Suibhne mac Duinnshléibhe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Suibhne
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Castle Sween, traditionally said to have been built by Suibhne
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| Known for | Eponymous ancestor of Clann Suibhne; supposed builder of Castle Sween. |
| Children | Dubhghall (son); Maol Mhuire an Sparáin (son); unnamed daughter |
| Parent(s) | Donnshléibhe (father) |
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Suibhne's father, and daughter, are only known from later tradition; sons Dubhghall and Maol Mhuire appear in contemporary records.
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Suibhne mac Duinnshléibhe was an important lord in Argyll, Scotland, around the late 1100s and early 1200s. Even though his name isn't found in official records from his time, we know he existed because his sons used his name in theirs.
Suibhne is mentioned in a book from the 1500s called Leabhar Clainne Suibhne. This book tells the early story of Clann Suibhne, a famous Irish family. It says that Suibhne was the ancestor of this clan. It also claims he built Castle Sween in Knapdale, Argyll. However, some historians think the castle was built earlier, in the late 1000s.
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Who Was Suibhne?
Suibhne was active in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. We know he lived because his sons and their children used his name in their family records. His name, Suibhne, comes from the Gaelic language. It means "pleasant". Sometimes, it was also used as a Gaelic version of the Old Norse name Sveinn, which means "boy" or "servant".
Suibhne was known as the Thane of Glassary and Knapdale. A "Thane" was a local lord or chief who held land from a king.
Suibhne's Family
Suibhne had two sons whose names appear in records from their time.
Dubhghall mac Suibhne
His son, Dubhghall, was involved in several important agreements and documents. He lived at Skipness Castle in Kintyre.
Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne
Another son, Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne, married a granddaughter of a very important person. She was Beanmhidhe, whose grandfather was Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair. Ruaidrí was a King of Connacht and even a High King of Ireland (a very powerful ruler). Records show that Beanmhidhe, Maol Mhuire's wife, died in 1269. Maol Mhuire's descendants went on to create the different branches of the Irish Clann Suibhne.
Places Connected to Suibhne
Suibhne's name is linked to Loch Sween, a sea loch in Scotland. He is also traditionally said to have built Castle Sween (Caisteal Suibhne in Scottish Gaelic). This castle overlooks the shores of Loch Sween in Knapdale.
Historians believe Castle Sween was built around the late 11th century. It is considered one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland. The first castle was a simple walled area. The MacSweens, Suibhne's family, left the castle in the 13th century.
Later, the castle was greatly changed and improved by the Stewart earls of Menteith. In 1310, Sir John Menteith owned it. The English king, Edward II, then gave the MacSween family lands back to John MacSween and his brothers. Castle Sween was finally destroyed in the mid-1600s.
