Clan Sweeney facts for kids

Clan Sweeney is an Irish clan that originally came from Scotland. The Mac Suibhne family didn't settle permanently in Ireland until the early 1300s. At that time, they became Gallowglass soldiers, who were a type of heavily armed mercenary, for the Ua Domnaill family in Tír Chonaill.

The clan also says they are related to an Irish prince named Ánrothán Ua Néill. He was the son of Áed, who was the son of Flaithbertach Ua Néill, a King of Ailech and Cenél nÓengain. This connection means the clan can trace its family tree back to Niall Noigíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a famous ancient Irish king.

Clan Sweeney's Beginnings

The book Leabhar Clainne Suibhne tells us that after Áed died, his older brother Domnall was supposed to be king. But Ánrothán was chosen instead. Ánrothán then gave up the kingship to his brother and went to Argyll, Scotland. There, he married a daughter of the King of Scotland. Ánrothán's great-grandson was Suibhne, and the clan got its name from him.

Some historians think this story from Leabhar Clainne Suibhne might have been made up to connect the clan to the ancient Milesian kings of Ireland. However, historian W. D. H. Sellar believes the story could be true.

MacSweens in Scotland

Castle Sween, believed to be built by Suibne, the clan's namesake.

In the 1200s, the MacSweens controlled lands across central Argyll in Scotland. Their main strongholds included Lochranza Castle on the Isle of Arran, Skipness Castle, and Castle Sween at Knapdale. Castle Sween might be Scotland's oldest stone castle still standing.

The MacSweens ruled Knapdale and parts of Kintyre until 1262. Around this time, Dugall MacSween gave some of his lands to Walter Stewart, Earl of Menteith. This showed that the Earl now controlled much of the area.

In 1263, Haakon IV of Norway sailed to Scotland with an invasion fleet. The MacSweens of Knapdale, led by Murchadh MacSween, were forced to join his army. They even had to give hostages to prove their loyalty. Haakon promised Arran to Murchadh, but the Norwegian invasion failed at the Battle of Largs.

Later, in 1301, John MacSween asked Edward I of England for help. He claimed that Sir John Stewart, the Earl's successor, had taken his family's land. John MacSween served the English for a while, hoping to get his lands back.

During the First War of Scottish Independence, the MacSweens often supported the MacDougall Lords of Lorne. These were times of changing alliances. In 1307, the MacDougalls were enemies of Robert the Bruce. Sir John Menteith, who had taken Castle Sween from the MacSweens, was leading the fight against Bruce.

By 1310, Robert the Bruce had gained control of most of Argyll. Edward II of England then promised John MacSween and his brothers their family's old lands in Knapdale, if they could take them back from Sir John Menteith. However, John MacSween's attempt to recapture Castle Sween failed. Because they couldn't get their lands back in Scotland, the MacSweens moved permanently to Ireland.

A drawing from 1581, showing a chief (possibly a "Mac Sweyne") with his bard and harper.

Some MacSweens settled in Donegal, Ireland, becoming the ancestors of Clan Sweeney. Others who stayed in Scotland became part of Clan MacQueen. Some also became known as the MacEwens of Otter.

Arrival in Ireland

The first record of a Mac Suibhne connected to the clan in Ireland is from 1267. This was Murchadh Mac Suibne, whose father was Máel Muire an Sparáin from Castle Sween. Murchadh was captured and died in prison.

Once in Ireland, Clan Sweeney controlled large areas and split into three main branches:

• Mac Suibhne Fánad (Mac Sweeney Fanad)
• Mac Suibhne na d'Tuath (Mac Sweeney Doe)
• Mac Suibhne Boghaineach (Mac Sweeney Banagh)

Rathmullan became the main home for MacSuibhne Fanad for 400 years. Their power spread from Donegal into Connacht and Munster. In Donegal, their main castles were Doe Castle and Rahan Castle.

In Scotland, MacSuibhne chiefs were crowned and buried at Iona. In Ireland, they were crowned in Kilmacrennan, County Donegal. The MacSuibhne Fanad branch became important allies of the O'Donnell family. The remains of many Sweeneys who went to Ireland are buried outside Castle Doe.

The historian James Logan wrote that the Mac Swineys were known for being very welcoming. At their home, Clodach Castle, there was a stone by the road inviting travelers to come for food and rest. The Mac Sweens' battle cry was "Battalia-abu," which meant "The noble staff, victorious," referring to the battle-axe on their family shield.

