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Home , 5th century in Ireland, 9th century in Ireland, Annals of Ulster, Aoife, Ardclinis, Ards (territory)

i The In Medieval Times ii iii Index Acknowledgements...... 1 Introduction...... 2 Dál Riata...... 6 The Early ...... 10 and Fortified Outcrops...... 14 !...... 18 The Anglo- and the Glens of Antrim...... 21 The Bissets and the Bruces...... 27 Clann Eòin Mòr...... 33 Further Reading...... 39 Published by the Heart of the Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. Language and Landscape

Text by Colm & McSparron. Representing otherness This book was published through a of ‘otherness’ presents challenges. academic work. Campbell, Printed by Impact Printing, & Ballycastle. collaborative project called The Heart When dealing with identities of and Horning (2018) have employed of The Glens Landscape Partnership people and places, we thought of how a similar approach stating “the best © 2018 (HoGLPS), which has been kindly the personal and family names of course of action was to employ Irish funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund important historical characters could spellings for selected place-names, and managed through Causeway be represented in a way that they people and that would originally and Glens Heritage Trust. Aspects of themselves would recognise. Many of have been spoken and recorded in Irish, our shared heritage, its interpretation the sources of names used today rather than rely upon the, perhaps, and presentation have long been a are the now more familiar anglicized more familiar, but arguably less honest challenge on the island of , forms. Many of these sources were and certainly less accurate English especially when related to the use of written by English observers unfamiliar renderings”. Gaelic language. However, one of the and in some instances indifferent to In most cases, when the name is first themes of the HoGLPS was to look at the Gaelic language. Thus names were mentioned, if an English rendering projects that presented the ‘language often misheard, poorly understood and exists we have placed it in. Thereafter, of landscape’. HoGLPS have also misrepresented in a new way that was in many cases, the Gaelic form will be established, as a guiding principle, alien to those who held them. used. A glossary of pronunciation of that the landscape, as we relate to During the discussion phase of this the Gaelic forms of the names is also it, is in fact a ‘people-scape’. Almost book it was agreed that were possible provided using an everything in our landscape has been to employ Gaelic spellings to these phonetic spelling. impacted upon and by people and names, so that they are reconnected Campbell, E. Fitzpatrick E. and Horning community. It is well accepted that to their own sense of self, as the holder A. (2018) Becoming and belonging most of the place names and a vast of that name would have understood. in Ireland ADc. 1200 – 1600; Essays number of surnames are also of Gaelic There is in increasing precedent in identity and cultural practise, in origin. How we represent this sense for this kind of approach amongst University Press, Ireland. iv 1 Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Friary and Kinbane Castle and in the Journal of Archaeology following individuals and for facilitating the permission for in 1861, while David Caldwell, organisations for all their their use in our publication. The formerly of the National Museum assistance during the production UAV image of Castle of , provided the images of of this booklet, commencing was kindly provided by David Craig the Scottish Grey Ware pottery and with Libby Mulqueeny, Illustrator of IrishSights, while the Friends . Finally, we would like to within the School of Natural and of Portencross Castle in North thank our friends Réamaí Mathers Built Environment at Queen’s generously allowed us and Laura McAuley in the Heart of University , who drew the to use Bob Marshall’s wonderful the Glens Landscape Partnership maps included in the text. We’d reconstruction drawing of a Scheme and Eileen McAuley and (Diùra) like to thank Tony Corey, Historic Hebridean galley. Our colleagues in Dominic O’Loan from the Glens Environment Division of the the Ulster Archaeological Society of Antrim Historical Society for all Department for Communities, for allowed us to use the illustration of their help and guidance over the (Ìle) his photographs of Bonamargy the Crozier, first published past four years.

(Ceann Tíre)

(Eilean Arainn)

(Aontroim) 2 3 Introduction:

