Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg
Encyclopedia
Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, also known as Clan Donald South, Clan Iain Vor, Clan MacDonald of Islay and Kintyre, MacDonalds of the Glens (Antrim) and sometimes referred to as MacDonnells, is a Scottish clan
and a branch of Clan Donald
. The founder of the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg is Iain Mhoir Tanistear Mac Dòmhnaill (John Mor Tanister MacDonald), a son of Iain Mic Dhòmhnaill (John of Islay, Lord of the Isles)
and Margaret Stewart.
, 6th chief of Clan Donald
and 1st Lord of the Isles
through his marriage to Margaret Stewart. http://www.finlaggan.com/page/20.asp
John Mor Tanister MacDonald married Margaret Bissett
of the Glens of Antrim
. From his marriage he claimed, but did not possess, this territory in Ireland
, along with those he already possessed in Islay
and Kintyre
in Scotland
.
He and his descendants became known as Lords of Dunnyvaig and the Glens, although they did not possess the latter until the 16th century. Their seat in Dunnyvaig was on the Island of Islay
and in the Glens they were seated in Antrim.
John Mor was assassinated by James Campbell
in 1427. His son Donald Balloch MacDonald the 2nd chief led the clan when they fought and won at the first Battle of Inverlochy (1431)
. This was in support of their cousin Alexander MacDonald who was chief of Clan Donald
, 3rd Lord of the Isles
and the current Earl of Ross
. They fought against the Royal forces of the Earl of Mar
who was supported by Clan Cameron
and Clan MacKintosh
.
The third Chief, Sir John Mor with his heir John Cathanach and three grandsons were apprehended through the treachery of the Macdonald of Ardnamurchan
and were executed in Edinburgh
for treason. However MacIian of Ardnamurchan who had also betrayed Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh
and was himself killed in 1518 by those who he had betrayed.
On the death of James MacDonald the 6th chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg and Antrim, the Antrim Glens were seized by one of his younger brothers called Somerled or Sorley Boy MacDonnell
known also as Sorley Buy.
In 1565 under Sorley Boy MacDonnell
the Clan Donald of Antrim and Dunnyveg fought the Battle of Glentasie
against Shane O'Neill
in Ireland
. Sorley Buy swore allegiance to James IV of Scotland
and his son Ranald was made Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim
by Queen Elizabeth
.
Much quarrelling took place between Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg
and his eldest son, Sir James MacDonald this was largely due to the intrigues of the Clan Campbell
. Sir James MacDonald led the clan who fought and won at the Battle of Gruinart Strand on the Isle of Islay
in 1598 against an invasion force of the Clan MacLean
who were led by Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean
of Duart
who was killed.
Further intrigue by the Clan Campbell brought the downfall of the Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and by 1620 Sir James MacDonald had lost control of Islay
and Kintyre
. However during the Civil War the lands were back in the hands of the MacDonalds briefly when they were supporters of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
.
Clan Donald of Dunnyveg became known as Clan Donald South to distinguish them from the Clan Macdonald of Sleat
who were known as Clan Donald North.
The last chief, Sir James MacDonald of the Clan Donald of Dunnyveg or Clan Donald South died in London
in 1626.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
and a branch of Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
. The founder of the MacDonalds of Dunnyveg is Iain Mhoir Tanistear Mac Dòmhnaill (John Mor Tanister MacDonald), a son of Iain Mic Dhòmhnaill (John of Islay, Lord of the Isles)
John of Islay, Lord of the Isles
John of Islay was the Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald. In 1336, he styled himself Dominus Insularum, "Lord of the Isles"; because this is the first ever recorded instance of the title in use, modern historians count John as the first of the later medieval Lords of the Isles, although...
and Margaret Stewart.
History
The founder of Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and the Glens was John Mor Tanister MacDonald who was the second son of John MacDonald also known as Good John of Islay, Lord of the IslesJohn of Islay, Lord of the Isles
John of Islay was the Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald. In 1336, he styled himself Dominus Insularum, "Lord of the Isles"; because this is the first ever recorded instance of the title in use, modern historians count John as the first of the later medieval Lords of the Isles, although...
, 6th chief of Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
and 1st Lord of the Isles
Lord of the Isles
The designation Lord of the Isles is today a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of...
through his marriage to Margaret Stewart. http://www.finlaggan.com/page/20.asp
John Mor Tanister MacDonald married Margaret Bissett
Margery Byset
Margery Byset was an Irish noblewoman belonging to the Bissett family whose marriage to John Mór Tanister MacDonnell in 1399 laid the basis for the Clan Donald claim to the Glens of Antrim, the lordship of which her family had established in the 13th century...
of the Glens of Antrim
Glens of Antrim
The Glens of Antrim , known locally as simply The Glens, is a region of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It comprises nine glens , that radiate from the Antrim Plateau to the coast. The Glens are an area of outstanding natural beauty and are a major tourist attraction in north Antrim...
