The Uí Néill Clan were the foremost political dynasty in Ireland between the 7th and 10th centuries.
The O’Neill clan has one of the most historical and ancient lineages in Ireland if not the world. Their famous ancestor is Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary 4th century King of Ireland, who ruled from 377 to 404 AD, and is said to have conquered all of Ireland and Scotland and much of Britain and Wales. Because he took one royal hostage from each of the kingdoms he conquered he became known as such. He had twelve sons, four of whom settled in Ulster and began the dynasty there. Eoghan O'Neill gave his name to Tyrone.
His descendant 12 generations later is Niall Glún Dubh, or Niall of the Black Knee, High King of Ireland who was killed by the Vikings in 919. His grandson Domhnall was said to have adopted the name O’Neill, which comes from Ua Neill and means ‘grandson of Niall’.
The famous red hand of Ulster dates from the 4th and 5th centuries and legend has it that when an O’Neills ancestor first reached the north coast of Ireland, whoever touched the land first could claim it as his own. This brave O’Neill cut off his hand and threw it ashore and claimed his prize!In the centuries to follow descendants of Niall and the Nine Hostages ruled.
The Uí Neills divided into two main branches, the Northern Uí Néill and Southern Uí Néill.
The Northern Uí Néill
Niall of the Nine Hostages had seven sons; three of these sons were Owen (Eoghan), Conall Gulban (Conaill) and Enda (Énda). These 3 sons became the progenitors of the three Cenél’s (races) that make up the Nothern Uí Néill. They would alternate the High Kingship with their southern cousins the Southern Uí Neill into the 10th century.
The territory of the Northern Uí Néill is in the present, counties of Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and North County Sligo. The Chief clans of the North were Cineal Eoghain, Cineal Conaill and Cineal Cairbre.
There are many prominent Uí Néill clans including the O’Neills, O’Donnells, MacLoughlin and O’Donnellys.
The Southern Uí Néill
The territories of the Southern Uí Néill were that of County Meath (Kingdom of Mide). Chief Clans of the South were Clan Cholmain, Cineal Fiachach and Fir Teathbha.
Mael Sechnaill mac Domnaill of the Uí Néill Clan was probably the most famous of the Uí Néills. After the death of Domhnall Ua Néill in 980, he gained the throne of High King and ruled from 980 to 1002. He was the last great power from the Southern Uí Néill. His power had declined by the turn of the 11th Century.
As Brian Boru (Bryan Boru) grew stronger in power in Munster the balance shifted, and in 1002, Máel Sechnaill finally submitted to Brian Boru. Boru was crowned High King of Ireland in 1002 thus overthrowing the power of the Uí Néill in Ireland. After the death of Brian Boru at the Battle of Clontarf, Mael Sechnaill resumed his throne and recommenced his interrupted reign. He ruled as High King of Ireland until he died in 1022.
With the emergence of Brian Boru and the powerful Dál gCais Clan in tenth century, the decline of the Uí Néill dynasty was inevitable. Today the Uí Néill Dynasty prospers in Ireland and all over the world.
The O’Neill clan has one of the most historical and ancient lineages in Ireland if not the world. Their famous ancestor is Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary 4th century King of Ireland, who ruled from 377 to 404 AD, and is said to have conquered all of Ireland and Scotland and much of Britain and Wales. Because he took one royal hostage from each of the kingdoms he conquered he became known as such. He had twelve sons, four of whom settled in Ulster and began the dynasty there. Eoghan O'Neill gave his name to Tyrone.
His descendant 12 generations later is Niall Glún Dubh, or Niall of the Black Knee, High King of Ireland who was killed by the Vikings in 919. His grandson Domhnall was said to have adopted the name O’Neill, which comes from Ua Neill and means ‘grandson of Niall’.
The famous red hand of Ulster dates from the 4th and 5th centuries and legend has it that when an O’Neills ancestor first reached the north coast of Ireland, whoever touched the land first could claim it as his own. This brave O’Neill cut off his hand and threw it ashore and claimed his prize!In the centuries to follow descendants of Niall and the Nine Hostages ruled.
The Uí Neills divided into two main branches, the Northern Uí Néill and Southern Uí Néill.
The Northern Uí Néill
Niall of the Nine Hostages had seven sons; three of these sons were Owen (Eoghan), Conall Gulban (Conaill) and Enda (Énda). These 3 sons became the progenitors of the three Cenél’s (races) that make up the Nothern Uí Néill. They would alternate the High Kingship with their southern cousins the Southern Uí Neill into the 10th century.
The territory of the Northern Uí Néill is in the present, counties of Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and North County Sligo. The Chief clans of the North were Cineal Eoghain, Cineal Conaill and Cineal Cairbre.
There are many prominent Uí Néill clans including the O’Neills, O’Donnells, MacLoughlin and O’Donnellys.
The Southern Uí Néill
The territories of the Southern Uí Néill were that of County Meath (Kingdom of Mide). Chief Clans of the South were Clan Cholmain, Cineal Fiachach and Fir Teathbha.
Mael Sechnaill mac Domnaill of the Uí Néill Clan was probably the most famous of the Uí Néills. After the death of Domhnall Ua Néill in 980, he gained the throne of High King and ruled from 980 to 1002. He was the last great power from the Southern Uí Néill. His power had declined by the turn of the 11th Century.
As Brian Boru (Bryan Boru) grew stronger in power in Munster the balance shifted, and in 1002, Máel Sechnaill finally submitted to Brian Boru. Boru was crowned High King of Ireland in 1002 thus overthrowing the power of the Uí Néill in Ireland. After the death of Brian Boru at the Battle of Clontarf, Mael Sechnaill resumed his throne and recommenced his interrupted reign. He ruled as High King of Ireland until he died in 1022.
With the emergence of Brian Boru and the powerful Dál gCais Clan in tenth century, the decline of the Uí Néill dynasty was inevitable. Today the Uí Néill Dynasty prospers in Ireland and all over the world.
My ipad controls my spellings not me so apologies from it in advance lol