Background: The Clan MacNeil claims descent from Niall, a descendent of Aodh O'Neil. King of the North of Ireland at the beginning of the eleventh century. Aodh was twentieth in descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages, the pagan fifth-century founder of the mighty U'Neill dynasty. Niall came to the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides around 1049, and is reckoned the first chief. 'Barra' means the 'isle of St Barr', but it is uncertain whether this is St Fionnbharr, the founder of Cork, or St Barr, great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Neil Macneil, fifth of Barra, was described as a prince at a Council of the Isles in 1252. He was still the chief when King Haakon's army was defeated at Largs in 1263, ending the Norwegian domination of the Hebrides. His son Neil Og Macneil, is believed to have fought with Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn. He was rewarded with lands in north Kintyre, which were added to his barony of Barra.