High Kings of Ireland, and the Northern and Southern Uí Neill

The Uí Neill and the High Kings
Ulster and Mide Series

Uladh * Kings of Uladh * Annals of Uladh
Airghialla * Northern Ui Neill * Northern Ui Neill Kings

Index * Connacht * Leinster * Mide * Munster * Ulster

Home * Names * Clans * History

Page Index: Cenél Eóghain Sovereigns -- Cenél Eóghain Lords -- Cenél Conaill Sovereigns -- Cenél Conaill Lords

Sovereigns of Ireland (the High Kings)

The sons of Niall of the Nine Hostages included Eoghan and Conall Gulban, the progenitors of the Cenél Eóghain and Cenél Conaill dynasties of northwest Ulster. Referred to in Irish history as chief dynasties of the northern Uí Neill, the Cenél Eóghain and Cenél Conaill shared a common heritage as early sovereigns (cerimonial High Kings) of Ireland along with their cousins in the middle kingdoms of Midhe and Brega, i.e. the southern Uí Neill.

There are many notable northern Uí Neill clans which included the various families of O'Neill, O'Donnell, MacLoughlin, O'Donnelly, O'Doherty, O'Cannon, O'Muldory, O'Kane, O'Gallaghers, O'Gormley, O’Flaherty or O’Laverty, O'Hamill, O'Lunney, O'Carolan of Clan Diarmada, among many others.

Cenél Eóghain Sovereigns of Ireland

Obit. 465, Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, eponymous ancestor of the Cenél Eóghain.
504 to 527, After Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (Cenel Mac Earca).
559 to 561, Domhnall and Fearghus, the two sons of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall (Cenel Mac Earca).
562 to 563, Eochaidh, son of Domhnall, son of Muircheartach (Cenel Mac Earca); and Baedan Brighi, son of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach (Cenel Mac Earca).
595 to 600, Colman Rimidh, son of Baedan Brighi, son of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall.
601 to 607, Aedh Uairidhnach, son of Domhnall Ilchealgach, son of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan (Cenel Mac Earca).
709 to 718, Fearghal, son of Maelduin, son of Maelfithrigh, son of Aedh Uairidhnach (Cenel Mac Earca).
730 to 738, Aedh Allan, son of Fearghal, son of Maelduin.
759 to 765, Niall Frosach, son of Fearghal, son of Maelduin.
793 to 817, Aedh Oirdnidhe, son of Niall Frosach, son of Fearghal.
832 to 844, Niall Caille, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, son of Niall Frosach.
861 to 876, Aedh Finnliath, son of Niall Caille, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe.

Chiefs of Cenél Eóghain

Obit. 579, Colga, son of Domhnall, son of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach (chief ??).
For 650, Crunnmael, son of Suibhne, chief of Cinel Eoghain (Clan Feradaigh).
Obit. 698, Flann, son of Ceannfaeladh, son of Suibhne, chief of Cinel Eoghain.
Deposed 698, Aurthuile Ua Crunnmaeil, chief of Cinel Eoghain.
Obit. 698, Flann Finn, son of Maeltuile Ua Crunnmaeil, chief of Cinel Eoghain (Clan Feradaigh).
Obit. 705, Mael Dúin, son of Maelfithrigh, Lord of the Cinel Eoghain (Cenel Mac Earca).
Obit 756, Domhnall, son of Muirchertach, lord of the Ui Neill.
Obit. 783, Mael Dúin, son of Aedh Allan, King of the North.
For 818/20, Murchadh, son of Maelduin, led the Ui Neill of the North against the Ui Neill of the South.
For 821, The deposing of Murchadh, son of Maelduin, by Niall Caille, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, and by the Cinel Eoghain.
For 825, Niall Caille led the races of Conall and Eoghan against the Airghialla and Ui Eathach Uladh.
Obit. 865, Mael Dúin, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, lord of Aileach (Sil Maeli Dúin).
Obit. 891, Flaithbheartach, son of Murchadh, lord of Aileach.
For 896, Murchadh, son of Mael Dúin, lord of Cinel Eoghain (a quo Clan Birn).
For 906, Domhnall, mac Aodha Finnléith, chief of Aileach (Clan Domnaill macÁeda).
For 913, Niall, mac Aedha, lord of Aileach (Clan Neill).
For 936, Muirchertach, mac Néill Glúnduibh, lord of Aileach (Clan Neill).
Obit. 941, Muirchertach na c-Cochall c-Croicenn, mac Néill Glúnduibh, chief of Aileach (Clan Neill).
For 960, Flaithbheartach, mac Conchobhair, chief of Aileach.
For 971, Murchadh Glún Illar ua Flaithbheartaigh, lord of Aileach.
For 987, Fearghal, mac Conaing, chief of Aileach and Cenél Eóghain.
For 995, Aodh, mac Domhnaill, chief of Aileach.
Obit. 1000, Fearghal, mac Conaing, chief of Aileach.
For 1003, Aodh, mac Domhnaill uí Néill, lord of Aileach.
For 1005/10, Flaithbhertach, mac Muirchertaigh, chief of Aileach (Clan Domnaill macMurchertaich).
Obit. 1033, Aedh mac Flaithbhertaigh Uí Néill, tigherna Aileach.
Obit. 1036, Flaithbhertach an Trosttáin Ua Néill, tigherna Aileach.
For 1044, Niall mac Maoileachlaind, lá tigherna n-Ailigh.
Obit. 1054, Aedh ua Ferghaile, mic Conaing mic Néill tigherna Ceniuil Eoghain Tealcha Ócc and heir apparent of Aileach.
Obit. 1061, Niall, mac Maoil Sechlainn, tigherna Oiligh.
For 1064, Ardghal mac Lochlainn, tigherna Oiligh, d'ecc i t-Tealach Occ.
Obit 1064, Muirchertach Ua Néill, tigherna Tealcha Occ.
Obit 1068, Domhnall ua Maoilechlainn, .i. mac Neill mic Maoileachlainn, tigherna Oiligh.
For 1068, Flaithbhertach Ua Ferghail, tigherna Tealcha Occ.
Obit. 1078, Conchobhar Ua Briain(?), tigherna Ceneóil n-Eoghain & Tealcha Occ.
Obit. 1083, Aodh ua Maoilechlainn, tigherna Oiligh.
For 1088, Domhnall, mac mic Lochlainn, lá rígh n-Ailigh.
For 1148, Domhnall Ua Gairmledhaigh, chief of Chenel Eoghain.
For 1164, Muirchertach, mac Néill, lord of Aileach & maithe Cenel Eoghain.
For 1170, Conchobhar, mac Muirchertaigh Ui Lochlainn, chief of Cenél Eóghain.
For 1177, Aedh h-Ua Neill, that is, In Macamh Toinlesc, ri Ceneoil Eogain.

