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(O')Gallagher in Irish is Ó Gallcobhar, from gall, meaning "foreign" and cabhair, meaning "help" or "support". The original Gallcobhar from whom the family claim descent was himself sixth in descent from Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth century monarch who was reputedly responsible for the kidnapping of St. Patrick to Ireland and who was the founder of the Uí Néill dynasty. The O'Gallaghers claim to be the most senior branch of the Cenél Conaill, the group of families who all descend from Conall Gulban. Their territory was in Tír Chonaill (literally "Conall's Land"), in what is now Co. Donegal.
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