Niall Noigiallach - Neill O Cuinn
Niall Noigiallach, a seminal figure in early Irish history, is the seventh great-grandson of Conn Cetchathach and Eithne Thaebfhota ('of the Long Side'), daughter of King Cathair Mor. Eithne is described as a remarkable woman who became queen to two kings of different generations.
The Children of Conn and Eithne
According to tradition, Conn and Eithne had four known children:
- Art mac Cuinn, married Achtan and fathered Cormac mac Airt.
- Connla, who departed with a fairy woman.
- Sadb ingen Chuinn, 1st married Macnia mac Lugdach (mother of Lugaid mac Con), then Ailill Aulom (mother of Eogan Mor).
- Cormac mac Airt, with Eithne Ollamda, fathered Cairbre Lifechair, who with Aine (daughter of Fionn Mac Cumhaill) bore Fiacha Sroiptine and Eochaid Doimlen.
The Rise of Airgialla
Fiacha Sroiptine's son, Muiredach Tirech, fathered Colla Uais, Colla Fo Chri, and Colla Menn. Together, they established the Airgialla confederation - a medieval over-kingdom made up of nine independent minor kingdoms. These kingdoms paid nominal allegiance to an overking, most often from the dominant dynasty.
Airgialla at its peak encompassed areas of modern Counties Armagh, Monaghan, Louth, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Londonderry, with Armagh and Clogher as major towns. Its cultural legacy endures in southeastern Ulster and parts of County Louth.
The Line to Niall
Eochaid Mugmedon, son of Muiredach Tirech, had children with two women:
- With Mongfind: Brion, Fiachrae, and Ailill and then with Cairenn: Niall Noigiallach and Fergus.
Niall Noigiallach, from whom the Ui Neill dynasties descend, became one of Ireland's most enduring High Kings. His title, 'of the Nine Hostages,' reflects his broad political reach, with hostages taken from across Ireland and Britain.
Modern Connection to the Quin Lines
My ancestry reconnects with this lineage through Donough O'Quin of Kilmallock, County Limerick, the 123rd name in the Lords of Thomond pedigree. From this point, genetic atDNA testing confirms shared ancestry with the families of the Earls of Dunraven and Mount Earl, supported by documented matches to their wives' maiden names.
These surnames may not sound like Quinn but are genetically or clan-associated with the same Irish tribes or septs:
Due to anglicization and regional dialects, several variants exist:Variant Notes O’Neill Standard modern Irish version O'Neal Common in the U.S. and Britain. Neill, Often a shortened form Neal / Neale / Neill / McNeill. Related names; McNeill especially in Scotland and parts of Ulster as Ó Néill Original Gaelic, spelling Ua Néill Older Gaelic form used in medieval texts.
Today, Quinn is a very common surname in Ireland, especially in Ulster and Clare, and it spread significantly through emigration to the United States, Canada, Australia, and Britain.
The Quinn Genetic Genealogy Project
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