It is believed that the townland was settled by the High King Uí Néill in 200 AD^{[citation needed]} (hence the name, which means "land of the O'Neills"). It is said he settled here because of its proximity to the N2 (handy for popping in and out of town), and the beauty and quality of land that could not be matched anywhere else in Ireland; land he wanted for himself.^{[citation needed]}