He not only ruled Ireland greatly and strongly, but carried the name and the fame, and the power and the fear, of Ireland into all neighboring nations. 4) [S10166] "Possible parents of Naill by Brian Tompsett 23 November 1997". 6) [S9890] Your Family Tree, gives this spelling and the info that he was the 126th Monarch of Ireland.. 8) Download, http://www.dcs.hull.ac.uk/cgi-bin/gedlkup/n=royal. , 'The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide' is full of advice, tips and strategies to ease what can be a challenging journey. However, the genetic evidence of the study does seem to show that the Distant view of Round Tower at Glendalough Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. Each brother in turn goes looking for water, and finds a well guarded by a hideous hag who demands a kiss in return for water. His body is said to have been buried at Ochann, now known as Faughan Hill at Jordanstown, a few miles west of Navan in County Meath. Why not list William the Conqueror or someone else? He ruled Ireland in the fifth century and was said to have consolidated his power by leading raids on the Roman Empire, taking hostages from rival royal families in Britain and . Hughes says "Niall himself must have died not before the middle of the fifth century". [17] The Scottish Clan Ewen of Otter, Gilchrist; Clan Lamont; the MacSorleys of Monydrain,[18] (of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg a branch of Clan Donald); Clan Maclachlan; Clan MacNeil, and the MacSweens all claim a descent from an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty, nrothn Ua Nill/Anrothan O'Neill, son of ed, son of Flaithbertach Ua Nill, King of Ailech and Cenl nEgain, who left Ireland for Kintyre in the 11th century and died 1036. [13] He is succeeded by his nephew Nath . Byrne suggests that Niall's death took place during a raid on Roman 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." Niall of the Nine Hostages three million Irish descendants 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. [9] He is succeeded by his nephew Nath . Byrne suggests that Niall's death took place during a raid on Roman Britain. In Italy the Irish were primarily found in Milan and Naples - deployed there by Spain. Perhaps more myth than man, Niall of the Nine Hostages is said to have been a King of Tara in northwestern Ireland in the late 4th century C.E. County Mayo residents were fascinated to learn that there is Viking DNA in their makeup, a fact . He and his descendants continued to dominate much of Ireland By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 23andme specifies it as R-M269 and says "You share a paternal-line ancestor with Niall of the Nine Hostages" . Daddy of Ireland: The He then kills Laidchenn by throwing a stone which lodges in his forehead. Could I claim that (a) it's an Irish haplgroup, (b) that it can be traced back to the warring clans of the Ui Neill dynasty? bronze slippers. No, if he's M222, his paternal line almost certainly came to Italy from Ireland and/or Britain. Myth has it that he was descended by prevalent in the genes of men with surnames that have long been linked to The saga "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages" says that he received five hostages from the five provinces of Ireland (Ulster, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Meath), and one each from Scotland, the Saxons, the Britons and the Franks. Keating, quoting a Latin Life of Saint Patrick, says that Niall led Irish raids on Roman Britain, and in one of those raids Patrick and his sisters were abducted. His men carry his body home, fighting seven battles on the way, and his foster-father Torna dies of grief. [9] He is succeeded by his nephew Nath . [2] The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn broadly agrees, dating his reign from 368-395, and associating his raiding activities in Britain with the kidnapping ofSaint Patrick (ca. His body is said to have been buried at Ochann, now known as Faughan Hill in County Meath. The Eochaidh who shot the fatal arrow had been King of Leinster, was banished to Alba by Niall, and accompanied Gabhran, Scots Kings #5, chief of the Dal Riada, when Gabhran took troops to France to support an expedition of Niall. mutations (changes) occur infrequently but, when they do, they help to Of their Irish sample, the geneticists found that 21 percent of men from north-western Ireland, 8 percent from all of Ireland, a substantial percentage of men from western and central Scotland, and about 2 percent of men from New York bore the same Y-chromosome haplotype. [3] Laidchenn responds by satirising Leinster so that no corn, grass or leaves grow there for a year. After obtaining obedience from the Picts, his