CLAN SWEENEY

It has been stated previously that the McGinley clan has always had close ties of one sort or another to the powerful Sweeney clan. The relationship between the two clans has always been cordial. The Sweeneys controlled a large territory covering most of north Donegal beyond Muckish mountain. The Sweeneys can trace their origins back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth century High King of Ireland. So too can the McGinleys. The Sweeneys were divided into two main branches, both named after the territory they controlled, the Fanad Sweeneys and the Doe Sweeneys. They are a clan of Irish origin who went to Scotland. They are often, wrongly called Scottish simply because the first to take the surname Mac Suibhne was a chieftain in Argyle, Scotland around the year 1200. Remember also, that this part of Scotland at the time was part of the Irish Dalriadic kingdom. His fathers name was Suibhne Ó Néill and descends through the Irish Ó Néill line who ultimately are from the Cineál Eoghain Dynasty. The Cineál Eoghain named after Eoghan and the Cineál Chonaill are named after Conall, they being brothers. The first of the surname to return to Ireland was Eoin Mac Suibhne who settled in Fanad and expelled the ruling Breslin family. This was around 1263. His line died out after a couple of generations. He was the grandson of Maolmhuire (who is said to have come back to Ireland also). According to the history within the Sweeney clan, he was reputed to be the Champion of the King of Scotland. He was apparently banished to Ireland after a fatal duel with 'The Great Stewart of Marr's son'. Around the same time (1267), we have record of the death in Ireland of a Murchadh Mac Suibhne. This is presumed to be Murchadh the father of Maolmhuire. It seems pretty certain that he arrived in Ireland with Eoin and his group. So, we seem to have an initial settlement of Eoin (the Chief), his father Donnsléibhe, his grandfather Maolmhuire and his great grandfather Murchadh! The real settlement of Sweeneys in the north Donegal area did not start until the arrival in 1314 of Murchadh Mear and Murchadh Óg (a younger cousin to Eoin). They both arrived after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 in which they opposed Bruce. They were promised land that was taken from them if they fought against him. This did not happen and they returned to Ireland. It is presumed that this line stayed behind in Scotland after King Haakon of Norway granted the Isle of Arran to Murchadh Mac Suibhne in the year 1263.

The first of the Sweeney line to settle in Scotland was Anrothán (sometimes spelt as Anradhán). He was in dispute with his brother Domhnall over who should be the rightful heir to their father Aodh Athlamhan (the chief of the line of Ó Néill, the chiefs of ancient Aileach). Anrothán took control but was forced to resign in favour of Domhnall. After this he fled to Scotland, to the mini Irish kingdom of Dalriada. In fact, those that stayed in Scotland became Mac Shuibhne or MacQueen in English. They regard themselves (correctly) as descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles, therefore IRISH. The Sweeney clans sojourn in Scotland lasted from 1038 until 1263, a period of 225 years.

The above image on the left was taken from an ancient Gallowglass tomb belonging to a McDonald warrior in the Western Isles of Scotland. He is dressed in typical Gallowglass style. His pleated/padded Cotún is the main garment and reaches to his knees. On his head is an iron helmet (influenced by the Norsemen) which has chain-mail around the neck and covering the shoulders. Around his waist hangs a Celtic sword and he holds a spear/javelin in his right hand. The small shield with a coat of arms is only symbolic and was never a part of a Gaelic warriors attire. The image on the right is from a slightly later period but is very similar exept for the addition of a chain-mail coat over the top of his pleated/padded Cotún. The folded/pleated effect of the Cotún is plainly visable around his knees.

The Sweeneys were, by profession, Gallowglass warriors. These great warriors originated in the Western Isles of Scotland among the Gaelic tribes who mixed with the Norse settlers/invaders. The Gaels quickly learned the tough fighting ways of the Norse. The Gallowglass were noted for their form of dress, that being the Cotún, a heavily pleated and padded woolen or linen garment. It was pleated/padded from the neck down to the knees and offered great protection against sword cuts. On top of this they often wore chain-mail for extra protection. Their heads were covered by an iron helmet with chain-mail falling down all around to cover the shoulders. The most common weapon was the renowned battle-axe. These could be short handled or long handled (often as long as six feet). They were very skilled in the use of swords as well.

The Gallowglass warriors were to become a common feature in Irish warfare by the 1400's. They were much mentioned by contemporary English writers for centuries such as Dymock, Rich, Spencer, Stanishurst and even Shakespeare. There are alot of visual evidence of them in Gaelic history, both in Ireland and Scotland. The most noted Gallowglass families in Ireland were Mac Cába/McCabe, Mac Domhnaill/McDonald, Mac Dubhghail/McDowell, Mac Síthigh/Sheehy and ofcourse Mac Suibhne/Sweeney. On the battlefield they were adept at diverting cavalry charges by forming a strong defensive wall across the field of battle in front of the more lightly armed Irish horsemen. The Gallowglass soldiers were basically mercenaries who fought for any Irish or Scottish chieftain who would reward them. Eventually they formed proper alliances and took land as rewards and settled down. In the case of the Sweeneys, they came to Ireland, not at the behest of a local chieftain looking for help but rather to conquer or find a new home for themselves. They did however, form an alliance with the O'Donnells and served them well in war.

