Niall Glúndub

(Modern Irish: , 'Niall Black-Knee, son of Áed'; died 14 September 919) was a 10th-century Irish king of the and High King of Ireland. Many Irish kin groups were members of the and traced their descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages (Niall Noígiallach).

His mother was Máel Muire, daughter of Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots.

Biography Son of Áed Findliath, Niall is first recorded succeeding his brother Domnall mac Áeda

Despite his campaigns against the Northmen they continued to settle in large numbers, re-establishing their stronghold in Dublin (after a 15-year gap) and various ports on the eastern coast putting pressure on the Midland kingdom of Midhe. In an effort to bring the war to the Northmen, Niall advanced into Leinster, supported by the Uí Néill clans, the Airgíalla and the Ulaid. However, his forces were decimated by the Northmen under Sihtric Cáech as Niall was killed, along with twelve other chieftains, at the Battle of Islandbridge on 14 September 919.

Another account in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle has Sihtric Cáech slaying his brother Niall in 921. Glúndub was succeeded as High King by Donnchad Donn mac Flainn, son of Flann Sinna, and as King of Ailech by his son Muirchertach mac Néill, "the Hector of the Western World".

Family tree

Niall Caille = Gormflaith ingen Donncadha |____________________________________________________________________________ | | Áed Findliath = Gormlaith Rapach = Land ingen Dúngaile = Máel Muire unnamed daughter = Conaing mac Flainn | | _______________| | Flann | | | | (mother's identity unknown) | Gormlaith Domnall Eithne Domnall Dabaill Máel Dub Máel Dúin | = Flann Sinna | | Niall Glúndub, d. 919. = Gormflaith ingen Flann Sinna, c.870-948. | Muirchertach mac Néill, d. 943.