent in Irish law tracts, followed a pattern of different grades. In theory in the early medieval period: This pyramid structure however
13604941
Brandub mac Echach


the kingship of Ireland and invaded Leinster. The first mention of Brandub in the annals is as victor in the Battle of Mag Ochtair (Cloncerry, N.Kildare) over the Ui Neill in 590. In 598 Brandub defeated the Uí Néill High King Áed mac Ainmuirech of the Cenél Conaill at the Battle of Dún Bolg (Dunboyke, Wicklow Co.) and the high king was slain, stopping the southward expansion of the Uí Néill. The "Borúma Laigin" (Cattle Tribute of Leinster) and the annals record that the war was
14061642
Magheraboy


people/tribe of the fort), the principal family of which was the O'Flanagans (), the ruling family of the "Cenél Cairbre Tuath Ratha". The O'Flanagans were an important medieval family based at Ballyflanagan (present day townland of Aghamore) in Magheraboy, and they once controlled the entire western side of Lower Lough Erne from Belleek to Belmore Mountain. The O'Flanagans were related to the ruling family of the "Uí Néill" kingdom of "Cairbre Droma Cliabh". Another small sept of the "Uí Néill"
20651355
Diarmait mac Cerbaill


a great-grandson of Niall, Diarmait and his descendants were counted among the Uí Néill, the name meaning "descendants of Niall". The two great Southern Uí Néill dynasties of the midlands were the Síl nÁedo Sláine (the Seed of Áedo of Slane), kings of Brega in the east, and the Clann Cholmáin Máir (the Children of Colmán the Great) in Mide with their centre in the heart of modern Westmeath. The former are more prominent in the seventh century, but after the death of Cináed mac
6934450
O'Neill (surname)


The surname O'Neill is of Irish origin, spelling variations include O'Neal, O'Neil, Ó Neill, Ó Néill, Ua Néill, Uí Néill and Neill. The surname O'Neill is an Anglicization of the original Irish "Ua Néill", composed of the elements "ua", meaning "grandson" or "descendant," and of the Irish name "Niall". The meaning of the "Niall" is disputed, but has been suggested as "cloud", "passionate" or "champion". The progenitor of
10877701
Synod of Birr


a significant monastery, associated with Saint Brendan of Birr, Birr was close to the boundary between the Uí Néill-dominated Leth Cuinn, the northern half of Ireland, and the southern half, Leth Moga, where the Eóganachta kings of Munster ruled. In 827 it served as the site of a "rígdal", a meeting of kings, between the Uí Néill High King Conchobar mac Donnchada and the powerful Eóganachta king Fedlimid mac Crimthainn. It therefore represented a form of neutral ground where the rival kings and clerics of north
1137120
Kings of Brega


The Kings of Brega were rulers of Brega, a petty kingdom north of Dublin in medieval Ireland. Brega took its name from ' ('), meaning "fine plain", in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the Uí Néill kindred, belonging to the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill. The kingdom of Brega included the Hill of Tara, the site where the High King of Ireland was proclaimed. Brega was bounded on the east by the Irish
11472039
List of kings of Ulster


Norman invasion of Ulaid in 1177 and the subsequent foundation of the Earldom of Ulster. The Mac Dúinnshléibe dynasty of Ulaid, however, were given the title of "rex Hibernicorum Ulidiae", meaning "king of the Irish of Ulaid", until the extinction of their dynasty by the end of the 13th century. After the earldoms collapse in 1333 the title was resurrected and usurped after 1364 by the Ulaid's chief Gaelic rivals the Northern Uí Néill who had overrun the ruins of the earldom. The Northern Uí Néill had achieved
13005739
Aonghus Mór


pact, therefore, could have concerned the curtailment of overseas connections between Clann Domhnaill and Irish kindreds opposed to the earl, families such as the Uí Domhnaill and the Uí Néill. In fact, the bond coincided with an immense show of force by Richard in Connacht and Ulster. This campaign saw the earl's exaction of hostages from Cineál Chonaill and Cineál Eoghain, the deposition of (Brian's son) Domhnall Ó Néill from the kingship of Tír Chonaill, and the subsequent replacement of the latter with a more palatable candidate.
13214468
Murchad Midi