In 1569 a dynastic double-marriage and , Diùra (Jura) and Cinn covered in cattle hides, light and Having myself conversed with both (’s Grave, near , The connection between Scotland took place on . Tìre ( ) in , some 20 manoeuvrable. Glensmen and Arranmen, I can for example) show a great deal of and Ireland endured into the Local tradition holds that the miles away, and then to the south testify to the absolute identity of similarity to Scottish Chambered . The stone cist burials venue for the festivities was at the towards An Bhinn Mhór (Benmore) In the Late Medieval period their speech”. Tombs and it can be suggested discovered in Church Bay on Rathlin enclosure known as “The Castle” and Baile an Chaistil (Ballycastle), connections were further that very similar societies must Island, for example, are similar at . While the architect only 5 miles in the distance. facilitated by the introduction of In the period covered by our book, have existed on both sides of the to those to be found in western of the enterprise was Somhairle the galleys, the descendants of North Antrim and the Western Isles sea at this period. and central Scotland. Iron was Buidhe MacDomhnaill, Sorley Boy People in the Glens of Antrim were Viking vessels, clinker-built and formed a sea-province and Gaelic- introduced to Ireland in the period MacDonnell, who had been making relatively isolated from the rest of open-hulled, with tall prows and speaking cultural zone, reflected There was also a movement of raw around 600BC but while artefacts arrangements since the previous Ireland by the difficult terrain of the sterns, and steered by means of in the name of Argyll itself, Earra- materials and artefacts between made from this metal have been year when an English source Antrim Plateau on the west and a a stern rudder. The galleys were Ghàidheal, “the coast of the ”. Ireland and Scotland which may discovered in Antrim, we have very reported that he had spent two high promontory in the quick-moving, powered by sail This may have been the result of have represented trade and little settlement or burial evidence, days in the Glens “cutting wattles area to the south, a geographical and – when becalmed, in bays or an invasion of the region by Gaelic- exchange mechanisms at work. although the earthworks at Liosán to build in the Raghlins”, perhaps isolation that would only be broken on rivers – by oar. Lightweight yet speaking people from Irish Dál For example, Taobh Builleach Dubh (Lissanduff) in Port Bhaile to construct housing for the guests. by the construction of the coast tough, the galleys could readily Riata in the early centuries of the (Tievebullliagh), outside Cois an Tráigh () and at road in the 1830s. Despite the be beached in a suitable coastal first millennium. Alternatively, it Abhann Dála ( Cushendall), and Coshcrib, near Cushendall may News of the weddings undoubtedly dangerous nature of the sea prior bay; they could even be carried may have been part of a gradual Brockley on Reachraidh (Rathlin) both be ritual sites associated with generated horror among the Tudor to that time, external contact overland. assimilation of the indigenous are the sources of a very fine this period. administrations in and had tended to focus on Islay and Pictish population into the Gaelic grained igneous rock called , for these fourteen days of Kintyre. Communication was also world, with their adoption of a porcellanite which was used for Conversely, in Argyll we have a merriment represented the blood- facilitated well into the 19th century new language perhaps facilitated the manufacture of polished stone relative profusion of connection of three major Gaelic A tradition that only fell out of use through the fact that the dialect through trade and exchange with axes. Porcellanite axes are most settlement sites with numerous lineages – MacDomhnaill, Ó Néill in recent times and one which was of Irish Gaelic spoken in the Glens the Gaels of Irish Dál Riata. What common in the north-eastern duns (from Gaelic dún), small dry and Ó Domhnaill – supported by neatly summarised by and Rathlin Island, was similar to we can say, however, is that by the quarter of Ireland but outside stone circular enclosures, dating to the Caimbeul lordship of Argyll. in 1980 when he wrote: “Ironically the spoken in the time that history commences for this area they are frequently this period. As we move across into Rathlin would have undoubtedly it was the invention of the internal Western Isles. Indeed, it formed the region linguistically we are encountered in Argyll and North- the historic period around AD 500, provided a splendid setting for combustion engine that put an end part of a continuum of language dealing with a single people. East Scotland. Conversely, we have more knowledge of what the weddings, particularly in the to the old customs: men who were and culture that spanned across pitchstone from the life was like in the Western Isles summer. But there was also a more not afraid to rely on canvas are now the whole of the Gaelic speaking Archaeological research has is a very hard natural glass that is than we do for The Glens. strategic reason why the island was afraid to rely on motor boats in the world in Scotland, Ireland and demonstrated the nature of similar to obsidian and has been chosen for this great meeting – its gale-torn and tide-swept waters of the . Writing in 1873 these connections and how they found in east Antrim, most notably location in Sruth na Maoile, also the western approaches”. Mac Adam stated that extend back into prehistory. The at the site of two Houses known as the North Channel. On “Even yet the Glensmen of Antrim megalithic Court Tombs that were excavated at Ballygalley in the a clear day standing on the cliffs In the Early Medieval period this go regularly to Highland fairs and in use in the Neolithic between late 1980s. at Bruce’s Castle on Rathlin one transport was undertaken using communicate without the slightest about 3700BC and 3550BC can look to the north and see Ìle currachs, wooden ribbed vessels difficulty with the Highlanders. 4 5

Galley Galleys were the descendants of the Viking longships. Used in the Late Medieval period, they were essential for communication and transport between and Scotland. 6 7

The second tradition accepts that the name of the to the “auld country”. In the case of the Dál Riata, it Dál Riata leader of the Dál Riata was Riata (Reuda) but it focuses is possible that there was a migration of people into on the role of the sons of Erc, their 5th century AD king, Argyll who brought their Gaelic language with them The arrival of in the 5th century AD and specifically his son Feargus, in the conquest of but who readily adopted the material culture and changed Ireland enormously by introducing the written Argyll. This tradition is reported in the , architectural traditions of the host Pictish population, word. Consequently, Ireland became literate and the the Tripartite Life of St Patrick and in the Senchus Fer with some of these traditions then making their way surviving documents help provide us with insight into nAlban (History of the Men of Scotland). back to North Antrim. how society organised itself. There were multiple small Some have suggested that this latter account was an kingdoms, called tuaths, and early Irish legal texts invention of Scottish kings in the 10th century AD who composed around AD 700 indicate a complex network wanted to justify their credentials to rule by means of local kings, over-kings and provincial kings. One of tying themselves into the royal lineages of Ireland. confederation of small kingdoms was that of the , Possibly from as early as the time of Cináed Mac Alpín located in what is now Antrim, Down, North and in the 8th century AD the country that would become North Louth. Scotland was ruled by a which was culturally Gaelic and his successors wanted an impressive Gaelic The Ulaid kingdom had once extended over much of pedigree stretching back into a distant Irish past. It what is now Ulster but from the 5th century onwards has been suggested, therefore, that the story of a it had been under pressure from the Northern Uí Néill, migration and conquest of Argyll by Gaels from North a population group originally from who had Antrim is a myth from the 10th century AD and is one moved to North-West Ulster and - under the Cenél which lacks supporting archaeological evidence. nEógain lineage – had pushed the Ulaid back across the . Within the Ulaid there were several The account, however, can be found in texts that lineages. The strongest of these was the Dál Fiatach, pre-date the 10th century AD while the archaeological who held land in eastern Down, while the Uí Echach evidence is not quite as straightforward as would Cobo occupied west Down and the Dál nAraide held first appear. In recent decades anthropologists have south and North-West Antrim. In North Antrim there studied the mechanisms of migrations and population was the Dál Riata, who also held land in Argyll. movements and it seems that what archaeologists have traditionally expected in a migration – that The exact means whereby the Dál Riata obtained the artefacts and architecture of the home country power in Scotland remains unclear but it had probably appears in the destination country of the migrants – occurred by the 5th century AD. There are, however, rarely happens. In reality migrants – either as settlers, two traditions which we can call upon, although both refugees or invaders – will rapidly adopt and adapt to are to some extent contradictory. the lifestyles of their new host society; put plainly, they ’t tend to bring their pots and jugs with them but The first tradition is related by the English monk Bede Bede wrote these words in the 730’s and it is likely use the pots and jugs they find in their new homeland. in the early 8th century AD who informs us that: that he was able to draw on information from other “They came from Ireland under their leader Reuda and churchmen such as Adamnán, the abbot of and Furthermore, anthropologists have shown that won lands among the either by friendly treaty or the biographer of Colm Cille, who was personally known evidence for migration is more likely to be found back by the sword. These they still possess. They are still to him. in the original homeland, where returning migrants called Dalreudini after this leader”. may bring goods and artefacts from their new life back 8 9

