The US-Ireland Alliance is a proactive, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to consolidating existing relations between the United States and Ireland -- North and South -- and building that relationship for the future. We share that goal.
University College, Dublin is Ireland's largest university, offering degrees in 35 disciplines, including an outstanding School of Celtic Studies.
1892 book entitled “Some Historical And Personal Notes On The Tynekill Branch Of The MacDonnell Family.”
The Royal Irish Academy is another repository of Gaelic Culture, including HHG MacDonnell's
Trinity College, Dublin has been closely associated with MacDonnell Of Leinster since the 19th Century, when Richard MacDonnell served as provost. They safeguard Ireland's most ancient documents, including "The Tinnakill Duanaire," and without their efforts, much of our Gaelic heritage would have long ago disappeared.
Glucksman Ireland House is the Center For Irish Studies at New York University. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, it offers courses in Irish history, language, literature, music and politics, both for university students, and for the New York community, and presents public events and concerts of Irish music.
John MacLean, a resident of Coll, in The Isle of Lewis, treats his photography as art and, if you visit his website, we are sure you will agree that he is a true artist. Whether his subject is local color, one of his neighbors, or even a subject as ordinary as a culinary promotion, he captures levels of meaning so subtle as to excite your senses. You have never seen a flower until you have seen his perspective of it.
Martin Junius of Köln, Germany is the best landscape photographer we have found on the internet, his collection of Scottish scenes is beautiful, and he has kindly permitted us to use them here. In some cases he captured sunny scenes, whereas it was raining when we were there. In other cases, his pictures were just better than ours.
Cari Busiak, well established Celtic artist located in Alberta, Canada, offers Celtic art for sale, free Celtic clip art, art classes, exhibitions and news regarding Celtic art and affairs. We find her work attractive and authentic with a modern touch. You will find examples from time to time on this website. One shown below is the MacMahon logo.
The University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Art Department has created a wonderful image database searchable on line in various ways, together with maps, timelines, discussions of design, and features on topics from the Hallstatt Culture forward.
Notre Dame's Keough-Naughton Institute For Irish Studies has a Dublin campus and cooperative studies with both Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, although they provide very little information on-line.
Vic Spencer spent his career in government service around the world and chose Knoxville for his retirement home. He and his wife, Lois, have adopted Knoxville, and we have adopted them. No one could picture the beauty and vibrancy of my home town better than Vic has done it. Now, if he can only pass on a little of his talent to me!
"Tudor Place" is a beautiful website that portrays the Tudor Dynasty very well, including an excellent genealogy of both the Kildare and Desmond FitzGeralds. There are fine graphics, with portraits of many of the Tudors, as well as links to a number of websites dealing with many aspects of life in those times.
“Chlanna Nan Conthigibh" (Sons Of The Hounds - Clan Cameron) descend either from the MacGillonies or from the medieval family of Cameron of Ballegarno in Fife, c.1400. Their senior branch, The Camerons of Lochiel, held lands on the east side of the loch and river of Lochy in Lochaber from the lords of The Isles as superior. They were among the most loyal supporters of the lords of The Isles, always on the Council of The Isles.
Descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, c. 400AD, the O'Neills take their actual surname from Niall Glundubh (Black-knee) who was slain fighting the Danes in 919. The mighty Ui Neill dynasty ruled as Kings of Tara and High-Kings of Ireland for hundreds of years and were both allies and competitors of the lords of The Isles, of The MacDonnells of Dun Naibhig & The Glens and of The MacDonnells of Antrim.
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The "Wild Geese Heritage Museun," Portumna, Co. Galway, website includes considerable information on Patrick Sarsfield, as well as on the Irish Diaspora following "The Flight Of The Earls," The Battle Of Aughrim, and the general history of East Galway. We recommend this source to anyone inquiring into any of these subjects.
“Cineal MacDubh-shithe” (MacDuffie, MacPhee or MacFie) are known as MacGuffie or MacHaffie in Galloway. Their name means “son of the black peace,” also translated as “son of the dark fairy,” and is rendered in modern Gaelic as “MacÁphi.” They come from Colonsay, and though they claim to be a branch of Clan Alpine, their early history is Norse. They have long been involved in the history of the MacDonalds.
"Cineal Mag Uidhir" (Children of the Dun Scoffer or Jester - Maguire), were one of the three clans who made up the Kingdom of Airgialla (Oriel) in the 5th Century. By the year 1302, the Maguires were already well established as rulers of Fermanagh and The MacDonnells of Knocknacloy were their neighbors to the south. By the end of the 16th Century they controlled almost all of the area within the modern county boundary
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“Cineal MacNeil” descend from Nial MacAodh ÓNeill, King of the North of Ireland early in the 11th Century. The MacNeils held lands in Barra, Gigha and in Colonsay under the lords of The Isles, and often sat on The Council Of The Isles. We are informed that this website is the oldest and largest of several representing the Clan.
