Conall Cremthainne

Who was Conall Cremthainne?

Conall Cremthainne, also called Conall Err Breg, was an Irish king. He was the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and one of the progenitors of the Uí Néill dynasty.

He is the first king of Uisnech in Mide from the Ui Neill mentioned in the Book of Leinster king list. His by-name Cremthainne implies fosterage among the Uí Cremthainn of the Airgialla. He was probably originally the same person as Conall Gulban, the distinction arising from 8th century politics.According to a life of Saint Patrick by Tírechán, Patrick blessed Conall and rejected his brother Coirpre mac Néill, ancestor of the Cenél Coirpri, at a meeting at Tailtiu. Nothing is recorded of him in the annals other than his death date.

Through his son Fergus Cerrbél, he was the ancestor of the Clann Cholmáin and Síl nÁedo Sláine. Another son was Ardgal mac Conaill was ancestor of the Cenél nArdgail in Co.Meath