Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, also known as Clan Donald South, ''Clan Iain Mor, Clan MacDonald of Islay and Kintyre, MacDonalds of the Glens (Antrim)'' and sometimes referred to as ''MacDonnells'', is a

Scottish clan A Scottish clan (from Goidelic languages, Gaelic , literally 'children', more broadly 'kindred') is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official ...

and a branch of

Clan Donald Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald ( gd, Clann Dòmhnaill; Mac Dòmhnaill ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry i ...

. The founder of the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg is Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill, a son of Iain Mic Dhòmhnaill (John of Islay, Lord of the Isles) and Margaret Stewart of Scotland, daughter of King Robert II. Members of the clan actually pronounced and spelled their name ''M'Connall'' due to the Gaelic pronunciation of the name ''Mac Domhnuill'' thus giving rise to the surname McConnell and its variants. While historically recognised as a clan by the

Court of the Lord Lyon The Court of the Lord Lyon (the Lyon Court) is a standing court of law, based in New Register House in Edinburgh, which regulates heraldry in Scotland. The Lyon Court maintains the register of grants of arms, known as the Public Register of All A ...

, it is now an

armigerous clan An armigerous clan (from armiger) is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognised as such by Lyon Court. Befor ...

as it no longer has a

chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...

. The last chief was Sir James MacDonald, 9th of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg or Clan Donald South, who died in London in 1626. Lastmacdonaldsof00macd 0086-2

History

Origins of the clan

The founder of Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and the Glens was Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill who was the second son of John MacDonald also known as ''Good''

John of Islay, Lord of the Isles :''This article refers to John I, Lord of the Isles; for John II, see John of Islay, Earl of Ross'' John of Islay (or John MacDonald) ( gd, Eòin Mac Dòmhnuill or gd, Iain mac Aonghais Mac Dhòmhnuill) (died 1386) was the Lord of the Isles (1 ...

, 6th chief of

and 1st

Lord of the Isles The Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( gd, Triath nan Eilean or ) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title w ...

through his marriage to Margaret Stewart. Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill married Margaret Bissett of the

Glens of Antrim The Glens of Antrim,Logainm.ie
(

Islay Islay ( ; gd, Ìle, sco, Ila) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll just south west of Jura, Scotland, Jura and around north of the Northern Irish coast. The isl ...

and

Kintyre Kintyre ( gd, Cinn Tìre, ) is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The peninsula stretches about , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south to East and West Loch Tarbert in the north. The region immediately north ...

in Scotland. He and his descendants became known as Lords of Dunnyvaig and the Glens, although they did not possess the latter until the 16th century. Their seat in Dunnyvaig was on the Island of

and in the Glens they were seated at

Dunluce Castle Dunluce Castle (; ) is a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland, the seat of Clan MacDonnell. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim (between Portballintrae and Portrush), and is accessible via a bridge conne ...

on the north Antrim coast.

Council of the Isles

The Lords of the Isles and the Council of the Isles met on Islay (pronounced Eye’ la) at Finlaggan Gaelic for white hollow. Finlaggan loch has two small islands. Upon the larger was the residence of the Lord of the Isles. The smaller of the isles was called Eilean nan Comhairle (pronounced ‘coarlay’) meaning ‘council island’. The Council of the Isles met on the smaller island. The Lordship of the Isles has not governed anything like later feudal Lords governed. It was more like the Celtic kingdoms of Ireland and the Dalriadic Kingdom from which it evolved. Local chiefs elected by their clan made up the Council of the Isles. They acted as judges to settle disputes in their own clan. They were the chiefs of Clan Donald branches Dunnyveg, Clanranald, Keppoch, and

Ardnamurchan Ardnamurchan (, gd, Àird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas) is a peninsula in the ward management area of Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoiled and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main access ...

and the clans of ancient Dalriada including

MacKinnon McKinnon, MacKinnon or Mackinnon is a Scottish surname. (Gaelic: ''Mac Fhionghain''), Notable people with this surname include: * Allan McKinnon, P.C., M.C., C.D. (1917–1990), Canadian politician, MP – Victoria 1972-1988 * Alexander "Alex" ...

MacMillan MacMillan, Macmillan, McMillen or McMillan may refer to: People * McMillan (surname) * Clan MacMillan, a Highland Scottish clan * Harold Macmillan, British statesman and politician * James MacMillan, Scottish composer * William Duncan MacMillan ...

Magee Magee may refer to: People *Magee (surname) Places and institutions * Magee, Mississippi, a city in Simpson County, Mississippi, U.S. * Magee, New York, also known as Magee's Corners, a hamlet in the Town of Tyre, Seneca County, New York, U.S. * ...

, MacNicoll, Maceachern,

MacKay Mackay may refer to: *Clan Mackay, the Scottish clan from which the surname "MacKay" derives Mackay may also refer to: Places Australia * Mackay Region, a local government area ** Mackay, Queensland, a city in the above region *** Mackay Airpor ...