Cineal Tobhar Maccus (Children of Maccus of the Well - Maxwell), this writer's maternal line, derive from a Norse chief who held lands on the River Tweed near Kelso and a pool in that stream called "Maccus' Well." They were once a prominent family of Galloway whose first recorded representative was Sir John de Maxwell, Chancellor of Scotland in 1241.
Cineal MacMhuirich (Children of the Son of The Seafairer), descend from "Muireadach Albannach" (the Scottish Seaman) and were hereditary seannachaidh to the lords of The Isles. The Clanranald branch were authors of the famous "Leabhar Dearg nam Clanranald." They preserved the literary torch for generations in the Western Isles, probably the longest-lived literary dynasty in Europe.
"Cineal MacH'Aedh" (Children Of The Son Of Hugh - Clan MacKay) descend from Aedh, last Celtic Abbot of Dunkeld, 1st Earl of Fife, and elder brother of Alexander I of Scots, by a daughter of Lulach, last Gaelic King Of Scots. This clan contested the crown of Scotland against the Normans for more than three hundred years, consistently supported by Somhairle, King of The Sudreyar and succeeding lords of The Isles.
"MacFhionghuin" (Son of the Fair Born - MacKinnon), descend from a younger son of Alpine and originally held lands in Mull and in Skye centered on “Caisteal Mhaol,” as vassals of the Lords of The Isles. Fingon MacKinnon, known as “The Green Abbot,” was Master of the Household to the Lord of The Isles before becoming Abbot of Iona. In 1409 Lachlan MacKinnon witnessed a charter signed by Donald, 8th Lord of The Isles
“Cineal Uillin” (MacQuillin or MacQuillan) Although they claim descent from Fiacu mac Niall, 5th Century King of Uisnech, they are most reliably recorded as the Welsh-Norman Mandevilles and probably accompanied the de Courci earls of Ulster in their 12th Century invasion. Their history is intertwined with the MacDonnells, from their building of Bun Na Mairgie Friary and Dun Luths Castle, to the Battle of Strangford Lough in 1406.
Cineal Leabhar Uisge (Children of the Long Water - Lennox) The Celtic earls of Lennox were heirs of the rulers of Strathclyde and Fortriu. Malcolm, 5th Earl of the Gaelic line, supported Bruce’s claims to the throne and, consequently, was allied with Oengus Ogh, 6th of The Isles. Matthew, 4th Norman Earl of Lennox, engaged in an alliance with Donald Dubh, 12th Lord of The Isles, against the league of Covenanters headed by Argyll
"Cineal ÓBroin" (Children of the Descendants of Bran - ÓByrne) descend from the ancient Ui Faelain chiefs of Leinster through Bran MacFaelan who died in 837. This royal family fiercely contested Norman hegemony until the 17th Century and were related to the Leinster MacDonnells by marriage, including Fiacha MacAodh O'Byrne (1544-1597) who was married to the sister of the MacDonnell Governor of Wicklow.
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“Cineal MacUalraig” is said to derive from Ulrick or Walrick Kennedy, a scion of the Kennedys of Dunure, who fled to Lochaber from Ayrshire early in the 16th Century and from whom the Glengarry and Lochaber Kennedys are descended. They were among the most loyal followers of Glengarry and played a major part in “The Forty-Five,” from the first action, the skirmish at High Bridge on the River Spean, to Culloden.
"Cineal ÓMórdha" (Children of the Descendants of The Magnificent One - Clan ÓMore) traditionally descend from Conal Cearnach, a member of the "Craeb Ruaidh" (Red Branch) and were the leading tribe of the "7 Septs of Leix." Dominant in Co. Laois at the time of the arrival of the Leinster MacDonnells in 1419, the two clans were, at first, bitter rivals, and then allies by dynastic marriage.
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“Cineal Eanruig” (Children of the Injured Bird - Henderson, MacKendrick or MacHenry) of Glencoe are the principal family of this name. They claim descent from “Eanruig Mhór mac Righ Neachtan” (Big Henry, son of King Nectan, d.724). Their direct line terminated in an heiress whose rights carried to her son Iain Fraoch, (Heather John) founder of the “Cineal Iain Abrach,” or The MacDonalds of Glencoe.
