Cenél nEógain and the Donegal kingdoms, AD 800-1200

Cené l nEó gain, a royal dynasty from Inishowen in Donegal, defeated its previously more successful opponent, Cené l Conaill – also from Donegal – at the battle of Cló itech in AD 789. All changed following that battle. From then on, the Cené l nEó gain kingdom, known as ‘ Ailech’ , spread across Counties Derry, Tyrone (giving that territory its name), into Armagh, and dominated the whole territory of Ulster. It also attained, alternately, the higher kingship of Tara. After surnames appeare...