Gíallchad, the son of
Ailill Olcháin, son of
Sírna Sáeglach, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, the 37th
High King of Ireland. Gíallchad took power after killing his predecessor, and the son of his grandfather's killer,
Elim Olfínechta, in the battle of Comair Trí nUisce. He is said to have taken one out of every five men of
Munster hostage. Gíallchad reigned for nine years, before being killed by Elim's son
Art Imlech at Mag Muaide. The
Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronises his reign with that of
Phraortes of the
Medes (665–633 BC). The chronology of
Geoffrey Keating's
Foras Feasa ar Éirinn dates his reign to 786–777 BC, that of the
Annals of the Four Masters to 1023–1014 BC.