Cenél Conaill Sovereigns of Ireland

Obit. 464, Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, eponymous ancestor of the Cenél Conaill.
564 to 566, Ainmire, son of Sedna, son of Fearghus Ceannfhoda.
568 to 594, Aedh, son of Ainmire, son of Sedna
For 586, Baedan, son of Níndedha, son of Conall Gulban, king of Tara.
608 to 610, Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire.
624 to 639, Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire
640 to 656, Conall Cael and Ceallach, two sons of Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire.
694 to 701, Loingseach, son of Aenghus, son of Domhnall, son of Aedh. CC?
702 to 708, Congal of Ceann Maghair, son of Fearghus of Fanaid.
723 to 729, Flaithbheartach, son of Loingseach, son of Aenghus.

Chiefs of Cenél Conaill

For 670, Loingseach, son of Aenghus, chief of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 742, Aedh Muindearg, son of Flaithbheartach, lord of the North.
For 744, Domhnall, son of Aedh Muindearg, lord of the North.
Obit. 749, Loingseach, son of Flaithbheartach, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 762, Murchadh, son of Flaithbheartach, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 799, Domhnall, son of Aedh Muindearg, son of Flaithbheartach, son of Loingseach, son of Aenghus, son of Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, lord of the North.
Obit. 817, Maelbreasail, son of Murchadh, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 868, Dalach, son of Muircheartach, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 896, Maelbreasail, son of Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 899, Fogartach, son of Maeldoraidh, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 901, Eigneachan, son of Dalach, son of Muircheartach, lord of Cinel Conaill.
Obit. 948, Ruaidrí ua Canannáin, descent from Flaithbheartach, son of Loingseach.
Obit. 955, Maol Coluim Ua Canannáin, chief of Ceneoil Conaill.
Obit. 962, Muirchertach h-Ua Canannáin, chief of Cenél Conuill.
For 967, Maoil íosa Ua Canannan, lord of Cenil Conaill.
Obit. 976, Giolla Colaim Ua Canandáin, chief of Ceneóil Conaill.
Obit. 978, Tighernán ua Maol Doraidh, chief of Cenél Conaill.
Obit. 989, Aedh ua Maol Doraidh, chief of Cenél cConaill.
Obit. 996, Ruaidhri, mac Néill Ui Canandain, chief of Cenel Conaill.
Obit. 999, Flaithbhertach Ua Canandáin, chief of Cheneoil Conaill, slain by Cenel Budhdéin.
For 1010/27, Mael Ruanaidh ua Mael Doraidh, lord of Ceniuil Conaill.
Obit. 1030, Ruaidhri Ua Canannáin, tigherna Cenel Conaill.
Obit. 1032, Domhnall, mac Maol Ruanaidh Uí Mhaoldoraidh, tigherna Ceniuil Conaill, slain by Cloind Fhianghasa.
Obit. 1045, Flaithbhertach Ua Canannáin, tigherna Cheneoil Conaill.
Obit. 1071, Ruaidhri Ua Canannáin, tigherna Ceneoil Conaill.
For 1153, Flaithbhertach Ua Canannáin, chief of Cenél c-Conaill.
For 1156, Aedh, mac Ruaidhri Uí Chanannáin, chief of Cenel c-Conaill.
For 1160, Aithchléreach Ua c-Canannáin, lá tigherna Cenél Conaill.
Obit. 1075, Donnchadh Ua Canannain, tigherna Ceneoil Conaill.
Obit. 1083, Domhnall Ua Canannáin tigherna Ceneóil c-Conaill.
For 1085, Murchadh Ua Maol Doraidh, tigherna Cenel Conaill.
Obit. 1093, Aodh Ua Canannáin, chief of Cenil Conaill, slain by Domhnall ua Lachlaind, lord of n-Ailigh.
Obit. 1188, Ruaidhri h-Ua Canannan, lord of Ceneoil Conaill, was slain by Fhlaithbertach h-Ua Mael Doraidh.
For 1197, Echmarcach h-Ua Dochartaich, lord of Ceneoil Conaill.
For 1197, Flaithbertach O Mael Doraidh, lord of the North (Conaill & Eogain & Aigiall).