Dún Soirbhice (Dunserverick) Dún Soirbhice has been an important place for millennia. It is mentioned in the early irish myths and in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick. This was the reputed capital of the Dál Riata in north Antrim. It was attacked twice by the Vikings, became an Anglo-Norman manor, and was occupied by the MacDomhnaill lordship who probably built the small stone tower on the promontory. 10 11 The Early Church

Settlement of the Dál Riata in the ruling lineage. It was also the established by Saint Ódhrán in Argyll, however, was not the case that the land given to the AD 548 and that Gabráin, the king only means for the transmission monastery was a pre-existing of Dál Riata, was buried there in of cultural ideas between the estate, where the old tenants AD 560. Adamnán’s life of Colm Glens, Ireland and Scotland in the stayed on as married lay monks Cille tells us much on how these Early Medieval Period; the Early and the abbot was also usually early monasteries functioned, Christian Church also had a role married to ensure the monastery and how the monks travelled and to perform. The new Christian stayed within the ownership of the preached among the Picts in the Church had established itself lineage that had provided the land. northern parts of Scotland. Colm across Ireland by the end of the A small number of deeply pious, Cille, however, was also involved 6th century AD, primarily through celibate, aesthetics lived a fuller in the politics of Dál Riata. He may the establishment of monasteries. monastic life. In this way the new have presided at the coronation This concept had its origins in Christian Church accommodated of Áedán macGabráin, the King of North Africa in the 4th century AD and integrated itself successfully Dál Riata, in AD 574 and may have and was brought to Ireland via into Gaelic society. selected Buide as Áedán’s and Britain but which was taken up successor. with enthusiasm in Ireland where, Christianity was introduced to by AD 600, the church found itself northern and western Scotland By the 7th century AD, monasteries ruled not by bishops – as would through the establishment of seem to have been surrounded by be the norm elsewhere – but by daughter-houses of the Irish one or more circular earthen banks, the abbots associated with the monasteries. The monastery on ditches and stone walls, separating monasteries. the island of Í (Iona) was founded the monastery from the outside by Colm Cille, a senior aristocratic world. This may have been partly The reasons for the growth of member of the Cenél Conaill, a to protect the relics and precious monasticism in Ireland are partly major lineage within the Northern items that the monastery had spiritual (it obviously chimed with Uí Neill. He left Ireland as an act accumulated, but it may also have the spirit of the place and time), of penance and went to Scottish had a religious function, dividing but there were also economic and Dál Riata where he founded a the monastery into zones based on political reasons for its success. monastery on the unidentified perceived notions of sacredness. Monasteries required land which island of Hinba, before moving to would have to be provided by a Iona around AD 563. Within the innermost enclosure local ruler. In return, the monastery was the church and cemetery, while St Patrick’s Church Armoy became tied to the aristocratic Whether he founded the the outer enclosures contained St Patrick’s Church, Armoy, was founded by St Olcán, who was baptised and dynasty that provided the monks monastery at Iona is open to the cells where the monks lived, ordained by St Patrick in the 5th century AD. with their land, and the abbot debate however, and there is a the gardens, and the craftworking would usually be a member of suggestion that it may have been areas. An important monastery 12 13

