The common ancestor that you and Niall have wasn't necessarily from Ireland. Niall is presumed, on the basis of the importance of his sons and grandsons, to have been a historical person,[2]:70 but the early Irish annals say little about him. Brin defeats Fiachrae and hands him over as a prisoner to Niall, but Fiachrae's son Nath continues the war and eventually kills Brin. Mongfind, purporting to make peace between her brother and her sons, holds a feast, at which she serves Crimthann a poisoned drink. A DNA test can show if a man is related to Niall: A recent study conducted at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, found that a striking percentage of men in Ireland (and quite a few in Scotland) share the same Y chromosome, suggesting that the 5th-century warlord known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages" may be the ancestor of one in 12 Irishmen. 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. Seeing Niall's popularity among the nobles, Mongfind demands that Eochaid name a successor, hoping it will be one of her sons. Niall makes war in Europe as far as the Alps, and the Romans send an ambassador to parlay with him. Another, Fiachra, has Variations of this story are told of the earlier Irish high king Lugaid Logde, in Arthurian legend one of the most famous versions appears in both Geoffrey Chaucer's The Wife of Bath's Tale and the related Gawain romance, The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell and in John Gower's Middle English poem Confessio Amantis. Niall and his dynasty. This group is for anyone. [6 ] Indeed, Keating describes her not as a Saxon but as the "daughter of the king of Britain". 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. 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. 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. His people were Celts who had escaped domination by the Romans by fleeing north and west. an outstanding beauty, dressed in purple (the colour of royalty) and wearing The haplogroup that is associated with Niall of the Nine Hostages is M222, which is part of M269 but definitely not the same thing. Niall does not have verifiable remains that can be tested. Niall makes war in Europe as far as the Alps, and the Romans send an ambassador to parlay with him. Then his father said: "It is Niall who should succeed me as Ard Righ of Eirinn". [8] Death, 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. According to McVoy this area was the main powerbase of the Ui Neill kings, which literally translated means "descendants of Niall". [3] Byrne, following James Carney, is a little more precise, dating his death to c. Niall of the Nine Hostages was around 50+ generations ago. "When Scots came thundering from the Irish shores. ", According to 23andMe.com, "The spread of haplogroup R-M269 in northern Ireland and Scotland was likely aided by men like Niall of the Nine Hostages. [3]:7678[7]:220. 23andMe does test for this marker, so they are telling you you are M222+. (Princess Of Britain ROIGHNEACH was born about 380. Boyle, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Coleman, Connor, Devlin, Doherty, Donnell, After obtaining obedience from the Picts, his next foreign raid was into Britain. A second, and probably less reliable, story is that Niall took a hostage from each of Ireland's five ancient provinces (Connaught, Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Meath) and also captured a Briton, a Gaul, a Saxon and a Scot. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. These names continue to be most prevalent in the Northwest of Ireland, the | Home Page | Disclaimer | Contact | Sitemap |. distinguish one line of DNA from another. If 23andMe says you're M222+, that part is not BS. [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. I wish they'd get rid of that stupid badge. Most of the Milesian kings ruled from Tara. have sex with her. The story then becomes confused. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. Niall is presumed, on the basis of the importance of his sons and grandsons, to have been a historical person,[3]:70 but the early Irish annals say little about him. Niall of the Nine Hostages Irish leader Learn about this topic in these articles: association with Conn In Conn Ctchathach to be the ancestor of Niall of the Nine Hostages (reigned 379-405), who founded the U Nill, the greatest dynasty in Irish history. In Irish Kings and High Kings (Dublin, 1973), John Francis Byrne prefers a much earlier date for Niall's death and also suggests the Three Collas never existed. His reign dated to the late 4th and early 5th centuries. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. [8], In another story, the succession is not settled when Eochaid dies, and Mongfind's brother Crimthann takes the high kingship. Crimthann refuses to drink it unless she does too; they both drink, and both die. Patricus later came to be known as St. Patrick. [6], Early in 2006, geneticists at Trinity College, Dublin suggested that Niall may have been the most fecund male in Irish history. He then kills Laidchenn by throwing a stone which lodges in his forehead. I'm obtaining my Portuguese citizenship due to this heritage. [5] Laidchenn responds by satirising Leinster so that no corn, grass or leaves grow there for a year. [8], Niall is presumed, on the basis of the importance of his sons and grandsons, to have been a historical person,[4]:70 but the early Irish annals say little about him. All but two of the High Kings of Tara came from this family. modern parlance, he put it about. [5], 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. well-known story has it that they were taken from the Airgialla, a once Fiachrae and Ailill then make war against Crimthann's son Eochaid, king of Munster. [6] These sons are the eponymous ancestors of the various U Nill dynasties: Egan of the Cenl nEgain and Conall Gulban of the Cenl Conaill, making up the northern U Nill; Fiachu of the Cenl Fiachach dynasty, Legaire (the king who Saint Patrick is said to have converted) of the Cenl Legaire, Maine of the U Maine, Egan of the Cenl nEgain, Conall Cremthainne of the Clann Cholmin and the Sl nedo Sline, and Coirpre of the Cenl Coirpri, making up the southern U Nill. If you are an exact match, your profile in FTDNA will have a green graphic that states your DNA is an exact match to Niall. [22][23] 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. Niall of the Nine Hostages was so named because in his early reign he consolidated his power by taking hostages from opposing royal families. 