Niall of the Nine Hostages


      Niall of the Nine Hostages was the greatest king that Ireland knew between the time of Cormac MacArt and the coming of Patrick. His reign was epochal. He not only ruled Ireland greatly and strongly, but also carried the name and the fame, and the power and the fear, of Ireland into all neighboring nations. He was, moreover, the founder of the longest, most important, and most powerful Irish dynasty. Almost without interruption his descendants were Ard Righs, (kings) of Ireland for 600 years. Under him the spirit of pagan Ireland burned in its last great red flame of military glory. A flame that, in another generation, was to be superseded by a great white flame, far less fierce but far more powerful and the bounds of neighboring nations to the uttermost bounds of Europe. That is the great flame that St. Patrick was to kindle, and which was to expand and grow, ever mounting higher and spreading farther, year by year, for three hundred years.

      Niall was grandson of Muiredeach Tireach. Niall's father, Eochaid Muig Medon, son of Muiredeach, became Ard Righ (king) mid way in the fourth century. By his wife, Carthann, daughter of a British king, Eochaid had a son, Niall. By another wife, Mon Fionn, daughter of the King of Munster, Eochaid had four sons, Brian, Fiachar, Ailill, and Fergus. Mong Fionn was a bitter, jealous and ambitious women, who set her heart upon having her son, Brian, succeed his father as Ard Righ. However, Niall was his father's favorite. Mong Fionn did not rest until she had outcast him and his mother, Carthann. Niall was rescued by a great poet of that time, Torna, who reared and educated him.

      (Some stories say that he was abandoned by his wicked stepmother as a baby, naked on a hill and was raised by wild wolves) When he had reached budding manhood, Torna brought him back to court to take his rightful place - much to his father's joy. Then Niall, showing strength of character, even in his early youth, took his mother from her menial task, and restored her to her rightful place.

      Of Niall's youth there are many legends, but two in particular show the working of his destiny.

      One day, the five brothers happened to be in the smith's forge when it took fire. They were commanded to run and save whatever they could. Their father, who was looking on (and who, say some, caused the fire, to test his sons), observed with interest Naill's distinctiveness of character, his good sense and good judgement. While Brian saved the chariots from the fire, Ailill a shield and a sword, Fiachra the old forge trough, and Fergus only a bundle of firewood, Niall carried out the bellows, the sledges, the anvil, and anvil block. In short he saved the soul of the forge, and so saved the smith from ruin. Then his father said, "it is Niall who should succeed me as Ard Righ of Eirinn".

      A short time later Niall and his brothers were on a hunting expedition. One of the brothers went to fetch water from a holy well and there met a hideous hag who demanded a kiss; the boy ran away. The same thing happened to each brother in turn, until Niall went to the holy spring. When Niall approached the holy well he too was met by the old crone, who demanded a kiss. Niall was the only one with the courage to do so. After the kiss, she turns into a radiantly beautiful woman named Flaithius (Royalty). She is the personification of sovereignty, a royal spirit who comes to anoint the next king. Her ugliness was a sign that it was not easy to attain the kingship that Niall had now won. She foretells that not only will he be the next king, but also that he would be the greatest of Ireland's High Kings.


      Niall's first expedition was into Alba to subdue the Picts. The little Irish (Scotic) colony in that part of Alba just opposite to Antrim had gradually been growing in numbers, strength, and prestige - until they excited the jealousy and enmity of the Picts, who tried to crush them. Niall fitted out a large fleet and sailed to the assistance of his people. Joined then by the Irish in Alba, he marched against the Picts, overcame them, took hostages from them and had Argyle and Cantire settled upon the Albanach Irish. After obtaining obedience from the Picts, his next foreign raid was into Britain. When Maximus and his Roman legions were, in consequence of the barbarian pressure upon the Continental Roman Empire, withdrawing from Britain, Niall, with his Irish hosts and Pictish allies, treaded upon their hurrying heels.


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