within Irish Dál Riata was at Armoy of the souterrain was controlled by incarnation of the monastery and this was the location for an the inclusion of “creeps”, openings given that there are no upstanding archaeological excavation in 2005. where a person would have to remains from this period in the Mentioned in the Tripartite Life of crawl through from one part of the site’s story. A large sub-rectangular St Patrick as having been founded complex to another. ditch was found to enclose the by St Olcán in the 5th century centre of the monastery. The AD, the monastery was located The presence of these restrictive excavation revealed that, like on the great northern road, the features suggests that souterrains Armoy, it was dug in the 7th century Sli Mid Luachra, which ran from were defensive in nature, and AD, while environmental evidence Teamhair (Tara) to Dún Soirbhice presumably used as a hiding place suggests that it may have been (Dunseverick) along the traditional in times of trouble. Radiocarbon associated with a hedge of elder, border between Dál Riata and Dál dates suggest that the earliest hawthorn and holly bushes. nAraide. activity at Armoy dated to between AD 420 and AD 550, compatible The excavations have also The excavations uncovered with the monastery’s origin story emphasised that timber was evidence for an enclosing ditch as being a Patrician era foundation, the main material used in the around the modern church at the while the ditch surrounding the buildings associated with these site and its accompanying 11th or site had first been dug between AD early monasteries. A large circular 12th century AD round tower. The 605 and AD 665 and had then been post-built building was uncovered, ditch had been recut on at least one remodelled between AD 710 and while waterlogged wood from the occasion and was then replaced by AD 890. Evidence for craftworking ditch showed worked oak timbers a stone wall. On the inside of the was discovered in the form of a typical of the type used in Irish ditch the remains of a stone hearth workshop for the manufacture of Early Medieval constructions. A were discovered, radiocarbon lignite bracelets. series of gullies and depressions dated to between AD 890 and AD found in the area called the 990 and possibly marking the Within Scottish Dál Riata the Srúth a’ Mhuilinn (mill stream) location of a house, while close previously mentioned monastery were probably associated with a to the hearth was the discovery of Iona retained its importance cornmill, which was very important of a soutterain, an artificial throughout the entire Medieval for the processing of oats by the cave that typically comprises a period and has also been subject community, and evidence for the stone-lined tunnel some 20 to 30 to a series of archaeological craftworking of metal and glass metres in length which connected investigations. These have been during the 7th century AD was also with underground chambers. of great importance in furthering uncovered. Communication between the parts our understanding of the early 14 15 Ringforts and Fortified Outcrops

The is the predominant The ringforts associated with the channel. In addition, there are also settlement type of Early Medieval upper social levels in Early Medieval larger stone forts in Scotland called Ireland. These structures were society could have more than “nuclear forts”, multi-enclosure defended farmsteads and one ditch and bank and these are fortifications crowning a prominent comprised a circular enclosure with called multivallate ringforts, while rock outcrop and associated with a typical internal diameter of some sometimes the ringfort could take the elite of both the Scottish Dál 30 metres. The enclosure could the format of an earthen platform, Riata and the Picts, as for example comprise an earthen bank with an called a raised ringfort. An example at in Argyll and Dundurn outer ráth (ditch) or – in upland of the latter monument type was in Perthshire. It has now been areas – a stone wall or Caiseal Deer Park Farm near Glenarm, recognised that similar structures (cashel). Ringforts are found across excavated in the mid 1980s in have been found in North Antrim the whole of the Irish landscape a programme of work which where they have been classified as and some 40,000 may have been demonstrated that the ringfort “fortified outcrops”, exemplified constructed during the period from comprised several centuries of by Dún Mór (Doonmore) near Fair Dún Mór AD 600 to AD 1000. occupation layers, superimposed Head, which comprises a rock Dún Mór (Doonmore) near is an excellent example of a fortified outcrop. one over the other. outcrop crowned by a stone cashel It was probably occupied in the 8th century AD. Archaeological excavation has and with attached sub-semi- revealed that the interiors could It has been suggested that raised circular enclosures. have contained buildings, but this ringforts were the homes of arable does not always seem to have been farmers and that they became There are relatively few earthwork the case and it can be suggested the settlement type favoured by ringforts in The Glens, but some with excellent views over the as was later Medieval glazed to the neighbouring monument that some ringforts acted as cattle the upper levels of society after eight fortified outcrops have been River, the site was in danger pottery and a bell shrine, now on at Doonmore near Fair Head. kraals. Where houses have been AD 750 when the Irish agricultural identified in North Antrim, with of being eroded away naturally. display in the . This fortified basalt outcrop had detected they were of wooden economy moved toward a further six possible examples Despite the damage already There had been several episodes been the subject of an excavation construction and circular in production. also noted. As such, the fortified done to the monument from of repair and remodelling carried undertaken by the famous format up to around AD 800. After outcrop may have been the collapse, however, its oval shape out, comprising two Early Medieval archaeologist Gordon Childe that date rectangular houses As mentioned earlier, the Iron settlement of choice for the and approximate size – around phases of activity in the period back in 1938 in a programme of seem to have been preferred. As Age in Scotland witnessed the upper levels of society in Irish Dál 14 metres in diameter – could from the late 8th century AD to the work that had identified a small mentioned, a souterrain was construction of duns, a tradition Riata, and one which mirrored the still be established. The site was early 10th century AD, followed oval enclosure at the crown of uncovered during the excavation that continued into the Early settlement traditions to be found enclosed by an earthen rampart by a period of abandonment, and the outcrop associated with a of the monastic site at Armoy, but Medieval period. It has been noted in the Scottish component of the that was clad in stone, while several then a reuse of the site in the 13th circular stone wall and evidence these artificial caves could have that certain architectural features kingdom. areas of paving and associated century AD. The concept that this of hearths and paved areas. Outer been constructed at ringforts and which occur at some duns also hearths were identified within the site was a traditional ringfort or an enclosures were also detected. presumably they performed a occur at some Irish cashel ringforts, In 2003 an excavation was structure, as well as a souterrain. Anglo-Norman motte castle has Childe’s excavation produced similar defensive function for the such as Altagore Cashel, near conducted at Droim a’ Dúin been dispelled by the excavation. Early Medieval Souterrain Ware, inhabitants of a farmstead in times , thereby indicating the (Drumadoon) near . Early Medieval pottery – called It was also recognised that the Medieval Ulster Coarse Pottery, of trouble. transfer of ideas across the north Constructed on a gravel mound, Souterrain Ware – was discovered, site was similar in general form and later Medieval glazed pottery, 16 17

