Donnchadh MacRath facts for kids

Donnchadh MacRath (who died around 1700) was a famous Scottish Gaelic poet. He was also known as Duncan MacRae of Inverinate and Donnchadh nam Pìos. He is most famous for putting together an important collection of poems and writings called the Fernaig manuscript. He wrote it down using a special writing style that was influenced by the English language.

Who Was Donnchadh MacRath?

Donnchadh MacRath came from a well-known family called the Macraes of Inverinate. His father, Alexander Macrae, worked for the Earl of Seaforth in a place called Kintail. The Macraes of Inverinate had strong connections to the Clan Mackenzie and the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Donnchadh was considered the 9th leader of the Inverinate Macraes.

What Was Donnchadh Known For?

Donnchadh wrote many of the poems found in his own collection, the Fernaig manuscript. His poems show that he supported the Jacobite cause, which was about bringing back the old royal family to the throne. He also had strong beliefs as a Scottish Episcopalian, but he was also very open-minded.

People in his local area told many stories about how clever he was at solving practical problems. A professor named Mackinnon once described him as very different from what people usually imagined a Highland Chief to be during his time. He was seen as an engineer, a religious person, a politician who believed in freedom, and a poet who collected the writings of his people.

Donnchadh is also mentioned in a poem by Sorley MacLean called Time and Sgurr Urain. The poem lists heroes from Kintail and includes:

• Duncan of the Silver Cups
• in high-wooded Inverinate.

How Did Donnchadh MacRath Die?

Donnchadh died sometime between 1693 and 1704. Many local stories say he drowned in the river Chonaig, near Dorusduain. People believed he was coming back from visiting the Chisholm to buy land in Glen Affric. It's said that the important papers for the land were lost in the river when he drowned.

Donnchadh's Family

Donnchadh married a woman named Janet, who was the daughter of Alexander Macleod of Raasay. Janet and her sister Julia were supposed to inherit land on Raasay in 1688. However, people in the area resisted their claims, and they didn't end up getting the land.

Donnchadh and Janet had at least three sons and two daughters. Their son Farquhar became Donnchadh's heir but passed away in 1711.

An important poet from the 1700s, Iain mac Mhurchaidh, was related to Donnchadh MacRath. Iain mac Mhurchaidh was a Loyalist poet from North Carolina and a first cousin once removed of Donnchadh.