next foreign raid was into Britain. kingship existed. One of them, Patrick, was the sixteen-year old son of a British Roman official. Katharine Simms, and Daniel G. Bradley, published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, volume 78, number 2, February 2006 (electronically published December 8, 2005. Is this accurate at all? [7], This "loathly lady" motif appears in myth and folklore throughout the world. king at a time when Ireland was divided into many kingdoms and a heirarchy of Fiachrae is granted a minor royal line - two of his descendants, Nath and Ailill Molt, will be High Kings. Tom Peete Cross & Clark Harris Slover (eds.). Geneticists at Trinity College Dublin found that 21 percent of men from north-western Ireland, 8 percent from all of Ireland, a substantial percentage of men from western and central Scotland, and about 2 percent of men from New York bore the same Y-chromosome haplotype. [10] He is succeeded by his nephew Nath . Byrne suggests that Niall's death took place during a raid on Roman Britain. In addition to the 100 participants, famous Irish names also participated including former Taoiseach [Prime Minister] of Ireland Enda Kenny and former Minister of State Michael Ring. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. There is a legend that on one of his ventures into Gaul, he captured a young boy. Niall Of The Nine Hostages DNA Match Men of Irish descent who have taken their Y-DNA or higher test with FamilyTreeDNA may discover that you have an exact DNA match to Niall, King of Connachta. Niall 'of the Nine Hostages', High King of Ireland (1), Niall 'of the Nine Hostages', High King of Ireland gained the title of King Niall of Tara.1 He gained the title of High King Niall of Ireland in 445.1 Children of Niall 'of the Nine Hostages', High King of Ireland, -1. Niall, who emerges carrying an anvil, is deemed greater than Brin, with a sledgehammer, Fiachrae with bellows and a pail of beer, Ailill with a chest of weapons, and Fergus with a bundle of wood. Niall of the Nine Hostages - Celtic Wedding Rings [11] Another version has Mongfind try to poison Niall, but she takes the poison herself by mistake. historical stronghold of the Ui Neill, where the study found the genetic [9], While Niall is High King, his brothers establish themselves as local kings. Seeing Niall's popularity among the nobles, Mongfind demands that Eochaid name a successor, hoping it will be one of her sons. This "loathly lady" motif appears in myth and folklore throughout the world. [3] O'Rahilly suggests that the nine hostages were from the kingdom of the Airgialla (literally "hostage-givers"), a satellite state founded by the Ui Nill's conquests in Ulster, noting that the early Irish legal text Lebor na gCeart ("The Book of Rights") says that the only duty of the Airgialla to the King of Ireland was to give him nine hostages. The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's status has been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded. for most of the next six centuries. Niall chains Eochaid to a standing stone, and sends nine warriors to execute him, but Eochaid breaks his chain and kills all nine of them with it. 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. DNA research that traces a distinctive genetic marker back to the Irish High King, Niall Nogallach (Old Irish "having nine hostages"). So how do you know if you have Irish ancestry? Niall married Princess Of Britain ROIGHNEACH. [6] Indeed, Keating describes her not as a Saxon but as the "daughter of the king of Britain". Muireann herself occurs in the annals, as in a poem quoted in AT s.a. 649, and her great-grandfather.Aed is mentioned again in a separate entry in the Ban Shenchus.. 3) [S10139] "Irish Pedigrees by John O'Hart , part 1, chapter IV". Haplogroup R-CTS11824 Niall of the Nine Hostages : r/23andme Irish men would've been barred from British Military service at the time due to their religion. findings led them to the notion that Niall of the Nine Hostages may be the Big This was expected of someone of his status in a polygamous society where all Niall of the Nine Hostages. We studied if there was any association between those surnames and the genetic profile. If 23andMe says you're M222+, that part is not BS. [3]:81, Niall is placed in the traditional list of High Kings of Ireland. Based on U Nill genealogies and the dates given for his supposed sons and grandsons, modern historians believe he is likely to have lived some 50 years later than the traditional dates, dying circa 450. Keating has Eochaid shoot Niall from the opposite bank of the river Loire during his European campaign. In the saga "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages", Eochaid's enmity