Clan Branches

Mac Sweeney Fanad

Fánad is a peninsula in County Donegal, on the north coast of Ireland.

Eoin, a grandson of Máel Muire, was the first Mac Suibhne to settle in Tír Conaill. He took control of Fánad after 1263. His daughter married the Ó Domnaill, the king of Tír Chonaill.

After the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Murchad Mear arrived in Ireland with his followers. He was a great-grandson of Máel Muire an Sparáin. Murchad Mear's son, Murchad Óc, became lord of the lands east of Bearnas Mór. One of Murchad Óc's sons, Máel Muire, became lord of Fanad. Another son, Donnchad Mór, took control of the Tri Tuatha in northwest County Donegal.

Máel Muire became an ally of Ó Domhnaill. In return for his help, Máel Muire was given the lands of Moross in northern Fanad. Máel Muire's son, Toirdhealbhach Caoch, promised Ó Domhnaill that he and his family would provide two Gallowglass soldiers for every piece of land they owned when the Ó Domhnaills went to war.

Toirdhealbhach Ruadh, Toirdhealbhach Caoch's son, became chief in 1399. He helped Niall Ó Domhnaill and Domhnall Ó Néill defeat the English in 1423. In 1434, Toirdhealbhach Ruadh rescued Ó Domhnaill after he was captured by the English.

In 1456, Maol Mhuire Mac Suibhne, a son of Toirdhealbhach Ruadh, was captured in a battle. He was later released and became lord of Fanad in 1461. Maol Mhuire ruled for eleven years before he was killed in battle in 1472.

Maol Mhuire's son, Ruaidhrí, became chief and built Rathmullan Castle. Ruaidhrí and his wife, Máire, built a Carmelite priory (a type of monastery) at Rathmullan, which was finished in 1516.

When Ruaidhrí died in 1518, his cousin Domhnall Óg was made lord. But Ruaidhrí's son, Toirdhealbhach, challenged him. Toirdhealbhach became chief in 1529 after Domhnall Óg died. However, in 1544, Toirdhealbhach was killed by Domhnall Óg's sons as revenge.

In 1557, Domhnall Gorm Mac Suibhne was a leader and helped Calbhach Ó Domhnaill win a victory. Domhnall Gorm was killed in 1568 by his own relatives. His successor, Toirdhealbhach Óg, was killed in battle in 1570. Toirdhealbhach Óg's brother, Domhnall, became the last chief to be officially crowned lord of Fanad. Domhnall lived into the 1600s and saw the end of the old Gaelic way of life in Tír Conaill.

In 1601, an English army was stationed in Rathmullan. Domhnall first surrendered to the English, then fought against them, and then surrendered again. In 1608, Domhnall was on a list of people who accused the earls of Tyrconnell and Tyrone of disloyalty. For this, he received land in the Plantation of Ulster, where new settlers were given land. By 1619, he had about 2,000 acres (8.1 km²) and had built a good stone house.

Domhnall's son, Dormhnall Gorm, had ten children before he died in 1637. His sons, Domhnall Óg and Aodh Buidhe, had their lands taken away after the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

Mac Sweeney Doe

Castle Doe, a strong castle with a defensive wall and tower.

Na Trí Tuatha, or Tuatha Toraighe, was an area west of Fanad. It was taken over by Clan Sweeney after 1360.

Donnchadh Mór was the first Mac Suibhne na d'Tuath. His father and grandfather had conquered large areas in Tír Conaill around 1314. Donnchadh's son, Eoghan Connachtach, was captured in 1359. He later helped Séan Ó Domhnaill win a battle.

Not much is known about Mac Suibhne na d'Tuath until the mid-1500s. In 1543, MacSuibhne na d'Tuath and his brother, Brian, were prisoners. By 1545, MacSuibhne na d'Tuath had died, and his son, Eoghan Óg, became chief. Eoghan Óg was killed in battle in 1554.

His son, Murchadh Mall, then became chief. In 1567, Murchadh Mall helped Sir Aodh Ó Domhnaill defeat Séan an Díomuis Ó Néill. Murchadh Mall was killed in 1570.

After Murchadh's death, his brother, Eoghan Óg, became chief. In 1588, the English worried that Eoghan Óg was helping Spanish sailors whose ships had been wrecked. In 1590, Eoghan Óg protected Brian Ó Ruairc, who had been defeated by the English. Eoghan Óg died in 1596, and his nephew, Maol Mhuire, became chief.

