And ocean trembled stuck by hostile oars". [7], The Lebor Gabla renn says there was war between Niall and nnae Cennsalach, king of Leinster, over the brama or cow-tribute first imposed on Leinster by Tuathal Techtmar. But while he is away on a tour of his lands in Scotland, Mongfind's sons seize Ireland. Crimthann refuses to drink it unless she does too; they both drink, and both die. Especially considering the fact that my paternal line can only be traced back to 1830? 7879 to conclude that the events of the later half of the 5th century have been extended backwards to accommodate as early a date as possible for the arrival of Saint Patrick, with the effect of pushing Niall back up to half a century. There are [8]:222232 O'Rahilly and Byrne argue that the literary sources, though late and garbled, preserve genuine traditions that Niall led raids on Britain, and perhaps died on one. Genographic Project director Spencer Wells then discussed the study's collective results revealing maternal and paternal Geno 2.0 results. [2] Famous descendants include Niall's great-great grandson Saint Columba, Saint Mel Ruba, the Kings of Ailech, the Kings of Tir Eogain, and the Kings of Tr Conaill. Niall releases Fiachrae, who becomes king of Connacht and Niall's right hand man. [7] Another version has Mongfind try to poison Niall, but she takes the poison herself by mistake.[9]. Such Crimthann refuses to drink it unless she does too; they both drink, and both die. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Of Niall's youth there are many legends, but one in particular show the working of his destiny. 1) GENEALOGY: Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Barons; Page 145; G929.72; C6943ra; Denver Public Library; Genealogy, Niall Mor, "Naill of the Nine Hostages, " 126th King of Ireland. [7], This "loathly lady" motif appears in myth and folklore throughout the world. Niall makes war in Europe as far as the Alps, and the Romans send an ambassador to parlay with him. iStock. In the saga "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages", Eochaid's enmity with Niall begins when he is refused hospitality by Niall's poet, Laidcenn mac Bairchid. He estimated that two million to three million. I may be wrong though. Fiachrae and Ailill then make war against Crimthann's son Eochaid, king of Munster. Ireland's five ancient provinces (Connaught, Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Ruling from Tara, Niall's modus operandi for gaining dominance was taking Press J to jump to the feed. Niall's accession to the throne possibly took place around 379AD. For more information, please see our Birth of Conall Gulban mac Nill, King of Tirconal, Birth of Cairbre mac Nill, High King of Ireland, 126th HIgh KIng of Ireland, Greatest High King of Ireland, aka Nial Mor NAOIGHIALLACH `of the Nine Hostages'; 1st King (but reckoned 126th MONARCH) of IRELAND; conquered nine countries (incl. However, M222 is now thought to predate Niall by hundreds of years, so even if it were true that this semi-mythical king really was M222, he wouldn't be the progenitor of it. [22] Indeed, more recent estimates indicate that the R1b-M222 subclade marked by the Moore et al. I am not sure if his father Eochy Moyvone is the same person as shown im other sources namely Echu Mugmedn, so I have shown both. [12] Keating says that he received five from the five provinces of Ireland, and four from Scotland. Niall exiles him to Scotland. with this signature is so high, the patriarch must have been prolific. 23andMe does test for this marker, so they are telling you you are M222+. This person appears in many published genealogies, but the facts I have found so far are vague.The earliest history and dates for Ireland are legendary and speculative. Niall succeeds to the High Kingship, and Brin becomes his second in command. The less well-known story has it that they were taken from the Airgialla, a once powerful people who controlled an area loosely centred on present-day Armagh and Tyrone. Niall's legendary military skill was on a par with his sexual prowess. the guts to give her a small kiss, for which she grants him sight of Tara and [2] The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn broadly agrees, dating his reign from 368-395, and associating his raiding activities in Britain with the kidnapping ofSaint Patrick (ca. Crimthann refuses to drink it unless she does too; they both drink, and both die. The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's legendary status has been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded. The story then becomes confused. However, the traditional roll of kings and its chronology is now recognised as artificial. Journal reference: American Journal of Human Genetics (February issue). geneticists collected a number of samples from men across Ireland. Niall Nogallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages) was an Irish king, the ancestor of the U