Mac DONALD of Ireland

THE MAC DONALDS OF CONNAUGHT
AND LEINSTER IN SOUTHERN IRELAND [i]

"Windows Into Our Past A Genealogy of the Garton, Smith & Associated Families, Volume 2", compiled by Judy Parsons Smith © 2003

Tynekill

The Castle of Tyneklll . south of Dublin , was in the ownership of the MacDonalds of Connaught and Leinster . It was after their progenitor Alasdair Og, had opposed Robert Bruce on his way to the Scottish Throne, that these families went to Ireland . They'd had connections there; in 1202 Alasdair Og and his father Angus Mor had a safe-conduct for purposes of commerce in Ireland . The Historical Manuscript of 1450 identifies Alasdalr Og's grandson there, a Somerled of the mid-14th Century; and his descendants are traced during the 14th, 15th and 16th Centuries, through the Irish 'Annals of Loch Ce' and The Annals of the Four Masters, as Captains of Gallogiachs and Kernes, in Connaught.

Somerled (Sorley) MacDonnell

Somerled (Sorley) MacDonnell[ii], son of Alastair & Margaret ( O’Cathan ) MacDonnell, d. 1387; m. to Miss O’Reilly . 

The Clan Donnell of Connaught and Leinster are descended from Somerled, the son of Alastair Og . It is important to genealogical researchers to distinguish the Somerled from his nephew Somerled of Tyrone, son of Black John, son of Alistair Og [iii].  The Ancestry of Somerled (Sorley) MacDonnell can be found under MacDonald.

We know little about Somerled, son of Alastair Og , but there are distinct traces of his descendants where they became Captains of Galloglach. t is probable that Somerled, son of Alastair Og MacDonnell was Constable of O'Connors Galloglach, though we have no certain knowledge. We do have evidence that four of his sons acted successively in that capacity, and that all of them met their death on the field of battle[iv].

Somerled (Sorley) & Miss ( O’Reilly ) MacDonnell had four (4) sons:

·         Son MacDonnell
·         Son MacDonnell
·         Marcus MacDonald  
·         Son MacDonnell

Marcus MacDonald [v]

Marcus MacDonald, son of Somerled (Sorley) & Miss (O’Reilly) MacDonnell[vi], b. 1^st of Leinster, Ireland; d. 1397, Leinster, Ireland; m. to Amy O’Cahan[vii].  ( Marcus MacDonald ’s father has also been presented as Eion Og MacDonnell m. Marjorie Bissett ).

Marcus MacDonnell [viii]

The true position of Marcus as the son of Somerled is confirmed by, an entry in tile Books of Ballymote and Lecan which is couched in the following terms, " Marcus MacSomerly Mic Alexander Mic Angus Mor MacDonnell

Marcus assumed tile role of commander of O'Connor 's Galloglachs when his brother, Donald Og MacDonnell was slain in 1388. He held this command for nine years. In 1397, hostilities broke out in the province of Connaught between O'Connor Roe and O'Connor Don, both of whose territories were in Rosscommon. Marcus MacDonnell was the Commander of the Galloglachs under O'Connor Roe while MacDonouqh from Sligo went to the assistance of O'Connor Don. The forces of O'Connor Don were defeated with great slaughter. Thereupon O'Connor Don and MacDonough raised another army. Dougal, a son of Marcus , along with Felim O'Connor , son of Cathal Og O'Connor, vlsited Doneqal to solicit the aid of O'Donnell in the fiqht. The O'Donnell and other chiefs of Tiroconnell came to the assistance of O'Connor and MacDonnell helping them to vanquish their foes and waste their country with fire and sword, and compelling them to give hostages in security for their behavior in the future.