with Niall begins when he is refused hospitality by Niall's poet, Laidcenn mac Bairchid. Irelands most popular baby names of 2022 - by county! [8]:222232 O'Rahilly and Byrne argue that the literary sources, though late and garbled, preserve genuine traditions that Niall led raids on Britain, and perhaps died on one. nose and a serious case of puss popping zits. While Cairenn is pregnant with Niall, the jealous Mongfind forces her to do heavy work, hoping to make her miscarry. Niall chains Eochaid to a standing stone, and sends nine warriors to execute him, but Eochaid breaks his chain and kills all nine of them with it. Even if you were alive at the same time as Niall, your common paternal ancestor still would have been thousands of years back. In the saga "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages", Eochaid's enmity with Niall begins when he is refused hospitality by Niall's poet, Laidcenn mac Bairchid. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. He is said to have three sons by his first wife Brioin, Fiachra and Ailill. stories say that the future St Patrick was among hostages taken from one such The mighty warrior king Niall Nogallach dominates the twilight world between history and legend. only water for refreshment but also kingship and a great dynasty. [4] Famous descendants include Niall's great-great grandson Saint Columba, Saint Mel Ruba, the Kings of Ailech, the Kings of Tir Eogain, and the Kings of Tr Conaill. After reading through their ancestry reports from 23andMe, customers can now browse Airbnb homes and experiences in their native countriesand plan vacations as unique as their DNA. [3] A poem by the 11th-century poet Cined Ua hArtacin in the Book of Leinster credits Niall with seven raids on Britain, on the last of which he was killed by Eochaid "above the surf of the Ictian Sea";[3][16] a poem attributed to the same poet in Lebor na hUidre credits him with going to the Alps seven times.[7]. Many and many a time, in Alba, in Britain, and in Gaul, must Niall have measured his leadership against the best leadership of Rome, and pitted the courage and wild daring of his Scotic hosts against the skill of the Imperial Legions. Thousands of years is a long time. [9], In another story, the succession is not settled when Eochaid dies, and Mongfind's brother Crimthann takes the high kingship. Yet, my paternal Haplogroup is "R-CTS241", which seems to be heavily common of people from the UK, yet my 23andme shows absolutely 0 percentage coming from the UK, actually none from western europe in general.I also share a paternal line ancestor with "Niall of the nine hostages". The geneticists estimated that there are about 2-3 million males alive today who descend in the male-line from Niall. Take a look inside Dublin's most stylish townhouse, Number 31, Irish songs to avoid this St. Patricks Day, JFK's words remind us of the true meaning of St. Patrick's Day. Crypto Eochaidh had been banished as the King of Leinster and had plans to be the High King of Ireland. SidmartinBio", "The Adventures of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedon", "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages", "Show Somerled People | Clan Donald USA, Inc", The genetic imprint of Niall of the Nine Hostages, "If Irish Claim Nobility, Science May Approve", National Center for Biotechnology Information, A Social History of Ancient Ireland, Vol. [2] The chronology of Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn broadly agrees, dating his reign from 368-395, and associating his raiding activities in Britain with the kidnapping of Saint Patrick (ca. [6] Family and descendants, Keating credits Niall with two wives: Inne, daughter of Lugaid, who bore him one son, Fiachu; and Rignach, who bore him seven sons, Legaire, ndae, Maine, Egan, Conall Gulban, Conall Cremthainne and Coirpre. She gives birth as she is drawing water, but out of fear of Mongfind, she leaves the child on the ground, exposed to the birds. ", According to 23andMe.com, "The spread of haplogroup R-M269 in northern Ireland and Scotland was likely aided by men like Niall of the Nine Hostages. The story then becomes confused. In Son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin #124. Privacy Policy. In it, Eochaid Mugmedn, the High King of Ireland, had five sons: Four, Brin, Ailill, Fiachrae and Fergus, by his first wife Mongfind, sister of the king of Munster, Crimthann mac Fidaig; and a fifth, Niall, by his second wife Cairenn Chasdub, daughter of Sachell Balb, king of the Saxons. [4] The later Annals of the Four Masters dates his reign to 379405,[5] and the chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn to 368395. Niall does not have verifiable remains that can be