Nill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century. [8], In another story, the succession is not settled when Eochaid dies, and Mongfind's brother Crimthann takes the high kingship. [2] He was himself the grandson of King Conn of the Hundred Battles. stories say that the future St Patrick was among hostages taken from one such Seeing Niall's popularity among the nobles, Mongfind demands that Eochaid name a successor, hoping it will be one of her sons. Boyle, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Coleman, Connor, Devlin, Doherty, Donnell, century. Niall's first expedition was into Alba to subdue the Picts. If instead, I want to see if I have Irish ancestry on my fathers side (even though my father has never claimed to be Irish! Niall Nogallach ( pronounced [nil noilx]; Old Irish "having nine hostages "), [1] or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the U Nill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. [11], The Lebor Gabla renn says there was war between Niall and nnae Cennsalach, king of Leinster, over the brama or cow-tribute first imposed on Leinster by Tuathal Techtmar. Then Niall, showing strength of character, even in his early youth, took his mother from her menial task, and restored her to her place. The earliest version of the Lebor Gabla says Eochaid killed him on the English Channel, later versions adding that Niall was invading Brittany when this happened. Autosomal DNA, which is what we use to measure percentages of ethnicity, only has strong relevance for about 6-10 generations back. [6 ], King Of Ireland & Tara Niall Mor NOIGIALLACH, Died: Abt 453, Tara, Ireland about age 73. [7], The Lebor Gabla renn says there was war between Niall and nnae Cennsalach, king of Leinster, over the brama or cow-tribute first imposed on Leinster by Tuathal Techtmar. A significant proportion of Keating has Eochaid shoot Niall from the opposite bank of the river Loire during his European campaign. In In Genealogical pedigrees dating back to the 5th century, when Laedhaire's children and grandchildren were around, are considered accurate. Abruptly, the tale then has Niall appearing before an assembly of Pictish bards in Scotland, where he is killed by an arrow shot by Eochaid from the other side of the valley. Niall 'of the Nine Hostages', High King of Ireland (1), Niall 'of the Nine Hostages', High King of Ireland gained the title of King Niall of Tara.1 He gained the title of High King Niall of Ireland in 445.1 Children of Niall 'of the Nine Hostages', High King of Ireland, -1. 5 Reply [deleted] 4 yr. ago Oh, got it. Learning about our ancestry is particularly fun when we can toast to it. September 10, 2020. [15 ], There are various versions of how Niall gained his epithet Nogallach. Niall must have made many incursions into Britain and probably several into Gaul. [7] Another version has Mongfind try to poison Niall, but she takes the poison herself by mistake. [6] O'Rahilly suggests that the nine hostages were from the kingdom of the Airgialla (literally "hostage-givers"), a satellite state founded by the Ui Nill's conquests in Ulster, noting that the early Irish legal text Lebor na gCeart ("The Book of Rights") says that the only duty of the Airgialla to the King of Ireland was to give him nine hostages.[7]. So, although it doesnt completely verify the story, this one branch of my ancestral tree is at least consistent with claims of Irish ancestry on my mothers side. [20] suggesting that his Y chromosomal signature had been discovered, popular science journalists and genetic testing companies began promoting the theory that millions alive today have an unbroken descent from Niall.[21]. relative viscosity of nylon 6; predictive index cognitive assessment answers; why do baseball players spit so much; Hello world! This was expected of someone of his status in a polygamous society where all Then Niall makes war against Leinster, and peace is concluded on the condition that Eochaid is handed over. People move. For it is said his was the host referred to by the Roman poet, Claudian, when in praising the Roman general, Stilicho, he says Britain was protected by this bold general. The Annals of Inisfallen date his death before 382, and the Chronicon Scotorum to 411. Nearly 37 million Americans claim to have Irish heritage according to a national survey conducted in 2009. Three of In The However, the traditional roll of kings and its chronology is now recognised as artificial. What is a paternal line? [S9180] "Email, no hard copy" , Stewart Baldwin Medieval-L Quoting from "A New History of Ireland" except generations 5-8, which are given in the Ban Shenchus and confirmed in the O'Cathalain pedigree in O'Clery 857. Not sure how to get the raw data file form 23andMe though? Yet, my paternal Haplogroup is "R-CTS241", which seems to be heavily common of people from the UK, yet my 23andme shows absolutely 0 percentage coming from the UK, actually none from western europe in general.I also share a