but he considered this to be an this was the Kingdom of Dál Riata. ruins of a small Late Medieval stone Anglo-Norman fortification of There are a further two sites that tower. The Scottish component of the 13th century AD – a motte should also be considered at the kingdom was reputedly ruled castle that had been constructed this point – the reputed capitals from Dunadd, a nuclear fort on a to take advantage of the natural of Dál Riata, at Dún Soirbhice rock outcrop originally surrounded topography and the outcrop. A (Dunseverick) on the North Antrim by marshland. new programme of excavation coast, and Dunadd in Crinan was undertaken in 2015 in a Moss in mid Argyll. In both Early The summit of the outcrop is community-based investigation Medieval Ireland and Scotland crowned by the remains of a dun, supported by the Heart of the Glens there were a number of royal typical of those found throughout Landscape Partnership Scheme centres. Often these were not the west of Scotland, with a series and funded by the Heritage necessarily only royal residences, of outer fortified enclosures, each Lottery Fund. but also inauguration centres protected by stout stone walls, with an associated óenach, present on the terraces downslope. The excavation recovered Early a multifunctional setting for Of particular note are a series of Medieval artefacts (including assemblies and fairs, where tribute carvings at the summit, including pieces of rotary querns and was collected, and each tuath a Pictish- boar, some pottery) which indicate that it was would have had its óenach. script, and a “footprint” carved into used primarily in the Early Medieval the rock. Folklore relates that the period and then re-occupied in Dunseverick, near , footprint belonged to Colm Cille, the 13th century AD. The parallels is probably one such site. It but it is more probable that it was with Drumadoon are remarkable. emerges from prehistory within used in the inauguration ceremony Here we have two outcrops fortified the mythological of the Scottish kings of Dál Riata. in the Early Medieval period, of tales as the end-point of the abandoned, and then put to great road running from Teamhair Excavations have revealed evidence renewed use in the 13th century AD. (Tara), while the 10th century AD of metalworking, jewellery Tripartite Life of St Patrick noted production and the importation The fortified outcrops at the saint’s blessing of the location. of luxury goods from France in the Drumadoon and Doonmore may It was clearly perceived in these form of “E-Ware” pottery sherds The souterrain be equivalent structures to the texts, therefore, as an important and the site is mentioned twice in at Droim a’ Dúin nuclear forts of Argyll, while cashels place and was subjected to Viking the Annals of Ulster under the years (Drumadoon) such as Altagore have similarities attacks in AD 871 and AD 926. AD 683, when it was besieged by an to the Scottish duns. As such, the unnamed force, and AD 736 when it The main passage of the souterrain archaeological record is starting The monument today is set on was captured by the Picts who “laid under excavation, showing the to identify parallel structures on a basalt rock-stack protruding waste to the territory of Dál Riata”. large lintel stones that covered the underground complex. either side of the Sruth na Maoile into the sea, with steep cliffs on which may be indicative of the all sides, save a narrow causeway strong and enduring connections to the land. On its summit there that existed between both areas are a series of grass-covered in the Early Medieval period when foundations, in addition to the 18 19

greater placename evidence in the Vikings! Western Isles. On the of and , for example, up to half In AD 795 the Annals of Ulster foundations for modern Scotland. to the shore line in Church Bay, of the placenames are Norse, while record the “burning of Recru It also appears that the nature of the site of which is now destroyed, on Islay that figure is 30% and the [Rathlin] by the heathens”, Viking activity was also changing, while the “Danes Burial” is a grass- presence of such placenames are an event that marked the first however, and they were beginning covered boat-shaped mound indicative of Viking settlement on recorded instance of Viking to settle both in coastal Scotland which might also be a boat burial. these islands. activity in Ireland. The Vikings and Ireland and integrating who came to Ireland and western themselves into local political life. On a more prosaic level, some Apart from Rathlin Island, however, Scotland were mainly from Western The attack on Dunseverick that was unusual round-bottomed sherds the impact of the Vikings on The , and they viewed the carried out in AD 871, for example, of Early Medieval coarse pottery Glens and surrounding districts Christian monasteries as wealthy, was undertaken by a combined were found at Dún Soirbhice would seem to have been limited, yet relatively defenceless, targets force of Vikings and the Cenél Cave, during an archaeological but their effect on communication for raids. Throughout the early nEógain. excavation in 2009. The pottery between Ulster and the Western years of the 9th century there were was discovered within a soil layer Isles during this time is reflected numerous attacks noted, but these But what evidence do we have for that also contained Irish Souterrain in the decrease in the number seem to have provoked native a Viking presence in The Glens? Ware of an approximate 8th of entries dealing with Scottish resistance in Ulster. In AD 811, for In 1840 workmen constructing century or 9th century date and matters in the pages of the various example, the Annals of Ulster state a railway line along the coast at it is similar to vessels found in the . that there was a “slaughter of the uncovered a burial ground during the . heathens by the Ulaid”. containing Viking grave goods Overall, however, our evidence for Connections across the Gaelic including a double-edged iron the Vikings in Antrim is somewhat world, however, did survive the The attacks, however, continued sword, an iron spearhead, a bronze limited in scale compared to the initial onslaught and, in time, and in the early 9th century the ringed pin and a bone comb, all of situation in the Western Isles would be further facilitated by the great island monastery of Í (Iona) which helped to date the, evidently where, for example, 13 definite and use of galleys – the descendants of was sacked by Vikings four times, pagan, grave to the 9th century or 13 probable Vikings graves have Viking longships – across the Sruth necessitating its abandonment early 10th century AD. Earlier, in been discovered on the islands na Maoile. In addition, the new for a safer location at Ceannanas 1784, possible Viking burials were of Coll and Tiree, Mull, , combined kingdom of the Scots (Kells) in modern Meath. discovered in an Early Bronze Age Oransay, Islay and . and the Picts was also growing In Scotland the Dál Riata and the cemetery in Church Bay on Rathlin in strength and its kings were Picts were both involved in action Island, one of which contained a Some of these graves were found looking to their Irish to against the Viking threat, aided, as body with a silver brooch of 9th to contain quality grave goods help justify their right to rule. As in AD 85, by Gaelic kindred forces century date with definite Viking including weapons and jewellery, such, there remained a closeness from Ulster. Viking successes in stylistic features. while a grave at Kiloran Bay on between the people of the two the Western Isles may have forced Colonsay contained a set of scales regions, but one which would be the Scots of Dál Riata towards There is also the potential that with weights, indicative of the further tested by the arrival of unification with their Pictish a boat burial was discovered on trading that the Vikings also another group of newcomers – neighbours, thereby laying the Rathlin in the 1920s in a field close engaged in. Similarly, there is the Anglo-Normans. 20 21 The Anglo-Normans and The Glens of Antrim