The line of descent for the Sweeneys is as follows:

Niall Naoighiallach - High King of Ireland (born 353-died 405)

Eoghan - Ancestor of the Cineál Eoghain Tribes (born 380-died 465)

Muireadhach

Muircheartach mac Eirc - High King of Ireland (died 527)

Domhnall Illchealgach - High King of Ireland (died 561)

Aodh Uairidhnigh - High King of Ireland (died 607)

Maol Fithrigh - ?

Maol Dúin - ?

Fearghal - High King of Ireland (died 718)

Niall Frasach - High King of Ireland (died 773)

Aodh Oirnidhe - High King of Ireland (died 817)

Niall Caille - High King of Ireland (died 844)

Aodh Finnliath - High King of Ireland (862-879)

Niall Glúndubh - High King of Ireland (died 919)

Muircheartach of the Leather Cloaks - King of Aileach (slain 943)

Domhnall of Armagh - (died 980)

Muircheartach of Meath - (died 977)

Flaithbheartach an Trosdáin - King of Aileach (died 1036)

Aodh Athlámhán - King of Aileach (died 1033)

Anrothán (went to Scotland in 1038)

Aodh Áluinn Buirche

Donnsléibhe

Suibhne (fl. 1200 Argyleshire, Scotland)

Maolmhuire an Sparáin (fl. 1262)

Murchadh Mór Mac Suibhne (fl. 1267)

Maolmhuire Mac Suibhne

Murchadh Mear Mac Suibhne (fl.1310-1315)

Murchadh Óg Mac Suibhne - First Chieftain of Sweeneys in Donegal (fl. 1310-1340)

 

Murchadh Mear fought at the Battle of Bannockburn in Scotland (at an old age), and it is presumed that his son took part also. They had previously lost some of their land in Scotland and was promised it back if they supported the opposition of Robert Bruce. This they did and after the disastrous result for the Sweeneys they came back to Ireland. The history books recall that at the Battle of Bannockburn (often called the Battle of Stirling in the old records), Murchadh Mear 'captured the holy, noble, beautiful cross called the Holy Cross of the Battle of Stirling. It was made of Gold'. This religious relic was taken to Ireland and very likely put into the possesion of the McGinleys for safe keeping, as the McGinleys are the earliest 'religious' family in Ireland to be associated with the newly arrived Sweeneys. The cross was burned and abused beyond recognition in the Church of Clondavaddog along with many other precious artifacts in the 1600's by the English and Scottish settlers. The two Murchadh's both took part in the conquest of Fanad but Murchadh Mear left on a journey of 'discovery' to find Tír na nÓg/the Promised Land with some sources saying Uí Breasal/Hy Brassil, the legendary island out in the Atlantic. He was an old man at this point and probably needed a 'break' from almost constant warfare. He decreed to his followers that "they should proclaim no Lord until after the end of the year, and if he himself should not return in that space of time, that they should make his son, Murchadh Óg, Lord". Murchadh Mear did not return and therefore his son was inaugurated to became the first 'true' chief of the Sweeney clan in Ireland. Murchadh Óg ruled approximately from 1320 to 1342 when his son Maolmhuire took over. Murchadh Óg became the first chieftain and his wife was a McGinley. From them both descend the great lines of Sweeney Doe and Sweeney Fanad and subsequently the other branches too. The history of the Sweeneys and the McGinleys are thereafter linked.

When the two Murchadh's set sail for Ireland with their followers, they arrived in a small fleet of ships, influenced in design by the Norse of the Western Isles of Scotland. These low swift ships could handle such a journey with ease. History does not remark on how many followers arrived with them. They soon arrived at the calm haven of Lough Swilly to re-settle. They soon pushed out the ruling Breslin clan from north Fanad. The Breslins went eastwards and southwards but generally stayed in the Inishowen peninsula. The Mulgeehys were pushed out as well. The Boyle clan, ancient chiefs of the Doe district were pushed westwards and set up a new territory for themselves along the coast.

Apart from giving the honour of writing their clan history to our noted scribe and monk Ciothruadh Mag Fhionnghail in the year 1513, the Mac Suibhne/Sweeneys enjoyed our support in battle. The surname of MacSweeney is now well known in Co Cork. This is because, according to some folklore, many of the clan ‘stayed behind’ after the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. They decided to stay there along with many members of the Mag Fhionnaile/McGinley clan and the Ó Beaglaoich/Begley clan (two clans belonging to the large territory of the Sweeneys in north Donegal). Both these clans followed and supported the Sweeneys, travelling many weeks from Donegal to Cork. The Ó Beaglaoich/Begley clan are known to have been Galloglasses. It should be noted however, that the Sweeney clan were well represented in the south Cork area before that time.