paternal line ancestor with "Niall of the nine hostages". prevalent in the genes of men with surnames that have long been linked to Moore et al. [10], While Niall is high king, his brothers establish themselves as local kings. The findings of the study showed that within the north-west of Ireland as many as 21% of men (8% in the general male population) were concluded to have a common male-line ancestor who lived roughly 1,700 years ago. AFN source shows another son called Foghan OWEN - AFN: 8HRT-NK. [3] Byrne, following James Carney, is a little more precise, dating his death to c. Niall Nogillach "of the Nine Hostages" may have lived in the previous century, and the dates given for St. Patrick depend on identifying him with a "Palladius," who is mentioned by a contemporary chronicler as having been sent by the Pope as the first bishop of the Irish. A second, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Brin rules the province of Connacht, but Fiachrae makes war against him. Niall of the Nine Hostages received his name from the taking of hostages as a strategy for playing mental havoc upon his opponent chieftains. 23andMe will give you the basic results for Ydna but . In the France, killed on the banks of River Loire. [13] He is succeeded by his nephew Nath . Byrne suggests that Niall's death took place during a raid on Roman Britain. He then kills Laidchenn by throwing a stone which lodges in his forehead. By his wife, Carthann, daughter of a British king, Eochaid had the son Niall. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. signature is created. It is his (Niall's) family.". Irish tradition had forgotten that the Romans once ruled Britain, and relocated his remembered confrontations with the Empire to continental Europe, with Alba, the ancient name for Britain, being confused with Elpa, the Alps, or being understood with its later meaning of Scotland. Under him the spirit of pagan Ireland upleaped in its last great red flame of military glory, a flame that, in another generation, was to be superseded by a great white flame, far less fierce but far more powerful and the bounds of neighboring nations to the uttermost bounds of Europe. The only company that does Y-dna tests is FTdna (FamilyTreeDNA). [11] Keating says that he received five from the five provinces of Ireland, and four from Scotland. [4] A poem by the 11th century poet Cined Ua Hartacin in the Book of Leinster credits Niall with seven raids on Britain, on the last of which he was killed by Eochaid "above the surf of the Ictian Sea";[4][12] a poem attributed to the same poet in Lebor na hUidre credits him with going to the Alps seven times. People wanting to join this group must be managing a Ydna test from a male relative who has tested at FTdna for a Ydna test and got the little symbol that says they descend from Niall and The Nine Hostages. Niall chains Eochaid to a standing stone, and sends nine warriors to execute him, but Eochaid breaks his chain and kills all nine of them with it. There are two stories to identify Niall's nine hostages. He then kills Laidchenn by throwing a stone which lodges in his forehead. Women do not have Y-dna. Hey man, thanks for the response, I'm going to check over the report when I get home but I'm pretty sure it said I descend from Niall. [4], [edit]L egendary biography[edit ]Early life, Although it is anachronistic for Niall's mother to have been a Saxon, O'Rahilly argues that the name Cairenn is derived from the Latin name Carina, and that it is plausible that she might have been a Romano-Briton. "One of the greatest high kings was Niall of the Nine Hostages, whose reign began in AD 379. Their Fiachrae gives her a quick peck, but not enough to satisfy her. He makes war and destroys the poet's stronghold, killing his son Leat[11] (Keating has it that Laidchenn was a druid, and that Eochaid killed his son after he used defamatory language towards him). 452. They worshipped a ram god and sometimes called themselves Ghaisonli ('spear-men'), possibly to compete in propaganda with the Lagini ('lance-men'). The saga "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages" says that he received five hostages from the five provinces of Ireland (Ulster, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Meath), and one each from Scotland, the Saxons, the Britons and the Franks. [10 ] nna's son Eochaid is named as Niall's killer in all sources, although the circumstances vary. One of Niall releases Fiachrae, who becomes king of Connacht and Niall's right-hand man. Cookie Notice part of France), King of Ireland. And any explanations why it would be present in my ancestry? The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's legendary status has been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded. [7] However, the early annals record the activities of his sons between 429 and 516, an implausibly long time-span for a single generation, leading scholars like Kathleen Hughes[5] and Francis J. Byrne[4]:pp. The southern Venii came to be known as the Eoghanacht, while another group of them migrated north and formed a new kingdom west of the River Shannon where they became known as the Connachta after a revered leader named Conn. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1195848313/niall-and-the-stone http://www.genealogy4u.com/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I17949& http://www.dcs.hull.ac.uk/cgi-bin/gedlkup/n=royal. [23] Origin of his epithet[edit] There are various versions of how Niall gained his epithet Nogallach. Lots of the Irish nobility fled to Spain and then on to Rome in the early 1600s. Fiachrae gives her a quick peck, but not enough to satisfy her. Geneticists have dated this The little Irish (Scotic) colony in that part of Alba just opposite to Antrim had gradually been growing in numbers, strength, and prestigeuntil they excited the jealousy and enmity of the Picts, who tried to crush them. Legend accords him at Over the generations, a genetic The Primitive Irish Vendo is a cognate with Finn, and the Fianna were landless, aristocratic young men and women who had not yet come into their inheritance of land. Niall moved across the Shannon where he founded the dynasty of Uisnech in Westmeath. Cookie Notice The child was rescued by a great poet of that time, Torna, who reared and educated him. 390-460). Fiachrae and Ailill then make war against Crimthann's son Eochaid, king of Munster. He ruled Ireland in the fifth century and was said to have consolidated his power by leading raids on the Roman Empire, taking hostages from rival royal families in Britain and . historical reality of Niall of the Nine Hostages wasn't proved before the Moore, Laoise T., Brian McEvoy, Eleanor Cape, Katharine Simms and Daniel G. Bradley, O'Grady, Standish H. (ed. Irish men would've been barred from British Military service at the time due to their religion. He died in a raid on Roman France in 405 AD. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Irish Mythology https://bit.ly/irish_myth_online_courseBrehon Law https://bit.ly/brehon_law_online_courseEarly Irish Culture and Society https://bit.ly/cultu. In time, the status of King of Tara came to denote High King of Ireland, the These names continue to be most prevalent in the Northwest of Ireland, the While Cairenn is pregnant with Niall, the jealous Mongfind forces her to do heavy work, hoping to make her miscarry. Niall Nogallach (Irish pronunciation: [%CB%88ni%CB%90%C9%99l noilx], Old Irish "having nine hostages"),[1] or in English, Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a prehistoric Irish king, the ancestor of the U Nill family that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th century. expedition) and conquered much of Ulster. He was, moreover, founder of the longest, most important, and most powerful Irish dynasty. If a man has a sub-type of this lineage (called R1b1b2a1a2f2), however, its much more likely that his DNA might actually trace to Ireland. A complete list will be found at Ard Rthe na hireann / High Kings of Ireland A list of the early Kings is in Adam through Kings of Ireland and Scotland To English Lines A list of the High Kings of Ireland after Niall Nogillach of the Nine Hostages will be found in the Periphery of Francia (See also Adam through Kings of Ireland and Scotland To English Lines and Irish Genealogy To trace the descent from Heremon, the son of Mil, go to The Sons of Mil on the Early Family web site. Although these studies are not coordinated with each other and are ongoing, it is already apparent that not all of these lineages are related to each other within Niall's timeframe. Niall chains Eochaid to a standing stone, and sends nine warriors to execute him, but Eochaid breaks his chain and kills all nine of them with it. [6] Laidchenn responds by satirising Leinster so that no corn, grass or leaves grow there for a year. Emain Macha, the capital of the Uliada, which Niall captured early on, became the capital of the Airgialla (lit: "givers of hostages") which is said to explain Niall's second name (Noigiallach = "of the Nine Hostages"). He gave rise to the powerful and widespread O'Neil (Ui Neill) dynasty of . Fergus and Ailill refuse and return empty-handed. County Mayo residents were fascinated to learn that there is Viking DNA in their makeup, a fact . Another, Fiachra, has If 23andMe says you're M222+, that part is not BS. Irish annalistic and chronicle sources place his reign in the late . Niall belongs to Haplogroup R1b1c7 (M222). have been High King of Ireland. Niall makes war in Europe as far as the Alps, and the Romans send an ambassador to parlay with him. Niall established a royal dynasty which dominated the island for six centuries. (Remember that women have two X chromosomes while men have one X and one Y chromosome). [4] Byrne, following James Carney, is a little more precise, dating his death to c. Slane Abbey: built on the hill where St Patrick is said to