From its roots in Dál Riata, by the This was also a time of change in in return for marriage to his 12th century, Gaelic kingship had Ireland as well, and political power daughter and the expectation come to dominate Scotland. Dauíd had accumulated around a small of inheriting Diarmait’s kingdom. mac Maíl Choluim (David I), ruler number of major Gaelic Diarmait returned to Ireland with during the early 12th century, that were now competing to a small Norman force in 1167, was strongly influenced by the become High King. The expulsion followed two years later by a much Norman and French culture that in 1166 of the ruler of a major larger force led by Strongbow. he witnessed as a young exile at dynasty, Diarmait Mac Murchada, Despite the odds, the Anglo- the court of Henry I in and king of , by a new High Normans secured a bridge-head in he sought to use Anglo-Norman King, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, led southern coastal areas and when warriors in his power struggles the former to seek assistance at the Diarmait died in 1171 Strongbow with other Scottish dynasties, court of Henry II, King of England became the new ruler of Leinster. with many offering land in return and Duke of Normandy and Henry II watched this development for service. The changes that he Aquitaine, who permitted Diarmait with apprehension and realised the implemented brought Scotland to recruit mercenaries for service in potential for a new Norman-Gaelic closer to contemporary feudalism Ireland among the king’s subjects Irish elite to emerge, similar to and away from the kin-based Gaelic in England and south . what had occurred in Scotland. economic and landholding system, while intermarriage led to the Diarmait came to an agreement He therefore decided to intervene, evolution of a new mixed Norman- with Richard de Clare, 2nd of invading Ireland in 1171 Gaelic Scottish elite, exemplified Pembroke (better known to history with a large army and taking the by lineages such as the Bruces. as Strongbow) for military support submissions of the Anglo-Norman

Hearth under excavation at Droim a’ Dúin (Drumadoon) The hearth was framed by four large slabs set on their edges, while the peat ash and charcoal removed from its fill enabled a radiocarbon date to be obtained, indicating that the hearth had been in use during the 8th to 10th centuries AD. 22 23

and most of the Gaelic Irish then expelled in 1210 by the king but there seems to have been no kings as the new of Ireland. and in 1211/1212 a land-grant substantial conquest in north The conquest of Gaelic kingdoms was made to Alan, Thomas, and Antrim by Alan. by the Anglo-Normans continued Duncan de . The grant to unabated, however, in 1177 John Alan de Galloway was the largest The return of Hugh as earl de Courcy, with 22 knights and in scale and encompassed the of Ulster in 1227 saw him align 300 foot-soldiers, launched an territory of Dál Riata, Rathlin Island, with the de Galloways through invasion of Ulaid. By 1182 de Courcy Tuaisceart (Twescard), Latharna the marriage of Alan to his had established five bailiwicks: (Larne) and other territories east daughter and it would seem to Aontroim (Antrim), Carraig and west of the Bann. have been in the period between Fhearguis (), Na Arda 1230 and 1260 that efforts were (), Uí Bhlathmhaic (Bathewic) It is probable, however, that this made to extend Anglo-Norman and Leath Cathail () in south was a speculative grant, with the control into North Antrim. This is Antrim and east Down. Attempts to king giving Alan his blessing to certainly the implication from the move northwards into mid Antrim, seize this territory if he could and 1260 Pipe Roll (a financial record however, were rebuked by the Uí in return he would pay the king maintained by the Exchequer) Tuirtre, who remained in control of an annual fee if he was successful which details Anglo-Norman land their kingdom for the next in his endeavours. Alan’s brother holdings in the area now called two centuries. Thomas would seem to have the County of Twescard, from the had some success, constructing Gaelic tuaisceart, “north”, framed In 1205 de Courcy was removed a castle at Mount Sandel near between the Uí Tuirtre of mid- from his position by King John I Coleraine in 1214 and obtained the Antrim to the south and the sea to of England, with his lands give to keepership of the royal castle at the north. Hugh de Lacy who was created Antrim in 1215. His other brother . De Lacy, in turn, was Duncan held land at Ballygalley

