Pádhraic Ó Domhnalláin () was an Irish

duel A duel is an arranged engagement in combat between two people, with matched weapons, in accordance with agreed-upon Code duello, rules. During the 17th and 18th centuries (and earlier), duels were mostly single combats fought with swords (the r ...

list.

Outline

Ó Domhnalláin was the eponymous subject of a poem by

Antoine Ó Raifteiri Antoine Ó Raifteirí (also Antoine Ó Reachtabhra, ''Anthony Raftery'') (30 March 1779 – 25 December 1835) was an Irish language poet who is often called the last of the wandering bards. Biography Antoine Ó Raifteirí was born in Killedan, n ...

, concerning a duel he fought, which is believed to have been one of the last, if not the last, ever fought in

County Galway "Righteousness and Justice" , anthem = () , image_map = Island of Ireland location map Galway.svg , map_caption = Location in Ireland , area_footnotes = , area_total_km2 = ...

, once notorious for such events.

Circumstances

Ó Domhnalláin was from Balleighter or Ballydonnellan. He was a good friend with Patrick Callanan of Skycur but a dispute arose one night during at party at Callanan's house. Ó Domhnalláin initially did not wish to attend as he did not have suitable clothes, but Callanan loaned him something suitable.

Causes of the duel

During the party, Ó Domhnalláin made advances towards a good-looking young blonde woman, who was Callanan's lover. Words were exchanged between the two men, and a challenge for a duel was issued. They agreed to meet in Madden's field at Belview. Both arrived at the appointed time with two large crowds of followers. Callanan was recorded as being in a good mood because he had a well-earned reputation as a marksman.

The duel

Just before the duel was to start, a nervous Ó Domhnalláin attempted to make up with Callanan, who very bluntly refused. The men were placed some twenty to thirty yards apart and the ring of the signal bell, both fired. It was Ó Domhnalláin, however, ''who proved to have the greater speed and agility and fired first. Callanan dropped to the ground and died immediately.''

Afterwards

Raifteiri composed a

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

on the event congratulating Ó Domhnalláin, in a tone that suggests the poem was seeking favour from him. The identity and fate of Callanan's lover is unknown.

Ancestry

He was a descendant of King

Dluthach mac Fithcheallach Dluthach mac Fithcheallach (died 738) was the 18th King of Uí Maine. Lifetime There appears to be no details of his reign. During his reign, the following events occurred in Connacht and Ireland * 717 - ''"A battle was fought between the Conn ...

of Ui Maine.

References

* ''The Parish of Lawrencetown and Kiltormer'',

Tadhg Mac Lochlainn Tadhg Mac Lochlainn ( fl. 1907 – May 1999) was an Irish local historian. Mac Loughlin was a native of Killure, near Ballinasloe, and an innovator in the promotion of local studies, been the author of half-a-dozen books on the subject, a ...

, 1982. {{DEFAULTSORT:O Domhnallain, Padhraic People from County Galway Irish duellists 19th-century Irish people