have lit the fire that convinced High King Laoghaire, Niall's son and successor, to agree to the preaching of Christianity. least 12 sons. His reign dated to the late 4th and early 5th centuries. In Italy the Irish were primarily found in Milan and Naples - deployed there by Spain. The paternal DNA lineages were less diverse likely as a result of the early dominance of a few male leaders like King Niall of the Nine hostages, as well as to the historical influence of the Viking raids from across the North Sea. Brin defeats Fiachrae and hands him over as a prisoner to Niall, but Fiachrae's son Nath continues the war and eventually kills Brin. the sea between France and England. children, from wives or concubines, were acknowledged. According to legend, Niall led one of the most powerful and enduring Irish kingdoms and it has been suggested that because of high rates of Irish emigration to North America and other parts of the world, up to two or three million men descend from Niall! Maternal lines are inherited through mitochondrial DNA both women and men have mitochondrial DNA, but its only the mothers mitochondrial DNA that is passed on to a child. Niall and his dynasty. This "loathly lady" motif appears in myth and folklore throughout the world. Perhaps more myth than man, Niall of the Nine Hostages is said to have been a King of Tara in northwestern Ireland in the late 4th century C.E. As he lands a passionate kiss, the ugly hag transforms into His body is said to have been buried at Ochann, now known as Faughan Hill at Jordanstown, a few miles west of Navan in County Meath. Niall succeeds to the High Kingship, and Brin becomes his second in command. She gives birth as she is drawing water, but out of fear of Mongfind, she leaves the child on the ground, exposed to the birds. We would expect to find a large concentration of Niall's descendants there, as the Southern U Nill were dominant in that region, but we do not. water. He makes war and destroys the poet's stronghold, killing his son Leat[15] (Keating has it that Laidchenn was a druid, and that Eochaid killed his son after he used defamatory language towards him). Keating, quoting a Latin Life of Saint Patrick, says that Niall led Irish raids on Roman Britain, and in one of those raids Patrick and his sisters were abducted. My original information was obtained from Genealogy information held at University of Hull. After this, Tara's importance appears to have declined.". Niall exiles him to Scotland. "When Scots came thundering from the Irish shores. 4.00. Occasional By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. His body is said to have been buried at Ochann, now known as Faughan Hill at Jordanstown, a few miles west of Navan in County Meath. The Munstermen renew the battle, capture Ailill and cut him to pieces, and war continues between Munster and Connacht for many years. County Mayo residents were fascinated to learn that there is Viking DNA in their makeup, a fact discovered thanks to the National Geographic. Each brother in turn goes looking for water, and finds a well guarded by a hideous hag who demands a kiss in return for water. I'm of Mexican decent with 0% of Irish showing up in my results; how did I get a common ancestor with Niall of the Nine Hostages? Keating associates these raids with those mentioned by Gildas and Bede, and deduces that, since some Irish sources say Patrick was abducted from Brittany, that Niall's raids must have extended to continental Europe as well.[6]. Article in The Times: "High King Niall: the most fertile man in Ireland", http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article788652.ece. Adventure of the sons of Eochaid Mugmedon, a young Niall Nogiallach is out Some of these sailors probably migrated to Cornwall, and later to south-eastern Ireland where they became known as the Venii and grew in power. Research suggests that many men of this line are descendants of an Irish king named Niall of the Nine Hostages who ruled during the 4th and 5th centuries. [4 ] A poem by the 11th century poet Cined Ua Hartacin in the Book of Leinster credits Niall with seven raids on Britain, on the last of which he was killed by Eochaid "above the surf of the Ictian Sea";[4 ][1 2] a poem attributed to the same poet in Lebor na hUidre credits him with going to the Alps seven times. He formed an alliance with the Scots and Picts and sent ships to plunder England, Scotland, Wales, and France. Privacy Policy. By the 8th century, the Ui Nills held power in the north west where they were known as the Northern Ui Nill, and also in the Midlands where they are known as the Southern Ui Nill. the brothers, Fergus, goes off to look for water and comes upon an ugly hag. fought his way to become King of Tara in the late 4th or early 5th century. Daddy of Ireland: The They defeat him and win great spoil, but Fiachrae is wounded in the battle and dies of his wounds shortly afterwards. McManus, Molloy, Reilly, Rourke and Quinn. Distant