Clan Sweeney
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Clan Sweeney | ||
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| Crest | ||
| Motto | ||
| Battle cry | ||
| Origins | Mid Argyll | |
| Gaelic name(s) | MacSuibhne | |
| Branches | MacSuibhne Fanad MacSuibhne na d'Tuatha MacSuibhne Banagh |
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| Sept(s) | MacQueen MacSween |
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| Arms | ||
| Tartans |
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| Plant badge | ||
| Clan chieftain | Thomas A. Sweeney, B.Sc. Arch., Dip. A. Arch., R.I.B.A., 21st Chief of Doe, descendant of Sir Myles MacSweeney, Chief of Doe, 1596-1630 | |
| Clan seat(s) | Castle Sween Castle Doe |
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| [*Website] | of the Clan Sweeney Association | |
Sweeney is an ancient clan name with Irish and Scottish links, famous for their fierce mercenary soldiers. It is closely related to numerous clan septs including, MacQueen, MacSween, MacSweeney, Swinney, MacSwiney, Swiney, Sweney and Sevnagh. The sept names and variations all sharing the Gaelic origins of MacSuibhne meaning 'son of Sweyn', one of the Lords of Galloway. The Sweeney clan also claim kinship, mentioned in the Fenian cycle, with the Irish high kings, of the same descent as the Clan Donald, Lords of the Isles. The clan traces it's linage back to the ancient family seats of Lochranza Castle on the Isle of Arran, Skipness Castle and Castle Sween at Knapdale on the Kintyre peninsula, Scotland's oldest surviving stone-built castle. In the aftermath of the Battle of Bannockburn, elements of the clan resettled in Ireland after their lands were seized by Robert the Bruce for supporting the claims of John Balliol during the Scottish Wars of Independence. The clan subsequently re-established themselves at Rathmullan in Donegal, Ulster as Gallowglass mercenary soldiers. They then split into three branches: MacSuibhne Fanad, MacSuibhne na d'Tuatha, and MacSuibhne Banagh. Rathmullan was the seat of MacSuibhne Fanad for the next 400 years, during which time their influence extended from Donegal into Connacht and Munster. In Donegal their principal seats were Doe Castle and Rahan Castle near Killybegs. Those who stayed on in Scotland largely formed into the MacQueen Clan — MacQueen being one of the septs of MacSuibhne, later joining the powerful Chattan Confederation of Highland clans.
In Scotland the inauguration of the MacSuibhne Clan chiefs had taken place at Iona, where they were also buried. In Ireland they were inaugruated in Kilmacrenan, County Donegal, where MacSuibhne Fanad became influential allies of the O'Donnell of Tyrconnell. The remains of the Sweeneys who went to Ireland are interred outside the walls of Castle Doe, Donegal.
Later historical events such as the Irish Potato Famine and Highland Clearances caused many members of the clan to emigrate overseas and form a significant diaspora throughout the British Empire and United States.