Cerbaill, and were counted among the southern branches of the Uí Néill. In the 7th century, the dominant kin group among the southern Uí Néill, who shared the title of High King of Ireland or King of Tara with the northern Cenél Conaill kindred, were the rival Síl nÁedo Sláine, whose lands lay in modern County Dublin and County Meath, to the east of Uisnech. Murchad was among the guarantors of the "Cáin Adomnáin" (Law of Innocents) proclaimed at the Synod of Birr in 697. There are
13714394
Battle of Tara (Ireland)


who forced it to surrender slaves and valuables, as well as give up all its prior claims to Uí Néill-held territory. In the following decade, Dublin was more or less under the control of Máel Sechnaill and the southern Uí Néill. The Battle of Tara is regarded as a far more decisive defeat for the Norse of Dublin than the later, and much more famous, Battle of Clontarf. Olaf Cuaran was the last of the great Norse kings in Ireland, and following him the status of the Kingdom of Dublin
15164799
Cuilén


was indeed a son of Cuilén, this attestation could reveal that he represented Clann Áeda meic Cináeda for a time during the Cináed's reign (971–995). The remarkable rotating succession of the Alpínid dynasty was similar to that practiced in Ireland by the Cenél nEógain and Clann Cholmáin branches of the Uí Néill, a dominant Irish kindred that monopolised the kingship of Tara between the eighth- and tenth centuries. This alternation amongst the Uí Néill was facilitated by the considerable distance between the two segments. The inability of either branch to dominate the
16757508
Fallomon mac Con Congalt


of the southern Uí Néill kingdoms, from which the names Meath and Westmeath are derived. The remainder of the southern Uí Néill formed the kingdoms of Tethbae, in the north-west midlands, north and west of the River Inny and east of the River Shannon, and Brega in the east midlands, east of the upper part of the River Boyne and its tributary the River Blackwater. The leading branch of Clann Cholmáin Bicc was later known as the Coille Fallomain, or Caille Follamain, after Fallomon himself. Its name is
17495434
McLoughlin


Channel into Scotland where they became the Clan MacLachlan. Spellings of the name peculiar to Scotland include McLachlan, McLachlin, and McLauchlan. The Mac/Nic Lochlainn and their Scottish cousins are descendants of the Northern Uí Néill. The Ó/Ni Máoilsheáchlainn surname originated in Meath. The family claim descent from High King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill of the Southern Uí Néill, relatives of the Northern family. The surname was originally rendered O'Melaghlin in Norman French and Middle English but was corrupted to "McLoughlin" and "M'Loughlin" in the
18384428
Northern Uí Néill


elements from earlier historical revisions. Known as the "Eachtra Conaill Gulbain", "The otherworld adventures of Conall Gulban", it details how sons of Niall Noígiallach, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties, came forth from Connacht, and invaded the north-western territory of the Ulaid, conquering it from the indigenous people, the Dál Fiatach. This territory roughly equated to present-day County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. Here they founded their own over-kingdom and dynasties: the Cenél Conaill and Cenél
18390072
Guðrøðr Óláfsson


as late as the English conquest, and evidently possessed some lands afterwards. Another possibility is that Ragnall's attack was somehow related to events in northern Ireland, where the Meic Lochlainn lost hold of the Cenél nEógan kingship to Áed Méith Ua Néill. In fact, it is possible that the invader himself was a member of the Uí Catháin, a branch of the Uí Néill who were opponents of John de Courcy, Guðrøðr's English ally and son-in-law. Although the chronicle specifically dates Ragnall's invasion to 1172
21880919
Suibne Menn


of Cenél nEógain. Áed Uaridnach of the Cenél maic Ercae died in 612, and the kingship of the Uí Néill passed to the rival northern Cenél Conaill in the person of Máel Coba mac Áedo. Máel Coba was killed by Suibne in 615, apparently in the midlands of Ireland, whereupon Suibne took power. It is suggested that Suibne Menn's control of the kingship rested on an alliance with another minor Uí Néill kindred, the southern Clann Cholmáin. According to the Irish annals, Óengus, head of Clann Cholmáin, was
303839
Dál Riata


