O'Donnell
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The O'Donnell dynasty ( or ''Ó Domhnaill,'' ''Ó Doṁnaill'' ''or Ua Domaill;'' meaning "descendant of Dónal") were the dominant Irish clan of the kingdom of Tyrconnell in
Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...
in the north of
medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...
and early modern Ireland.


Naming conventions


Origins

Like the family of O'Neill, that of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell was of the
Uí Néill The Uí Néill (; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties that claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who is believed to have died around c. 405. They are generally divided ...
, i.e. descended from
Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall Noígíallach (; Old Irish "having nine hostages"), or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. ...
,
High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and was later sometimes assigned anachronously or to leg ...
at the beginning of the 5th century; the O'Neill, or Cenél nEógain, tracing their pedigree to Eógan mac Néill, and the O'Donnells, or
Cenél Conaill Cenél is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history *Cenél nEógain (in English, Cenel Eogan) is ...
, to Conall Gulban, both sons of Niall. Conall was baptised by St. Patrick.


Arms and motto

The Roman Emperor
Constantine the Great Constantine I (27 February 27222 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was a Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337 and the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He played a Constantine the Great and Christianity, pivotal ro ...
converted to Christianity after a vision before the famous Battle of the Milvian Bridge, having seen a
chi-rho The Chi Rho (☧, English pronunciation ; also known as ''chrismon'') is one of the earliest forms of the Christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi (letter), chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek (Romanization of ...
in the sky, and thence the motto '' In Hoc Signo Vinces'', telling him he would be victorious with the sign of the cross. The chi-rho was adopted on a banner, the
labarum The labarum ( or λάβουρον) was a '' vexillum'' (military standard) that displayed the "Chi-Rho" symbol ☧, a christogram formed from the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" (, or Χριστός) – '' Chi'' (χ) and ''Rho'' ( ...
, upheld on a
vexillum The ''vexillum'' (; : ''vexilla'') was a flag-like object used as a War flag, military standard by units in the Roman army. A common ''vexillum'' displayed imagery of the Aquila (Roman), Roman ''aquila'' on a reddish backdrop. Use in Roman arm ...
, which resembled a Christian cross, and in time the motto became associated with the Cross all over Europe. Legend has it that St. Patrick struck the shield of Conall, son of King Niall of the Nine Hostages, with his
crosier A crozier or crosier (also known as a paterissa, pastoral staff, or bishop's staff) is a stylized staff that is a symbol of the governing office of a bishop or abbot and is carried by high-ranking prelates of Roman Catholic, Eastern Catho ...
, called
Bachal Isu The Bachal Isu (from Latin ''baculus Iesu'', "Staff of Jesus") was a Christianity, Christian relic. According to legend, Saint Patrick brought his celebrated golden Crozier, which was consistently identified with the Staff Of Jesus, along with his ...
(the staff of Jesus) inscribing thereon a sign of the cross and told him the same, and baptized him. According to the ''Life and Acts of Saint Patrick'' (chapter 138), commissioned by Sir John de Courcy and written by Jocelyn of Furness (c. 1185 AD), St. Patrick took his staff, known as the staff of Jesus, or Bacall Iosa, and struck the shield of Prince Conall, rendering a sign of the Cross on it, “''et mox cum baculo suo, qui baculus Jesu dicebatur Crucis signum ejus scuto impressit, asserens neminem de stirpe ejus in bello vincendum qui signum illud''”, and thus indicating that he and his offspring would henceforth be victorious in battle if they followed that sign This legend is also described several centuries later in the ''Lebhar Inghine i Dhomhnaill''. His land became ''Tír Chonaill'', Tyrconnell, the land of Conall. Conall's Constantinian shield, and this motto, have been the main O’Donnell arms in various forms, through the centuries. The motto also appears prominently placed as a motto on a ribbon unfurled with a passion cross to its left, beneath a window over the Scala Regia, adjacent to
Bernini Gian Lorenzo (or Gianlorenzo) Bernini (, ; ; Italian Giovanni Lorenzo; 7 December 1598 – 28 November 1680) was an Italian sculptor and architect. While a major figure in the world of architecture, he was more prominently the leading sculptor ...
's equestrian statue of Emperor Constantine, in the
Vatican Vatican may refer to: Geography * Vatican City, an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy * Vatican Hill, in Rome, namesake of Vatican City * Ager Vaticanus, an alluvial plain in Rome * Vatican, an unincorporated community in the ...
. Emperors and other monarchs, having paid respects to the Pope, descended the Scala Regia, and would observe the light shining down through the window, with the motto, reminiscent of Constantine's vision, and be reminded to follow the Cross. They would thence turn right into the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica, ostensibly so inspired. In an earlier version (before Bernini's renovations in the mid-17th century), something similar may have resonated with and been observed by Prince Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell following his visit to Pope Paul V (at the Palazzo Quirinale) in Rome, just prior to his death in 1608. It would certainly have resonated with and been observed by Cardinal Patrick O'Donnell.


