WARRIORS

It is fairly clear to see throughout the history of the McGinleys, that they constantly fought against the English intruders. The history of the McGinleys is full of brave fighters willing to act on their beliefs and to protect their land, belongings and family. From the earliest warriors and rebels to much later terrorists (as the English termed them), we have stood proud in the face of English aggression. Irish history, for more than eight hundred years, involved armed conflict with the English.

The surname McGinley itself means 'faired haired valourous one', like many other Irish names, refers to their strength and vigour in battle. One family tradition, current in Co Donegal, says that they were a clan of sword makers. They are said to have made swords for the O'Donnell clan and no doubt for the powerful Sweeney Galloglass warrior clan also. The Sweeneys were renowned as great fighters with both battle-axes and swords. After the collapse of the Gaelic Period, many McGinley families 'took to the road' as Tinkers/Travellers. There skills in metalwork would then have been adapted to mending pots, pans and other household metal objects, occupations greatly associated with the Travelling community.

The endless conflicts of the 1500's (probably the worst period) against the English and their imperialistic rule in Ireland brought misery to thousands of Irish. Successive English rulers continued their intrusion into Irish affairs. They wanted to obliterate our culture but constantly came up against stiff opposition from the Irish. The wars of the 1500's and early 1600's almost bankrupted the English Exchequer. Often the English wanted to pull out but wanted to 'save face'. It is a fact that the Irish won more battles than they lost, unfortunately they seemed to lose the more decisive ones such as the Battle of Kinsale and later, the Battle of the Boyne.

The warrior ethic and the fighting technigues of the Irish was admired far and wide. Once the Irish back was broken, the English knew that they had defeated a great fighting race and had many of these 'dangerous' warriors on their hands. That is why the Irish were sent to places far from home, hoping that they would not be able to return to fight again. This was the start of the Irish diaspora, from the early 1600's. In fact it was not until the English introduced guns and cannons to their fight that they gradually gained control. The Irish had a very good fighting record against the English until the introduction of these 'new' technologies. Sir John Norris later bore testimony to the valour, courage, discipline and military skill of O'Neills fighting troops when he remarked that he wished that he had their assistance in his services abroad.

The Irish warrior dressed much the same as an ordinary Irishman, except for the carrying of weapons. The warrior, often called a Kern (from Irish Ceithearnach) wore a linen garment called a Léine, on top was a short jacket and a large semi-circular cloak. The typical weapons of the Kern was a long spear or lance with which they were deadly aimers. They used a short style of Bow and Arrow. This style enabled them to fire rapidly at the enemy. Swords were the order of the day too. The Irish or Celtic sword was usually large and heavy. Its main use was for hurting and maiming instead of cutting. The Irish were recorded as 'nimble footed', able to dart between trees and bushes with ease. In battle they used the available terrain to their advantage. They were the first to use such guerrilla tactics.

The brother of the Irish Gael was the Scottish Gael. They arrived in Ireland in the 1300's to give assistance to various Irish leaders, often in exchange for money or land, sometimes, especially when fighting against the 'old enemy', England, it was a matter of honour. They were called Gallóglaigh, or Galloglass in English, which meant 'foreign soldier'. This was a bit tongue-in-cheek and was due to the fact that they had learned some of their fighting techniques from the Norse in Scotland. They arrived in Ireland, with these new ways, such as chain-mail and helmets. They were an incredible sight to see. Their most common weapon was the long and short Battle Axes. They fought best on foot, swiping at their enemy who were either on foot or on horseback. The Sweeneys arrived in Ireland as or with Galloglass warriors. The neighbouring Begley clan were described as Galloglass warriors as well.

One of our most noted early warriors was Toirealach Mag Fhionnghaile/Tirloe McGinelik (see below). He took part in the wars against the English in the late 1500's and early 1600's known as the Nine Years War. The English stepped up their campaign against the Irish during this period. The leader of Irish resistance in the north at the time was Cathaoir Ó Dochartaigh/Cahir O'Dougherty, chieftain of his clan. While most of Irelands chieftains had departed in what became known as 'The Flight of the Earls', O'Dougherty stayed at home to fight on. Toirealach Mag Fhionnghaile was captured and eventually pardoned. The McGinleys did not leave but stayed and fought on also. The English 'Pardon List' was made up of the leaders, chiefs and important figures on the Irish side at the time. Toirealach may well have been our leader. The end came at the Battle of Kilmacrennan where Cathaoir Ó Dochartaigh was killed. It is known that the English 'transported' thousands of Irish prisoners, warriors, rebels, call them what you will, to Sweden to serve in their army. The McGinley clan have, according to folklore, fought at the most important battle of this period, the Battle of Kinsale, the result of which was a disaster for the Gael.

The Society of United Irishmen was officially founded in Belfast in the year 1791. Its main objective was to attain a clear reform of the Government based on civil, political and religious freedoms. Not an easy task considering Englands past record in Ireland. By the year 1795, Co Donegal had its own, small contingent of United Irishmen willing to bear arms against the English. The feelings of disenchantment was growing and rebellion was near. These people, called Dissenters by the English Authorities, were gaining more and more support. Their ranks included Catholics as well as some Presbyterians. The Authorities openly went out to the people, out to the farmlands in an attempt to subdue the locals. They threatened prison, physical force and even banishment to foreign parts to those who refused to swear an Oath to the English Government. This did not stop the growing support for the United Irishmen.

A policy of destroying property of those ‘suspected’ of being a member of the United Irishmen heightened the cause of the poor and got extra support from poor Presbyterians who also saw their rights being eroded by the ‘mainstream’ Protestants of the Church of Ireland who had English Government support. Many locals were taken prisoner during the period 1795 to 1799. Some were arrested and imprisoned for simply attending a meeting, or, on the word of a Loyalist. On February 2nd, 1797, one Hugh Maginnely was arrested for what exact reason we do not know. But he was sentenced for refusing to give information or names on other United Irishmen members. Hugh Maginnely is described (by the English) as 'an active (fit) fellow of bad character, fit for the Navy'! He was regarded by some as one of the important members of the United Irishmen in north Donegal. What happened to him we do not know, but he was almost certainly deported to a far flung location. The United Irishmen in Donegal had in access of 100 Pikemen at their disposal plus pistols etc.

Even through to more modern times, the McGinleys have defended their rights and land. With members in the Society of United Irishmen, through to the White Boys period and again up until the glorious Easter Rising, the McGinleys have stood proud. The Easter Rising was a major turning point in Irish history and the McGinleys made their mark. Apart from the warriors who fought, we should take note of Sister M. McGinley who was a member of The Order of St John of Jerusalem. She appears on an official list of persons given awards for their great work in helping the sick and wounded 'on both sides' during the Easter Rebellion. She was awarded the coveted 'Bronze Medal' at a meeting in the Lecture Theatre of the Royal Dublin Society on January 16th 1917. McGinleys played a very important part during the seige of the GPO. Amazingly two sets of McGinley brother were present, Eunan & Conor and Patrick and Liam.

Following the Easter Rising of 1916, Ireland fell into a terrible state of civil war. Ireland had gained independance for 26 of her 32 counties. Some were happy with this, thinking that we should take what we won and worry about the rest later. These became known as 'The Free Staters'. On the other side we have those who could not accept a partial freedom for our people and they decided to fight on and became known as 'Irregulars' or the IRA. This unfortunate time in our country's history lasted for two years in which brother fought brother, neighbour fought neighbour. During this period two McGinley brothers from north Donegal fought on opposite sides, Seosamh and Seán Mag Fhionnghaile.

Mr Good, an English Priest in Limerick in 1566 remarked on the Irish thus; "The Irish, a nation of which is strong of body, and active, which has a high vigorous mind, an acute intellect, which is warlike, lavish of its substance, which is gifted with endurance of labour, cold and hunger, which has an amorous turn, which is most kind towards guests, steadfast in love, implacable in enmity, which is credulous, greedy of obtaining reknown, impatient of enduring insult or injustice".

 

THE SHOOTING OF REV NIXON
1858

As we have seen, the north Donegal area was a dire place to be living in during the 1800’s. Very little help came the way of the poor starving peasantry. One of the worst figures to enter the Donegal scene was the Protestant Rev Alexander Brown Nixon. He was a retired Protestant Church of Ireland minister who came from Enniskillen in 1844. He bought land at Ballyboes and Ray, right in the heartland of McGinley country. He soon proved to be an uncaring man, one of the worst landlords to arrive in Donegal.

On his arrival he immediately doubled the rent for all of the locals. He insisted that the peasants even paid for taking seaweed from the shore! The locals used the seaweed to fertilise the land and had done so for hundreds of years. The previous landlord had no problem with the people collecting seaweed. He even stopped the sale of wood and turf, so that the locals could not even keep themselves warm as they starved! The mighty Reverend showed no Christianity to the native people. Immediately he evicted many families from his estates.

On Sunday October 24th in the year of 1858, Nixon was travelling with his wife and daughter to church when their coach was attacked by some angry locals. These locals were actually members of a secret Irish organisation fighting for tenant rights and basic human rights. They were called the ‘Molly Maguires’. There were three men involved. One took control of the horses while another started to dance outside the coach door. He done enough to get the attention of Nixon who put his head out of the door. At this point, the third man shot Nixon through the jaw. He pulled the trigger again but the gun jammed. The coach driver, at this point managed to gain control of the horses and pulled away from the gang. The coachman took off as fast as the horse and coach would take them. When the local people heard the news, there was much rejoicing around many a fire.

Nixon survived the attack although he lost most of his teeth. He left the area shortly afterwards. A reward of £500 ( a true fortune at the time) was offered for any information about the attack but no persons came forward. The police decided to attack houses and even to confiscate cows belonging to the people. They kept many cows locked up at the police pound for weeks. This would have been a great test of endurance and hardship for the locals, but still no one uttered a word. Eventually the police let the animals go. Of the three Molly Maguires involved, one is said to have come from Gweedore while the other two were from Meenderry. The man that shot Nixon is said to have been a McGinley from Meenderry!

Here is a list of the brave McGinley warriors….

Ádhamh Mag Fhionnghaile. 1572

The name of Ádhamh Mag Fhionnghaile (Edom M’Ginnillye is the recorded English form) is noted on an English ‘Pardon List of King James’ for what was termed ‘Irish Rebels’ against the Crown. One way of trying to 'subdue' the Irish was to offer them pardons. In most cases these were ignored and the fighting continued.

Aodh Mag Fhionnghaile. 1572

This warrior, was recorded as Hugh M’Gynillye in the English records. This name appears alongside Ádhamh mentioned above on the above 'English Pardon List of King James' containing Irish Rebels in the year 1572. The late 1500's was a time of continious fighting and rebellion.

Eoin Mag Fhionnghaile. 1572

Eoin, recorded as Owen M’Gynnillye in the English records, was one third of a trio of McGinley warriors caught fighting for their freedom against the English in the mid to late 1500's. Eoin was given what was called an ‘official pardon’ by the English under King James in 1572. It is not known what became of him or the other two McGinleys listed.

Toirealach Mag Fhionnghaile. 1609

The exact date of birth for Toirealach is not known but it is said to be around 1589/90. He was a warrior who fought under Cathaoir Ó Dochartaigh, the last Chieftain of Ireland at the Battle of Kilmacrennan in 1608. He took part in the wars against the English in the eary 1600's. He appeared on an official Pardon List at the time. His name as spelt on the pardon (in English) was Tirloe McGinelik! A noted warrior and rebel, it has been suggested that he came from around Dunfanaghy or Mevagh. He may have been the clan chieftain.

Capt. John McGinley. fl. 1778

John P. McGinley was both a politician and soldier. In both cases his fight was for American independance from Britain. He was the captain in charge of Fort Island Battery also known as Mud Island Fort. He was part of a delegation that approved the official American flag, the Stars and Stripes.

Hugh Maginnely. 1797

Hugh was from Clondavaddock was a figure who fought against the English as a member of the Society of United Irishmen. He was sent to jail in 1797 for not giving ‘information’ on his comrades. The report on him comments “This is an active fellow of bad character, fit for the navy”. (Source; Donegal Annual 1964).

Laurence Ginnell . b. 1854

Known in Irish as Labhrás Mag Fhionnghail, he was a famous and much respected Irish polititian and patriot who actively campaigned against English control of Ireland. He took part in the Cattle Driving campaigns in the early twentieth century, fought with Police and even sent to jail for the cause of Irish Freedom.

Teague McGinley. fl. 1870

The almost legendary Teague (in Pennsylvania), was the secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and a notorious member of the Molly Maguires in Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, Pennsylvania in the 1870’s. He allegedly arranged small shipments of arms to be sent to Ireland on a regular basis and his name was always linked to anti British campaigns as well as some anti (American) Government issues.

Seán Mag Fhionnghaile. fl. 1871

Seán was a known member of the Molly Maguires in Pennsylvania and said to have been active in aggrarian revolts against the English when he was in his native Donegal in the 1860's. He was a shadowy figure, nothing much being known of him. He was a native Irish speaker (his first language). He is on record, in the Pennsylvania Courts (1871, as John McGinley) as an interpreter for some Irish who only spoke their native tongue. This was during the notorious Molly Maguire 'witch-hunts'.

Conchobhar Bán Mag Fhionnghaile. fl. 1880

Around the early 1880's, Conchobhar (or Nogher in English) was an active member of the Whiteboys, a secret Irish agrarian organization who used violent means against the English establishment. He was a relation of the noted Dr J. P. McGinley of Glenswilly. The Whiteboys fought mainly for the protection of tenants/farmers rights. He was a Parish-Master of this organization. He eventually had to flee the area when things 'got hot' and he went to Omaha, Nebraska in the US to work on the transcontinental railway.

Patrick McGinley. fl. 1914

Patrick, or Pádraig as he was known to his family and friends, was a fisherman from Gola Island who took part in the infamous ‘Howth Gun Running’ escapade in 1914. He was part of a gang of six who successfully brought in a large shipment of arms for the Irish cause. He may also have taken part in some other shipments that arrived in Donegal in that year.

Eunan McGinley. 1916

Eunan was a brother of Conor McGinley and therefore another son of P.T. McGinley (Cú Uladh) and cousin of Dr McGinley. He, like his brother, served his country during the Easter Rising and was present as a fighting participant at the G.P.O in 1916. Both Eunan and Conor were members of the Rathfarnham Branch of the Irish Volunteers, commonly known as 'Pearse's Own'.

Conor McGinley. 1916

Conor was a brother of Eunan McGinley. He was tried by Field General Court-Marshall on Friday 19th May, at Richmond Barracks in Dublin. Conor (described as from Dublin, both brothers were living in Dublin at the time) was given ten years penal servitude (seven years remitted) for his involvement in Irelands struggle for independance. He was sent to an internment camp in north Wales and was released with other Prisoners of War the following Christmas. Both brothers were also fluent Irish speakers.

Patrick McGinley. 1916

Patrick was born in Dublin in 1887. He joined the IRB and later the Irish Volunteers, along with his brother Liam. Patrick took part in the 1916 Easter Rising in the GPO and was afterwards interned at the notorious Frongoch Prison Camp. He was an active member of the IRA and took part in the raid on the Customs House. Later he was an officer in the Irish Free State Army. He left in 1924 after the army mutinee. He then joined the Customs Service.

Liam McGinley. 1916

Like his brother Patrick, Liam (or William) was a member of the Irish Volunteers and later the IRA. HE also took part in the 1916 Easter Rising in the GPO. Both Liam and Patrick are recorded on the National Museum Roll of Honour List for their efforts to secure Irish freedom. Liam continued as an active member of the IRA and was listed among the O'Connell Street Garrison.

Seosamh Mag Fhionnghaile. 1920

Sometimes calle Joe or Seo Séimí Sheáin, he was a member of the Volunteers or I.R.A in north Donegal. He was from Ardsbeg. Seosamh was part of a gang who took part in an attack of three R.I.C constables at Gortahork. The constables were relieved of their bicylces and guns and one of the constables was seriously wounded. Later, one of the bicylces was found at his home and used in evidence against him. He was sentanced to two years hard labour. He may have taken part in an earlier attack on Magheroarty Coastguard Station which was burned.

Seán Mag Fhionnghaile. 1922

An active IRA member who fought against the British during the fight for Irish freedom. He was a brother to Seosamh Mag Fhionnghaile. During the unfortunate civil war, Seán took the side of the Free Staters. On the day that a National Truce had been called (May 4th 1922), he was caught in an ambush at Newtowncunningham. He was shot in the thigh with the bullet going through his abdomen and out through his spine. He died shortly afterwards in great pain.