Souterrain Ware This fragment of a small cup was found during the excavation at Drumadoon and is a type of coarse unglazed pottery called Souterrain Ware, so called because archaeologists and antiquarians first encountered it during excavations of souterrains. Souterrain Ware first appears in east Ulster about AD 750, and remains in use until around AD 1300. 24 25

In 1264 the Crown gave the mottes, including Cloch Dhún earldom to Walter de , 2nd Muirigh (Cloughanmurray) near We also must take into account , but after his Ballycastle, but there seems to the possibility that motte castles death in 1271 there was a dispute have been a tendency in the region could be copied and constructed over who was to hold Twescard. for the Anglo-Normans to have by the Gaelic Irish. The splendid Henry de Mandeville, the county’s reused older structures as the base earthworks at Harryville and bailiff, refused to surrender the for their fortifications. And so, while Glarryford are cases in point; territory to the King’s seneschal Cloughanmurray certainly looks both are in mid Antrim, and both nominee William FitzWarin. This like a motte, there is an account were within the territory of the Uí dispute involved both Irish and of the discovery of the entrance Tuirtre. While it is possible that Anglo-Normans and resulted in to a souterrain having been they may mark the location of Henry’s murder, while the dispute found at the base of the mound, a failed Anglo-Norman military continued until Walter’s son which would suggest that it was intervention, it would seem more Richard became 2nd earl of Ulster constructed on the site of an Early probable that they represent the in 1280. Medieval settlement. Likewise, the work of the native Gaelic lordship Early Medieval raised ringfort at and that they may be part of the A signature monument associated Deer Park Farm near Glenarm was reason why Uí Tuirtre was able to with the Anglo-Normans is the thought to have been a motte prior withstand any hostile intervention motte castle, a conical mound of to its excavation, while we have in their kingdom, having adopted earth that was crowned by a timber also seen how the Early Medieval Anglo-Norman castle-building for palisade and with buildings on fortifications at Doonmore and themselves. the summit. Within The Glens, Drumadoon were brought back into however, things are not quite that use in the 13th century, presumably simple. We have several possible by the Anglo-Normans.

The bellshrine from Drumadoon Discovered during excavation, the shrine was originally made in the 12th century but was then remodelled in the 13th century when a figure of Christ – made in Limoges in – was added to it. 26 27 The Bissets and the Bruces

Another Anglo-Norman family, the Jurors at an inquiry by the king Bissets, appear to have become as to the extent of the “Byset” associated with Ulster through lands swore that the estate of the their support of Hugh de Lacy and late John Bisset in 1278 included his efforts to regain his earldom in Glenarm, Glencloy, Glenarrif, the 1220s. Carey and Rathlin, as well as other lands elsewhere in what is now Henry Bisset had three sons – John, Antrim and Derry. It is noticeable, Peter and Walter. While Walter however, that the holding of the Bisset married Alan de Galloway’s lands in Glencloy and Glenarrif are sister in 1233, in 1242 he was described as “waste lands as it implicated in the murder of his were and inhabited by the Irish” nephew-in-law Patrick, Thomas with an annual value of 7s 8d. This de Galloway’s son and the last seems like a tacit admission that legitimate heir to the de Galloway these lands had not been brought lands who was killed by Walter’s under Bisset control at this time. nephew John. The impression that these holdings Despite Walter’s claims of of the Bissets differed somehow innocence both he and his nephew from their other holdings is were judged to have been guilty compounded by the inclusion of and both were banished from these areas in the Deanry of Turtrye The Ardclinis Crozier Scotland. They were supposed to in the Taxation of Nicholas Now in the National Museum of sell their possessions and go on of 1306, where the parishes of Ireland, the crozier was made from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but Ardclinis and Tickmacrevan (which wooden staff covered in bronze with Walter absconded to England, contains Glencloy and Glenarrif) a bronze crook. Thin silver panels while John made for Ulster. are located. It may be that the overlaid the bronze. There is a clerical Bissets had been granted The figure at the front of the crozier and a For Hugh de Lacy this was a Glens in a similar manner to the representation of the Crucifixion. welcome development for it grants of the de Galloway’s in North enabled him to reincorporate the Antrim and, like the de Galloways, Ardclinis Church de Galloway lands in Antrim into his they had only partially made good This medieval church near Waterfoot was noted in the earldom. For the Bissets this meant their claim by the time of the death 1306 Taxation of Pope Nicholas, where it is referred to as advancement, and John was soon of John Bisset, with much of north the “Eccia de Ardglanys”. in possession of the de Galloway and mid Antrim – the Deanery of estates of Ballygalley, Glenarm, Turtrye – being under the control of Ballycastle and Rathlin. the Uí Tuirtri. 28 29 Caisleán Carrach (Castle Carra) Caisleán Carrach is a small stone tower overlooking Cushendun Bay. It was probably built by the Bissets in the late 13th century or 14th century.