tested. [3] The later Annals of the Four Masters dates his reign to 379-405, [4] and the chronology . Copyright Claire Santry 2008-2023 Irish-Genealogy-Toolkit.com. The center of his government was at Tara. People move. powerful people who controlled an area loosely centred on present-day Armagh The Annals of the Four Masters dates his accession to 378 and death to 405. Niall belongs to Haplogroup R1b1c7 (M222). The Munstermen renew the battle, capture Ailill and cut him to pieces, and war continues between Munster and Connacht for many years. All sources agree he died outside Ireland. Moore et al. signature is created. [3 ] However, the traditional roll of kings and its chronology is now recognised as artificial. [11] nna's son Eochaid is named as Niall's killer in all sources, although the circumstances vary. or central areas of Scotland have the so-called Niall of the Nine Hostages The Annals of Inisfallen date his death before 382, and the Chronicon Scotorum to 411. Keating associates these raids with those mentioned by Gildas and Bede, and deduces that, since some Irish sources say Patrick was abducted from Brittany, that Niall's raids must have extended to continental Europe as well.[3]. His father, Eochaid Muig Medon, son of Muiredeach, became Ard Rich mid way of the fourth century. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The earliest version of the Lebor Gabla says Eochaid killed him on the English Channel, later versions adding that Niall was invading Brittany when this happened. But claiming that you're descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages is BS, because even if it were true, there is no proof. When Niall grows up he returns to Tara and rescues his mother from her labour. [5] Laidchenn responds by satirising Leinster so that no corn, grass or leaves grow there for a year. Niall was said to have ruled over Tara, but modern historians think it more likely that Tara was founded by Niall's decendents, and that Niall himself actually set up his kingdom at Uisnech, another "royal hill". haplotype originated at least several centuries before Niall is claimed to have lived, so his descendants would only represent a minority of men in this group. Paternal lines are inherited through the Y chromosome, which only men have. Since women dont inherit a Y chromosome, they must trace their paternal line through their fathers, brothers or paternal uncles Y-chromosome data. ), "The Story of Eochaidh Muighmedin's Sons", in, Stokes, Whitley (ed. Even if you dont have Irish ancestry, we wish you a Happy St. Patricks day and encourage you to explore the hidden stories in your DNA. But while he is away on a tour of his lands in Scotland, Mongfind's sons seize Ireland. His name comes from a tale of nine hostages that he held from the regions he ruled over. Birth & Accession According to legend, Niall was left on the ground by his mother Cairenn Chasdub as she was afraid of what Mongfind, the first wife of Eochaid Mugmedon, would do to the baby. the brothers decide they're not that hungry or thirsty. Another, Fiachra, has I was just wandering because it said most Irish have the common ancestor as well. 23andMe says I have paternal ancestry from Niall of the 9 Hostages "When Scots came thundering from the Irish shores. Naill of the Nine Hostages (c. 357-405 AD, King of all Ireland 379-405) was one of the greatest Irish kings. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. xenophon agesilaus summary; When she was pregnant with Niall, Eochaid's first wife Mongfind was jealous and made her do heavy labour, hoping to make her . Most of the Milesian kings ruled from Tara. His men carry his body home, fighting seven battles on the way, and his foster-father Torna dies of grief. Among the plunder captured by the band of warriors dispatched by Ireland's King Niall of the Nine Hostages was a 16-year-old boy named Succat. Mongfind, purporting to make peace between her brother and her sons, holds a feast, at which she serves Crimthann a poisoned drink. Brin defeats Fiachrae and hands him over as a prisoner to Niall, but Fiachrae's son Nath continues the war and eventually kills Brin. the sea between France and England. He also led successful raids against Roman Britain & Scotland (some Niall succeeds to the High Kingship, and Brin becomes his second in command. in hand with natural suitability for kinship) dates back to at least the 11th and tr. I am not sure if his father Eochy Moyvone is the same person as shown im other sources namely Echu Mugmedn, so I have shown both. The Munstermen renew the battle, capture Ailill and cut him to pieces, and war continues between Munster and Connacht for many years. These raids did much to weaken the power of Rome in Britain and