The Kings of Ailech belonged to the Northern Uí Néill and were based at the Grianan of Aileach (Irish: Grianán Ailigh), a hillfort on top of Greenan Mountain in modern-day County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. The restored fort stands in a commanding position at the base of the Inishowen peninsula overlooking Lough Swilly to the west and Lough Foyle to the east.
Earlier Kings of Cenél nEógain and Ailech included:
Eógan mac Néill Noigallach (died 465)
Muiredach mac Eógain (died c. 489)
Muirchertach mac Muiredaig (died 534)
Forggus mac Muirchertaig (died 566)
Domnall Ilchelgach mac Muirchertaig (died 566)
Báetán mac Muirchertaig (died 572)
Eochaid mac Domnaill (died 572)
Colcu mac Domnaill (died 580)
Colmán Rímid mac Báetáin (died 604)
Áed Uaridnach mac Domnaill (died 612)
Suibne Menn mac Fiachnai (died 628)
Máel Fithrich mac Áedo Uaridnach (died 630)
Ernaine mac Fiachnai (died 636)
Crundmáel mac Suibni Menn (died c. 660)
Ferg mac Crundmaíl (died c. 668)
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich (died 681)
Fland mac Máele Tuile (died 700)
Urthuile mac Máele Tuile.
Kings between 700 and 1185
The following is a list of their Kings from 700 to 1185. Some were also High Kings of Ireland.
Fergal mac Máele Dúin 700 – 11 December 722
Áed Allán mac Fergaile 722–743
Niall Frossach mac Fergaile 743–770
Máel Dúin mac Áedo Alláin 770–788
Áed Oirdnide mac Néill 788–819
Murchad mac Máele Dúin 819–823
Niall Caille mac Áeda 823–846
Máel Dúin mac Áeda 846–???
Áed Findliath mac Néill c. 855 – 20 November 879
Murchad mac Máele Dúin 879–887
Flaithbertach mac Murchado 887–896
Domnall mac Áeda 887–915
Niall Glúndub mac Áeda 896 – 15 September 919
Flaithbertach mac Domnaill 916–919
Fergal mac Domnaill 919–938
Muirchertach mac Néill 938 – 26 February 943.
Domnall mac Muirchertaig ua Néill 943–980
Flaithbertach mac Muirchertaig meic Néill 943–949
Flaithbertach mac Conchobair 956–962
Tadg mac Conchobair 956–962
Conn mac Conchobair 956–962
Murchad Glun re Lar mac Flaithbertaigh 962–972
Fergal mac Domnaill meic Conaing 980–989
Áed mac Domnaill Ua Néill 989–1004
Flaithbertach Ua Néill 1004–1031
Áed mac Flaithbertaig Ua Néill 1031–1033
Flaithbertach Ua Néill (again) 1033–1036
Niall mac Máel Sechnaill 1036–1061
Ardgar mac Lochlainn 1061–1064
Áed Ua hUalgairg 1064–1067
Domnall mac Néill 1067–1068
Áed mac Néill 1068–1083
Donnchad mac Néill 1083–1083
Domnall Ua Lochlainn 1083 – 9 February 1121
Conchobar mac Domnaill 1121–1128
Magnus Ua Lochlainn 1128–1129
Conchobar mac Domnaill 1129–1136
Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1136–1143
Domnall Ua Gairmledaig 1143–1145
Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn (again) 1145–1166
Conchobar mac Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn 1166–1167
Niall Mac Lochlainn 1167–1176
Aed In Macaem Toinlesc Ua Neill 1167–1177
Mael Sechlainn mac Muirchertaig Mac Lochlainn 1177–1185
From 1185, the Cenél nEógain ruled as Kings of Tír Eógain.
The last to actually be styled King of Ailech was Áed Buide Ua Néill (died 1283).