Cineal MacGiolla Phádraig (Children of the Son of the Lad Patrick - FitzPatrick) descend from Giolla Phádraig, son of Donnchadh, King of Osraige c. 976 through Bryan Mac Giolla Phádraig, 1st Baron Upper Ossory in 1541. The Leinster MacDonnells were related by various alliances in the 16th and 17th centuries. Fr. Brian FitzPatrick, a grandson of the 1st Baron Ossory, made several contributions to "The Tinnakill Duanaire."
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“Cineal Greumach,” (Children of the Shoemaker - Clan Graham) are believed to be a family of Fife who sent the Romans reeling back into Britannia. But the present line stem from an Anglo-Norman family who accompanied William the Bastard in 1066 and who are recorded in his “Doomsday Book” as holding the lands of “Graegham” (Scots - Gray Home) in Fife. Clan Donald were allied with them throughout the Jacobite wars.
"FitzGerald" (Sons of Gerald) descend from Gherardini, an Italian adventurer who fought for William the Bastard of Normandy at Hastings in 1066 and was rewarded with the lordship of Windsor. Their relationship with Clan Donald began in 1419 when Gerald FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Kildare fought a battle at Ath Lighen in South Galway. Observing the performance of the MacDonnell Gallóglaigh, he offered them a grant.
"Cineal Dubhghlas" (Dark Gray's Children - Clan Douglas) originated in Lanarkshire where William of Douglas appeared as a witness to various charters between 1175 and 1211. His grandson, Sir James, known as “The Black Douglas,” was a loyal captain of Robert The Bruce and died in Spain, carrying Bruce’s heart to the Holy Land. It was with the Good Sir James that the long relationship with the lords of The Isles began.
ÓCeallaigh Ui Máine (Descendants of the Monks of the Monastery), kings of Roscommon and East Galway from the 5th Century, descend from Cairsall (Colla da Crich), one of the founders of Airgialla and brother of High King Niall of the Nine Hostages. They were patrons of the MacDonnell Gallóglaigh of Knocknacloy from 1388 until 1419, when they suffered severe losses at the Battle of Ath Lighen in East Galway.
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MacBheatha (Son of Life, MacBeth, also Meigleathadh or MacAnléigh - physician), known in English as Bethune or Beaton, came to Islay from Ireland in the 13th Century as part of the retinue of Agnes ÓCahan, bride of Oengus Ogh, 6th Lord of The Isles. They were given the lands of Ballinaby in Islay in fee for their service and were famous for their exceptional learning and knowledge of medicine.
Cineal ÓDómhnaill (Descendants of World Ruler - ÓDonnell) claim descent from Conall Gulban, 5th Century King of Tirconnaill (Donegal), who was a son of High King Niall Of The Nine Hostages. They are closely related to the lords of The Isles by various marriages, including Inghian Dubh (Dark Daughter) MacDonnell, sister of James MacDonnell of Dun Naibhig & The Glens, and mother of Aodh Ruaidh (Red Hugh) ÓDonnell.
"MacLachlan" The name stems from the Norse “Lochlainn” and, for more than three hundred years, until 1241, the senior branch were the virtual Norse rulers of Ulster. The MacLachlans are believed to have been in possession of Strathlachan and other lands in Argyllshire since the 11th Century, which they held from the lords of The Isles, and they are recorded to have been involved in the affairs of Clan Donald for some 400 years.
"Cineal ÓCathan" (Descendants of The Wild Goose) The name is also variously rendered as ÓCahan, Kane, Keane, ÓCain and other forms. Their territory, held from the ÓNeills, whose chiefs they crowned, came to include Limavady, the Faughan and Roe valleys, east beyond Binevenagh Mountain to Cul Rath and the River Bann. They had a long and friendly association with the MacDonnells, both in Antrim and in Scotland, from the 14th Century until their last chief died in an English prison in 1628.
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But how could we leave you without presenting the very best that is Gaelic, one of our most lovely and famous daughters, Roma Downey of Derry, descended from ÓCeallaigh Ui Máine, and her website beautifully designed by another lovely Galway Colleen, Anna Kasper, proving, finally, that we are a people worthy of admiration, as well as of respect.
“Cineal MacGrioghair” (Clan MacGregor) traditionally descend from “Griogar” (the tease), son of King Alpine in the 8th Century and known as Gregor of The Golden Bridles. Their traditional territory was in the east of Argyll and west of Perthshire, including Glenorchy, Glenstrae, Glenlyon, Glengyle and Loch Awe. Persecuted by the Campbells, many found refuge in The Lordship Of The Isles.
