Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history
A further impetus to the widening influence of Armagh was the fact that the High King of Ireland Flaithbertach mac Loingsig of the Cenél Conaill abdicated his throne in 734 and went to reside in Armagh monastery for the rest of his life
The Annals of Lough Ce state that In Timpanach Ua Connicén, chief poet of the North of Erinn, was slain by the Cenél Conaill, together with his wife and family.
Failbe was of the same kindred as Columba, the Cenél Conaill, distantly related to him through their common ancestor Conall Gulban.
While most early abbots of Iona were members of Cenél Conaill they came from minor branches of the kindred, but Dúnchad came from the ruling line, grandson of one High King of Ireland and the nephew of two others, Cellach and Conall.