Máel Sechnaill
During Tigernach's reign the Irish midlands were dominated by his distant Uí Néill kinsman, the High King Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid of Clann Cholmáin. The earliest record of Tigernach may be his defeat of Máel Sechnaill and the King of Leinster Ruarc mac Brain in 846.