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. mutations (changes) occur infrequently but, when they do, they help to 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. A legendary account of Niall's birth and early life is given in the possibly-11th-century tale Echtra mac nEchach Muimedin ("The adventure of the sons of Eochaid Mugmedn"). Variations of this story are told of the earlier Irish High King Lugaid Laigde, in Arthurian legend one of the most famous versions appears in both Geoffrey Chaucer's The Wife of Bath's Tale and the related Gawain romance, The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell and in John Gower's Middle English poem Confessio Amantis. Hughes says "Niall himself must have died not before the middle of the fifth century". Neill ie Doherty, Gallagher, O'Reilly, Quinn (see Surnames box). Killed in Battle. A subreddit about all things genealogy provided it's not about living people. Crimthann returns to Ireland intending to give battle. Cookie Notice [10], While Niall is high king, his brothers establish themselves as local kings. Donnelly, Egan, Flynn, Gallagher, Gormley, Hynes, Kane, McGovern, McLoughlin, Daddy of Ireland: The In The 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, son of Eochaid Mugmedn, was an Irish king, theeponymous ancestor of the U Nill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century. But claiming that you're descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages is BS, because even if it were true, there is no proof. Talk about your genes and their possible implications! [19], Following a 2006 hypothesis by Moore et al. Niall of the Nine Hostages leapt from the legends of Ireland straight into the modern world when scientists at Trinity College Dublin revealed that as many as three million men living today may carry his y-DNA signature. the sea between France and England. [14] However, more recently some reservations have been expressed, as the subclade, which is defined by the presence of the marker R-M222, is found in a belt from Northern Ireland across southern Scotland and is not exclusively associated with the U Nill. His mother appears to have had much influence over his elderly father which helped Niall gain supremacy over his elder half brothers from Connacht. Nearly 37 million Americans claim to have Irish heritage according to a national survey conducted in 2009. Niall succeeds to the High Kingship, and Brin becomes his second in command. 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. These Connachta later extended their power eastward into the plain of Meath, and under the leader Teutovalos Teachtmhar overthrew the kingship of the Lagini at Tara around AD 300. Crimthann refuses to drink it unless she does too; they both drink, and both die. 1 / 5. In 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. Although brought to Ireland against his will, the . provide water, but she wants a kiss in return. The boy eventually escaped, but returned to Ireland as St. Patrick. [10] nna's son Eochaid is named as Niall's killer in all sources, although the circumstances vary. 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"). 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. historical reality of Niall of the Nine Hostages wasn't proved before the The Spread of DNA From "Niall of the Nine Hostages". The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's status has been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded. stories say that the future St Patrick was among hostages taken from one such . revealed that as many as three million men living today may carry his y-DNA 222-232 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.[2]:pp. They should really stop doing that, the Niall of the Nine Hostages haplogroup is actually R1b-L21 (M222) which is way downstream . powerful people who controlled an area loosely centred on present-day Armagh Such a level of promiscuity and a resulting high number of offspring would He then kills Laidchenn by throwing a stone which lodges in his forehead. Fiachrae gives her a quick peck, but not enough to satisfy her. Niall makes war in Europe as far as the Alps, and the Romans send an ambassador to parlay with him. Tom Peete Cross & Clark Harris Slover (eds.). The Annals of the Four Masters place Niall's death at Muir nIcht, i.e. He eventually came to control most of the Northern half of Ireland. 452. Business, Economics, and Finance. strongest associations are with the surnames traditionally linked to the Ui He is said to have three sons by his first wife Brioin, Fiachra and Ailill. These raids did much to weaken the power of Rome in Britain and France. [ 11] Keating says that he received five from the five provinces of Ireland, and four from Scotland. In the The Annals of Inisfallen date his death before 382, and the Chronicon Scotorum to 411. There is a large community of M222 men and a very interesting "family tree" of sorts is emerging as these men get into Y-DNA testing. 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? The Munstermen renew the battle, capture Ailill and cut him to pieces, and war continues between Munster and Connacht for many years. [3] These sons are the eponymous ancestors of the various U Nill dynasties: Egan of the Cenl nEgain and Conall Gulban of the Cenl Conaill, making up the northern U Nill; Fiachu of the Cenl Fiachach dynasty, Legaire (the king who Saint Patrick is said to have converted) of the Cenl Legaire, Maine of the U Maine, Egan of the Cenl nEgain, Conall Gulban of the Cenl Conaill, Conall Cremthainne of the Clann Cholmin and the Sl nedo Sline, and Coirpre of the Cenl Coirpri, making up the southern U Nill. He was, moreover, founder of the longest, most important, and most powerful Irish dynasty. (21%). Privacy Policy. The Annals of the Four Masters dates his accession to 378 and death to 405. Yet did the Romans claim victory over Niall. Niall of the Nine Hostages was around 50+ generations ago. Some of 390-461). ), told me that Im a sub-type of a lineage called H6a (specifically H6a1b). Yet his fall in a foreign land was to be compassed, not by the strategy or might of the foreign enemy, but by the treachery of one of his own. Sithchenn takes the brothers to the smith, who makes them weapons, and sends them out hunting. 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. Crimthann returns to Ireland intending to give battle. The association with Niall is based on an outdated study that noted many M222 men have surnames that supposedly come from Niall or his descendants. Are you familiar with the Irish 'Wild Geese'? kingship existed. [3 ] However, the traditional roll of kings and its chronology is now recognised as artificial. Mongfind refuses to accept the decision. 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). haplotype likely originated in the 2nd millennium BC, long before Niall is claimed to have lived, so his descendants would only represent a minority of men in this group even if Niall had been a historical figure. [5] 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. One of and Tyrone. and probably less reliable, story is that Niall took a hostage from each of Keating has Eochaid shoot Niall from the opposite bank of the river Loire during his European campaign. He died in a raid on Roman France in 405 AD. Then Niall makes war against Leinster, and peace is concluded on the condition that Eochaid is handed over. Eochaid gives the task to a druid, Sithchenn, who devises a contest between the brothers, shutting them in a burning forge, telling them to save what they can, and judging them based on which objects they choose to save.