Niall Glúndub mac Áedo (died 14 September 919) was a 10th century Irish king of the
Cenél nEógainCenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
and
High King of IrelandThe High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
. While many Irish kin groups were members of the
Uí NéillThe Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
, tracing their descent from
Niall of the Nine HostagesNiall Noígíallach , or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedón, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century...
(Niall Noígallach), the
O'Neill dynastyThe O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
took their name from Niall Glúndub rather than the earlier Niall. His mother was
Máel MuireMáel Muire ingen Cináeda, a daughter of Kenneth MacAlpin, King of the Picts, married two important Irish kings of the Uí Néill. Her first husband was Aed Finliath of the Cenél nEógain, King of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Niall Glúndub, ancestor of the O'Neill, was the son of this marriage...
, daughter of Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots.
Son of
Aed FinliathÁed mac Neíll , called Áed Findliath to distinguish him from his paternal grandfather Áed Oirdnide, was king of Ailech and High King of Ireland...
, Niall is first recorded succeeding his brother Domnall mac Áedo as King of Aileach upon his death in 911. Extending his control to neighboring kingdoms, Niall defeated the Kings of
Dál nAraidiDál nAraidi was a kingdom of the Cruthin in the north-east of Ireland in the first millennium. The lands of the Dál nAraidi appear to correspond with the Robogdii of Ptolemy's Geographia, a region shared with Dál Riata...
and
UlaidThe Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
at the Battles of Glarryford (in present day
County AntrimCounty Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
) and
BallymenaBallymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
before his defeat by high-king
Flann Sinna mac Maíl SechnaillFlann Sinna was the son of Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid of Clann Cholmáin, a branch of the southern Uí Néill. He was King of Mide from 877 onwards and is counted as a High King of Ireland...
of the
Clann CholmáinClann Cholmáin is the name of the dynasty descended from Colmán Mór , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.Related dynasties descended through Conall...
Uí Néill at the Battle of Crossakiel (in present day
County MeathCounty Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
). Following Flann's death in 916, Niall succeeded him as High King of Ireland. It was during his reign in which he would reestablish the
ÓenachThe Óenach, usually translated fair or assembly, was an annual gathering in Ireland which combined features of the popular assembly and fair. As well as the entertainment, the óenach was an occasion on which kings and notables met under truce and where laws were pronounced and confirmed.The most...
TailteannTailtiu or Tailltiu is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology. Telltown in County Meath, was named for her.-In Irish mythology:...
, a traditional gathering of Irish clans.
Opposing the invasion by the Northmen during the next several years, Niall's forces fought a large battle against a group of Northmen in the summer of 917, ending inconclusively. With the support of the clans of Leth Cuinn (Northern half of Ireland), the Uí Néill eventually acknowledged his claim to the throne. Despite his continued offensive against the Northmen however, they would continue to settle the area in large numbers, establishing strongholds in Dublin and various ports on the eastern coast. Continuing to wage war against the Northmen, Niall advanced towards into
LeinsterLeinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, supported by the Uí Néill clans, the
AirgíallaAirgíalla or Airgialla was the name of an Irish federation and Irish kingdom which first formed around the 7th century...
and the
UlaidThe Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
. However, his forces were decimated by the Northmen under Sihtric Cáech as Niall was killed, along with twelve other chieftains, at the Battle of Kilmashoge (near
RathfarnhamRathfarnham or Rathfarnam is a Southside suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is south of Terenure, east of Templeogue, and is in the postal districts of Dublin 14 and 16. It is within the administrative areas of both Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils.The area of Rathfarnham...
in
County DublinCounty Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
) on 14 September 919. Another account in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle has Sihtric Cáech slaying his brother Niall in 921. Niall Glúndub was succeeded as High King by Donnchad Donn mac Flainn, son of Flann Sinna, and as King of Ailech by his son
Muirchertach mac NéillMuirchertach mac Néill , called Muirchertach of the Leather Cloaks , King of Ailech.-Family ramifications:Muirchertach belonged to the Cenél nEógain sept of the northern Uí Néill...
, "the Hector of the Western World".
Family tree
Niall Caille
= Gormflaith ingen Donncadha
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Áed Findliath = Gormlaith Rapach = Land ingen Dúnlainge =
Máel MuireMáel Muire ingen Cináeda, a daughter of Kenneth MacAlpin, King of the Picts, married two important Irish kings of the Uí Néill. Her first husband was Aed Finliath of the Cenél nEógain, King of Ailech and High King of Ireland. Niall Glúndub, ancestor of the O'Neill, was the son of this marriage...
unnammed daughter = Conaing mac Flainn
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_______________| | Flann
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| | (
mother's identity unknown) | Gormlaith
Domnall Eithne Domnall Dabaill Máel Dub Máel Dúin | = Flann Sinna
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Niall Glúndub, d. 919. = Gormflaith ingen Flann Sinna, c.870-948.
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Muirchertach mac Néill, d. 943.