, and MacGillivray. Several clan chiefs of the MacLeods and

MacLeans ''Maclean's'', founded in 1905, is a Canadian news magazine reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events. Its founder, publisher John Bayne Maclean, established the magazine to provide a uniquely Canadian persp ...

were on the Council.

15th, 16th and 17th centuries

Eòin Mòr Tànaiste was assassinated by James

Campbell Campbell may refer to: People Surname * Campbell (surname), includes a list of people with surname Campbell Given name * Campbell Brown (footballer), an Australian rules footballer * Campbell Brown (journalist) (born 1968), American television ne ...

in 1427. His son

Donald Balloch MacDonald Donald Balloch MacDonald (Scottish Gaelic: ''Dòmhnall Ballach Mac Dhòmhnaill'') Scottish-Gaelic lord, died about 1476. Biography MacDonald was a son of John Mór Tanister and Margery Byset, daughter of MacEoin Bisset, Lord of The Glens. He w ...

the 2nd chief led the clan when they fought and won at the first

Battle of Inverlochy (1431) A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and forc ...

. This was in support of their cousin

Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

and chief of Clan Donald, 3rd

. The third Chief, Sir John Mor with his heir John Cathanach and three grandsons were apprehended through the treachery of MacIain of Ardnamurchan and were executed in

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

for treason. However, MacIain of Ardnamurchan, who had also betrayed Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh, was himself killed in 1518 by those whom he had betrayed. On the death of

James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg James MacDonald (Scottish Gaelic: ''Séamus Mac Dhòmhnaill''), alias McDonnell, 6th Chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, Scottish-Gaelic lord, died 1565. Biography MacDonald was the son of Alexander MacDonald, lord of Islay and Kintyre (''Can ...

and Antrim, the Antrim Glens were seized by one of his younger brothers called Somerled or

Sorley Boy MacDonnell Sorley Boy MacDonnell (Scottish Gaelic: ''Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill''), also spelt as MacDonald (c. 1505 – 1590), Scoto-Irish chief, was the son of Alexander Carragh MacDonnell, 5th of Dunnyveg, of Dunyvaig Castle, lord of Islay and ...

known also as ''Sorley Buy''. In 1565 under Sorley Boy MacDonnell the Clan Donald of Antrim and Dunnyveg fought the

Battle of Glentasie The Battle of Glentaisie, was an Ireland, Irish battle fought in the north of Ulster on 2 May 1565. The result was a victory for Shane O'Neill (Irish chieftain), Shane O'Neill over the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. The conflict was a part of the ...

against Shane O'Neill in Ireland. Sorley Buy swore allegiance to

James IV of Scotland James IV (17 March 1473 – 9 September 1513) was King of Scotland from 11 June 1488 until his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He inherited the throne at the age of fifteen on the death of his father, James III, at the Battle of Sauchi ...

and his fourth son Ranald was made

Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim Randall MacSorley MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim, PC (Ire) (died 1636), rebelled together with Tyrone and Tyrconnell in the Nine Years' War but having succeeded his brother, Sir James mac Sorley MacDonnell, as Lord of the Route and the Glynn ...

by Queen Elizabeth. Much quarrelling took place between

Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg (Scottish Gaelic: ''Aonghus Mac Dòmhnuill'', died 21 October 1614) was the Chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. Life MacDonald was the son of James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg (died 1565) and Agnes Campbell, da ...

and his eldest son, Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg this was largely due to the intrigues of the

Clan Campbell Clan Campbell ( gd, Na Caimbeulaich ) is a Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans. The Clan Campbell lands are in Argyll and within their lands lies Ben Cruachan. The chief of the clan be ...

. Sir James MacDonald led the clan who fought and won at the Battle of Gruinart Strand on the Isle of

in 1598 against an invasion force of the Clan MacLean who were led by

Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean (1558 – 5 August 1598) or Big Lachlan Maclean, was the 14th Clan Chief of Clan MacLean from late 1573 or early 1574 until 1598. Mór or Mor translates as ''big'' in English, or ''magnus'' in Latin, when added to a nam ...

Duart Castle Duart Castle, or ''Caisteal Dhubhairt'' in Scottish Gaelic, is a castle on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull off the west coast of Scotland, within the council area of Argyll and Bute. The castle dates back to the 13th century and ...

who was killed. Further intrigue by the Clan Campbell brought the downfall of the Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and by 1620 Sir James MacDonald had lost control of

and

. However, during the Civil War the lands were back in the hands of the MacDonalds briefly when they were supporters of

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612 – 21 May 1650) was a Scottish nobleman, poet and soldier, Lord Lieutenant, lord lieutenant and later viceroy and captain general of Scotland. Montrose initially joined the Covenanters in the Wa ...