Clan Cassidy of Fermanagh have always been associated with the monastery of St. Molaise on Devenish Island, confessor of Colm Cille, and were the physicians to the Maguire kings of Fermanagh. One of the proud clans of Ulster, they have played a prominent role in Irish history. It is possible that they may also have rendered medical assistance to The MacDonnells of Knocknacloy.
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"Cineal ui Cleirigh" (Children of the Noble Clergy, Clan Cleary), two of whose members were responsible for "The Annals Of The Four Masters," having been without a chief since the 17th Century, are seeking a patron and attempting to reorganize through their website. We wish them well.
The MacMillans (MacMhaolain - Son Of the Tonsured or MacGhillemhaoil - Son of the Boy Priest, are one of the older clans in Scotland, descended from a 12th Century monk or lay priest called Gilchrist; a son of Cormac, Bishop of Dunkeld, whose great-great-grandfather was MacBeth, King of Scots. They held lands in Argyll under the lords of The Isles and often served on the Council of The Isles.
The website of the Descendants of Mac Sweeney Doe represent the senior branch of Cineal ui Suibhne, (from the Norse - Swen) lords of Castle Sween in Knapdale under the lords of The Isles, until lost to the Campbells, and subsequently captains of gallóglaigh to the ÓDonnells of Donegal. Like Clan Donald, they were one of the few Norse/Gaelic clans completely at home in both Scotland and Ireland. Their website is well worth a visit.
Clan MacLean and Clan MacLaine are officially represented on one website. Although we do not agree on all the elements of our common heritage, they present their version with authority as you would expect from one of the largest clans remaining in the Highlands and still subject to the authority of the British Crown and Lyon Court. They present the British version of clan status and allegiance with some panache.
“Cineal mac Mathghamhainn” (Tribe of the sons of the Bear - MacMahon), one of the three tribes of Airgialla (Oriel), our kinsmen, present an interesting and impressive portrait of their heritage and of Co. Monaghan that should appeal to all the Gael. We heartily encourage a visit.
The official website of Clan MacLeod worldwide recounts the folklore of “Am Bratach Sith” (Fairy Flag of the MacLeods), which we believe to be the finest example of Gáidhlig folklore on the internet, although the MacDonalds referred to are those of Sleate. The MacDonnells of Leinster would not have been deceived. Still, you should read the story for yourself.
John McLaughlin of Donegal, from his home in Saint Louis, Mo., has created a superlative presentation of the heritage of the McLaughlins and of eastern Donegal. We appreciate his courtesy in providing us with material and recommend a visit to his site.
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Ulster Clans website seeks the revival of Irish history and interest in its clans as an academic endeavor and aims to give clan organizations and researchers one place to start connecting. We applaud this effort by the McShanes and are proud to be included in this group.
The County Kildare Archaeological Society has provided us with invaluable assistance in our research and we are pleased to announce that we are now members of that organization. Mario Corrigan, their archivist, has been especially hospitable and helpful. We heartily recommend them to serious antiquarians and to all interested in preserving the heritage of Kildare!
Clan MacAlister Of America (CMA) was founded in 1990 with the mission of searching for, recording and sharing McAlister history and genealogy all over the country. There are now over 1200 member families. We were particularly impressed with the picture of the Scottish countryside by Andrew McAlister on their links page.
Number of
visitors since May 5, 2005
Alan Turnbull of Cheshire brings his Border roots, as well as a military perspective, to his photography; demonstrating technical proficiency as he records his love of The Highlands and Isles. He too, has an artist's eye. You will enjoy his Scottish scenes and his aerial photos of military facilities.
This Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye, with its branch in Islay, sponsored by the British government, BBC and others, is the best tuition or fee based resource we know of for Scottish Gáidhlig language research and preservation. As a government institution, its approach is entirely secular and a-political.
This project is probably one of the most important causes for all of Clan Donald, and they are beginning to show some interest and make progress in restoration and recovery at the site.
The University College, Cork website is the best resource on the internet for Irish history and literature, including complete translations of "The Annals Of The Four Masters" and others of the Irish Sagas.
The Clan Donald Centre and Lands Trust has accomplished more toward the preservation of MacDonald heritage than any other private entity, although the bias in favor of feudalism, Sleate MacDonalds, Lyon Court and the Crown are apparent.
The MacDonnell Of Leinster Association endorses the stated aims of "The Ulster Project" and recommends support of that organization, as well as recommending that our organization adopt similar projects.
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Tighearna Coille
(Forest Manor), Co. Laois
Also known in Irish as Tinnakill or Tynekill, this tower
house, built c.1450 by John Carragh MacDonnell,
served as the “Caput” (Seat) of The MacDonnells
Of Leinster for more than two hundred years.
