Background
Niall belonged to Cenél nEógain, a northern branch of the Uí Néill, a kin group whose rulers dominated large parts of Ireland. He was the son of Áed mac Néill (died 819), called Áed Oirdnide, who had himself been High King. According to the 12th century Banshenchas (Lore of Women), his mother was Medb, daughter of Indrechtach mac Muiredaig of the Uí Briúin of Connacht.
The High Kingship of Ireland was in practice shared between Cenél nEógain of the north and the southern Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill, so that when Niall's father died, he was not succeeded by his son, or by a cousin, but by Conchobar mac Donnchada of Clann Cholmáin, whose father Donnchad Midi had been High King before Áed. Nor did Niall immediately succeed to the leadership of Cenél nEógain on his father's death. His second cousin Murchad mac Máele Dúin was chosen to be King of Ailech and chief of Cenél nEógain. It was not until 823, when the Annals of Ulster record that Murchad was deposed, that Niall became king of Ailech.
Read more about this topic: Niall Caille
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