Territory

Tyrconnell, the territory named after the Cenel Conaill, is the vast territory where the O'Donnells held sway, comprised the greater part of the modern county of Donegal except the peninsula of Inishowen. But it also included areas outside Donegal, such as the baronies of Carbury in County Sligo, Rosclogher in County Leitrim, and Magheraboy and Firlurg in
County Fermanagh County Fermanagh ( ; ) is one of the thirty-two counties of Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of six counties of Northern Ireland. The county covers an area of and had a population of 63,585 as of 2021. Enniskillen is the ...
, and part of southern
County Londonderry County Londonderry (Ulster Scots dialects, Ulster-Scots: ''Coontie Lunnonderrie''), also known as County Derry (), is one of the six Counties of Northern Ireland, counties of Northern Ireland, one of the thirty-two Counties of Ireland, count ...
, hence it straddled the modern Republic of Ireland and also part of Northern Ireland in the UK. The jewel in the O'Donnell crown was Donegal Castle, one of seven O'Donnell castles, and now a national monument restored in the 1990s. Tyrconnell also, therefore, bordered on territory ruled by the O'Neills of Tyrone, who were periodically attempting to assert their claim of supremacy over it, and hence the history of the O'Donnells is, for the most part, a record of clan warfare with their powerful neighbours, and of their own efforts to make good their claims to the overlordship of northern
Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...
, and a wider swathe of
Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...
. Nonetheless, Tyrconnell existed for a period as an independent kingdom, recognised by King Henry III of England.


Ascendancy

Gofraidh Ó Domhnaill, the first chieftain, was son of Domhnall Mór Ó Domhnaill. In 1257, Gofraidh was victorious when he went to battle at Creadran-Cille against Maurice FitzGerald. Upon Gofraidh's death, subsequent to wounds incurred during the battle against Ó Néill, he was succeeded in the chieftainship by his brother Domhnall Óg, who returned from
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
in time to withstand successfully the demands of Ó Néill. Over time, the O'Donnell King of Tyrconnell became known as the ''Fisher-King'', on the Continent, ostensibly due to the export of fish traded for wine in
La Rochelle La Rochelle (, , ; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''La Rochéle'') is a city on the west coast of France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime Departments of France, department. Wi ...
.


