Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg |
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Crest: A arm bent at the elbow, with a cuffed sleeve, holding the cross, crosslet fitchee Gules
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| Motto | Toujours Prêt (Always Prepared) | ||
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| Region | Highlands and Islands | ||
| District | Islay, Kintyre and Antrim | ||
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| Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg has no chief, and is an armigerous clan | |||
| Historic seat | Dunyvaig Castle | ||
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The Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg is a famous Scottish clan. It's also known by names like Clan Donald South or Clan Iain Mor. This clan is a branch of the larger Clan Donald.
The MacDonalds of Dunnyveg were founded by Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill. He was the son of John of Islay, a powerful leader. His mother was Margaret Stewart, daughter of King Robert II.
Interestingly, members of this clan often said and wrote their name as M'Connall. This was because of how their Gaelic name Mac Domhnuill sounded. This is why you might see the name McConnell today.
Even though it was once a recognized clan, the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg no longer has a chief. This means it's now an armigerous clan. The last chief was Sir James MacDonald, who passed away in London in 1626.
Contents
Clan History
How the Clan Started
The Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and the Glens began with Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill. He was the second son of John MacDonald, also known as Good John of Islay. John was the 6th chief of Clan Donald and the first Lord of the Isles.
Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill married Margaret Bissett. She was from the Glens of Antrim in Ireland. Through this marriage, he claimed land in Ireland, along with his lands in Islay and Kintyre in Scotland.
He and his family became known as the Lords of Dunnyvaig and the Glens. Their main home in Dunnyvaig was on Islay. In the Glens, they lived at Dunluce Castle on the north Antrim coast.
The Council of the Isles
The Lords of the Isles and their special group, the Council of the Isles, met on Islay. Their meeting place was called Finlaggan, which means 'white hollow' in Gaelic.
Finlaggan Loch has two small islands. The larger island was where the Lord of the Isles lived. The smaller island was named Eilean nan Comhairle, meaning 'council island'. This is where the Council of the Isles held their meetings.
The Lordship of the Isles was different from later feudal lords. It was more like the old Celtic kingdoms. Local chiefs, chosen by their clans, made up the Council. They helped settle arguments within their own clans.
Chiefs from different Clan Donald branches were on the Council. These included Dunnyveg, Clanranald, Keppoch, and Ardnamurchan. Other clans from ancient Dalriada were also part of it. These included MacKinnon, MacMillan, Magee, MacNicoll, Maceachern, MacKay, and MacGillivray. Some chiefs from the MacLeods and MacLeans were also on the Council.
Clan Events in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Centuries
Eòin Mòr Tànaiste was killed in 1427. His son, Donald Balloch MacDonald, became the 2nd chief. He led the clan to victory at the first Battle of Inverlochy (1431). They fought to support their cousin, Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross.
The third chief, Sir John Mor, along with his son and three grandsons, were captured. They were executed in Edinburgh for treason. This happened because of a betrayal by MacIain of Ardnamurchan.
After James MacDonald, 6th of Dunnyveg passed away, his younger brother, Sorley Boy MacDonnell, took control of the Antrim Glens. In 1565, Sorley Boy MacDonnell led the Clan Donald of Antrim and Dunnyveg. They fought in the Battle of Glentasie in Ireland.
Later, Sorley Boy swore loyalty to James IV of Scotland. His fourth son, Ranald, was made Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim by Queen Elizabeth.
There was a lot of disagreement between Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg and his oldest son, Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg. This was partly due to the actions of the Clan Campbell.
Sir James MacDonald led the clan to victory at the Battle of Gruinart Strand in 1598. This battle took place on the Isle of Islay. They fought against the Clan MacLean, led by Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean, who was killed.
More actions by the Clan Campbell led to the downfall of the Clan Donald of Dunnyveg. By 1620, Sir James MacDonald had lost control of Islay and Kintyre.
However, during the Civil War, the MacDonalds briefly got their lands back. They supported James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. A famous member of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg was Alasdair Mac Colla. He was known for his victories with Montrose during the Scottish Civil War in the 1640s.
The last chief, Sir James MacDonald, passed away in London in 1626.
The Clan in the 21st Century
In 2012, a request was made to The Court of Lord Lyon. John Gerald McDonnell asked to have the Clan Donald South's old symbols confirmed. He also asked for new symbols for a chief of Ian Mor. However, this request was turned down in 2014 by Lord Lyon, Dr. Joseph J. Morrow.
Clan Leaders (Lords)
- Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill (died 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 (died 5 July 1565)
- Archibald Mac Dòmhnuill, 7th of Dunnyveg (died around 1569)
- Aonghus mac Séamus Mac Dòmhnuill, 8th of Dunnyveg (died 21 October 1614)
- Sir Séamus Mac Dòmhnuill, 9th of Dunnyveg (died 1626)
Clan Castles
- Dunyvaig Castle is located three miles east of Port Ellen. It's on the south side of the Isle of Islay. This castle was the main home for the chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.
Today, only ruins remain of what was once a very strong castle. It had a small tower, or keep, surrounded by two courtyards. The last MacDonald of Dunnyveg won a battle against the Clan MacLean at Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart. However, he was later ordered to give up the castle in 1608.
The king then put the castle under the care of the Bishop of the Isles. But Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald took it back in 1612. In 1615, the castle went to the Clan Campbell of Cawdor. Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald escaped, but many of his men were killed.
Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald took the castle again in 1647. But after a siege by David Leslie, 1st Lord Newark, the castle had to surrender. This happened when their water supply ran out. Alasdair Colkitto MacDonald was then hanged from the castle walls.
The Campbells of Cawdor held the castle until 1677. The island of Islay remained with branches of the Clan Campbell. Most of the castle has crumbled, but the ruins have been made safe to visit.
See also
- Irish nobility
- Scottish clan
- MacDonnell (surname)