. A notable member of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg is

Alasdair Mac Colla Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich MacDhòmhnaill (c. 1610 – 13 November 1647), also known by the English variant of his name Sir Alexander MacDonald, was a military officer best known for his participation in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, notably ...

who is famed for his victories with the Royalist James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose during Scottish Civil War of the 1640s. The last chief, Sir James MacDonald, 9th of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg or Clan Donald South died in London in 1626.

21st century

A petition was lodged on 18 May 2012 with The Court of Lord Lyon by John Gerald McDonnell seeking confirmation of the Arms of the Clan Donald South, Clan Ian Mor and a grant of Supporters and Standard befitting the rank of degree of Chief of Ian Mor. The petition was dismissed on 10 November 2014 by

Lord Lyon The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grant ...

, Dr. Joseph J. Morrow.

Lords

* Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill killed 1427 * Dòmhnall Ballach Mac Dhòmhnaill died 1476 * Seán Mór Mac Dhòmhnaill, 3rd of Dunnyveg executed 1499 * Seán Cathanach Mac Dhòmhnaill, 4th of Dunnyveg executed 1499 * Alexander Carragh Mac Dhòmhnaill, 5th of Dunnyveg died 1538 *

Séamus Mac Dhòmhnaill, 6th of Dunnyveg James MacDonald (Scottish Gaelic: ''Séamus Mac Dhòmhnaill''), alias McDonnell, 6th Chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, Scottish-Gaelic lord, died 1565. Biography MacDonald was the son of Alexander MacDonald, lord of Islay and Kintyre (''Can ...

died 5 July 1565 * Archibald Mac Dòmhnuill, 7th of Dunnyveg died circa 1569 * Aonghus mac Séamus Mac Dòmhnuill, 8th of Dunnyveg died 21 October 1614 * Sir Séamus Mac Dòmhnuill, 9th of Dunnyveg died 1626

Castles

Another view of Dunyvaig Castle - geograph

Dunyvaig Castle Dunyvaig Castle, ( gd, Dùn Naomhaig, Anglicised ''Fort of the galleys'', also known as ''Dunnyveg'') is located on the south side of Islay, in Argyll, Scotland, on the shore of Lagavulin Bay, from Port Ellen. The castle was once a naval bas ...

, three miles east of

Port Ellen Port Ellen ( gd, Port Ìlein) is a small town on the island of Islay, in Argyll, Scotland. The town is named after the wife of its founder, Walter Frederick Campbell. Its previous name, ''Leòdamas'', is derived from Old Norse meaning "Leòd's Ha ...

on the south of the

Isle of Islay Islay ( ; gd, Ìle, sco, Ila) is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Known as "The Queen of the Hebrides", it lies in Argyll just south west of Jura and around north of the Northern Irish coast. The island's capital i ...

was the seat of the chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. There are now only ruins of what was a strong castle. There was a small tower or keep that was surrounded by an inner and outer courtyard. The last MacDonald of Dunnvaig defeated the Clan MacLean at the

Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart The Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart or in Scottish Gaelic ''Blàr Tràigh Ghruineart'' or sometimes called the Battle of Gruinart Strand was a Scottish clan battle fought on 5 August 1598, on the Isle of Islay, in the Hebrides. It was fought betw ...

, but MacDonald was however ordered to surrender the castle and was forfeited in 1608. The castle was then put under the stewardship of the

Bishop of the Isles The Bishop of the Isles or Bishop of Sodor was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of the Isles (or Sodor), one of Scotland's thirteen medieval bishoprics. The bishopric, encompassing both the Hebrides and Mann, probably traces its origins as ...

for the king, but Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald retook it in 1612. In 1615 the castle passed to the

Clan Campbell of Cawdor Clan Campbell of Cawdor is a highland Scottish clan and a branch of the larger Clan Campbell. While the ''clan'' is recognised by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, the clan does not have a ''clan chief'' recognised by the Standing Counci ...

and while Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald escaped, many of his men were killed. It was re-taken by Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald in 1647, but after a siege by

David Leslie, 1st Lord Newark David Leslie, 1st Lord Newark (c. 1600–1682) was a Scottish cavalry officer. He fought for the Swedish army of Gustavus Adolphus during the Thirty Years' War. He had entered Swedish service in 1630, serving as a captain in the regiment of Alex ...

, the castle was forced to surrender when the water supply failed and Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald was finally hanged from the walls. The castle was held by the Campbells of Cawdor until 1677 and the island remained with branches of the Clan Campbell. The castle has mostly crumbled away but the ruins have been consolidated and can be visited.

References

External links

http://www.clandonald-heritage.com/branches
* ttp://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macdonald/addinfojpw.htm http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macdonald/addinfojpw.htm {{Islay

MacDonald of Dunnyveg Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, also known as Clan Donald South, ''Clan Iain Mor, Clan MacDonald of Islay and Kintyre, MacDonalds of the Glens (Antrim)'' and sometimes referred to as ''MacDonnells'', is a Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald. ...

Islay Medieval Gaels Medieval Gaels from Scotland