Gillaspick MacDonnell (''Giolla Easpuig MacDomhnaill'') was a son of

Colla MacDonnell Colla MacDonnell was a son of Alexander MacDonnell, Lord of Islay and Kintyre (Cantire), and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan. He died at Kinbane Castle in 1558. Biography After the death of his father Alexander MacDonnell in 1539, ...

, Captain of the Route and Evelyn MacQuillan. He was killed accidentally in

1571 Year 1571 ( MDLXXI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–June * January 11 – The Austrian nobility are granted freedom of religion. * January 23 &nd ...

at Ballycastle.

Biography

Upon the death of his father in 1558 at

Kinbane Castle Kinbane Castle (''Caisleán Ceinn Bán, White Head Castle, Kenbane Castle'') is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on a headland between Ballycastle and Ballintoy. The name comes from the Irish for "white head", referring to the lime ...

, his uncle

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 ...

, organised to exchange the castle with another property at Colonsay. The castle was then presented to Owen MacIan Dubh MacAllister, 2nd of Loup, Chief of

Clan MacAlister Clan MacAlister is a Scottish Clan. The clan is the earliest branch to have split off from Clan Donald, claiming descent from Alasdair Mòr, son of Domhnall founder of Clan Donald. From Alasdair Mòr the clans takes its surname ''MacAlister''; ...

as a reward for their service and loyalty to the MacDonnell clan. His uncle Sorley Boy ordered the celebration of public games at Ballycastle to celebrate the coming of age of his nephew in 1571. Bullfighting was amongst the events that Gillaspick tried and he was gored by the bull and was killed. Gillaspick left behind a wife and a baby son, Col Ciotach Mac Giolla Easpuig Mac Domhnaill.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gillaspick 1500s births 1571 deaths Clan Donald People from Ballycastle, County Antrim