for Domnall Brecc turning his back on his prior alliance. Domnall Brecc's policy appears to have died with him in 642, at his final, and fatal, defeat by Eugein map Beli of Strathclyde at Strathcarron, for as late as the 730s, armies and fleets from Dál Riata fought alongside the Uí Néill. This defeat shattered the power of Dál Riata as well as that of Dál nAraidi, allowing the Northern Uí Néill to become the dominant force in the north of Ireland. By the 10th-century, the Irish
32644
Ulaid


Ua Néill, king of the Cenél nEógain, to punish the Ulaid. In 1006, an army led by Flaithbertach marched into Leth Cathail and killed its king, followed by the slaying of the heir of Uí Echach Cobo at Loughbrickland. The battle of Craeb Telcha resulted in the inability of the Ulaid to provide any useful aid to Boru, when in 1006 he led an army made up of men from all over Ireland in an attempt to force the submission of the Northern Uí Néill. Having marched through the lands of the
3928955
Flann Mainistrech


beyond..."" and that ""...it was largely on his [Flann's] authority that the official doctrine of the monopoly of the high-kingship by the Uí Néill from the time of St Patrick to the usurpation of Brian became accepted, even by the Munster Annals of Inisfallen."" Considering his verse histories of Tara and of various Uí Néill kingdoms, Dauvit Broun has placed Flann within a central medieval historiographical movement towards promoting kingdoms over dynasties as political units; his interest in noting kings' causes of
4201381
Ó Catháin


which it was commonly referred to as "O'Cahan's country". Under the sub-ordination of the Ó Néill clan of the Cenél nEógain, they held the privilege of inaugurating the chief of the Ó Néill by tossing a shoe over the new chief's head in acceptance of his rule. There is also an unrelated sept of Uí Catháin in the province of Connacht, the Ó Catháin Uí Fiachrach. At first Ó Catháin held the title chief of cenel Ianna. After expelling Ó Draighneán, chief of Cenel Sedna, Ó
4834058
O'Boyle Donegal


The O'Boyle (Ó Baoighill) were a family of the Uí Néill tribe of the Northern Gaels. The Northern O'Neill were a great tribal dynasty of the North Gaels. The O'Boyles were one of the principal families of the Cenél Conaill within the Uí Néill tribe and originally Chiefs of the Three Tuaths in the northwest of Tír Chonaill (County Donegal). When these lands passed to The MacSweeneys (Mac Suibhne), the O'Boyle became chiefs of Tír Ainmhireach, later to be known as Críoch Bhaoigheallach, or O'Boyles country, now
5568822
Moneymore


mixing with Scotland over the years and the Uí Néill split to form the Southern Uí Néill in the Irish midlands around this time. Originally built by the Worshipful Company of Drapers, the village was held in such esteem that they invested in a large scale reconstruction during 1817. During The Troubles, seven people were killed in or near Moneymore in violence related to the conflict, six of them by the Provisional IRA and one by the UDA. The most notable building in the town is the 17th century Plantation house, Springhill,
5632789
Sitric Cáech


Glúndub, overking of the Northern Uí Néill saw these Vikings as a threat, and he marched an army south to repel them. The Vikings fought against the men of the Uí Néill at Mag Femen in County Tipperary and claimed victory, though only through timely reinforcement by Ragnall and his army. This was followed by another at the Battle of Confey (also known as the Battle of Cenn Fuait), against Augaire mac Ailella, overking of Leinster, who died in the battle. Augaire's death marked the end of effective
8247620
Ímar


competitors for supremacy in Ireland, and the uneasy neighbourhood between Dublin and the Southern Uí Néill made the Vikings natural allies for the Northerners. Máel Sechnaill died in 862, and his territory in Meath was split between two rulers, Lorcán mac Cathail and Conchobar mac Donnchada. Ímar and Amlaíb, now joined in Ireland by their younger brother Auisle, sought to make use of this change to extend their influence in the lands of the Southern Uí Néill. In 863 the three brothers raided Brega in alliance with Lorcán, and the following
82882
Mac Cairthinn mac Coelboth