Other Lords

Obit. 802, Cormac, son of Donghalach, lord of the North.
Obit. 812, Gormghal, lord of Magh Itha.
Obit. 825, Flaitheamh, son of Donghalach, lord of the North.

Sovereigns of Ireland (Ard Rí, or High Kings)
From the pre-Christian to the Norman period.
Source: Annals of the Four Masters. (up to 1022 AD)

Notes: From the tribal abbreviations attached to each individual on the list it can be shown that the sovereignty of Ireland was monopolized by the dynasts of the Southern and Northern Ui Neill from the time of St. Patrick's arrival (circa 432) to the time of Brian Borumha (circa 1002). For the Northern Ui Neill these abbreviations begin with CE (Cenel Eoghain) and CC (Cenel Conaill). For the Southern Ui Neill these abbreviations begin with SU. Refer to the Key at the bottom of this list.

Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, son of Muireadhach Tireach, 358 to 365 AD.
Crimhthann, son of Fidhach, son of Daire Cearb, 366 to 378 AD.
Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, 379 to 405 AD.
Dathi, son of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, 406 to 428 AD.
Lóegaire, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, 429 to 458 AD (SU-CL).
Oilioll Molt, son of Dathi, son of Fiachra, 459 to 478 (UF).
Lughaidh, son of Lóegaire, 479 to 503 (SU-CL).
Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall, 504 to 527 (CE-CME).
Tuathal Máelgarb, son of Cormac Caech, son of Cairbre, son of Niall, 528 to 538 (SU-Ca).
Diarmat, son of Fearghus Ceirrbheoil; g-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, 539 to 558 (SU-CCC).
Domhnall and Fearghus, the two sons of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, 559 to 561 (CE-CME).
Eochaidh, son of Domhnall, son of Muircheartach, 562 to 563 (CE - CME).
Baedan Brighi, son of Muircheartach Ilchealgach, son of Muireadhach, 562 to 563 (CE-CME).
Ainmire, son of Sedna, son of Fearghus Ceannfhoda, son of Conaill Gulban, 564 to 566 (CC).
Baedan, son of Ninnidh, son of Fearghus Ceannfhoda (Duach?), 567 to 567 (CC).
Aedh, son of Ainmire, son of Sedna, 568 to 594 (CC).
Colman Rimidh, son of Baedan Brighi, son of Muircheartach, 595 to 600 (CE-CME).
Aed Sláine, son of Diarmat, son of Fearghus Cerrbheoil, son of Conaill Cremthainni, circa 595 to 600 (SU-SAS).
Aedh Uairidhnach, son of Domhnall Ilchealgach, son of Muircheartach, 601 to 607 (CE-CME).
Mael Cobha, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, 608 to 610 (CC).
Suibhne Meann, son of Fiachna, son of Fearadhach, 611 to 623 (CE-CF).
Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, 624 to 639 (CC).
Conall Cael, son of Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, 640 to 656 (CC).
Ceallach, son of Maelcobha, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, 640 to 656 (CC).
Diarmat, son of Aed Sláine, 657 to 664 (SU-SAS).
Blathmac, son of Aed Sláine, 657 to 664 (SU-SAS).
Sechnussach, son of Blathmc, circa 665 to 669 (SU-SAS).
Cenn Fáelad, son of Blathmac, circa 670 to 673 (SU-SAS).
Finsnechtae Fledach, son of Donchadh, grand-son of Aed Sláine, circa 674 to 693 (SU-SAS).
Loingseach, son of Aenghus, son of Domhnall, son of Aedh, 694 to 701 (CC).
Congal of Ceann Maghair, son of Fearghus of Fanaid, 702 to 708 (CE??).
