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About the name
- Origin
- Irish
- English version
- Karen
- Variants
- Cairenn, Caireann
- Stronghold region
- Ulster
Overview
Mother of Niall of the Nine Hostages; said in legend to have been a British princess given as a slave to King Eochaid of Ireland.
The story behind Caireann
Caireann was a captive Briton (some sources call her a daughter of the king of the Saxons) brought to Ireland and forced into menial labour by the jealous queen Mongfind; her son Niall grew up to become the founder of the Uí Néill dynasty.
Mythology & legend
Mother of Niall Noígíallach in the Cycles of the Kings.
Did you know?
Caireann was the British-born mother of the great High King Niall of the Nine Hostages.
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