This work led to an assignment at Brega in Libya working for Esso and Homles and Narver Inc., Engineers and Constructors.
During the 1960s and 1970s it was run in partnership with the international oil company Esso.
Mac Maoláin was a surname borne by a number of unrelated families in Gaelic Ireland, found in Breifne, Mide, Brega, Connacht and Ulster.
The remainder of the southern Uí Néill formed the kingdoms of Tethbae, in the north-west midlands, north and west of the River Inny and east of the River Shannon, and Brega in the east midlands, east of the upper part of the River Boyne and its tributary the River Blackwater.
In June 684 Ecgfrith, the King of Northumbria, sent an army under Berht to Ireland which laid waste to the plain of Brega, the heart of Fínsnechta's kingdom.
He was the son of Áed mac Dlúthaig (died 701), King of Fir Cúl and great-grandson of Ailill Cruitire mac Áedo Sláine (died 634), a king of Brega.
Niall was an old king and offered no threat to the high king Donnchad Midi (died 797) who was imposing his authority on Brega at this time.
However, after the Battle of Bin Jawad and the Battle of Ra's Lanuf, government troops retook all of the territory lost and were once again threatening Brega by mid-March.