JOURNAL OF THE COUNTY DON.l!:GAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY North West Donegal" and I have adverted •to it in my "Manus 'a Pnice' article published in the l i:i-l.9 issue of the Society's Journal. Conon Maguire tells us in his '·History of •the Diocese of Raphoe" that when he visited Templecrone (nineties of last century) he mE.•t one of the family who boasted of his direct descent from Sean MadManus Og and could trace his pedigree back to Torlach an Fhiona (died 1422). He told •the Rev. historian that the eldest son in each ~eneration had always been Christen -ct "Sean" in honour of their illustrious ancestor. Tradition says that the first O'Donnell •to settle on the island was Sean Ruadh, who came in by sea from "the braes of Derry" in the time of ":Cogadh na hEire.ann." This was Sean MaciManus Og. It is unliikely that he ever saw his children tha•t were captured in Tory again. What happened them we know not. He was either re-joined by his wif.e O!' married again because tradition speaks of his sons, Sean Dearg and Aodh MacSheain Ruaidh. Much folklore has grown up around the family. . Here now is the full list of "Seans" of Inis Saille :- S '::in Ruadh (Sean MacManus Qg) . whose eldest son was Sean Dearg. whose eldest son was ~- an Ga~1bh. whose eldest son was Sean Gior1tach. whose eldest son was .Sean Leathan, whose eldest son ,~,.. s s~an Beag. whose eldest son was Sean Mor, whose eldest son was s0 an :Beagaide (whom Canon Maguire met), whose eldest son was Johnny Sheainin. who went ito America and whose only son was Sean (D.S.P.). The line is therefore conti '1ued through Johnny's brothe;r; Donnchadh. born 1858 and shL with us! His eldest son is Serl!eant Sean O'Domhnaill. Ga:da Siochana. Cliffoney. Co. Sligo. Now comes a tragedy. The Sergeanit's eldest boy was born in March, 193•1, and was Christened Padraig atter our Ncvtional Apostle. And so a glorious tradition that goes back through ten generations for more than 300 Years has been 'broken! The name Sean has. hoWever, been preserved in the family and i't n:ight be mentioned that another of the children possesses the Balldearg. GLASSAGH O'DONNiELLIS Lastly we come to this mysterious Branch that was so prominent in Glenfinn up ito the middle of last century. tl have already described them in connection with ".Manus a Phice." There have been so many conflicting sitatements concerning their origin that I leave it an 0"en matter. There appears 1to be no doulbt that they were closely connected wiith the main line of the Clan. O'DONNELL AR.MS The ancient armorial bearings of the O'Donnells are :-cir issuing from sinister side of shield an arm dexter, slieved azure and cuffed argent, grasping a passion cross gules. Time has, of course, brought "differences" in the arrangement. The origin of the cross is f.hat St. Patrick upon mee•ting Conall Cremhthainn, an elder son of King Niall, impressed a. c~O"S ul'.lon his shjeld with his staff IBachall Isa) prom1smg and Dredicitin_g that such of hi~ ,·nc0 8s wonld carry that sign on their standard should never be overcome iry battle. The family rro1ttn is. of course. "in hoe signo vinces." CLAN OFFICERS O'Donnells. Chieftains. MacHoartys, Custodians of the Cathach. Mac·Sweeneys, Chiefs of gallogIasses. Marshals and Standardb oarers. O'Breslins, Brehons. 01Clerys, Scrilbes and Historians. O"Dunlev:vs. Physicians. O'Friels. Inau.e;ur81.1:-0rs of the Chieftain. ?BO.
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