Domnall ua Néill
Encyclopedia
Domhnall ua Néill (died 980) was High King of Ireland
from 956 to 980.
Domnall was the son of Muirchertach mac Néill
, and grandson of Niall Glúndub
, a member of the Cenél nEógain
northern Uí Néill
. He became co-King of Ailech with his brother Flaithbertach
on the death of his father in 943. He became High King of Ireland on the death of his maternal cousin Congalach Cnogba
of the southern Uí Néill sept of the Síl nÁedo Sláine
.
Domnall is considered to have been an effective ruler who introduced military reforms later credited to Brian Boru
. Much of his reign was spent in war against his sister Dúnflaith's husband Amlaíb Cuarán, the King of Dublin. In 980 he abdicated and entered the monastery Armagh
where he died shortly afterwards.
Domnall is the first king to be called "High King of Ireland" in his obituary. He was succeeded as High King of Ireland by Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
of Clann Cholmáin
.
Domnall's children included Muiredach, whose son Lochlann may have been the ancestor of Domnall Ua Lochlainn, and Muirchertach, ancestor of the O'Neills
of Tír Eógain. His grandson Flaithbertach Ua Néill
was King of Ailech and the leading figure among the Uí Néill, certainly from the death of Máel Sechnaill in 1022, if not earlier.
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
from 956 to 980.
Domnall was the son of Muirchertach mac Néill
Muirchertach mac Néill
Muirchertach mac Néill , called Muirchertach of the Leather Cloaks , King of Ailech.-Family ramifications:Muirchertach belonged to the Cenél nEógain sept of the northern Uí Néill...
, and grandson of Niall Glúndub
Niall Glúndub
Niall Glúndub mac Áedo was a 10th century Irish king of the Cenél nEógain and High King of Ireland. While many Irish kin groups were members of the Uí Néill, tracing their descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages , the O'Neill dynasty took their name from Niall Glúndub rather than the earlier Niall...
, a member of the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
northern Uí Néill
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 became co-King of Ailech with his brother Flaithbertach
Flaithbertach Ua Néill
Flaithbertach Ua Néill was king of Ailech, a kingdom of north-west Ireland. He abdicated in 1030 and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, for which reason he was known as Flaithbertach an Trostáin...
on the death of his father in 943. He became High King of Ireland on the death of his maternal cousin Congalach Cnogba
Congalach Cnogba
Conghalach Cnoghbha was High King of Ireland, according to the lists in the Annals of the Four Masters, from around 944 to 956...
of the southern Uí Néill 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....
.
Domnall is considered to have been an effective ruler who introduced military reforms later credited to Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
. Much of his reign was spent in war against his sister Dúnflaith's husband Amlaíb Cuarán, the King of Dublin. In 980 he abdicated and entered the monastery Armagh
Armagh
Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
where he died shortly afterwards.
Domnall is the first king to be called "High King of Ireland" in his obituary. He was succeeded as High King of Ireland by Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill , also called Máel Sechnaill Mór, Máel Sechnaill II, anglicized Malachy II, was King of Mide and High King of Ireland...
of Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin is the name of the dynasty descended from Colmán Mór , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.Related dynasties descended through Conall...
.
Domnall's children included Muiredach, whose son Lochlann may have been the ancestor of Domnall Ua Lochlainn, and Muirchertach, ancestor of the O'Neills
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
of Tír Eógain. His grandson Flaithbertach Ua Néill
Flaithbertach Ua Néill
Flaithbertach Ua Néill was king of Ailech, a kingdom of north-west Ireland. He abdicated in 1030 and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, for which reason he was known as Flaithbertach an Trostáin...
was King of Ailech and the leading figure among the Uí Néill, certainly from the death of Máel Sechnaill in 1022, if not earlier.