Note: The Mag Samhradains, Magaurans or McGoverns are descended from the stock of Eochaid Mugmedon, namely of Brian.

The hero in this story is Niall of the Nine Hostages, who according to the Annals was high-king of Ireland from a.d .379 to 405.

Niall, the eponymous ancestor of the O'Neills is reputed to have been one of the most powerful kings of ancient Ireland. The tale is not an especially good example of the Irish storyteller's art, but it is full of interest for the student of ancient Irish beliefs. It is still more noteworthy as an early example of a theme dear to the Irish people... the personification of Ireland in the form of a beautiful woman.

The plot itself is of a type widely circulated in medieval Europe and perhaps best known to the general reader in the form given to it by the Wife of Bath in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The story in its present form is not older than the eleventh century      

There was a wondrous and noble king over Erin, namely Eochaidh Mugmedon. Five sons he had: Brian, Ailill, Fiachra, Fergus and Niall.

The mother of Niall was Cairenn the curly-black daughter of Sachell Balb, king of the Saxons . Niall was hated by Queen Mongfinn, for Eochaid had begotten him on Cairenn instead of on her.

Great then was the hardship which Cairenn suffered from the queen So great was the hardship that she was compelled to draw the water of Tara, apart, and every handmaid in turn in sight of her; and even when she was with child with Niall she was forced to do all that in order that the babe might die in her womb.

The time of her lying-in arrived, and yet she ceased not from the service. Then on the green of Tara, beside the pail, she brought forth a man-child, and she durst not take up the boy from the ground, but she left him there exposed to the birds.

And not one of the men of Erin dared carry him away, for dread of Mongfinn... since great was her magical powers, and all were in fear of her.

Then Torna the poet came across the green, and beheld the babe left alone with the birds attacking it. So Torna took the boy into his bosom, and to him was revealed all that would be thereafter.

And he said, "Welcome, little guest, he will be Niall of the Nine Hostages. In his time he will redden a multitude. Plains will be greatened, hostages will be overthrown, battles will be fought. Longside of Tara, host-leader of Mag Femin, custodian of Maen-mag. revered one of Almain, veteran of Liffey, white-knee of Codal. Seven and twenty years he will rule Erin and Erin will be inherited from him for ever."

Good indeed was Niall's beginning and his success, manly, rough-haired, till he died in the

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