INDEX OF WORDS

In this section you will find a list of specialised words/names/place names etc found throughout the website. This will include the English and Irish forms plus a little explanation of the meaning of the word.

Aspiration. In the Irish language we sometimes soften the sound of a consonant by adding the letter 'h' after it. This can change the sound of a letter dramatically. Aspirants arrived through a form of language modernisation as well as grammer developement.

Barony. The Barony is an old territorial land division which is next in order of size to the County. Throughout Ireland, each county could have between five and twenty baronies. In Donegal there are six baronies, Banagh (South West), Boylagh (West), Inishowen (North East), Kilmacrennan (North), Raphoe (East) and Tirhugh (South East). The largest, and the one that most concerns the McGinleys is Kilmacrennan Barony.

Binnion Hill. This was the site of a battle in which the McGinleys took part. Binnion Hill is a small rise of land in the Lagan Valley area of east Donegal. The name Binnion actually comes from the Gaelic and means 'little hill', very acurate!. The Battle of Binnion Hill was a battle for supremacy within Donegal. There is no indication today that a battle ever took place here.

Bonded Worker. This was a 'polite' description used by the English to describe 'white' slaves in their possesion. They did not like to call them slaves, even though they were. Many thousands of Irish citizens were taken from their clan lands and forced to work as slaves/bonded workers in America and the Carribean Islands.

Brehon Law. This was the system of laws by which the Celts of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man lived by. The word Brehon comes from an Irish Gaelic word meaning ‘a judge’. This law system was still in use in the late sixteenth century in Ireland before it was ‘illegally’ overthrown and replaced by English law.

Cineál Chonaill. Meaning 'the kin of Conall'. They were a tribe descended from Conall Gulban, a fifth century warrior. The Cinéal Chonaill were to become the dominant ethnic and political force in Donegal. The early Cineál Chonaill chieftains came from the Muldory and O'Cannon families but later the O'Donnells reigned supreme. It is pronounced Kinaul Honul.

Cineál Eoghain. Meaning 'the kin of Eoghan'. Eoghan was a brother of Conall. Eoghans tribes eventually colonised eastern parts of Donegal as well as the Inishowen peninsula. They extended their territory eastwards eventually controlling much of central Ulster. It is pronounced Kinaul Owen.

Ciothruadh. This is the first name of one of our early ancestors, Ciothruadh Mag Fhionnghail. The name means 'one with a shower/abundance of red hair' and is pronounced as Kih-Rooa, not Kye-Rooa. The ‘dh’ at the end is silent and is not usually spelt in modern Irish, thus Ciothrua. The name was strangely anglicised as Jerome in the seventeenth century, a name that has no relation to Ciothrua/Ciothruadh. It was a fairly common personal name in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. As was the Gaelic custom of the time, the name would have been appropriate to him, in otherwords, he WOULD have had an abundance of red hair!

Cloughaneely. This is the name given anciently to a fairly large area north of Errigal and Muckish mountains in north Co Donegal which includes the Tullaghobegly area. The name in Irish is Cloch Chionnaola (pronounced Clochanaila) and means ‘the stone of Cionnaola’ (the name of an ancient warrior associated with the area). It is a wild and beautiful location.

Co-arb. A distinctly Celtic word. It comes from the Gaelic comharba which means 'heir'. An abbot or monk, usually the follower or followers of a well known saint would look after his church or churchlands and be given this title. The Co-arb families lasted from the sixth century to the fall of the Gaelic world.

Conall. Pronounced Kunul, this was the name of a son of the great Niall Naoighiallach (of the Nine Hostages). Together with his brother Eoghan, they divided up the north west of Ireland between themselves. The personal name Connall is indeed ancient deriving from Ancient Celtic kuno-valos which means 'high mighty one'. There were eight Irish saints by this name.

Cromwell. While he may have a great reputation in England and other English speaking lands, his evil acts against the Irish people, whether man, woman or child, are still strong in the minds of the Irish. He above all others, was responsible for mass migration of Irelands clans, whether to another part of Ireland (his catch phrase was ‘to Connaght or hell’), or further afield to foreign lands. He has been called by the Irish ‘the Devils own’. He was responsible for the mass killings of women and children. He was indeed a mighty BRAVE warrior!.

Derrylahan. This was the scene of yet another internal Donegal battle for supremacy of the county. The McGinleys took part in this battle. Derrylahan derives from the Gaelic Doire Leathan which means 'the broad oak forest'. Like many of Irelands ancient woodlands that were cut down by the English for their warships, palaces etc, nothing remains and the location today is very bare.