The sons of Cathal Og, the people of Durnin and Marcus MacDonnell , Captain of Galloglachs marched to Carberry, and halted at Lissadill in the country of the MacDonough . While engaged in the task of spoliation and division, quarrels over the spoils of victory proved their ruin. O'Donnell the Chief of Donegal, came with a small force of cavalry to settle the dispute, to be followed by a number of Irish clans, who assembled in the interests of the defeated O'Connor Don and MacDonough . The cavalry of the sons of Cathal Og O'Connor advanced toward them on the way to Sliqo. An arm of the sea was on their left hand, the stream of Bun Brenoige was on the riqht. A fierce and bloody battle ensued which resulted in disaster to the sons of Cathal Og O'Connor, in which Marcus MacDonnell, Captain of O'Connor's Galloqlach, and his son Dougall MacDonnell were left dead upon the field with a large number of Galloglach, See "The Four Masters,vol. IV., p.753 for this account.

After the death of Marcus MacDonnell , the last surviving son of Somerled, son of Alisdair Og, his position as head of O'Connor 's warriors appears to have been taken by Somhairle Buidhe , son of Marcus . This Somerled accompanied Brian O'Connor on a raid into Tlr Oilella in 1398. Having heen left by their own people with only a few companions, they, were unexpectedly attacked by a superior force, and Somerly was slain at Cnoc-in-Crona. See The Clan Donald of Connaught and Leinster , p. 114.

"We, are not aware that Dougall, son of Marcus , who was slain when his father fell in 1397, or Somhairle Buidhe , another son, who was killed in battle the following year, left any progeny. It is pretty well authenticated, however that the representation of the family was continued by Charles , another son of Marcus , whose name is on record in some Irish Annals. See the Annals of the Four Masters, vol V, p. 1641[ix].

Marcus & Amy ( O’Cahan ) MacDonald had a son:

·         Somhairle Buidhe MacDonald , d. 1398
·         Doughall MacDonald , d. 1397
·         Charles Thurlough Mor MacDonald , d. 1435.

Charles Thurlogh Mór MacDonald [x]

Charles Thurlogh Mór MacDonald, son of Marcus & Amy (O’Cahan) MacDonald , b. Antrim; d. 1435, Leinster, Ireland; m. to Catirfina O’Ruaire.  

In or about the year 1420 Charles , the brother of Sumhairle Buidhe McDonnell migrated with a hand of followers from O'Kelly 's Country in South Galway into Leinster and founded the Galloglagh, under the O'Kellys of Maine, a region on the border of Leitrim and Cavan. In 1419 Charles MacDonnell and his son escaped from a battle at the mouth of Ath Lighen with MacWilliam Bourke and his connection with the O'Kellys appears to have come to an end. Soon after this Charles , son of Marcus and his son, John Carrach , migrated to Queens County , in all probability accompanied by a large number of their tribe. These settlers soon acquired a considerable tract of country including Tynekill Castle at the base of the boundary of the mountains of Leix and Wicklow, which forms a part of the boundary of the English Pale, their lands being known for ages as the Clan Donnell Country. The position taken by Charles and his son, John Carrach , thus became defined as the necessities of their English neighbors. They became Constables of the Pale or wardens of the Marshes, and were permitted to appropriate the extensive tract of country with which they were connected for upwards of two hundred years. See The Clan of Connaught and Leinster , p. 121[xi]

Charles , son of Marcus MacDonnell , the first of the Clan Donald of Leinster, died in 1435 and was succeeded by his son, John Carragh , who is described by the Analysts as, "The best Captain of the English ". This John Carragh MacDonnell was fighting in Offaly in 1466 where he was slain. See Ulster J. Arch. II , p. 34

Charles Thurlogh Mòr & Catirfina ( O’Ruaire ) MacDonnell had a son:

John Carrach ( Thurlogh Oge ) MacDonnell [xii]

John Carrach ( Thurlogh Oge ) MacDonnell , son of Charles Thurloghh Mór & Catirfina ( O’Ruaire ) MacDonnell, d. 1466, slain in battle in Offaly.

He was the first of the family to settle in Leinster , Ireland .  There were three families of MacDonnells in Leinster .  Two of the families resided in Queen’s County, the third in the present day town of Talbotstown , county of Wicklow , Ireland .

