Rory O'Donnell

Son of Naghtan O'Donnell

1452

Great war and dissentions arose in Tirconnell between Donnell, the son
of Niall Garv and Rory, the son of Naghtan O'Donnell, concerning the
lordship of Tirconnell, so that the country was thrown into confusion
between them, and that the friends and abettors of either party
plundered and harassed one another; and men were slain and destroyed,
and many depredations and spoilations were committed between them on
both sides. AFM

1454

Donnell, the son of Niall Garv O'Donnell, was installed in the lordship
of Tirconnell, in opposition to the real O'Donnell (Rury, the son of
Naghtan). And not long after this Donnell was treacherously taken
prisoner in the castle of Inis (Inch, an island in Lough Swilly,
between Fahan and Rathmullan, Co Donegal). As soon as Rury had received
tidings of this, he mustered an army. O'Kane and Mac Quillin came
without delay to his assistance, bringing all their forces with them;
and they proceeded to demolish the castle in which Donnell was
imprisoned, with a few persons about him to guard the place. Rury and
his army burned the gate and door of the castle, and set the stairs on
fire; whereupon, Donnell, thinking that his life would be taken as soon
as the army should reach the castle, entreated, it being his dying
request, that he might be loosed from his fetters, as he deemed it
trecherous to be killed while imprisoned and fettered. His request was
granted, and he was loosed from his fetters; after which he ascended to
the battlements of the castle, to view the motions of the invading
army. And he saw Rury beneath, with eyes flashing opposition, and
waiting until the fire should subside, that he might enter, and kill
him. Donnell then, finding a large stone by his side, hurled it
directly down upon Rury, so that it fell on the crest of his helmet, on
the top of his head, and fractured it, so that he instantly died. The
invading forces were afterwards defeated, and by this throw Donnell
saved his own life, and acquired the lordship of Tirconnell. AFM