Cenél Conaill
Tirconnell · the kindred of Conall
Cenél Conaill, in English Tirconnell, said KEN-ayl KUN-il. A ruling kindred.
Donegal. Columba's people, and later the Ó Domhnaill who went into exile with the Ó Néill.
The name
the kindred of Conall
Where
Donegal, the northwest corner.
In today's counties: Donegal (Dún na nGall).
When it mattered
From the sixth century to 1607, latterly under the Ó Domhnaill.
The other great northern branch, named for Conall Gulban, a brother of Eógan in the pedigrees. Their most famous son is Colum Cille, Columba, who was Cenél Conaill on both sides and whose family connections are a fair part of why Iona happened at all.
From the thirteenth century the Ó Domhnaill ruled Tír Chonaill, and they were the one northern power able to match the Ó Néill. The two fought each other for centuries and then, at the very end, fought the Tudors together and left Ireland together in 1607.
What is left of the name
Tír Chonaill is still the Irish name used for Donegal, and Donegal teams are still called it.
Names out of it
Families on this site that belong to Tirconnell. A surname is not a pedigree, and plenty of people carry these names for reasons that have nothing to do with the old kingdom.
Next to it
- Uí Néill (The Uí Néill)
- Cenél nEógain (Tyrone)