An Chraobh Airgid

Person

Niall of the Nine Hostages

Niall Naoighiallach · Old Irish Niall Noígíallach

King of Tara, from whom the Uí Néill took their name and their claim to the kingship.

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Son of Eochaid Mugmedón and Cairenn, born on the green of Tara and left there for the birds, until the poet Torna took him up and fostered him. He carried the anvil out of Sithchenn’s burning forge, and at the well he gave the hag the kiss she asked for, and she was the Sovereignty. Torna foretold that he would rule Ireland seven and twenty years, and Geoffrey Keating says he was called Naoighiallach for the nine hostages he received, five from the provinces of Ireland and four from Alba.

Kin and bonds

In the tales

See also

  • Binn Ghulbain Benbulben. The Sligo mountain where Diarmuid met the boar.
  • Sithchenn Druid, prophet and smith of Tara, who judged the sons of Eochaid by fire.
  • Teamhair The Hill of Tara. Seat of the high kings, and of the stone that cried out.

Sources

Medieval manuscript. Written down by Irish scholars between the eighth and seventeenth centuries.

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