Charles Thurlogh Oge MacDonnell had a son:

Charles (Thurlough) Og McDonald

Charles (Thurlough) Og McDonald, son of John Carrach (Thurlough Oge) MacDonald, b. 4^th of Leinster, Ireland; d. 1503, Leinster, Ireland.

Charles (Thurlough) Og McDonald, died 1503. He was the son of John Carrogh ( Thirlough Oge ) McDonald and was the head of the house of Tennekill during the later half of the fifteenth century. The first that is found of him is the early years of the sixteenth century when the Cland Donald of Leinster was at war with the Burkes of Mayo. This contest was disastrous to the Cland Donald for in 1503 they were overtaken by a great and terrible overthrow in which most of their Galloglagh were slain, and Charles Turlough Og , their captain, fell upon the field of battle.

Charles (Thurlough) Og McDonald had two (2) sons:

1.       John McDonald , b. 1474, 5^th of Leinster , Ireland ; d. 1514, Leinster , Ireland

2.       Eion Carrach MacDonnell , b. ca. 1474, 5^th of Leinster , Ireland ; d. 1514, Leinster , Ireland .

John McDonald

1.  John McDonald, son of Charles (Thurlough) Og McDonald, b. 1474, 5^th of Leinster, Ireland; d. 1514, Leinster, Ireland.

John McDonald had a son:

1.1.    Charles Turlough McDonald , b. 1500, Tennekill, Queens Co., Ireland (6^th of Leinster); d. 1522, Leinster , Ireland .

Charles Turlough McDonald

1.1.  Charles Turlough McDonald , son of John McDonald , b. 1500, Tennekill, Queens Co., Ireland (6^th of Leinster); d. 1522, Leinster , Ireland .

Charles Turlough McDonald had a son:

1.1.1.  Calvagn MacTurlough McDonald, b. abt. 1520, 7^th of Leinster; d. 18 Jun 1578, Leinster, Ireland.

Calvagn MacTurlough McDonald [xiii]

1.1.1.  Calvagn MacTurlough McDonald , son of Charles Turlough McDonald, b. abt. 1520, 7^th of Leinster; d. 18 Jun 1578, Leinster, Ireland. 

Calvagn MacTurlough McDonald settled in Leinster in 3 Steps of which 2 were in Queen's county and the 3rd in the barony of Talbotstown, Wicklow. He got a grant of Tynekill from Queen Elizabeth in 1562 Calvagn MacDonnell was slain in Shrule, June 18, 15 70, a proof that even at this time the English in Ireland had begun to employ the Leinster MacDonnells

Calvagn MacTurlough MacDonnell had five (5) children:

1.1.1.1.    Hugh Buidhe McDonnell , b. 1549, Queens County, Leinster, Ireland; d. 31 Jul 1619, Tennakill Castle, Queens County, Ireland; m. Mary Moore .
1.1.1.2.    Alexander  McDonnell , d. 1577, slain.
1.1.1.3.    Walter MacDonnell
1.1.1.4.    Donough MacDonnell
1.1.1.5.    Brian McDonnell

Hugh Buidhe McDonnell [xiv]

1.1.1.1.  Hugh Buidhe McDonnell , of Tenekille, Queen’s County, son of Calvagn (Charles) MacDonnell , b. 1549, Queens County, Leinster, Ireland; d. 31 Jul 1619, Tennakill Castle, Queens County, Ireland; m. Mary O’More/Moore .

Hugh Boy McDonnell  was Chief of sept (families) of galloglasses of the Clandonnells, in Leinster, Ireland.  He was Lord of the Manors Tannekille and Ballycrassel.  They reseided in in Tynekill, Queens County, Ireland.