Maol Mhuire was the last lord of Na Tuatha. In 1598, he sided with the English against Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill but was defeated and lost his lands. In 1600, Maol Mhuire was knighted for supporting the English. However, he later switched sides to Ó Domhnaill and was captured by the English.

Maol Mhuire's grandson, Colonel Maol Mhuire Mac Suibhne, was a leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. His lands were taken away because of his actions.

Mac Sweeney Banagh

The Mac Sweeney Banagh branch came from Dubhghall Mac Suibhne. He received lands in Tír Boghaine from his grandfather Murchadh Mear around 1320. Boghaine included parts of modern County Donegal.

There are different stories about the early history of Mac Suibhne Boghaineach. The Book of Ballymote (around 1400) says that six of Dubhghall's grandsons belonged to the Mac Suibhne of Connacht. The oldest grandson, Toirdhealbhach, was also the High Constable of Connacht (a high-ranking military leader). He was killed with two of his brothers in 1397.

By the 1500s, the Mac Suibhne Boghaineach were based at Rahan Castle in County Donegal. In 1524, Niall Mór mac Eoghain, the lord of Banagh, died there. In 1535, Niall Mór mac Eoghain's son, Maol Mhuire Mór, was killed by another son, Niall Óg, at Rahan.

Killybegs was also controlled by Mac Suibhne Boghaineach. In 1513, Killybegs was attacked by Eoghan Ó Máille. Although the Banagh leaders were away, a young man named Brian Mac Suibhne, along with some farmers, rescued the prisoners and killed Eoghan Ó Máille.

In 1547, Niall Óg was killed by the sons of Maol Mhuire (the brother he had killed earlier). Toirdhealbhach Meirgeach Mac Suibhne then became chief. By 1550, Toirdhealbhach Meirgeach was killed. Ruaidhrí Ballach Mac Suibhne tried to become lord but was refused. He then attacked Killybegs. Ruaidhrí Ballach was later killed, and Maol Mhuire became the rightful lord.

In 1581, Maol Mhuire, his sons, and many relatives were killed fighting under Aodh Ó Domhnaill. The lordship then passed to Maol Mhuire Óg, who was soon killed in 1582. The next lord was Brian Óg, who was then killed by Niall Meirgeach. Niall Meirgeach was also killed in 1588.

In 1590, when Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill was held in Dublin Castle, his half-brother, Domhnall Ó Domhnaill, tried to take control of Tír Conaill. Aodh Ruadh's mother gathered a large force, including the Mac Suibhne branches of Na Tuatha and Fanad, to stop Domhnall. Donnchadh, the lord of Banagh, sided with Domhnall. Their forces met in battle on September 14, 1590, and Domhnall's side was defeated. By 1592, Aodh Ruadh was in power, and Donnchadh seemed to have been forgiven, as he was present at Aodh Ruadh's inauguration.

In late 1601, the English took Mac Suibhne's Castle, but Ó Domhnaill recaptured it. In November, Donnchadh submitted to Niall Garbh Ó Domhnaill, who was on the English side. In 1608, Donnchadh was part of the group that accused Ó Néill and Ruaidhí Ó Domhnaill of disloyalty after they fled in 1607.

During the Plantation of Ulster, Donnchadh was given about 2,000 acres (8.1 km²) of land. In 1641, Donnchadh's son, Niall Meirgeach, was killed in a fight near Killybegs.

Chieftaincies of Fanad, Doe, and Banagh

• The chiefs of Fanad (Mac Suibhne Fánad)

  Historians believe that the main line of chiefs for Fanad ended before 1800.

• The chiefs of Doe (Mac Suibhne na d'Tuath)

  The chiefs of Doe are thought to be related to the Fanad line. Thomas A. Sweeney claims to be the direct male descendant of Maol Mhuire (Sir Myles Mac Sweeney, Chief of Doe, 1596-1630). In 1999, Sweeney asked the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland to recognize him as the Chief of the Name for the Mac Sweeneys of Doe. However, in 2003, this practice of recognizing chiefs was stopped.

• The chiefs of Banagh (Mac Suibhne Boghaineach)

  Local stories in south County Donegal say that the last two male descendants of this chief line died in Teelin around the late 1800s.

See also

• Alexander McSween
• Irish clans
• Irish Travellers
• Leabhar Clainne Suibhne