Niall Mac Aodh

Niall Mac Aodh [ ˈnʲi ^ə l makˈeː ] (* late 11th century in Ireland; † 1139 in Armagh ) was for a short time the controversial successor to Patrick in Armagh in 1134 .

Niall was a younger brother of Cellach Mac Aodh and therefore belonged to the Clann Sínaich family , who had controlled the Church of Armagh since the 10th century and inherited the office of successor to Patrick under Irish law within the family. When his cousin and predecessor Muirchertach Mac Domnall died on September 17, 1134, Niall was elected as a layman's successor. This was done in accordance with the traditions anchored in Irish law and at the same time in sharp contradiction to the reform movement in the Irish Church, which had appointed Malachy Archbishop of Armagh as early as 1132 .

Previously, the schism between Irish tradition and the reform movement did not lead to an open conflict, as Malachias stayed in his diocese but avoided visiting the bishopric. After sticking out for two years, this time he did not avoid the argument. Bernhard von Clairvaux reports in his hagiography about Malachias that there was a conspiracy led by Eoghain von Tulach Og against Malachias with the aim of killing him and his followers. Although Malachias heard about it, he stayed in a church and prayed. Bernhard further explains that a thunderstorm was approaching and four of the attackers including the leader were killed by a lightning strike. Interestingly, this story passed down to us by Bernhard is supported by the Annals of Tigernach , which even tell of twelve deaths and also establish the connection between the conspiracy and the misfortune.

This event caused Niall to leave Armagh in 1134, taking with him the relics belonging to Patrick's successor . Among them were the Bachall Isa (staff of Jesus) and the particularly decorated Book of Armagh . It remains to be seen whether Niall just wanted to withdraw the relics from Malachia or, according to Bernhard's descriptions, used it to gain support outside of Armagh. According to the annals of the four masters , at least Bachall Isa was then taken into custody by Flann Ua Sínaich. After the death of Flann Ua Sínaich in the following year, on July 7, 1135 the opportunity arose for Malachias to buy back Bachall-Isa from the Sínaich clan.

Ultimately, however, the chronicles owe us the exact answer to how the balance of power shifted in favor of Malachias. Aubrey Gwynn thinks it plausible that Donnchad Ua Cerbaill , the king of Airgialla , came to the aid of Malachias and thus decided the conflict.

Niall died only a few years later in 1139 and is honored in the annals of the four masters for his life of intense penance .

swell

• Annals of the four masters with the entries M1134.15, M1134.16, M1135.7, M1135.10 and M1139.13.
• Annals of Tigernach with the entry T1134.10.
• Bernhard von Clairvaux , Vita Sancti Malachiae episcopi 1149. A German translation was published as part of the collected works of Bernhard von Clairvaux in Tyrolia Verlag, Volume 1, 1990. ISBN 3-7022-1732-0

Secondary literature

• Ailbe J. Luddy, Life of St. Malachy 1930. MHGill and Son, Ltd. A reprint was published by Llanerch Publishers in 1994. ISBN 1-8978-5343-2
• Aubrey Gwynn, The Irish Church in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries 1992. ISBN 1-85182-095-7

predecessor	Office	successor
Muirchertach Mac Domnall	Follower of Patrick 1134	Malachias