Patronage by the O'Donnell dynasty

The O'Donnells were patrons of the arts, literature, and of religious benefices. In particular, one, Manus, wrote the biography of ColmCille (St. Columba). They also were the patrons of the
Franciscans The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor being the largest conte ...
in Donegal Abbey. They also exercised "jus patronus" to nominate bishops. In the early 14th century A.D., the O'Donnell rulers aided Templar knights fleeing via
Sligo Sligo ( ; , meaning 'abounding in shells') is a coastal seaport and the county town of County Sligo, Ireland, within the western province of Connacht. With a population of 20,608 in 2022, it is the county's largest urban centre (constituting 2 ...
and Tyrconnell to
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
where a Templar priory existed at
Ballymote Ballymote () is a market town in southern County Sligo, Ireland. It is around 20 km south of Sligo town in the province of Connacht, which is in the north-west of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Ballymote lies in the Barony (Ireland), barony ...
br>
a Percival family estate for the last 300 years. The House of Stuart, Stewarts relied on the O'Donnells in the balance of power with the MacDonalds beginning in the fourteenth century. The O’Donnell rulers of Tyrconnell are also noted for having in the late 12th century given sanctuary to the Donlevy dynasty of
Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or (Irish language, Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic Provinces of Ireland, over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include , which ...
(Ulster), after their kingdom had fallen to John de Courcy in 1177. It is in Tyrconnell that a branch of the Donlevy's became known as the MacNulty's, deriving from the Irish ''Mac an Ultaigh'', meaning "son of the Ulsterman", in reference to their former kingdom of Ulaid. During the Donlevy exile in Tyrconnell, The O’Donnell gave them the high Gaelic status of “''ollahm leighis''” or his official physicians. It was in fact two of these deposed MacDonlevy (> MacNulty) royals and Roman Catholic priests thereto exiled in Tyrconnell, Fathers Muiris Ulltach in full Muiris mac Donnchadh Ulltach Ó Duinnshléibhe and Muiris Ulltach in full Muiris mac Seaán Ulltach Ó Duinnshléibhe, who both along with the
Archbishop of Tuam The Archbishop of Tuam ( ; ) is an Episcopal polity, archbishop which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Cathol ...
attended Hugh Roe O'Donnell (aka Red Hugh O’Donnell), The O'Donnell of 1601 Kinsale fame, in his exile at his death bed at Simancas Castle in
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
in 1602. And, it was, in turn, an Irish Count O’Donnell, who compassionately married the widow (d. 1708) of Don-Levi, a Jacobite (
Jacobitism Jacobitism was a political ideology advocating the restoration of the senior line of the House of Stuart to the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, British throne. When James II of England chose exile after the November 1688 Glorious Revolution, ...
) and, thereby, on
James II of England James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Monarchy of Ireland, Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II of England, Charles II, on 6 February 1 ...
's and his French allied's failure to reclaim his British crowns, the last The MacDonlevy to sit in Ireland (departed 1691), after this prince died in exile with the Stuarts in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
at the Archbishopric of Treves. This union of the MacDonlevy and the O'Donnell, though, bore no issue. In the absence of these indulgences of the O’Donnell dynasty kings having maintained the Mac Donlevy and MacNulty physicians as a dignified community, it is debatable whether they could have so influenced the course of western medicine, educating and training Niall Ó Glacáin (L. Nellanus Glacanus) in the medical arts, so he could later on the Continent apply empirical method to pioneer the field of forensic anatomy and pathology, first describe the petechial haemorrhages of the lung and swelling of the spleen incident of
bubonic plague Bubonic plague is one of three types of Plague (disease), plague caused by the Bacteria, bacterium ''Yersinia pestis''. One to seven days after exposure to the bacteria, flu-like symptoms develop. These symptoms include fever, headaches, and ...
(''Tractatus de Peste'', 1629), and early elucidate the empirical method of
differential diagnosis In healthcare, a differential diagnosis (DDx) is a method of analysis that distinguishes a particular disease or condition from others that present with similar clinical features. Differential diagnostic procedures are used by clinicians to di ...
for the continental European medical community, and producing the medieval physician and medical scholar Cormac MacDonlevy translator from Latin to vernacular of Bernard de Gordon's ''Lilium Medicine'', Gaulteris Agilon's ''De dosibus'' and Gui de Chuliac's ''Chirurgia''. Later in the early 13th century, the O’Donnell also gave succour to the Ó Cléirigh kings of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne. Onara Ultach was descended from the MacDonlevy (dynasty) royals of Ulidia (kingdom), who as above noted after the fall of that Ulster kingdom to the Anglo-Norman forces of
Henry Plantagenet Henry II () was Monarchy of the United Kingdom, King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189. During his reign he controlled Kingdom of England, England, substantial parts of Wales in the High Middle Ages, Wales and Lordship of Ireland ...
served as ollam lieghis or the official physicians to the O'Donnell kings of Tyrconnell. Onara married Donnchadh Ó Cléirigh, a son of the Chief of the name of the Ó Cléirigh family then also of Tyconnell. The Ó Cléirigh were too a learned Irish royal family that had lost their sub-kingdom in Uí Fiachrach Aidhne in what is today
County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...
to the Anglo-Norman forces of Henry Plantagenet. The Ó Cléirigh then went into service of the O’Donnell as poet historians, scribes and secretaries or official bards, called in
Irish language Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Irish Gaelic or simply Gaelic ( ), is a Celtic language of the Indo-European language family. It is a member of the Goidelic languages of the Insular Celtic sub branch of the family and is indigenous ...
"''ollam righ''". Onara bore for Donnchadh a son Mícheál Ó Cléirigh (c. 1590 – 1643), anglicized Michael O’Cleary, who matured to become the principal author of the
Annals of the Four Masters The ''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland'' () or the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' () are chronicles of Middle Ages, medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Genesis flood narrative, Deluge, dated as 2,242 Anno Mundi, years after crea ...
. But for the manifold grace of the O’Donnell, this union would never have occurred, and Michael O’Cleary never lived to memorialize this history of
Gaelic Ireland Gaelic Ireland () was the Gaelic political and social order, and associated culture, that existed in Ireland from the late Prehistory of Ireland, prehistoric era until the 17th century. It comprised the whole island before Anglo-Norman invasi ...
.


