For the legend of the Slaying of Niall of the Nine Hostages (_orcuin Néill nóigíallaig_) see the version edited by Professor Kuno Meyer (in _Otia Merseiana_, ii. 84 _sqq._). The High Kings of Ireland who may have been concerned in the “Scotic” invasions of Britain from the middle of the fourth century to the year A.D. 427 were as follows, according to the Irish tradition:— Eochaidh Muighmeadhoin, A.D. 358-366. Crimthann, A.D. 366-379. Niall (son of Eochaidh), A.D. 379-405. Dathi (nephew of Niall), A.D. 405-428. 3. _The Dates of Patrick’s Birth and Captivity_ The chronological framework of Patrick’s life is determined by two certain dates: the year of his coming to Ireland, which rests upon clear and unvarying tradition, A.D. 432, and the year of his death, A.D. 461. This last date is supplied by the earliest source we have (excepting Patrick’s own writings), Tírechán (302₂₉), and it is supported by the independent evidence of the Annals. For although the false, vulgar date (A.D. 493) established itself in the Annals, the true date remained inconsistently side by side with it. I must refer the reader to my discussion of the passage of Tírechán in the _English Historical Review_, xvii. p. 239 _sqq._ (1902), where I have shown that the date there given, A.D. 461, is supported by the Annals of Ulster,[372] the Annals of Inisfallen,[373] and probably by a chronological notice in the _Historia Brittonum_.[374] But though these data are decisive, the vulgar date 493 has become so generally current that it may not be amiss to point to one or two further considerations which make against it; especially as it is possible to dissociate it from the tradition that Patrick died at an age which is, to use a moderate expression, unusual—120, by supposing that he was born in the first years of the fifth century, was ordained bishop at the age of 30, and lived to the age of 90. This view would involve a forced explanation of the dates (see below) supplied by the _Confession_. It is to be observed (1) that the Annals and older sources do not furnish a single notice of any event in Patrick’s life between 461 and 493; these thirty-two years are a blank. (2) Negative evidence is also furnished by the oldest _Life of St. Brigit_ (by Cogitosus), which does not mention Patrick, or make any attempt to bring Brigit into connexion with him (as the latter Lives do, on the ground of the supposed date of his death in 493). Further (3), Benignus, Patrick’s successor at Armagh, died in 467 (_Ann. Ult. sub a._; Annals in the _Book of Leinster_, f. 12, vᵒ A, see my extract in _English Historical Review_, xvii. pp. 700-1, 1902); and it will be allowed to be supremely improbable that Patrick should have resigned his bishopric when he was 60 years old or thereabouts, and survived his resignation 30 years. The question of the origin of the date 493, and of the two fabulous ages of Patrick (120 and 132) are treated in a separate Excursus.