Fearghal, son of Maelduin, son of Maelfithrigh, son of Aedh Uairidhnach, 709 to 718 (CE-CME).
Fogartach, grandson of Cernach Sotal, and g-g-grandson of Aed Sláine, circa 719 to 719 (SU-SAS).
Cináed, son of Irgalach, and a g-g grandson of Aed Sláine, circa 720 to 722 (SU-SAS).
Flaithbheartach, son of Loingseach, son of Aenghus, 723 to 729 (CC).
Aedh Allan, son of Fearghal, son of Maelduin, 730 to 738 (CE).
Domnall Midi, son of Murchadh, son of Diarmaid, of Clan Cholmain, circa 739 to 758 (SU-CC).
Niall Frosach, son of Fearghal, son of Maelduin, 759 to 765 (CE).
Donnchad Midi, son of Domnall Midi, of Clan Cholmain, circa 766 to 792 (SU-CC).
Aedh Oirdnidhe, son of Niall Frosach, son of Fearghal, 793 to 817 (CE).
Conchobar, son of Donnchad Midi, of Clan Cholmain, circa 818 to 831(SU-CC).
Niall Caille, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, son of Niall Frosach, 832 to 844 (CE).
Máel Sechnaill, son of Máele Ruanaid, grandson of Donnchad Midi, 845 to 860 (SU-CC).
Aedh Finnliath, son of Niall Caille, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, 861 to 876 (CE).
Flann Sinna, son of Máel Sechnaill, 877 to 914 (SU-CC).
Niall Glundubh, son of Aedh Finnliath, 915 to 917 (CE).
Donchadh Donn, son of Flann Sinna, 918 to 942 (SU-CC)
Congalach Cnogba, son of Máel Mithig, 943 to 954 (SU-SAS).
Domnall, son of Muirchertach na g-Cochall Crocenn, son of Niall Glundubh, 955 to 978 (CE).
Máel Sechnaill, son of Domhnall, son of Donchadh Donn, 979 to 1002 (SU-CC).
Brian Bóruma, son of Cennétig, son of Lorcáin, 1002 to 1014 (DG).
Máel Sechnaill, son of Domhnall, son of Donchadh Donn, 1014 to 1022 (SU-CC).
The Annals of the Four Masters is silent on the "rí Ereann" (king of Ireland) until the obituary of Toirrdelbach Ua Brian in 1086.
Donchadh, son of Brian Bóruma, ?? 1023 to 1064 (DG).
Diarmait, son of Donchadh Máel na mBó, ?? 1065 to 1072 (??)
Toirrdelbach, son of Tadgh, son of Brian Bóruma, ?? 1073 to 1086 (DG)
Domnall, son of Ardgar Ua Maoilechloinn, ?? 1087 to 1098 (CE).
Muirchertach, son of Toirrdelbach Ua Brian, son of Tadgh, ?? 1099 to 1119 (DG).
Domnall, son of Ardgar Ua Maoilechloinn, ?? 1120 to 1121 (CE).
Contested, ?? 1122 to 1136.
Toirrdelbach, son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide Ua Conchobair, ?? 1137 to 1156 (UB).
Muirchertach, son of Niall, son of Ardgar Ua Maoilechloinn, ?? 1157 to 1166 (CE).
Ruaidri, son of Toirrdelbach Ua Conchobair, ?? 1167 to 1183 (UB).

Key:
(SU-CL) = Southern Ui Neill, Cenel Loighaire
(SU-Ca) = Southern Ui Neill, Cenel Cairpri
(SU-CCC) = Southern Ui Neill, Clan Conaill Cremthainni
(SU-SAS) = Southern Ui Neill, Sil Aedo Sláine
(SU-CC) = Southern Ui Neill, Clan Cholmain
(CC) = Northern Ui Neill, Cenel Conaill
(CE) = Northern Ui Neill, Cenel Eoghain
(CE-CME) = Northern Ui Neill, Cenel Eoghain, Cenel Mac Earca
(CE-CF) = Northern Ui Neill, Cenel Eoghain, Cenel Feradaigh
(DG) = Dal gCais Thomond
(UB) = Ui Briuin Connacht
(UF) = Ui Fiachrach Connacht

Further Ulster Reference: N. Ui Neill * Uladh * Airghialla * Kings of Uladh * Annals of Uladh

Further Province Reference: Index * Connacht * Leinster * Mide * Munster * Ulster

Further Reference at this site:
Ireland History in Maps - Home Page
Old Irish Surnames
Kingdoms and Clans