Enda Kenny may be genetically linked to Niall of the Nine Hostages

Taoiseach Enda Kenny's blue-blooded Fine Gael genealogy has long been confirmed but now a major study by National Geographic has revealed he may have a much more complex royal lineage.

Not only is the Castlebar native possibly descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, Mr Kenny may also be related to Queen Medb of Connacht.

The Taoiseach was among a small group of famous Mayo people the National Geographic Genographic Project tested recently, ahead of a more comprehensive swabbing of Mayo people, carried out yesterday at the National Museum of Country Life, Castlebar.

This was the first time the project came to northern Europe as part of its study of ancient migratory trends to understand the genetic roots of global populations.

“We are all carrying an historical document inside ourselves. It is our DNA. Within the last 200,000 years we all shared ancestry from Africa and it is only 60,000 years ago since people left Africa, moving into western Europe 35,000 years ago,” said project leader Dr

Spencer Wells

.

genographic.nationalgeographic.com/