Another very interesting point should be noted. On the island of Achill, and the area of Burrishoole, both in Co Mayo, we find a cluster of Donegal surnames, notably Clery, O’Donnell, Sweeney and McGinley (usually spelt there as McGinally and McGinnelly). The usual tradition is that they stopped there, either on route to or coming back from, the Battle of Kinsale (1601) and decided to settle. We know that they settled here under the leadership of Ruairí Ó Domhnaill/Rory O’Donnell of Lifford around 1602. O'Donnell and his followers were given 'Official Pardons' by the English authorities on condition that they leave the area (north Donegal) and resettle in Connacht. One tradition, less likely to be true, is that they were ‘expelled’ from Donegal by Cromwell sometime in the 1650’s and went to Co Mayo, maybe some did, but these surnames have been recorded in this area prior to the 1650’s. Even here the McGinleys and Sweeneys recognise an older link.

The two clans, Mag Fhionnaile and the Mac Suibhne fought on the same side during the Battle of Derrylahan in 1590. This was not a battle against the English enemy, but rather a local Donegal dispute over the rightful leadership of Donegal. It was a bitter battle that split the O’Donnell clan as well as the Sweeneys who fought on both sides. According to tradition, many Cloughaneely men, McGinley’s included, backed up the Sweeney clan during the Battle of the Yellow Ford (1598), and the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. These were two important battles fought outwith Donegal and were all part of the Nine Years War (1594-1603).

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The McGinley clan are believed to be an offshoot or a dependant clan of the Mac Suibhne/Sweeney clan for many reasons.

We have detailed above the ancient Irish origins of the Sweeneys and we have shown that the first chief in Ireland to use the name Sweeney was married to a McGinley. However, it is not clear whether the McGinleys belonged to the area from an earlier date or came over from Scotland with them. From this Sweeney/McGinley marriage descend all the great Sweeney warriors over the next few hundred years. In the 1300's (possibly earlier) and the 1400's, the McGinleys were 'perpetual vicars' of the parish of Mevagh. This would no doubt have been with the support of the controlling clan of the area, the Sweeneys. This great honour on the McGinleys was given to them by the bishop.

Under the old Brehon Laws (the laws under which the Irish governed themselves), it was standard practice for the scribe of any great book or manuscript to belong to the clan or family that the book/manuscript was intended, or at the very least to have some connection or kindred link to them. Why was the scribe Ciothruadh Mag Fhionnghail chosen to write the history of the Sweeney Clan for the Sweeneys?. His book was called "Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne" or in English ‘The Clan Sweeney Book’. The book was written in 1513 and 1514. The Mac Suibhne/Sweeney clan were the ‘overlords’ of the area. Their territory and control covered most of the northern part of Donegal which included a few smaller clans of which Mag Fhionnaile/McGinley was one. The chief of the Sweeneys of Fanad at this time was Ruairí Mac Suibhne. Ruairí was famed for his patronage of poets and learned men. It seems most likely that ‘he’ asked Ciothruadh Mag Fhionnghail to write religious/devotional works for his wife Máire, as well as the Clan Sweeney Book. He would have been fully aware of the old links between the two clans, which in the early 1500's already stretched back more than two hundred years.

It has long been the belief among the McGinleys that they were related to the Sweeneys in some way as mentioned by Canon Maguire in 1920. Maguire hinted at some possible origins but finished by stating the McGinley family tradition of some link with the Sweeneys. According to him, going by McGinley family tradition, the McGinleys arrived in the north Donegal area 'with' the Sweeneys. This may be true, but alternatively it could be said that the McGinleys 'came to prominence' coincidently at the same time. The Sweeneys were noted Gallowglass warriors that came over from Scotland, even though they were anciently of Irish origin.

We were either an offshoot OR a dependant clan. A dependant clan can be a clan of no blood relationship that are dependant on a larger clan, usually during times of war and civil unrest. In return, such dependant clans usually offer their best warriors during battle to help the bigger clan. In this respect, the Mag Fhionnaile/McGinley clan followed the Mac Suibhne/Sweeney clan into battle on a few occasions. Whether blood related or not, the link between the two clans was strong. The McGinleys were given a religious position within the clan territory of the Sweeneys, backed both by the Sweeneys and the bishop. It would seem therefore that the McGinleys were the religious guardians to the Sweeneys. Also, from the marriage of Murchadh Óg and the 'daughter of McGinley' we have four sons. We know that one became chief of Sweeney Fanad (Maolmhuire) and one became chief of Sweeney Doe (Donnchadh Mór). Another had no children or chieftainship (Domhnall), while the fourth was to become a parson (Dubhghall)! He is the first McGinley mentioned in relation to the church. He was born around 1320 AD. It is most likely that the Sweeneys were of Cineál Eoghain origin and the McGinleys Cineál Chonaill, making them ultimately of the same origin.

The brilliant Irish leader and warrior, young Red Hugh O'Donnell, the galant leader of Tyrconnell and all her tribes, was sent to Doe Castle in 1587 under the protection of the Sweeney clan to 'learn the arts': literature, music, swordsmanship, war tactics, endurance, horsemanship, religion and general education'. The Sweeneys and O'Donnells had links going far back. Eoghan Óg Mac Suibhne is recorded as the fosterer of Red Hugh. The Sweeneys were certainly the perfect clan to learn war techniques from. It may be presumed that the McGinleys helped with his religious education given the special place that McGinleys held in religion among the greater Sweeney clan!