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History
Prior to settling on Barra, the MacNeills had a 500-year dynasty as Kings and High Kings of Ireland.
Thanks to PauL Courteau, member of Clan MacNeil, for his contributions
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When Niall of the Nine Hostages became High King of Ireland in 379, he also became the first clan chief of the clan that would be known by his name. His son, Eoghan, was baptized by St. Patrick. The fourth chief, Muirceartach, gave the Stone of Destiny to his grand-uncle Fergus, King of Dalriada, Scotland. |
The High Kingship of Ireland passed largely from father to son from 379 until 1033, when the 20th chief, Aodh Aonrachan, resigned the kingship to his brother, Domhnall. The 21st chief, Neil of the Castle, had moved to Barra three years earlier, and began construction of Kisimul Castle in Castle Bay. Construction was continued by the 22nd chief, Aodh, and completed by the 23rd chief, Donald.
The MacNeill clan claims descent from Niall, a descendent of Aodh O'Neill, a king of Northern Ireland at the beginning of the eleventh century. Niall came to Barra around 1094, and he is commonly held to be the first chief of the clan. The first clan chief to figure in a charter is Neil Og McNeil who received the charter from the Scotish King, Robert the Bruce. Gillieonan MacNeil, Neil Og's great-grandson received a new charter for Barra in 1427 from the Lord of the Isles. Gillieonan MacNeil was the 10th laird of Barra and 30th in line of descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages.
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On the island of Barra the MacNeils lived in Kisimul Castle where their galley ships would set out on raids. They were considered pirates, and they were quite successful. |
The fifteenth chief of the MacNeills, Ruadhri the Turbulent, described as "the last of the Vikings", carried out raiding trips from this island stronghold. King James VI arrested him for piracy of an English ship at the end of the sixteenth century.
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History Internet Resources |
- The Clearances of the nineteenth century and the MacNeils of Barra at the Celtic Society, Western Slope of Colorado website.
- The The Gathering of the Clans web page on the Clan MacNeil and The Gathering of the Irish web page on the Clan O'Neil.
- An informative description of Kisimul Castle can be found at the Castles website.
- S.McSkimming, "Isles of the Hebrides: Barra," first published in Dalriada magazine, available at the Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust website.
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Visit the links page for additional resources. |