Niall Caille mac Áeda

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Niall Caille mac Áeda was king of Ailech (823-846) and High King of Ireland (833-846). He was a member of the House of Cenél nEógain of the Northern Uí Néill, and his father was Áed Oirdnide mac Néill, High King of Ireland (793-819). His son, Áed Findliath, later became High King.

His main challenge as high king was the opposition from Feidlimid mac Cremthanin, King of Munster (820-47). Niall Cailles predecessor Conchobar had experienced Feidlimid as a source of opposition from 827, and failed to bring him into submission. The Southern Uí Néill of Clann Cholmáin and Brega in Míde(Meath) were divided, and there were excessive raids from Munster into Míde in the first parrt of Niall Cailles reign. He did manage to win a major victory over Feidlimid not before 841 at Mag nÓchtair (County Kildare).

During Niall Cailles reign raids from the vikings became more frequent, and the first signs of permanent Norse settlements began to appear. It is only in the last year of his reign that a major battle between him and the foreigners is recorded in the annals, he apparently inflicted a heavy defeat on the Norsemen in 845 at Mag nÍtha (County Donegal).

Niall Caille died in 846, he drowned in in the Callan River close to Armagh.