Niall Noigiallach

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1 Niall Noigiallach, known as the “Holder of the 9 Hostages”.

Niall Noigiallach was the first historically recognized supreme high king of Ireland, who ruled the island from 399 to 342. A pagan king, Niall would have been the last king before Ireland was evangelized by Saint Patrick. Although very few traces of his existence remain, the story of this king sometimes seems to blend with Celtic mythology and legend. Indeed, a few writings remain (the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Annales des quatre maîtres, Foras Feasa ar Éirinn, Les Aventures des fils d’Eochaid Mugmedon and La Mort de Niall aux neuf otages). But these works would have been produced many centuries later, alternating historical truth with myth and legend. Here’s what we know today about this king…

Niall Noigiallach, known as the “Holder of the 9 Hostages”.

A warrior renowned for his chatter

Niall Noigiallach was the founder of a family that ruled Ireland for centuries.

Also known as Niell, the origin of Niall Noigiallach’s name can be traced back to a period in his life when he received 9 hostages as gifts from the 5 provinces of Ireland (Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Meath), and the 4 provinces of Scotland.

The name then remained with him, and was recorded in most writings mentioning the king and his existence.

Mythological writings suggest that Niall’s father (Eochaid Mugmedón) was himself a king who ruled Tara, and that he appointed his fifth son (Niall) to succeed him. Niall was not Eochaid Mugmedón’s first child, however, and is said to have had 5 children by 2 women (Niall’s mother is said to have been Cairenn Chasdub, daughter of Sachell Balb, King of the Saxons). According to his writings, Niall’s brothers were instituted “Regional Kings” following his coronation.

Although we know little about Niall Noigiallach’s reign, we do have a large number of writings on his death, all presenting the same facts. History has it that Niall came into conflict with Túathal Techtmar, King of Leinster, who refused to pay the compulsory tax (the“borama“). This tax consisted of donating livestock and foodstuffs so that the Supreme King could then redistribute the island’s wealth.

Following this disagreement, Eochaid mac Enna Ceinnsealach, son of the King of Leinster, was ordered to murder Niall. The murder is said to have taken place on the English Channel, as Niall was leaving on an expedition to invade Brittany.