Hugh Boy & Mary (O’More[xv]/Moore) McDonnell  had four (4) children:

1.1.1.1.1.     Fergus McDonnell , b. 1575, 9^th of Leinster, Ireland; 9 May 1637, Leinster, Ireland.  Fergus MacDonnell assumed the position as head of the Tennekill family upon the death of Hugh Buidhe MacDonnell. Fergus was loyal to the English and led a quiet life dying May 9, 1637.
1.1.1.1.2.     Bryan MacCalvagh McDonnell , ancestor of the MacDonnell, MacDonald and McDonald, of the county of Wicklow, Ireland, b. 1577, Leinster, Ireland; d. ca. 1635, Leinster, Ireland
1.1.1.1.3.     Helena McDonnell, b. ca. 1579; m. John O’Doyne
1.1.1.1.4.     Alexander McDonnell , b. abt. 1580.

Fergus McDonnell

1.1.1.1.1. Fergus McDonnell , son of Hugh Boy & Mary (O’More[xvi]/Moore) McDonnell,  b. 1575, 9^th of Leinster, Ireland; 9 May 1637, Leinster, Ireland.  

Fergus MacDonnell assumed the position as head of the Tennekill family upon the death of Hugh Buidhe MacDonnell. Fergus was loyal to the English and led a quiet life dying May 9, 16 37.

Fergus McDonnell had a son:

·         James MacDonnell, b. 10^th of Leinster, Ireland; d. 1661, London, England.  Colonel James MacDonnell of Tynekill. The story of his stirring and eventful life, and his connection with the Confederated Catholics in the Great Rebellion, has been told. Because of his activities against the English was declared to be in rebellion and a reward offered for his head. Apparently no one took up the offer because James died in London in 1661. The Family estates were forfeited in his time and never restored, but the succession continued unbroken. 

Bryan MacCalvagh McDonnell [xvii]

1.1.1.1.2.  Bryan Maccalvagh[xviii] McDonnell  (of Leinster), son of Hugh Buidhe & Mary (Moore) McDonnell, b. 1577, Tynekill Castle, Queens County, Leinster, Ireland; d. ca. 1635, Tynekill Castle, Queens County, Leinster, Ireland . 

Chief/Lord Bryan McDonnell had a son:

                1.1.1.1.2.1.  Alexander McDonnell

Alexander McDonnell, Esq., JP.[xix]

1.1.1.1.2.1.  Alexander McDonnell, Esq ., JP., son of Bryan Maccalvagh[xx] McDonnell , b. 1613[xxi]/1623, Leinster, Ireland; d. 30 Mar 1683[xxii], Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland[xxiii]; bur. Presbyterian Cemetery, Wicklow, Ireland; m. to Mary Helena[xxiv] (Marcella) Archbold, daughter  of Thomas Archbold  & heiress of Charles O’Hanlon ., of Ballynorran, b. abt. 1622, Wilcaoorn, Queens Cty, Ireland; d. 1692, Arklow County Wicklow, Ireland. 

Alexander  McDonnell , Esq ., JP., of Bonabrogha, in the county of Wicklow.  He was a constable of Wicklow and Commander of Gallowglasses in Ireland.  Gallowglasses were hearty fighting men (Gaelic - Gallowglaugh, meaning a heavy armed soldier.  Alexander would have also been known as MacIan (meaning son of Brian). 

His head stone is obviously very ancient, but clearly reads:

"Here lieth the body of Mr Alexander McDonald who departed this life March 30th, 1683 in the 70th year of his age."

The land possessed by this family extended along the foot of the mountain range, upon the marshes of the Pale.  This tract of land possessed the name of ‘The Clandonnell’s Countrie”, up until 1641. 

Alexander  & Marcella (Archbold)  McDonnell  had at least one son:

·         Lt. Bryan McDonnell , b. 11 Nov [xxv]1645, Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland[xxvi]; d. 11 Nov 1707, Mill Creek, New Castle Co., Delaware; m. 1665, Ireland to Mary Doyle, b. 1647, Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland; d. 1709, Mill Creek, New Castle Co., Delaware.  For further information see Donnell this volume