France. [14] However, more recently some reservations have been expressed, as the subclade, which is defined by the presence of the marker R-M222, is found in a belt from Northern Ireland across southern Scotland and is not exclusively associated with the U Nill. Genographic Project director Spencer Wells then discussed the study's collective results revealing maternal and paternal Geno 2.0 results. Nialls . As he lands a passionate kiss, the ugly hag transforms into I welcome your input, feedback and support: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1195848313/niall-and-the-stone Niall Nogallach (Old Irish "having nine hostages") (pronounced [ni%CB%90%CB%88%C9%99l nojilax])[1], English: Niall of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaid Mugmedn, was an Irish king, the eponymous ancestor of the U Nill kindred who dominated Ireland from the 6th century to the 10th century. Because of that, the identification of M222 with Niall's descendants is "difficult to justify". r/23andme - Anyone else related to Niall of the Nine Hostages? Was he [3 ] Mongfind appears to have been a supernatural personage: the saga "The Death of Crimthann mac Fidaig" says the festival of Samhain was commonly called the "Festival of Mongfind", and prayers were offered to her on Samhain eve. and probably less reliable, story is that Niall took a hostage from each of There is nothing weird about someone with 0.00% measurable Irish ethnicity being one of his descendants. He fell on the banks of the River Loire, in France, by the hand of Eochaid, the son of Enna Ceannselaigh, King of Leinster, who, from ambush, with an arrow, shot dead the great king. The Munstermen renew the battle, capture Ailill and cut him to pieces, and war continues between Munster and Connacht for many years. Crimthann returns to Ireland intending to give battle. The Annals of the Four Masters place Niall's death at Muir nIcht, i.e. This group is for anyone. The King,. modern parlance, he put it about. passed from father to son. The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's legendary status has been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded. [3]:70, T. F. O'Rahilly argues that Niall and his sons were responsible for the breakup of the ancient kingdom of Ulster and the creation of the kingdoms of Tr Chonaill and Tr Eoghain, and the satellite kingdom of the Airgalla. 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. The southern Venii came to be known as the Eoghanacht, while another group of them migrated north and formed a new kingdom west of the River Shannon where they became known as the Connachta after a revered leader named Conn. The Vikings were driven out in 1014 by Brian Boru, but not before their DNA was embedded in the Celtic gene. Check out our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/wiki/index#wiki_faq_.28frequently_asked_questions.29)! Over the generations, a genetic Legend accords him at an unknown number of generations from Conn Cadcathlach aka Conn of the Hundred Keating, quoting a Latin Life of Saint Patrick, says that Niall led Irish raids on Roman Britain, and in one of those raids Patrick and his sisters were abducted. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. ), (Niall Noigiallach MacEchach, aka Nial Mor Naoighiallach of the Nine Hostages', conquered nine countries (incl. Our DNA tests indicate that we "share a paternal-line ancestor with Niall of the Nine Hostages. Mongfind, purporting to make peace between her brother and her sons, holds a feast, at which she serves Crimthann a poisoned drink. least 12 sons. Our DNA tests indicate that we "share a paternal-line ancestor with Niall of the Nine Hostages." According to 23andMe.com, "The spread of haplogroup R-M269 in northern Ireland and Scotland was likely aided by men like Niall of the Nine The less well-known story has it that they were taken from the Airgialla, a once powerful people who controlled an area loosely centred on present-day Armagh and Tyrone. He carried back hostages, many captives, and great booty from these expeditions. Oh, got it. [2]:70, A legendary account of Niall's birth and early life is given in the possibly-11th-century tale Echtra mac nEchach Muimedin ("The adventure of the sons of Eochaid Mugmedn"). Niall releases Fiachrae, who becomes king of Connacht and Niall's right hand man. So, although it doesnt completely verify the story, this one branch of my ancestral tree is at least consistent with claims of Irish ancestry on my mothers side. For it is said his was the host referred to by the Roman poet, Claudian, when in praising the Roman general, Stilicho, he says Britain was protected by this bold general. [4]:7678[8]:220 Niall is placed in the traditional list of High Kings of Ireland. It is now more commonly referred to as the Northwest Irish/Lowland Scots variety.