Royal Household

The Royal Household was known in Gaelic as "''Lucht Tighe''" and comprised several offices that were performed on a hereditary basis by the heads and members of particular other families, for over four centuries. *Lector & Inaugurator of the Chieftaincy - O'Friel ( Ó Frighil) *Gallowglass Marshalls & Standard - Bearers - McSweeney ( Mac Suibhne) *Commanders of Cavalry - O'Gallagher ( Ó Gallchobhair) *Custodians of the Cathach of St. Columba - Roarty ( Mac Robhartaigh) *Historians and Scribes - O'Clery ( Ó Cléirigh), formerly kings of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne *Brehons or Judges - Breslin ( Ó Breaslain) *Bards & Poets - Ward ( Mac an Bhaird) *Physicians - Donleavy (Mac Duinnshléibhe), formerly Kings of Ulster (
Dál Fiatach Dál Fiatach was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic dynastic-grouping and the name of their territory in the north-east of Ireland, which lasted throughout the Middle Ages until their demise in the 13th century at the hands of Normans in Ireland, Normans ...
of
Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or (Irish language, Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic Provinces of Ireland, over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include , which ...
) * Herenagh of church lands/Custodians of Donegal Castle & Ballyshannon Castle - McMenamin (Mac Meanman) *Stockmen/Cattle Drivers - Timoney (Ó Tiománaigh)


Later struggles and diaspora

The O'Donnells defeated the O'Neills in the 1522 Battle of Knockavoe. In 1541 Manus O'Donnell took part in the "
Surrender and regrant During the Tudor conquest of Ireland (c.1540–1603), "surrender and regrant" was the legal mechanism by which Irish clans were to be converted from a power structure rooted in clan and kin loyalties, to a late-Feudalism, feudal system under t ...
" process. In 1567 the O'Donnells won the Battle of Farsetmore against the O'Neills, reconfirming their autonomy in Ulster. During the
Nine Years' War The Nine Years' War was a European great power conflict from 1688 to 1697 between Kingdom of France, France and the Grand Alliance (League of Augsburg), Grand Alliance. Although largely concentrated in Europe, fighting spread to colonial poss ...
of 1593-1603, the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell played a leading part, led by the famous Prince Red Hugh O'Donnell. Under his leadership, and that of his ally Hugh O'Neill, they advanced to
Kinsale Kinsale ( ; ) is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland. Located approximately south of Cork (city), Cork City on the southeast coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon, and has a populatio ...
and laid siege to the English forces in anticipation of a Spanish invasion. En route, they implanted some O'Donnell kinsmen in Ardfert and Lixnaw to protect the territories of their ally, FitzMaurice, Lord of Kerry. The Battle of Kinsale was lost in 1601, heralding the end of the Gaelic order and
Brehon Laws Early Irish law, also called Brehon law (from the old Irish word breithim meaning judge), comprised the statutes which governed everyday life in Early Medieval Ireland. They were partially eclipsed by the Norman invasion of 1169, but underwe ...
in Ireland, and the completion of the Elizabethan conquest. Following the
Treaty of Mellifont The Treaty of Mellifont (), also known as the Articles of Mellifont, was signed in 1603, ending the Nine Years' War (Ireland), Nine Years' War which took place in Ireland from 1593 to 1603. End of war Following the English victory in the Battl ...
of 1603 the new King James I pardoned Rory O'Donnell and created him Earl of Tyrconnell in the
Irish peerage The peerage of Ireland consists of those Peerage, titles of nobility created by the English monarchs in their capacity as Lordship of Ireland, Lord or Monarchy of Ireland, King of Ireland, or later by monarchs of the United Kingdom of Great B ...
. Rory then joined in the Flight of the Earls in 1607, which led to the title becoming attainted in 1614, and Tyrconnell and Ulster being colonised in the Plantation of Ulster. He died in exile in Rome on 28 July 1608. Upon Rory O'Donnell's death in 1608, his son Hugh, who took the additional name Albert at his confirmation, under the patronage of Archduke Albert, succeeded to the title as 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell (which title was attainted in 1614 by the Crown but which attainder did not have any effect on his use of it in the Spanish realm) and thus the last titular earl of Tyrconnell was this Rory's son Hugh Albert, who died without heirs in 1642, and who by his will appointed Hugh Balldearg O'Donnell his heir. To a still elder branch belonged Daniel O'Donnell (Irish Brigade), Daniel O'Donnell (1666–1735), a general of the Irish Brigade (France), Irish Brigade in the French service, whose father, Turlough, was a son of Hugh Duff O'Donnell, brother of Manus O'Donnell, Manus, son of an earlier Hugh Duff. Daniel served in the French army in the wars of the period, fighting against John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Duke of Marlborough at the battles of Battle of Oudenarde, Oudenarde and Battle of Malplaquet, Malplaquet at the head of an O'Donnell regiment.


Succession

The head of the clan was traditionally also called Ua Domhnaill ("The O'Donnell"), and inaugurated as Taoiseach (Chieftain) in an elaborate ceremony, under the Laws of Tanistry, part of the ancient Brehon Code of Law. Since the collapse of Gaelic Rule and the Brehon legal system, the putative succession of the "Chiefs of the Name" has followed the principle of male primogeniture. On the basis of the information available at the time, the Chief Herald of Ireland recognised John O'Donel of the Larkfield branch as Chief of the Name, and he was so gazetted on 11 September 1945 in ''Iris Oifigiuil'', bearing the courtesy title of "The O'Donnell", and who was later inaugurated as Chief of the Name, The O'Donnell (''Ua Domhnaill'') in County Donegal at the O'Donnell Clan rally at Easter 1954. His son was the last in the Larkfield line of Chiefs of the Name of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, namely Fr. Hugh Ambrose O'Donel, O.F.M., who adopted the modern version of the name 'O'Donnell', a Franciscan priest in Killiney, retired from missionary work in Zimbabwe, who died on 11 July 2023. Although Fr. Hugh was never inaugurated as Chief of the Name, his Tánaiste#History, Tánaiste (heir apparent) as ''The O'Donnell of Tyrconnell'', Chief of the Name of O'Donnell, was commonly held to be S.E. Hugo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuan, The 7th Duke of Tetuan, a Grandee of Spain. The duke is also known as ''S.E. Don (honorific), Don Hugo O'Donnell y Duque de Estrada'' - the latter appendant ''Duque de Estrada'' is not a title but a maternal family name. The Duke of Tetuan is an active member of the Clan Association of the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell, and a member of the nobiliary Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, i.e. a Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Knight of Malta. However, following the advice of the Attorney General of Ireland, Attorney General, in 2003 the Genealogical Office discontinued the practice of recognising Chiefs of the Name. Following the Irish War of Independence, the ascendant Fianna Fail political party began a policy of granted courtesy recognition as Chief of the Name to the senior male descendants of the Gaelic nobility of Ireland. With regard to the O'Donnell dynasty, the succession came down to a contest between the O'Donnell family of Newport House and the Duke of Tetuan of the Spanish nobility. The Irish State ultimately ruled in favor of Fr. Hugh O'Donnell, OFM, a Roman Catholic missionary in Zimbabwe who could document his descent from Manus O'Donnell, the second son of Niall Garve and Nuala O'Donnell, who was killed in action while fighting for the Confederate Ireland, Confederation of Kilkenny under the command of Owen Roe O'Neill at the Battle of Benburb in 1646. The O'Donnell clan was revived in 1954.


