O'Donnell of Tyrconnell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The House of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell is the dynastic Royal House of the former Kings and Princes of Tyrconnell in Ireland. The dynastic and clan motto is In Hoc Signo Vinces, derived from the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, and is also the motto of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.

Contents

[edit] Origin

It is a branch of Clan Dálaigh of the people known as the Cenél Conaill, or descendants of Conall, after whom the territory Tyrconnell, or Tír Conaill, meaning Country of Conall, is called. The Cenél Conaill were a sub-branch of the Heremonian Dynasty of the High-Kings of Ireland, the last from whom they descend being Niall of the Nine Hostages. Heremon was a son of Milesius.

[edit] Succession

The head of the dynasty was traditionally also called "The O'Donnell", and inaugurated as Chieftain in an elaborate ceremony, under the Laws of Tanistry, part of the ancient Brehon Code of Law. Since the collapse of Gaelic Rule and the Brehon legal system, the succession of the "Chiefs of the Name" has followed the principle of male primogeniture.

[edit] Royal Household

The Royal Household was known in Gaelic as "Lucht Tighe" and comprised several offices that were performed on a hereditary basis by the heads and members of particular other families, for over four centuries.

  • Lector & Inaugurator of the Chieftancy - O’Friel (Ui Firghil)
  • Gallowglass Marshalls & Standard –Bearers - McSweeney (Mac Suibhne)
  • Commanders of Cavalry - O’Gallagher (Ui Gallchobhair)
  • Custodians of the Cathach of St. Columba - McRoarty (Mac Robhartaigh)
  • Historians and Scribes - O’Clery (Ui Cleirigh)
  • Brehons or Judges - Breslin (Ui Breisléin)
  • Bards & Poets - Ward (Mac a’Bháird)
  • Physicians - Dunleevy (Mac Duinnshléibhe)
  • Stockmen/Cattle Drivers - Timoney (Ui Tiománaigh)


[edit] Descendant Nobility

[edit] References

  • Erin’s Blood Royal – The Gaelic Noble Dynasties of Ireland, by Peter Berresford Ellis, Constable, London, 1999, (pages 251-258 on the O’Donel, Prince of Tirconnell).
  • The Life of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell (Beatha Aodh Rua O Domhnaill) by Lughaidh O'Cleirigh. Edited by Paul Walsh and Colm Ó Lochlainn. Irish Texts Society, vol. 42. Dublin: Educational Company of Ireland, 1948 (original Gaelic manuscript in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin).
  • The Fighting Prince of Donegal, A Walt Disney Film, made in 1966 about the life of Prince Red Hugh O’Donnell (i.e. Hugh Roe), starring Peter McEnery, Susan Hampshire, Gordon Jackson, and Andrew Keir.
  • Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland (Annála Ríoghachta Éireann) by the Four Masters, from the earliest period to the year 1616, compiled during the period 1632-1636 by Brother Mícheál Ó Cléirigh, translated and edited by John O'Donovan in 1856, and re-published in 1998 by De Burca, Dublin.
  • Blood Royal - From the time of Alexander the Great to Queen Elizabeth II, by Charles Mosley (genealogist) published for Ruvigny Ltd., London, 2002 (O'Donnell listed as Baron of Fyngal (Fingal), page v) [ISBN 0-9524229-9-9]
  • The Fate and Fortunes of the Earls of Tyrone (Hugh O’Neill) and Tyrconnel (Rory O’Donel), their flight from Ireland and death in exile, by the Rev. C. P. Meehan, M.R.I.A., 2nd edition, James Duffy, London, 1870.
  • Wealth of Dignity, Poverty of Destiny - The Destitution of a Catholic Princess for her Devotion (The tragic story of Mary, Princess of Tyrconnell, Rory's daughter), by Francis Martin O'Donnell, Knight of Malta, in pages 3-6 of O'Domhnaill Abu, the O'Donnell Clann Newsletter no. 32, published by V. O'Donnell, Inver, County Donegal, Summer 2004 [ISSN 0790-7389].
  • History of Killeen Castle, by Mary Rose Carty, published by Carty/Lynch, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland, April 1991 (ISBN 0-9517382-0-8) - page 18 refers to Elizabeth O'Donnell as 1st Countess of Fingall (Fingal). She was a daughter of Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell.
  • Vicissitudes of Families, by Sir John Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms, published by Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, Paternoster Row, London, 1861. (Chapter on O’Donnells, pages 125-148).
  • A View of the Legal Institutions, Honorary Hereditary Offices, and Feudal Baronies established in Ireland, by William Lynch, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, published by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, Paternoster Row, London, 1830 (O’Donnell: page 190, remainder to Earl’s patent).
  • Vanishing Kingdoms - The Irish Chiefs and Their Families, by Walter J. P. Curley (former US Ambassador to Ireland), with foreword by Charles Lysaght, published by The Lilliput Press, Dublin, 2004 [ISBN 1-84351-055-3 & ISBN 1-84351-056-1]. (Chapter on O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, page 59).