Domnall Ó Néill, High King of Ireland

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Domnall ua Néill

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Domnall ua Néill (died 980) (English: Donald grandson of Niall, Donald of Armagh) 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" (ard-rí Érenn) 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.

[edit]References

Byrne, Francis John (1973), Irish Kings and High-Kings, London: Batsford, ISBN 0-7134-5882-8

Downham, Clare (2007), Viking Kings of Britain and Ireland: The Dynasty of Ívarr to A.D. 1014, Edinburgh, ISBN 1-903765-89-0

Hudson, Benjamin (2005), Viking Pirates and Christian Princes: Dynasty, Religion, and Empire in the North Atlantic, New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-516237-4

Hudson, Benjamin T. (2004), "Domnall ua Néill (Domnall of Armagh) (d. 980)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved on 27 October 2007

Woolf, Alex (2007), From Pictland to Alba, 789–1070, The New Edinburgh History of Scotland, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, ISBN 0-7486-1234-5

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Called Domnall of Armagh or Donald O'Neill. The "O" in O'Neill stands for Ua or grandson, thus O'Neill means grandson of Niall. He defeated the Danes of Lough Neagh, destroying their entire Fleet of ships. He was the first High King to use a hereditary surname.

King of Ailech 887-915

DOMNALL [K. of Ailech 887-915], a peaceful ruler, was challenged by his brother NIALL GLUNDUBH, but the nobles of Cenel Eoghain interceded and the two were persuaded to share the kingdom. He later became a pilgrim and d. 915 (possibly in religious orders). Ailech by then included all of Donegall, Derry, and Tyrone, with suzerainty over Fermanagh, Armagh, and Monaghan. DOMNALL's descendants often were "Royal Heirs of the North" or kings of Ailech, down to DONNCHADH [K. of Ailech 1083] and ARDGAR [Royal Heir of Ailech], who was killed 1124.

Ardmacha

King of Ailech 887-915

Donal (of Armagh)

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Called Domnall of Armagh or Donald O'Neill. The "O" in O'Neill stands for Ua or grandson, thus O'Neill means grandson of Niall. He defeated the Danes of Lough Neagh, destroying their entire Fleet of ships. He was the first High King to use a hereditary surname.

King of Ailech 887-915

DOMNALL [K. of Ailech 887-915], a peaceful ruler, was challenged by his brother NIALL GLUNDUBH, but the nobles of Cenel Eoghain interceded and the two were persuaded to share the kingdom. He later became a pilgrim and d. 915 (possibly in religious orders). Ailech by then included all of Donegall, Derry, and Tyrone, with suzerainty over Fermanagh, Armagh, and Monaghan. DOMNALL's descendants often were "Royal Heirs of the North" or kings of Ailech, down to DONNCHADH [K. of Ailech 1083] and ARDGAR [Royal Heir of Ailech], who was killed 1124.

Ardmacha

King of Ailech 887-915

Donal (of Armagh)

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Domhnall of Armagh, also known as Donal O'Neill, was one of two known sons of Muircheartagh "na G-Cochaill Croiceann" (Murtagh "of the Leather-Cloaks"). He reigned as the 173rd High King (Ard Ri) of Ireland from 956 until his death in 977. Domhnall made little, if any, advance against the encroaching Vikings (largely of Danish heritage), choosing rather to use his strength against the people of Connaught whilst the Danes, the real enemy, were victoriously triumphing over the fueding Irish clans. [1] [2]

[1] "Annals of Ireland by the Four Masters," p. 675

[2] "Irish Pedigrees," p. 375-76

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King of Aileach and Prince of Ulster, Ireland.