Egneghan O'Donnell

The first O'Donnell Chief of note.

Clan was known as Clann Dalaigh, from Dalach, an early ancestor.

The surname was derived from Dalach's 10th century decendant, Domhnall
(Donnell).

Their decent is traced from Niall Naoighiallach, of the nine hostages,
King of Ireland at the beginning of the 5th century.

From the beginning of the thirteenth century, wrested the promontory of
Inishowen from the O'Cannanains, later extending their sway over
Inishowen, Fermanagh, part of Cavan and the northern part of Connaught
(Connacht).

1200

Egnehan O'Donnell, Lord of Tirconnell, sailed with the fleet of
Tirconnell (13 vessels) by sea, and despatched his army by land, and
pitched his camp at Gaeth-an-Chairrgin (inlet of Carrigin, a village 3
miles to the south of the city of Londonderry, on the west side of the
River Foyle). Gerrmaide O'Boylan was slain by Egneghan. A battle was
fought between O'Donnell on one side, and Ualgarg O'Rourke and
Conor-na-Glaisfene O'Rourke on the other. The Hy-Briuin (O'Rourkes)
were defeated, and their men dreadfully cut off, both by drowning and
killing. Coner himself was drowned on this occasion. The battle was
fought at Leckymuldory (O'Muldory's flag-stone, or flat surfaced rock,
under the cataract at Bellice, now Belleek, on the River Erne, about 2
miles to the east of Ballyshannon). AFM

1201

Ualgarg O'Rourke mustered an army, and marched into Tirconnell. On
their arrival in the country, they seized upon a number of cows and
other property. Egneghan overtook them at Leck-I-Muldory, where a battl
was fought between them, in which the Hy-Briuin (O'Rourke's) and their
army was defeated and cut off with terrible havoc, both by killing and
drowning. It was on this occasion that Coner na-Glais-fene (O'Rourke)
was drowned. AFM

On the same day, the Kinel-Owen made another predatory incursion into
Tirconnell; and a conflict took place between them and O'Donnell, in
which the Kinel-Owen were defeated, and Gerrmaidi O'Boylan and many
others of the Kinel-Owen were slain along with him. AFM

1206


Egneghan took a prey, and killed some persons in Tyrone. AFM

Egneghan plundered Hy-Farannan and Clann-Dermot (of the Kinel-Owen
race); he took many cows and killed persons. He was overtaken by the
Hy-Dermot, the O'Farannans and the O'Gormleys; and a struggle ensued,
in which many were killed and drowned on both sides; but the
Kinel-Connell ultimately bore off the prey, after much labour. The
O'Donnells afterwards drove the Kinel-Owen out of the Plain of Magh
Ithe, and established families of the Kinel-Connell in their place. AFI

1207

Egneghan set out upon a predatory incursion into Fermanagh, and seized
upon cows; but a considerable muster of men of Fermanagh persued him
and slew O'Donnell. Lord of Tirconnell, tower of the warlike prowess 
and hospitality of the province of his time; and some others of his
nobility were slain along with him. AFM