[15]. Descended from Conaire and a daughter of the High King Conn of the. Based on U Nill genealogies and the dates given for his supposed sons and grandsons, modern historians believe he is likely to have lived some 50 years later than the traditional dates, dying circa 450. Crimthann refuses to drink it unless she does too; they both drink, and both die. 1) GENEALOGY: Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Barons; Page 145; G929.72; C6943ra; Denver Public Library; Genealogy, Niall Mor, "Naill of the Nine Hostages, " 126th King of Ireland. history of Ireland In Ireland: Early political history And ocean trembled stuck by hostile oars". His people were Celts who had escaped domination by the Romans by fleeing north and west. Patricus later came to be known as St. Patrick. Categories . [3] The later Annals of the Four Masters dates his reign to 379-405,[4] and the chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar irinn to 368395. [4 ] Famous descendants include Niall's great-great grandson Saint Columba, Saint Mel Ruba, theKings of Ailech, the Kings of Tir Eogain, and the Kings of Tr Conaill. [7], The Lebor Gabla renn says there was war between Niall and nnae Cennsalach, king of Leinster, over the brama or cow-tribute first imposed on Leinster by Tuathal Techtmar. Irish DNA links to Vikings and Niall of the Nine Hostages Reportedly he had fair skin, hair the color of yellow primrose, and deep, blue-gray eyes. Brin defeats Fiachrae and hands him over as a prisoner to Niall, but Fiachrae's son Nath continues the war and eventually kills Brin. . Emain Macha, the capital of the Uliada, which Niall captured early on, became the capital of the Airgialla (lit: "givers of hostages") which is said to explain Niall's second name (Noigiallach = "of the Nine Hostages"). My father was born in Hungary, how common is this haplogroup for those with eastern european ancestry? She chase overdraft fee policy 24 hours; christingle orange cloves; northeast tennessee regional fire training academy; is srco3 soluble in water; basic science topics for nursery 2; bellflower property management; gifts from the holy land bethlehem; did not specifically state that Niall was the progenitor of M222, journalists quickly jumped to that conclusion. Although its remarkable that nearly 1 in 10 Americans might say Kiss Me Im Irish! on St. Patricks day, its not clear if all these people actually have Irish ancestors or if they simply feel an affinity for corned beef and green beer. [3]:7678[7]:220. Ireland, carry a specific Y-DNA pattern called the M222 sub-clade. The U Nill ruled to various degrees as kings of Ireland from the 7th to the 11th century C.E. This goes for most large haplogroups. A second, and probably less reliable, story is that Niall took a hostage from each of Ireland's five ancient provinces (Connaught, Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Meath) and also captured a Briton, a Gaul, a Saxon and a Scot. Killed in Battle. He makes war and destroys the poet's stronghold, killing his son Leat[15] (Keating has it that Laidchenn was a druid, and that Eochaid killed his son after he used defamatory language towards him). Niall established a royal dynasty which dominated the island for six centuries. The saga "The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages" says that he received five hostages from the five provinces of Ireland (Ulster, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Meath), and one each from Scotland, the Saxons, the Britons and the Franks. Or is it just bs from 23andMe? "In the fifth century, the place was occupied by Niall of the Nine Hostages and it was here that his pagan son, King Laoghaire, was supposed to have been confronted by St. Patrick. He eventually came to control most of the Northern half of Ireland. Variations of this story are told of the earlier Irish high king Lugaid Logde, in Arthurian legend one of the most famous versions appears in both Geoffrey Chaucer's The Wife of Bath's Tale and the related Gawain romance, The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell and in John Gower's Middle English poem Confessio Amantis. Confirm your suspicions or surprise yourself with a DNA test DNA - It's something so personal and integral to who you are and where you come from, but often it remains a total mystery. children, from wives or concubines, were acknowledged. Autosomal DNA, which is what we use to measure percentages of ethnicity, only has strong relevance for about 6-10 generations back. Each brother in turn goes looking for water, and finds a well guarded by a hideous hag who demands a kiss in return for water.