view of Round Tower at Glendalough While Moore et al. and tr. revealed that as many as three million men living today may carry his y-DNA But while he is away on a tour of his lands in Scotland, Mongfind's sons seize Ireland. The Annals of Inisfallen date his death before 382, and the Chronicon Scotorum to 411. A biography of Niall can be constructed from sources such as the "Roll of Kings" section of the 11th-century Lebor Gabla renn, the Annals of the Four Masters, compiled in the 17th-century, chronicles such as Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn (1634), and legendary tales like the 11th-century "The Adventure of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedon" and "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages". In the study scientists found an area in northwest Ireland where they claim 21.5% carry Nialls genetic fingerprint, says Brian McVoy, one of the team at Trinity. As Niall was his father's favorite, Mong Fionn did not rest until she had outcast him and his mother, Carthann, and made Carthann her menial, carrying water to the court. He was killed in his sleep while aboard his royal galley. Although its remarkable that nearly 1 in 10 Americans might say Kiss Me Im Irish! on St. Patricks day, its not clear if all these people actually have Irish ancestors or if they simply feel an affinity for corned beef and green beer. She grants Niall not only water but her name, Alexi, and the kingship for many generations twenty-six of his descendants will be High Kings of Ireland. Oliver Hayes. Each brother in turn goes looking for water, and finds a well guarded by a hideous hag who demands a kiss in return for water. Oh, got it. According to McVoy this area was the main powerbase of the Ui Neill kings, which literally translated means "descendants of Niall". Hughes says "Niall himself must have died not before the middle of the fifth century". When Niall grows up he returns to Tara and rescues his mother from her labour. As the number of hostages was nine, Niall earned the epithet 'of the Nine Hostages'. [3] The later Annals of the Four Masters dates his reign to 379-405,[4] and the chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn to 368395. , 'The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide' is full of advice, tips and strategies to ease what can be a challenging journey. signature is created. Niall succeeds to the High Kingship, and Brin becomes his second in command. Cookie Notice and our [19][20] According to the PBS documentary series Finding Your Roots, Bill O'Reilly, Stephen Colbert, Colin Quinn, Bill Maher, and the show's host, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. all display STR markers consistent with the Irish Modal Haplotype. Privacy Policy. I descend from the same Sephardic Jewish clan over a dozen times. Keating, quoting a Latin Life of Saint Patrick, says that Niall led Irish raids on Roman Britain, and in one of those raids Patrick and his sisters were abducted. The rise of the U Nill dynasties and their conquests in Ulster and Leinster are not reliably recorded but have been the subject of considerable study and attempts to reconstruct them. Learning about our ancestry is particularly fun when we can toast to it. Niall was grandson of Muiredeach Tireach. Cairenn Chasdub; Caireann ("curly-black (hair)") was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, the daughter of Sachell Balb, king of the Saxons, the second wife of the Irish High King Eochaid Mugmedn, and the mother of Niall of the Nine Hostages.. [13], In January 2006, geneticists at Trinity College, Dublin suggested that Niall may have been the most fecund male in Irish history. concluded that these men descend from "a single early-medieval progenitor" and proposed that this could be Niall. After obtaining obedience from the Picts, his next foreign raid was into Britain. Because of that, the identification of M222 with Niall's descendants is "difficult to justify". This group is for anyone. The center of his government was at Tara. | Home Page | Disclaimer | Contact | Sitemap |. According to legend, Niall led one of the most powerful and enduring Irish kingdoms and it has been suggested that because of high rates of Irish emigration to North America and other parts of the world, up to two or three million men descend from Niall! Donnelly, Egan, Flynn, Gallagher, Gormley, Hynes, Kane, McGovern, McLoughlin, Medieval Irish monks supported claims to kingship or property?and gratified the egos?of their noble patrons by plotting their line of descent from Adam and Eve. Is this accurate at all? [4] Famous descendants include Niall's great-great grandson Saint Columba, Saint Mel Ruba, the Kings of Ailech, the Kings of Tir Eogain, and the Kings of Tr Conaill. [13], While Niall is high king, his brothers establish themselves as local kings. He was one of the greatest of the High Kings of Ireland in prehistoric days, but one of the least known to modern historians.