Niall Caille

Niall belonged to Cenél nEógain, a northern branch of the Uí Néill, a kin group whose rulers dominated large parts of Ireland.

According to the 12th century Banshenchas (Lore of Women), his mother was Medb, daughter of Indrechtach mac Muiredaig of the Uí Briúin of Connacht.

[2] The High Kingship of Ireland was in practice shared between Cenél nEógain of the north and the southern Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill, so that when Niall's father died, he was not succeeded by his son, or by a cousin, but by Conchobar mac Donnchada of Clann Cholmáin, whose father Donnchad Midi had been High King before Áed.

His second cousin Murchad mac Máele Dúin was chosen to be King of Ailech and chief of Cenél nEógain.

According to the Annals of the Four Masters, the battle at Leth Cam, near modern Kilmore, County Armagh, lasted three days.

The same year he raided the southern Uí Néill and ravaged the country as far south as modern County Offaly.

A poem in the Annals of Ulster reads: "The crozier of devout Feidlimid/ Was abandoned in the blackthorns;/ Niall, mighty in combat, took it/ By right of victory in battle with swords."

During his reign, the focus of Viking activity moved to the east coast and midlands of Ireland, with permanent settlements established at Lough Neagh and near Dublin.

Niall was followed as High King by Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid of Clann Cholmáin.