. From his marriage he claimed, but did not possess, this territory in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, along with those he already possessed in Islay
Islay
-Prehistory:The earliest settlers on Islay were nomadic hunter-gatherers who arrived during the Mesolithic period after the retreat of the Pleistocene ice caps. In 1993 a flint arrowhead was found in a field near Bridgend dating from 10,800 BC, the earliest evidence of a human presence found so far...
and Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
He and his descendants became known as Lords of Dunnyvaig and the Glens, although they did not possess the latter until the 16th century. Their seat in Dunnyvaig was on the Island of Islay
Islay
-Prehistory:The earliest settlers on Islay were nomadic hunter-gatherers who arrived during the Mesolithic period after the retreat of the Pleistocene ice caps. In 1993 a flint arrowhead was found in a field near Bridgend dating from 10,800 BC, the earliest evidence of a human presence found so far...
and in the Glens they were seated in Antrim.
John Mor was assassinated by James Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
in 1427. His son Donald Balloch MacDonald the 2nd chief led the clan when they fought and won at the first Battle of Inverlochy (1431)
Battle of Inverlochy (1431)
The Battle of Inverlochy was fought after Alexander of Islay , Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross, had been imprisoned by King James I...
. This was in support of their cousin Alexander MacDonald who was chief of Clan Donald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
, 3rd Lord of the Isles
Lord of the Isles
The designation Lord of the Isles is today a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of...
and the current Earl of Ross
Earl of Ross
The Mormaer or Earl of Ross was the leader of a medieval Gaelic lordship in northern Scotland, roughly between the River Oykel and the River Beauly.-Origins and transfers:...
. They fought against the Royal forces of the Earl of Mar
Earl of Mar
The Mormaer or Earl of Mar is a title that has been created seven times, all in the Peerage of Scotland. The first creation of the earldom was originally the provincial ruler of the province of Mar in north-eastern Scotland...
who was supported by Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands is the mountain Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The chief of the clan is customarily referred to as...
and Clan MacKintosh
Clan MacKintosh
Clan Mackintosh is a Scottish clan from Inverness with strong Jacobite ties. The Mackintoshes were also chiefs of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...
.
The third Chief, Sir John Mor with his heir John Cathanach and three grandsons were apprehended through the treachery of the Macdonald of Ardnamurchan
Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan
The MacDonalds of Ardnamurchan also known as MacIain of Ardnamurchan are a branch of Clan Donald.-Origins of the Clan:The founder of the Macdonalds of Ardnamurchan was Iain Sprangach MacDonald , the third son of Angus Mor MacDonald , 4th chief of the Clan Donald.Iain Sprangach MacDonald was also...
and were executed in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
for treason. However MacIian of Ardnamurchan who had also betrayed Alexander MacDonald of Lochalsh
Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh
-History:The MacDonald of Lochalsh branch was founded by Celestine MacDonald . Celestine MacDonald was the second son of Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, 3rd Lord of the Isles and 8th chief of Clan Donald...
and was himself killed in 1518 by those who he had betrayed.
On the death of James MacDonald the 6th chief of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg and Antrim, the Antrim Glens were seized by one of his younger brothers called Somerled or Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...
known also as Sorley Buy.
In 1565 under Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...
the Clan Donald of Antrim and Dunnyveg fought the Battle of Glentasie
Battle of Glentasie
The Battle of Glentaisie, was an Irish battle fought in the north of Ulster on 2 May 1565. The result was a victory for Shane O'Neill over the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. The conflict was a part of the political and military struggle, involving the English and occasionally the Scots, for control of...
against Shane O'Neill
Shane O'Neill
Seán Ó Néill, anglicised Shane O'Neill , nicknamed 'Seán an díomais', was an Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster in the mid 16th century. Shane O'Neill's career was marked by his ambition to be The Ó Néill Mór - Sovereign of the dominant Ó Néill Mór family of Tyrone... and thus head...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Sorley Buy swore allegiance to James IV of Scotland
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
and his son Ranald was made Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim
Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim
Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim , having been fostered in the Gaelic manner on the Scottish island of Arran by the Hamiltons, was the 4th son of Sorley Boy MacDonnell, and of Mary, daughter of Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone.He fought at first against the English government, participating...
by Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
.
Much quarrelling took place between Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg
Angus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg
-Life:Angus Macdonald went to Islay and Kintyre to renew the conflict with Clan Maclean. In 1579, upon information of mutual hostilities committed by their followers, the king and council commanded Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean and Angus Macdonald of Dunyveg or Isla, to subscribe assurances of indemnity...
and his eldest son, Sir James MacDonald this was largely due to the intrigues of the Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
. Sir James MacDonald led the clan who fought and won at the Battle of Gruinart Strand on the Isle of Islay
Islay
-Prehistory:The earliest settlers on Islay were nomadic hunter-gatherers who arrived during the Mesolithic period after the retreat of the Pleistocene ice caps. In 1993 a flint arrowhead was found in a field near Bridgend dating from 10,800 BC, the earliest evidence of a human presence found so far...
in 1598 against an invasion force of the Clan MacLean
Clan MacLean
Clan Maclean is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with...
who were led by Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean
Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean
Sir Lachlan Mór Maclean or Lachlan the Great, was the 14th Clan Chief of Clan MacLean from late 1573 or early 1574 until 1598.Mór or Mor translates as great in English, or magnus in Latin, when added to a name in Scottish Gaelic....
of Duart
Maclean of Duart
The Macleans of Duart or Maclean of Dowart are the main sept of the Scottish clan Clan Maclean, whose chief has his seat at Duart Castle, Isle of Mull.-History:Lachlan Lubanach Maclean was the first Maclean to occupy Duart Castle....
who was killed.