Prominent O'Donnells

*Melaghlin O'Donnell, Maol Seachlainn Ó Domhnaill (d. 1247), ''An Ó Domhnaill'' (The O'Donnell), ''Rí'' (King) of Tyrconnell, son of King Domhnall Mór Ó Domhnaill *Gofraid O'Donnell, Gofraidh Ó Domhnaill (Godfrey O'Donnell; d. 1257), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', King of Tyrconnell, son of Domhnall Mór Ó Domhnaill *Donnell Óg O'Donnell, Domhnaill Óg Ó Domhnaill (c. 1242–1281), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', possibly 'enkinged' (inaugurated) as King of Tyrconnell in Raphoe Cathedral in 1258 *Hugh Roe O'Donnell (died 1505), Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill I (Red Hugh O'Donnell I), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', King of Tyrconnell, builder of Donegal Castle; reigned from ''c.'' 1460 until his death in 1505 *Hugh Duff O'Donnell, Sir Aodh Dubh Ó Domhnaill (Sir Hugh Doo O'Donnell), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', King of Tyrconnell (d. 1537) *Manus O'Donnell, Maghnas Ó Domhnaill (Manus O'Donnell; 1490–1564), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', King of Tyrconnell, biographer of Saint Colmcille or Columba; mainly lived at Lifford *Calvagh O'Donnell, Calbhach Ó Domhnaill (Calvagh O'Donnell; d. 1566), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', 22nd Chieftain and King of Tyrconnell; son of Maghnas Ó Domhnaill *Sir Hugh O'Donnell, Sir Aodh mac Maghnusa Ó Domhnaill (Sir Hugh McManus O'Donnell; ''c.'' 1540–1601), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', King of Tyrconnell; son of Maghnas Ó Domhnaill *Donnell O'Donnell, Sir Domhnaill Ó Domhnaill (Sir Donnell O'Donnell; d. 1590), Seneschal of Tyrconnell and Sheriff of County Donegal, eldest son of Sir Aodh mac Maghnusa Ó Domhnaill; Sir Domhnaill was killed at the Battle of Doire Leathan in September 1590 *Nuala O'Donnell, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill (Nuala O'Donnell; c. 1575 – c. 1630), daughter of Sir Hugh O'Donnell, Sir Aodh mac Maghnusa Ó Domhnaill (Sir Hugh McManus O'Donnell) *Conn O'Donnell (d. 1583), of Lifford in the east of Tyrconnell; son of Calbhach and father of Sir Niall Garbh *Conn Oge O'Donnell (d. 1601), of Lifford, youngest son of Conn, brother of Sir Niall Garbh *Niall Garve O'Donnell, Sir Niall Garbh Ó Domhnaill (Sir Neil Garve O'Donnell; 1569–1626), Lord of Lifford; dynastic rival to both Aodh Ruadh II and Ruaidrí, Lord Tyrconnell *Red Hugh O'Donnell, Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill II (Red Hugh O'Donnell II; 1572–1602), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', 24th Chieftain, ''Rí'' (King) of Tyrconnell *Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, Ruaidrí, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell (1575–1608), ''An Ó Domhnaill'', last reigning King of Tyrconnell; younger brother of Aodh Ruadh II *Cathbarr O'Donnell, Cathbarr Ó Domhnaill (Cathbarr O'Donnell; d. 1608), younger full brother of both Aodh Ruadh II and Ruaidrí, Lord Tyrconnell; married Rosa O'Doherty, sister of Cahir O'Doherty, Sir Cathaoir Ó Dochartaigh *Hugh O'Donnell, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell, Hugh, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell (1606–1642), Prince and Lord of Tyrconnell; son and heir of