Cenél Aedha, of Cenél Conaill, a sept descended from Conall Gulban who are said to have given their name to the barony of Tirhugh, alias Tír Aedha, in county Donegal. In Irish tradition, the naming of Tír Aedha is also cited at Tipperary from Aodh Ruadh, aka Tír n-Aeda Ruaid mic Badhuirnn (mic Airgedmair), a legendary monarch of Ireland and father of Macha, founder of Emain. From the same name comes Eas Ruaidh (Assaroe, now Ballyshannon), an early name for this region of Donegal. Early prominent septs in the area of Tirhugh included Ó Maeldoraidh, Ó Canannáin (O'Cannon) and Ó Gallchobhair (O'Gallagher). The former two were in early contention for the kingship of Cenél Conaill, as noted in the Annals.

By the 13th century the O'Donnells rose to dominance among the septs of Cenél Conaill, the O'Gallaghers becoming the leaders of the O'Donnell calvary. An early Muinntiri Gallcubhair (O'Gallagher) genealogy: (O'Clery) Gallchobar m. Ruarcain m. Ruaidri m. Donnchadha m. Domhnaill m. Ceallaigh m. Maoil cobha m. Aedha m. Ainmirech m. Setna m. Ferghusa cennfhoda m Conaill gulban m. Neill noighiallaigh.