Further intrigue by the Clan Campbell brought the downfall of the Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and by 1620 Sir James MacDonald had lost control of Islay
Islay
-Prehistory:The earliest settlers on Islay were nomadic hunter-gatherers who arrived during the Mesolithic period after the retreat of the Pleistocene ice caps. In 1993 a flint arrowhead was found in a field near Bridgend dating from 10,800 BC, the earliest evidence of a human presence found so far...
and Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
. However during the Civil War the lands were back in the hands of the MacDonalds briefly when they were supporters of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed...
.
Clan Donald of Dunnyveg became known as Clan Donald South to distinguish them from the Clan Macdonald of Sleat
Clan MacDonald of Sleat
Clan Macdonald of Sleat, sometimes known as Clan Donald North and in Gaelic Clann Ùisdein , is a Scottish clan and a branch of Clan Donald — one of the largest Scottish clans. The founder of the Macdonalds of Sleat is Ùisdean, 6th great-grandson of Somhairle, a 12th century Rì Innse Gall...
who were known as Clan Donald North.
The last chief, Sir James MacDonald of the Clan Donald of Dunnyveg or Clan Donald South died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1626.
Chiefs
- John Mor Tanister MacDonald, 1st of Dunnyveg killed 1427
- Donald Balloch MacDonald, 2nd of Dunnyveg died 1476
- John Mor MacDonald, 3rd of DunnyvegJohn Mor MacDonald, 3rd of DunnyvegJohn Mor MacDonald was a son of Donald Balloch MacDonald and Johanna, daughter of Conn O'Neill of Edenduffcarrick. He was the third chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.-Biography:...
executed 1499 - John Cathanach MacDonald, 4th of DunnyvegJohn Cathanach MacDonald, 4th of DunnyvegJohn Cathanach MacDonald, 4th of Dunnyveg was a son of John Mor MacDonald and Sabina, daughter of Felim O'Neill of Clanaboy. His father was charged with treason and refused to surrender to King James IV of Scotland. With his father and three sons they were captured through the treachery of their...
executed 1499 - Alexander MacDonald, 5th of DunnyvegAlexander MacDonald, 5th of DunnyvegAlexander Carragh Mac Domhnaill, or MacDonald in Scotland, 5th of Dunnyveg , a Scoto-Irish chieftain, who was the son of John Cathanach MacDonald, 4th of Dunnyveg and Cecillia Savage, daughter of the Lord of the Ardes....
died 1538 - James MacDonald, 6th of DunnyvegJames MacDonald, 6th of DunnyvegJames Mac Domhnaill or MacDonald in Scotland, 6th of Dunnyveg , a Scoto-Irish chieftain, who was the son of Alexander MacDonald, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine MacDonald, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan....
died July 5, 1565 - Archibald MacDonald, 7th of DunnyvegArchibald MacDonald, 7th of Dunnyveg-Biography:The eldest son of Sir James MacDonald and Agnes Campbell, Archibald received a charter for lands forming a part of the barony of Bar in Kintyre on 5 May 1564 from Mary, Queen of Scots. He took over the cheiftainship after his fathers death after James was captured during the battle of...
died circa 1569 - Angus MacDonald, 8th of DunnyvegAngus MacDonald, 8th of Dunnyveg-Life:Angus Macdonald went to Islay and Kintyre to renew the conflict with Clan Maclean. In 1579, upon information of mutual hostilities committed by their followers, the king and council commanded Sir Lachlan Mor Maclean and Angus Macdonald of Dunyveg or Isla, to subscribe assurances of indemnity...
died October 21, 1614 - Sir James MacDonald, 9th of Dunnyveg died 1626
Castles
- Dunyvaig CastleDunyvaig CastleDunyvaig Castle, is located on the south side of Islay, on the shore of Lagavulin Bay, from Port Ellen. The castle was once a naval base of the Lord of the Isles, chiefs of Clan Donald. It was held by the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg....
in ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
was the seat of the Earl of Antrim, chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. It is situated on the east side of Lagavulin Bay on the Isle of Islay built in the 13th century. http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk:81/scotgaz/features/featurefirst6195.html http://www.castles.org/Chatelaine/DUNYVAIG.HTM - Dunluce CastleDunluce CastleDunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland. It is located on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim , and is accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland...
was the seat of MacDonald Earl of Antrim, in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
where he headed the Clan MacDonnell of AntrimClan MacDonnell of AntrimThe MacDonnells of Antrim, also known as the MacDonnells of the Glens, are a branch in Ireland of the primarily Scotland-based Clan Donald...
.