It is said that when Ciaran was planting the first post at Clonmacnoise, Diarmuid Maclearbhaill a young prince who was a fugitive in that area, helped the Saint drive the pole into the ground. "Though your companions are few today", said Ciaran, "tomorrow you shall be High King of Eirn". The ledgend goes that one of Diarmuids companions, Mealmorhis, heard this prophecy and went and slew King Tauthal Mealgrabh, great grandson of Niall the Great, who had set the price on Diarmuid's head. The men from Tara and Meath then sought out Diarmuid who was the true hier to the ardrightship and proclaimed him king of Eirn. On the great cross in front of temple McDermott the Saint and the King are represented on one of the sculptured panals with their hands on a pole commorating of the founding of Clonmacnoise. Diarmuid accended to the throne of Tara in A.D. 540.