Niall of the Nine Hostages

Niall of the Nine Hostages [Niall Nóigiallach], was the youngest son of Eochaidh Mugmedon (King of Connacht). One of the first verifiable historical Irish leaders, Niall Nóigiallach was king from about AD 400 to his death. In 405 he led an expedition against Britain, where it is rumored that he may have captured a young Romano-British boy named Patricius, son of Calpurnius, a local magistrate. Patricus later came to be known as St Patrick.

Niall was famed for his raids on Britain along with his brothers and sons. He eventually came to control most of the Northern half of Ireland. He conquered the Uliad aristocracy, which ruled in Ulster, and by this victory and subsequent consolidation of power was able to found a dynasty, the Ui Neill, which gave rise to the O'Neill clan. Three of his sons founded kingdoms in Ulster (the Northern Ui Neill), other sons founded kingdoms in the Irish midlands (the Southern Ui Neill). Emain Macha, the capital of the Uliada, which Niall captured early on, became the capital of the Airgialla (literally "givers of hostages") which is said to explain Niall's second name (Noigiallach means "of the Nine Hostages"). A son of Niall, who succeeded his father at Tara c427-430, welcomed St Patrick to his court in 432.

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