Niall mac Conaill
Encyclopedia
Niall mac Conaill was King of South Brega
of the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
branch of the southern Ui Neill
. He was the son of Conall Grant
mac Cernaig (died 718) who had contended for the rule of all Brega in the 710's. He ruled in south Brega from 771 to 778.
Upon the death of Coirpre mac Fogartaig
of the Uí Chernaig sept in 771 the rule of Brega was recovered by the northern sept of Uí Chonaing based at Cnogba(Knowth
) in the person of Congalach mac Conaing
(died 778). Niall became ruler of Deiscirt Breg or southern Brega.
Niall represented a branch of the Uí Chernaig sept called the Síl Conaill Graint which were based at Calatrium (Galtrim), whereas the main line of Uí Chernaig represented by the sons of the high king Fogartach mac Néill
(died 724) were based at Lagore. The sons of Fogartach had dominated southern Brega since 737 and a claimant arose in Cummascach mac Fogartaig to challenge Niall's rule. In 777 the Battle of Calatrium was fought between Niall and Cummascach in which the vassal king Échtgus mac Baeth of the Deisi Brega was slain.
Niall was an old king and offered no threat to the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) who was imposing his authority on Brega at this time. he was not involved in the Battle of Forchalad in 778 where Congalach of Brega was slain fighting Donnchad. Niall is called king of Deiscirt Breg in his death obit.
His sons Conall mac Néill (died 815) and Diarmait mac Néill (died 826) were also Kings of South Brega.
Kings of Brega
-Overview:Brega took its name from Mag Breg, the plain of Brega, 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...
of the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine , 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....
branch of the southern Ui Neill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
. He was the son of Conall Grant
Conall Grant
Conall Grant mac Cernaig was a King of Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine. He was the grandson of the high king Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine . His father Cernach Sotal had died during plague years in 664...
mac Cernaig (died 718) who had contended for the rule of all Brega in the 710's. He ruled in south Brega from 771 to 778.
Upon the death of Coirpre mac Fogartaig
Coirpre mac Fogartaig
Coirpre mac Fogartaig was a King of Brega of the Uí Chernaig sept of Lagore of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill. He was the son of the high king Fogartach mac Néill ....
of the Uí Chernaig sept in 771 the rule of Brega was recovered by the northern sept of Uí Chonaing based at Cnogba(Knowth
Knowth
Knowth is a Neolithic passage grave and an ancient monument of Brú na Bóinne in the valley of the River Boyne in Ireland.Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs...
) in the person of Congalach mac Conaing
Congalach mac Conaing
Congalach mac Conaing was a King of Brega from the Uí Chonaing sept of Cnogba of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Ui Neill...
(died 778). Niall became ruler of Deiscirt Breg or southern Brega.
Niall represented a branch of the Uí Chernaig sept called the Síl Conaill Graint which were based at Calatrium (Galtrim), whereas the main line of Uí Chernaig represented by the sons of the high king Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill
Fogartach mac Néill , sometimes called Fogartach ua Cernaich, was an Irish king who is reckoned a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Uí Chernaig sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine branch of the southern Uí Néill...
(died 724) were based at Lagore. The sons of Fogartach had dominated southern Brega since 737 and a claimant arose in Cummascach mac Fogartaig to challenge Niall's rule. In 777 the Battle of Calatrium was fought between Niall and Cummascach in which the vassal king Échtgus mac Baeth of the Deisi Brega was slain.
Niall was an old king and offered no threat to the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) who was imposing his authority on Brega at this time. he was not involved in the Battle of Forchalad in 778 where Congalach of Brega was slain fighting Donnchad. Niall is called king of Deiscirt Breg in his death obit.
His sons Conall mac Néill (died 815) and Diarmait mac Néill (died 826) were also Kings of South Brega.