Ruaidrí, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell *Lady Mary Stuart O'Donnell (1607– ''c.'' 1639), Ulster Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic noblewoman; Lady Mary was the daughter of Ruaidrí, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell *''Brigade General, Général de Brigade'' Daniel O'Donnell (Irish Brigade), Daniel O'Donnell (1666–1735), senior-ranking officer in the Irish Brigade (France), Irish Brigade in the French Royal service *Karl O'Donnell (1715–1771), ''Graf'' von Tyrconnell (Count of Tyrconnell) *Enrique O'Donnell, Conde de La Bisbal, Enrique, Conde de La Bisbal (Henry, Count of La Bisbal; 1769–1834), Irish-Spanish nobleman and Spanish nobility#Classification of Spanish nobles, peer (:de:Joseph Heinrich O’Donnell) *''Count, Comte'' Maurice O'Donnell de Tyrconnell (1780–1843), of Pressburg, also known as Moritz ''Graf'' O'Donnell von Tyrconnell, an Irish-Austrian count *Maximilian Karl Lamoral O'Donnell, Maximilian Karl Lamoral ''Graf'' O'Donell von Tyrconnell (1812–1895), Irish-Austrian count, son of Maurice/Moritz *''Count, Comte'' Jean Louis Barthélemy O'Donnell (1783–1836), Irish-French count, member of Napoleon's ''Council of State (France), Conseil d’État'' and ''Légion d'honneur'' *General Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuán, The 1st Duke of Tetuán (1809–1867), former Prime Minister of Spain *Carlos O'Donnell, 2nd Duke of Tetuán, The 2nd Duke of Tetuán (1834–1903), Spanish foreign minister and Mayordomo mayor to King Amadeo I. *Juan O'Donnell, 3rd Duke of Tetuan, The 3rd Duke of Tetuán (1864–1928), conducted Winston Churchill on visit to Cuba *Peadar O'Donnell (1893–1986), radical Irish republican, socialist, activist, and politician *Patrick O'Donnell (cardinal), Patrick Cardinal O'Donnell (1856–1927), Primate of All Ireland, Lord Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, Lord Archbishop of Armagh; senior prelate from near Glenties *Denis O'Donnell (1875–1933), entrepreneur, founder of Lee Strand Cooperative Creamery *Patrick Denis O'Donnell (1922–2005), Commandant/Irish Defence Forces, UN peacekeeper, military historian and author *Francis Martin O'Donnell (b. 1954), Ambassador, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Knight of Malta, President of Clan O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, President of Genealogical Society of Ireland; former UN senior representative, author *Guillermo O'Donnell, (1936–2011), Argentine political scientist, professor, author, and international activist for democracy *Hugo O'Donnell, 7th Duke of Tetuan, The 7th Duke of Tetuán (b. 1948), Spanish naval historian and Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Knight of Malta *O'Donnell baronets, of Newport House, recovered & entrusted Cathach of St. Columba to the Royal Irish Academy File:Irish potato famine Bridget O'Donnel.jpg, An 1849 depiction of Bridget O'Donnell and her two children during the famine. File:Leopoldo O'Donnell y Jorris.jpg, General Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan, The 1st Duke of Tetuán File:O'Donnell, Maximilian Graf.jpg, Maximilian Karl Lamoral O'Donnell, Maximilian Karl Lamoral ''Graf'' O'Donell von Tyrconnell,1860 File:Wappen der Grafen O’Donell von Tyrconell.png, Maximilian ''Graf'' O'Donell von Tyrconnell's coat of arms


