(Lord Of The Isles)

       The Gaelic clan, Cineal Ua Dhomhnuil Nan Eilean (The Children of The Noble World Mighty Of The Isles), variously known as Clan Donald, lords of The Isles, MacDonald, MacDonnell, Clanranald, MacDonell, MacAlister, MacDaniel, MacRory and MacConnell, among other interpretations, spellings and translations, all descend from Somhairle MacGillebruide (Summer Sailor, Son of Brutal Boy), 1st Gaelic King Of The Sudreyar (Sudr Ejyar -South Isles), k. 1164, through Domhnuil (World Mighty), his grandson by Somhairle's second wife, Ragnhildis, daughter of Olaf Ruaidh, King Of Man.  This ancient royal family of The Isles prospered and eventually came to include numerous branches, including MacDonnell Of Knocknacloy, MacDonnell Of Leinster, Clanranald Of Garmòran, MacAlister Of Loup, MacDonald Of Glencoe, MacDonald Of Islay And Kintyre, MacDonald Of Sleate, MacDonell Of Glengarry, MacDonell Of Keppoch, MacDonnell Of Antrim, MacDonnell Of Dun Naibhig And The Glens, MacDonnell Of Ulster, MacIain Of Ardnamurchan, MacRuairidh and  Siol Ghoraidh,  among others.  No other Gaelic clan since their predecessors of Cineal Cholla and the royal families of The Kingdom Of Dalriada had their feet so firmly planted on both sides of the North Channel. 

        In addition to the branches of Clan Donald, the chiefs of the Clan commanded the allegiance of other clans as well.  Whether by military alliance, by feu duty, by marriage, by fosterage, or simply by tradition and friendship, the clans Bisset, Cameron Of Lochiel, Douglas, FitzGerald Of Kildare, FitzPatrick Of Ossory, Graham Of Fife, Henderson, Kennedy Of Carrick, Lamont, Lennox, MacAulay, MacDougall, MacEachern, MacFie, MacGeachy, MacGillivray, MacGregor, MacKay of Moray, MacKinnon, MacLachlan, MacLaine Of Loch Buie, MacLean Of Duart, MacLellan, MacLeod Of Dunvegan, MacLeod Of Lewis, MacMillan, MacNeil Of Barra, MacNeil of Gigha, MacQuillin, MacSweeney, MacMhuirich, MacWilliam Of Galloway, Matheson, Morrison, Nicholson, ÓByrne  Of Wicklow, ÓCahan Of Limavady, ÓCallaghan Of Cork, ÓDonnell Of Donegal, ÓDunne of Ossory, ÓKelly Of Hymainy, ÓMore, ÓNeill Of Clandeboye And Lecale, ÓNeill Of Tyrone, ÓToole Of Offaly, Ross and Stuart, among others, all had long and abiding relationships with Clan Donald.

        Some other MacDonald branches and septs (families) of lesser size, such as MacDonnell Of Tighearna Coille, MacDonnell Of Rahin and Ballerranan, MacDonnell of Baltiboye and Castlenoe, Clanranaldbane Of Lairgie, MacAlister Of Glenbarr, MacAlister of Tarbert, MacAlister Of Torrisdale, MacDonald Of Benbecula, MacDonald Of Boisdale, MacDonald Of Colonsay, MacDonald Of Glenaladale, MacDonald Of Kingsburgh, MacDonald Of Lochalsh, MacDonald of Lochmaddy, MacDonald Of Staffa, MacDonell Of Morar, MacDonnell of Moye, MacGilleasbuig of Sanda, MacQuarrie of Ulva, MacRanald MacDonnell Of Clandeboye And Lecale,  and Robertson have been prominent at one time or another. 

        We are informed, and have no reason to dispute, that there are some 491 family names employed by the 3,500,000 descendants of this clan, altogether, and that more than 50,000,000 Americans claim their heritage from "An Gáidhealtachd" (Gaeldom).  The MacDonnell Of Leinster Association will be devoted to promoting the interests, not only of all of Clan Donald, but of all the Gael, wherever they live and whatever their faith or clan,

Dháindeoin co theiradh e! (Gainsay who dare!)