Niall Mag Samhradháin,ágSamhradhá (anglicised Niall McGovern) was chief of the McGovern Clan and either the Baron or the Lord of Tullyhaw barony, County Cavan in modern day Ireland from 1340 until his death in 1359.
Ancestry
His ancestry was Niall son of Tomás Mág Samhradháin (died 1340) (d. 1340) son of Brian ‘Breaghach’ Mág Samhradháin (d. 1294) mac Donnchadh ‘Cime’ Mág Samhradháin (d. 1269) mac Giolla na Naomh Mág Samhradháin (the Second) (d. 1255) mac Giolla Íosa Mág Samhradháin (d. 1231) mac Giolla na Naomh Mág Samhradháin, the First, (fl.1170) mac Muireadhach Mág Samhradhán (fl.1130) mac Samhradhán (fl.1100), who were all previous chiefs of the clan. His mother was Nualaidh, the daughter of the Maguire chief and Maguire's wife Éadaoin Ó Ceallaigh. His brothers were Tighearnán, Brian (d. 1337), Aedh (d. 1351), Seán, Conchobhar, Fearghal Mág Samhradháin who also became chief and died in 1393, Maghnus Ruadh Mág Samhradháin who also became chief and died in 1408, Giolla na Naomh, Tadhg Buidhe (d. 1367), Maghnus Buidhe (d. 1357) and Matha (d. 1356).
Chieftainship
On the death of the previous chief in 1340, his father Tomás Mág Samhradháin (died 1340), Niall succeeded and reigned as chief until his death in 1359.
In 1351 his uncle Sitriug died and Niall's brother Aedh was killed when fighting the O’Falain clan.
The Annals of Ulster for 1351 state-
Sitric Mag Samradhain died. Aedh Mag Samradhain died of his injuries on being wounded by Ua Falain.
The Annals of the Four Masters for 1354 state-
Sitric Magauran died.
The Annals of Loch Cé for 1354 state-
Sitric Mac Samhradhain mortuus est. Mac Murchadha was torn asunder by Foreigners, through which a great war occurred between Foreigners and Gaeidhel. Aedh Mac Samhradhain died of his wounds.
The Annals of Connacht for 1354 state-
Sitriucc Mag Samradain died. Aed Mac Samradain died of his wounds.
In 1354 another of Niall's brothers, Maghnus Buidhe, was killed when fighting the O’Neill clan.
The Annals of Ulster for 1354 state-
Maghnus Mag Samradhain the Tawny was killed in the Route of Mac Uidhilin by Aedh Ua Neill.
The Annals of the Four Masters for 1357 state-
Brian, son of Gilchreest O'Rourke, and Manus Boy Magauran, were slain in the Route, Mac Quillin's territory, by Hugh O'Neill.
The Annals of Loch Cé for 1357 state-
Brian, son of Gilla-Christ O'Ruairc, and Maghnus Buidhe Mac Samhradhain, were killed in Ruta-Mic-Ugilin, by Aedh O'Neill, in hoc anno.
The Annals of Connacht for 1357 state-
Brian son of Gilla Crist O Ruairc and Magnus Buide Mag Samradain were killed by Aed O Neill in the Route this year.
In 1356 yet another of his brothers, Matha, was killed when fighting the O’Connor clan.
The Annals of Ulster for 1356 state-
A great defeat (the defeat of Ath-seanaigh) was inflicted by Cathal junior, son of Cathal Ua Concobhuir, near Ath-senaigh on the Conailli (namely, on John, son of Concobar Ua Domnaill) and John Ua Dochartaigh, chief of Ard-Midhair and Eogan the Connacian and Toirdelbach Mac Suibhne were taken prisoners by the son of Ua Concobuir. Matthew Mag Samradhain, who was to be chief of Tellach-Eachach, was mortally injured that day and died at his own house. The kingship of Tir-Connaill was taken by the son of Ua Concobuir.
The Annals of the Four Masters for 1359 state-
A great victory was gained at Ballyshannon by Cathal Oge, the son of Cathal O'Conor, over John, the son of Conor O'Donnell, and the Kinel-Connell. John O'Doherty, Chief of Ardmire, Owen Connaghtagh, and Turlough Mac Sweeny, were taken prisoners on this occasion by the son of O'Conor, and many persons were slain by him. Matthew Magauran, materies of a lord of Teallach Eachdhach was wounded on that day, and died of his wounds after his return to his own house. During the same war Cathal Bodhar, the son of Cathal O'Rourke, and Melaghlin O'Gormly, fell by each other's hand in the same war. This occurred when Cathal O'Conor marched with a second army into Tirconnell, and a party of his people arrived in O'Gormly's territory under the command of Cathal Bodhar O'Rourke.
The Annals of Loch Cé for 1359 state-
A great defeat was given by Cathal Og O'Conchobhair to the Cenel-Conaill, near Bel-Atha-Senaigh, and John O'Dochartaigh, chieftain of Ard-Midhair, and Eoghan Connachtach, and Toirdhelbhach Mac Suibhne, were moreover taken prisoners there; and a great slaughter was committed there. Matthew Mac Samhradhain, heir to the chieftaincy of Tellach-Echach, was wounded that day, and died at home of that wound.