Donegal. The most north westerly county found on the Island of Ireland. This name was given to the area by the English. They called it so after the town called Donegal Town in the south of the county, in Irish Baile Dhún na nGall (pronounced Bala Goon nah Naul) which means 'the town of the foreigners' recalling earlier Viking activities in the area.

Dunfanaghy. This is the principal town/village to be found in the north of Co Donegal (north of the Errigal and Muckish mountains). The village was virtually unknown in the sixteenth century but grew after the Plantation. The Irish form is Dún Fionnchaidh (pronounced Doon Funahee) meaning ‘the fortress at/by the fair field’. Some authorities say Fionnchadh was a person, but no one can say who he was or trace him.

Eoghan. An ancient Irish personal name pronounced Owen. Eoghan was the name of a son of Niall Naoighiallach who carved out a kingdom for himself in the north of Ireland called Inishowen, Derry and Tyrone. From him descend the powerful Ó Néill clan. The personal name Eoghan is common in modern Ireland (especially in the northern half) and means 'well born'.

Erenagh. This is an old Irish church position, which historically was held in high esteem. The word erenagh derives from the Gaelic airchinneach which means 'head' of a church. There were many erenagh families throughout Ireland from the sixth century onwards until the fall of the Gaelic world.

Fiant. This is a shortened form of 'Fiant Litterae patentes'. These were basically warrants to the English Chancery authority for the issue of letters/documents patent under the Great Seal. In otherwords, English Government approved items. Such letters/documents usually related to appointments to high office, English activities (in Ireland), pathetic grants of 'English Liberty' and so called 'pardons'.

Flight of the Earls. This is a term used to describe our native clan chiefs and leaders who fled Ireland (from Rathmullan in Co Donegal) after the Nine Years War. Our leaders went to various European countries trying to get help for the stricken Irish at home. While a few leaders in Europe offered help, nothing was to come of it and our leaders eventually retired or died abroad.

Gaelic World. This is a general term used to describe the various aspects of Irelands ancient culture that was finally ‘broken’ or totally lost (in certain aspects) by the English after the ‘Flight of the Earls’ at the end of the Nine Years War in 1601. We lost our native clothing, our ancient clan system, our clan territories, our Irish/Celtic form of Catholicism, our Brehon Laws and much more. Our language was almost totally killed off by the 1640’s.

Gallowglass. This was a most feared Celtic warrior, originating in the Western Isles of Gaelic Scotland (Gall Óglaigh - foreign soldier). These Gaels, already fierce warriors, learned from the equally feared Vikings and adapted certain techniques of war. Their introduction into Ireland, most notably to help the fight against the English was most welcome. It should be noted that they were mostly 'hired fighters' and some are known to have fought on the English side.

Griffiths Valuations. This was a sort of census carried out in Ireland in the year 1857. It was undertaken by a Richard J. Griffiths (after whom it was named) on behalf of the English Government. Its official name was The Primary Valuation of Tenements. It was to find out who was occupying land, the value of the land, and therefore, how much tax should be paid. It has, in retrospect, proved to be a useful tool for genealogists.

Indentured Servant. Another term used by the English and American authorities to describe 'white Irish slaves'. The words 'indentured servant' basically means 'a contract binding an apprentice or worker (as a servant) to his/her employer'. The English forced the peasant Irish into becoming Indentured Servants in America. In reality, they became contracted slaves with no one to help them.

Kern. The Kern was a formidable warrior of the Gaels. Unlike the armoured Gallowglass, the Kern were light on their feet and lightly armed. This enabled fleet of foot and easier adaptability in all terrain. The word Kern comes from the Gaelic ceithearnach 'soldier'. The Kern usually carried a bow and arrow and a sword. They also had dangerous lances.

Landlord. The term landlord in an Irish context does not parallel with the modern term, eg simply someone who you pay a rent to for use of a property. In Ireland, Landlordism refers to the illegal landgrabbing by English and Scottish settlers in the 1600's and after, authorised by the English Government. Often these landlords were given 1000's of acres of Irish land while the native people were either kicked off the land or forced to accept the new living conditions and terms. They then forced the natives to pay a rent to live on their own soil!

Maolmhuire. This is an old Gaelic personal name common among the Sweeney clan. The name means 'follower of the Virgin Mary', a religious name. Not many of the holders of this name among the warlike Sweeneys held true to its meaning! The name was in later years anglicised as Myles by the English.

