Family Conmaícne Rein tribe Died South Leitrim, Ireland | Father Niata Religion Celtic Christian | |
Memorials Moynish (plain of Nisi) | ||
Nisi Mac Niata (or Nissi Mac Niatach, fl. 560 AD) lived in 6th century Gaelic Ireland. Nothing is known of his life, but his death left a legacy for a millennium. Namely, the Túath where he died was renamed in his honour, and his brother Saint Caillín obtained a substantial honour price in compensation under Brehon Law, securing a revenue stream for the famous monastery of Fenagh.
Contents
Life
Nisi (prounced Nishy) was born in 6th century Gaelic Ireland, the son of Niata and brother of Saint Caillín, the patron saint of Fenagh. He belonged to the tribe of Conmaicne-Rein who lived in present day South Leitrim and West Longford. He was probably a noble or a priest, and close associate of his sibling Saint Caillin. Little else is known of his life.
His death is described in both prose and rhyme by the ancient Book of Fenagh along the following lines. Sometime in the 5th or 6th century, Nisi and Caillin journeyed from Ard-Carna Monastery in Roscommon eastwards towards Cora Droma Rúisc crossing the river Shannon to Magh-Cellachain ("the plain of Cellachan"), staying overnight at a place named the Bennachan, in the home of Cellachan, who was not of the Conmaicne tribe. Next morning for some unknown reason, Nisi was killed unlawfully by Cellachan who then had to pay Nisi's brother a substantial "body fine" and honour price in compensation. Nisi was interred at Fenagh.
Legacy
For the following millennium, the locality where he died was known as Moynish ("the plain of Nisi") in his honour. Nisi's "honour price" became the perpetual claim by the monastic settlement at Fenagh to patronage from Moynish nobles.
The name of Nisi was forgotten when Gaelic Ireland collapsed in the 17th century. Irish nobles had their estates confiscated in the plantations of Leitrim. The English incorporated Moynish into the barony of Leitrim and Cromwellian forces plundered Moynish in 1652. Though forgotten today, the place name of Moynish is preserved by the Irish Annals and English Fiants.
Pedigree
The mythical pedigree of Nisi Mac Niata is as follows: