JOURNAL OF THE COUNTY DONEGAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY . . Chonaill. Principal sea1t of O'Donnell rulers for more than two centuries was Murlbhach (Murvagh on the Erne). Domhnall Mor (.120741) extended his dominion over Fermanagh. North Connaughit 1 t~ Curliews). and Oriel (to the border of Meath). His eldest son, Maoileachlainn. helped Brian O~Neill 1to vanquish MacLaughlins. and thus probably cleared the wav for eventual occupation of Inishowen by O'Dohertys. His second son. Godfrey, defeated a come...b.ack wttempt by O'Cannons and a Norman effort at penetration. His youngest son, Domhnall O.e:. brought iMac Sweenevs from Scotland as leaders of Galloi?lasses. Donegal was capital of Tir Chonaill for only a short period. Niall Garbh 11 built the first Norman-type castle in Ballyshannon (1423). His son, Aodh Ruadh 1. built a castle and monastery (1474) in Donegal. Man~s O'Donnell built a castle in Lifford 115127) and made iit his chi_ef seat. Red Hugh abandoned Lifford. and later Donegal and Ballyshannon. His last seat was Ballmote. Rury returned to Donei?al a:Dter Kinsale, for the :reason that Niall Garbh co:n-- manded Lifford. Had the English recognised Niall Garlbh, instead of Rurv. Lifford would have remained the capital of the newlyformed "Counitv of Tyrconnell," which <became known later as County Donei?al. . MacrSrweenevs settled m Fanad 113th century) and g;adm1llv occuoied Tuatha Toraighe rDoe) and Banagh ait the expense of the O'Boyles, who had 251. ruled all West Donegal (Mulroy to Lou2h Eske). At the end of thJ medieval era O'Donnell chieftains and 1their septq. and followers occuoied more than one-fifth of the tritbal lands of Tir Chonaill: O'Dohertys, one-fifth (Inish- ·Owen) ; Mac'Sweeneys one-fif!th. One-fifth belonged to Churches and monasteries. Remainder was in uossession of the O'Boyles, 0'1Gal1aghers. and o!1:hers. Distric1t South of the Erne constituted O'Donnell's mensal lands. The whole extent of mountain pasture was grazed by tenants of O'Donnell. · .The PI1incip1al residences were·-O'Donnell families : Lifford. Donegal, Ballyshannon, iCastlefin, Mongevlin (on Foyle), Dun1boy (near Bur1t), Ramelton, Scarrifhollis. Lough Veagh, Tory Castle: O'Doherty : Burt; Mac Sweenev. Fanad Rathmullan; MacSweeney Doe : Doe Castle; MacSweeney, Banagh Rahan Cas1tle: O'Boyle . Ballyweel (West of Donegal), Crannogboy (Loughros); O'Gallagher: ''Bally- .kit" Jorobahlv Ballybofey); O'Clery : Ballymagroarty; Mac an Bhaird · Ballymacaward and Lettermacaward. The orinciPal church lands were attached 1to Raphoe (including the bishop's mensal land~). , Kilmacrenan and Assaroe. Cistercians occupied Assaroe Albibey; Carmelites RlathmuHan Abbey; Franciscans. Donegal Albbey, Magherabeg (near Donegal), Balleeghan and Killydonnell. (on opposite sides of Lough Swilly), Doe Abibey, and Fanaharragh (Wes1t of Inver).
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