Murchadh. The first recorded McGinley was a female mentioned as a wife of Murchadh Óg the chieftain of the Sweeneys. The name Murchadh means 'warrior of the sea' or 'sea battler'. The word óg means 'younger'. His father was called mear which means 'the crazy/reckless one'. The pronounciations are as follows Murchadh Óg is Muruha Oag, while his father Murchadh Mear is Muruha Marr.

Niall Naoighiallach. The great ancestor of all Donegal tribes, both of Cineál Chonaill and Cineál Eoghain, and rightly regarded as such by both. His first name derives from an ancient Celtic word meaning 'cloud' (in this sence probably 'high, mighty'). His surname or rather epithet comes from Gaelic naoi 'nine' and giallach meaning 'slave or hostage'.

Parish. The Parish is a land division used almost solely by the church. It is much smaller than a Diocese. The main parish of our clan is called the Tullaghobegly Parish. It is one of 27 in the Diocese of Raphoe.

Petty Census. The Petty Census was conducted in the year of 1659. It was another English Tax Poll to extract money from the Irish population. It was carried out by Sir William Petty. Like the Griffiths Valuation, it has proved valuable to genealogists and researchers.

Raphoe Diocese. The Diocese is a church defined territory used for ecclesiastical purposes. The Diocese of Raphoe covers practically the whole of modern Co Donegal. The base of the diocese is obviously the small town of Raphoe. Raphoe is also the name of a barony centred on the east Donegal area.

Scarriffholis. This was the sight of an interesting battle involving the McGinleys. In fact there was a later Cromwellian battle here also of which we do not seem to have taken any part. Scarriffholis is just outside Letterkenny in a westwards direction and the spot is marked (in relation only to the Cromwellian battle). The place name derives from Irish Scairbh Sholuis meaning 'shallow (river crossing) of lights'. It was customary to put lights across some river crossings or bridges.

Suibhne. An ancient Irish personal name used over many centuries. It was not peculiar to the Sweeney clan although they derive their name from one of their ancestors so called. The name means 'pleasant'. It was most commonly used as a first name between the 700's and the 1200's.

Tánaiste. This is an old word that was used to describe a chosen successor or second in command. It was a term used among all the Gaels of Ireland and Scotland. The word is used in modern Ireland for the Deputy Prime Minister of the country. It is pronounced Taunishtuh/Taanishtuh.

Taoiseach. This is an old Gaelic word which translates as 'chief' and was always used to describe the leader of a clan. The Scottish Gaelic surname McIntosh has the same meaning....Mac an Toisich. The leader of the modern Republic of Ireland is called An Taoiseach.

Tír Chonaill. This is the true name for the county of Donegal. The name means ‘the land of Conall’ (tír is from Latin terra), the ancestor of the Donegal tribes. It was early put into English as Tyrconnell. It is pronounced Teer Chonul (the ‘ch’ like Scottish Loch). Properly, the Inishowen Peninsula, part of modern Donegal, really should be part of Co Derry, as it was historically.

Tír Eoghain. Today we have the modern Irish county of Tyrone which in Irish is Tír Eoghain. Historically, this part of Ireland was a much later 'conquest' by Eoghan. His earlier territory included part of east Donegal, Inishowen and adjacent parts of Co Derry.

Townland. The townland is a small measure of land in Ireland. It is the most common land division in the country. The townland, a sub division of the parish varies greatly in size, commonly averaging between 250 to 400 acres. The word is not of Irish origin however, being derived from Old English tun meaning 'enclosure'.

Tullaghobegly. A territory in the north of Co Donegal lying beneath the Errigal and Muckish mountains, just to the north of them. The name derives from the Irish Tulach Beigile meaning ‘the mound/small flat hill of Beigile’.The older Irish form was Tulach Beigbhile. There was a St Beigile long associated with the area. Many early records relating to the McGinleys are centred on this area.

Tyrconnell. This is the anglicised form of the native Tír Chonaill. This English form was used for hundreds of years by the English authorities before the English decided to change the name of the area to Donegal (named after the town in the south of the county). Today Tyrconnell can still be found in use but usually only in a poetic sense.

Uí Néill. Pronounced roughly Eee Nail, this is Irish Gaelic and means 'the descendants of Niall'. Niall was the ancestor of the north west of Ireland tribes (including the McGinleys) which were split into two groups Cineál Chonaill (the kin of Conall) and Cineál Eoghain (the kin of Eoghan) both sons of his.