Clandonnell

Clandonnell (from Irish: Clann Domhnaill meaning "Donal's offspring"^[1]) is an ancient Irish district in what is now southern County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Clandonnell along with the ancient districts of Glenconkeyne, Killetra, and Tomlagh, comprised the former barony of Loughinsholin, with Clandonnell forming the northern part reaching as far south as Maghera.^[1][2]

History

Clandonnell derives its name from the Clann Domhnaill Donn na Banna a branch of the Clandeboye O'Neills. The Clann Domhnaill Donn na Banna descended from Domhnall Donn, son of Brian mac Aodha Bhuidhe.^[1] They ruled the area from the 15th century until the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.^[3]

The most celebrated descendant of Domhnall Donn was his great-grandson Brian Carrach O'Neill who is stated as being the last lord of Loughinsholin.^[4][5] His stronghold was based at the crannog at Inishrush, which is also known as the Green Lough.^[3] Despite being lord of Loughinsholin and a minor branch of the O'Neills of Clandeboye, Brian Carrach O'Neill was subject to the O'Cahans of Coleraine and Dungiven.^[3]

Brian Carrach O'Neill died in 1586, and in that same year Marshal Bagenal described Brian's territory as "Brian Carraghe's countrey" and as the "fastest grownde of Irelande". The latter statement meant that the area was amongst the most impenetrable parts of Ulster.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Toner, Gregory, Place-names of Northern Ireland - Volume Five, County Londonderry I, The Moyola Valley, page 233. The Institute of Irish Studies - Queens University Belfast, 1996. ISBN 0-85389-613-5
2. ^ ^{a b} Notes on the Place Names of the Parishes and Townlands of the County of Londonderry, 1925, Alfred Moore Munn, Clerk of the Crown and Peace of the City and County of Londonderry
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} "The Parish of Greenlough/Tamlaght O'Crilly - A Brief History". http://www.69thpa.co.uk/tamlaghtpdf.pdf. Retrieved 26 August 2010. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Mr. John O'Donovans Letters from County Londonderry (1834)
5. ^ ^{a b} clanmaclochlainn.com. "Clann Domhnaill Duinn Na Banna". The O'Clery Book of Genealogies. http://clanmaclochlainn.com/main.htm#478. Retrieved 26 August 2010.