Sorley Boy MacDonnell

Somhairle Buíodh MacDomhnaill
Sorley Boy Mac Donnell
Born1505
Died1590 (aged 84–85)
Resting placeBonamargy Friary
PredecessorColla MacDonnell (brother)
SuccessorRandal MacDonnell (fourth son)
Spouse(s)1. Mary, dau. of Conn O'Neill
2. Unknown, a dau. of Turlough O'Neill
Children4 sons, 5 daughters.

Somhairle Buíodh MacDonnell (Scottish Gaelic: Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill), also spelt as MacDonald (c. 1505 – 1590), was a Gaelic chief, the son of Alexander Carragh MacDonnell, 5th of Dunnyveg, of Dunyvaig Castle, lord of Islay and Cantire, and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan, both in Scotland. MacDonnell is best known for establishing the MacDonnell clan in Antrim, Ireland, and resisting the campaign of Shane O'Neill and the English crown to expel the clan from Ireland. Sorley Boy's connection to other Irish Roman Catholic lords was complicated, but also culturally and familiarly strong: for example, he married Mary O'Neill, the daughter of Conn O'Neill. He is also known in English as Somerled and Somerled of the yellow hair.


© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search