Dáibhí Ó Cróinín the above demonstrates "how far north Leinster's territorial claims once extended" and that warfare between the Laigin and the emerging Uí Néill occurred in the north of Brega and on the plains of what is now County Meath and County Westmeath. All these territories would be lost to the Uí Néill in the following century. The date of the battle of Mag Femen is given as 446 in the Annals of Ulster and 447 in the Annals of Inisfallen. However, Devane (p. 189, 2005) proposes that the
9218606
Donnchad Donn


and Donnchad's limited authority. On Donnchad's death, he was succeeded as King of Tara by his sister's son, Congalach Cnogba, a member of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the Uí Néill. Donnchad's son Óengus became King of Mide. Donnchad was married three times. His first wife was Cainnech ingen Canannán (died 929), daughter of the King of the northern Uí Néill sept of the Cenél Conaill. His second wife was Órlaith íngen Cennétig, sister of Brian Boru of the Dál gCais. Órlaith
11414501
Fergal mac Máele Dúin


was made with Cathal as well. The Leinstermen broke the truce however, and Fergal retaliated by invading again in 722 with a large hosting of both northern and southern Uí Néill forces and their Airgíalla allies. However, on 11 December 722 Fergal and numerous nobles of the Uí Néill were slain at the disastrous Battle of Allen (modern County Kildare) by the Leinstermen. The battle was preserved in the 10th century saga "Cath Almaine". According to the saga "Fáistine Fergaile meic Máele Dúin" ("Fergal mac Máele
12424886
Brian Boru


regarded as one of the most successful and unifying monarchs in medieval Ireland. With a population of under 500,000 people, Ireland had over 150 kings, with greater or lesser domains. The Uí Néill king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, abandoned by his northern kinsmen of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill, acknowledged Brian as High King at Athlone in 1002. In the decade that followed, Brian campaigned against the northern Uí Néill, who refused to accept his claims, against Leinster, where resistance was frequent, and against the Norse-
1455290
Donnchad Midi


for the first time, the great southern kingdom of Munster. Donnchad continued his father's support for the Columban churches, led by Iona. In his many wars he used the churches, particularly the Columban monastery of Durrow, as a source of support. He also ruthlessly attacked and plundered churches that supported his rivals among the Uí Néill and also those of Leinster and Munster. Donnchad was remembered, not always fondly, as a warrior king. He firmly established Clann Cholmáin's dominance among the Uí Néill kindreds of the midlands
14671272
Áed mac Echach


slew a nobleman. Curnán then put himself under the protection of Forguss and Domnall mac Muichertaig of the Cenél nEógain of the northern Uí Néill who placed him under the protection of their kinsman Saint Columba. However Diarmait had Curnán executed for violating laws of Tara in 559. According to the "Annals of the Four Masters", Curnán was torn from the hands of Columba. As a result Columba organized a confederacy of the northern Uí Néill including the Cenél Conaill with Áed of Connacht against Diarmait. In 560 the Battle of Cúl
15486664
History of Ireland (800–1169)


For the first two centuries of this period, this was mainly a rivalry between putative High Kings of Ireland from the northern and southern branches of the Uí Néill. The one who came closest to being de facto king over the whole of Ireland, however, was Brian Boru, the first high king in this period not belonging to the Uí Néill. Following Brian's death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, the political situation became more complex with rivalry for high kingship from several clans and dynasties. Brian's descendants failed
17972856
History of Ireland (800–1169)


by Niall Caille in 833. With Niall, we for the first time see a reference in the annals of a Uí Néill leading an army against the Vikings; he defeated Viking raiders in Derry the same year. He sought to further expand Uí Néill influence in the south; in 835 he led an army to Leinster and installed Bran mac Fáeláin as king of Leinster, and also invaded Mide. This brought him into conflict with Feidlimid, however, and in 838 a conference ("rígdál mór"—"great royal meeting") between
17972879