Recent times

Patrick Cardinal O'Donnell (1856–1927) was probably the next most prominent O'Donnell to emerge in
Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...
, perhaps in all of Ireland, after the exile in 1607 of Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, the 1st Earl of Tyrconnell. Thomas O'Donnell (Irish nationalist politician), Thomas O'Donnell (1871–1943), MP for West Kerry from 1900 until 1918, was a leading agrarian reformer, and the first Member of Parliament to address the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons in Westminster in the
Irish language Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Irish Gaelic or simply Gaelic ( ), is a Celtic language of the Indo-European language family. It is a member of the Goidelic languages of the Insular Celtic sub branch of the family and is indigenous ...
(Gaelic), but was called to order by the Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom), Speaker, but not without having made his mark with John Redmond's support. There was formerly an Irish senator from County Donegal named Brian Ó Domhnaill (O'Donnell).


Family Tree


See also

* Irish nobility * Gaelic nobility of Ireland * O'Donnell Abu


References

*


Sources

*


Further reading

* * *''The Life of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell (Beatha Aodh Ruadh O Domhnaill)'' by Lughaidh O'Cleirigh. Edited by Paul Walsh and Colm Ó Lochlainn. Irish Texts Society, vol. 42. Dublin: Educational Company of Ireland, 1948 (original Gaelic manuscript in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin). *''Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland (Annála Ríoghachta Éireann)'' by the Four Masters, from the earliest period to the year 1616, compiled during the period 1632-1636 by Brother Mícheál Ó Cléirigh, translated and edited by John O'Donovan in 1856, and re-published in 1998 by De Burca, Dublin. * *''Vicissitudes of Families'', by Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms, published by Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, Paternoster Row, London, 1861. (Chapter on O’Donnells, pages 125-148). *''A View of the Legal Institutions, Honorary Hereditary Offices, and Feudal Baronies established in Ireland'', by William Lynch, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, published by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, Paternoster Row, London, 1830
O’Donnell: page 190
remainder to Earl’s patent). *''The Fate and Fortunes of the Earls of Tyrone (Hugh O’Neill) and Tyrconnel (Rory O’Donel), their flight from Ireland and death in exile'', by the Rev. C. P. Meehan, M.R.I.A., 2nd edition, James Duffy, London, 1870. *''The Fighting Prince of Donegal'', A Walt Disney Film, made in 1966 about the life of Prince Red Hugh O’Donnell (i.e. Hugh Roe), starring Peter McEnery, Susan Hampshire, Gordon Jackson, and Andrew Keir. *''Erin’s Blood Royal – The Gaelic Noble Dynasties of Ireland'', by Peter Berresford Ellis, Constable, London, 1999, (pages 251-258 on the O’Donel, Prince of Tyrconnell). *''Blood Royal - From the time of Alexander the Great to Queen Elizabeth II'', by Charles Mosley (genealogist), published for Ruvigny Ltd., London, 2002 (O'Donnell listed as Baron, page v) *''History of Killeen Castle'', by Mary Rose Carty, published by Carty/Lynch, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland, April 1991 () - page 18 refers to Elizabeth O'Donnell as 1st Countess of Fingal, by marriage to Lucas Plunkett, 1st Earl of Fingall. *''Vanishing Kingdoms - The Irish Chiefs and Their Families'', by Walter J. P. Curley (former US Ambassador to Ireland), with foreword by Charles Lysaght, published by The Lilliput Press, Dublin, 2004 [ & ]. (Chapter on O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, page 59). *''A Political Odyssey - Thomas O'Donnell'', by J. Anthony Gaughan, Kingdom Books, Dublin, 1983. *''The Execution, Life and Times of Patrick O'Donnell'', by Gavin O'Donnell, Perfugulator Publishing 2023. ISBN 978-1399951326 * *


External links


Official Website
of the O’Donnell Clan Association
Ó Domhnail
by Francis Martin O'Donnell {{Royal houses of Britain and Ireland O'Donnell dynasty, Irish royal families Irish clans Irish families Gaelic nobility of Ireland Ancient Irish dynasties Families of Irish ancestry History of County Donegal