and Breadalbane and safety with English king became uneasy and with the MacDomhnaills. As such, Aonghus Òg MacDomhnaill. hence Aonghus Òg’s willingness the events of winter 1306 seem to To understand the reason why to assist Edward’s rival. By the represent our first direct evidence Aonghus Òg should have opted to late summer of 1306 news had for co-operation between the assist Robert when he looked so reached the English and their allies Bissets and the MacDomhnaills. close to utter defeat we must look that Robert was ensconced in at the politics of the Gaelic West Dunaverty Castle on the southern Robert chose to withdraw to of Scotland in this period. The end of the Kintyre peninsula but Rathlin during this period of principal lineage in the region at by the time they had captured the difficulty is not hard to fathom that time was the MacDubhgaill castle they discovered that Robert given that he had established and bitter rivalry existed between was not there; he had already fled connections with Ireland. In 1294 them and the MacDomhnaill to Rathlin Island. he had been given permission by lineage of Islay. Edward I to spend a year and a half The island at this time, however, in the country, while his second , the earl of Scottish throne, overlooked in scarce believe the news when it In addition, Alasdair MacDubhgaill was not in MacDomhnaill hands; it wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, whom he Carrick, like many noblemen favour of John Balliol, who in turn reached him and Aymer de Valence, was married to a daughter of was part of the Bisset estate and, married in 1302, was the daughter of his generation, had become had been deposed by Edward Comyn’s brother-in-law, was John Comyn and he was a strong as such, the presence of the exiled of Richard de Burgh, the 2nd earl inextricably involved in the Scottish I in 1296, and Bruce harboured dispatched to hunt down the new supporter of the Balliol-Comyn Scottish king on the island brings of Ulster. In addition, he was well Wars of Independence against thoughts of securing the Scottish king. On 19th June at Methven, faction. The MacDomhnaill lineage, into question the role of Sir Hugh integrated into Gaelic society Edward I of England and, also like Crown for himself. The main near Peairt (Perth), Bruce’s army however, had been supporters of Bisset, Lord of The Glens, at a time through his mother, by whom many of his generation, the years obstacle to Robert’s ambition, was surprised by the forces of Robert the Bruce’s grandfather’s when his lord, Edward I of England, he had inherited his and the up to 1306 had seen him change however, was John Comyn, 3rd Valence, with Robert fortunate claim to the throne. Aonghus had his men searching out Robert’s Gaelic earldom of Carrick. allegiance on more than one lord of Badenoch, who he to escape with his cavalry. As Òg had been loyal to Edward I of whereabouts in the Western Isles. occasion, as and when the politics assassinated at the Grey Friars Robert and his small band tried England until 1305 when his enemy It would have been highly unlikely It would also seem that his brother of the day demanded. Church in Dùn Phris ( Dunfries) to escape to the west they were Alasdair MacDubhgaill submitted that Hugh would not have known of had been fostered in 1306. stopped by a MacDubhgaill force to the English yet received the visitor to Rathlin and it seems among the great Gaelic Ó Néill Robert, however, had a greater at Dalry near Taigh an Droma no royal censure for his past wrong- probable that he had turned a lineage in Tír Eoghain, a connection ambition. His grandfather, the With Comyn now dead, Robert (Tyndrum) and defeated in battle. doings. After this the relationship blind-eye, if not indeed acting in that Robert exploited when Edward 5th lord of Annansdale, had been declared himself King of Scotland Again, Robert escaped, and he between MacDomhnaill and the direct collusion with Robert and opened a second front in the war an unsuccessful claimant to the on 25th March. Edward I could made for the mountains of Atholl 30 31

with Edward II, King of England, in also had to live off the land and Norman lordships in Ireland. In 1315 through his invasion of Ulster; this caused hardship amongst the North Ulster, for example, the Rìoghachd Innse Gall agus Port an Eilein when Edward Bruce landed in peasantry, which was heightened recent gains of the Anglo-Normans (The Lordship of the Isles and Finlaggan) east Antrim he was met at Carraig by the famine conditions in North Derry, such as the Manor Fhearghais ( Carrickfergus) by the experienced across in the of Roe near , were Sir Hugh Bisset had initially, Late Medieval period since large of the family and its estates for Gaelic lords of Ulster, including the years 1317 and 1318. wasteland in 1326. There was also perhaps half-heartedly, resisted amounts of charcoal, iron slag and themselves, as would have been King of Tír Eoghain, Domhnall Ó strife within the Anglo-Normans Edward Bruce’s army when it Medieval Ulster coarse pottery normal procedure within a Gaelic or Néill, who pledged their support In 1318 Edward Bruce was killed which culminated in the murder of landed on the Antrim coast but were found in the interior. Gaelicised lordship. This, however, to him as the King of Ireland. at the Battle of , and , 3rd earl of Ulster, he then fought on the Bruce side did not happen, probably because Despite its initial success, however, Robert’s dream of a grand Gaelic in 1333. during the conflict. After the war Lying beneath this layer, however, Margery was made a ward of the Edward’s campaign did not gain Hiberno-Scottish Kingdom came his estates were seized by Edward was the primary occupation level, Savages, perhaps as a means of support among the Irish in the to an end. The war, however, had II and given to the trusted John found to contain glazed Medieval redress for the raid of 1383 since south of the country. His army significantly weakened the Anglo- de Athy, the commander of the pottery of the 13th or early 14th the income from the Bisset estates English king’s naval forces in the century and Medieval Ulster coarse would now come to them. , and then Richard de pottery, while a silver penny of Mandeville. By 1338, however, the Edward II, who reigned from 1307 A feudal legal position was Bissets had been restored following to 1327, was found outside the therefore adopted, whereby the intercession of their friend castle. The grant of 1338 was to Margery, by law, was the sole heir to Eòin MacDomhnaill, the Lord of Hugh Bisset but by 1383 the family the family estates. In 1399 Eòin Mòr the Isles, now an ally of the English was being led by John, or Eóin, who MacDomhnaill married Margery King Edward III, the latter having gave rise to the surname MacEóin and took the title of MacDomhnaill been reliant on MacDomhnaill Bisset, a member of a junior of Dunnyveg (an ancestral castle seapower for several of his lineage. It is likely that during these on Islay) and The Glens. This expeditions against the years the Bissets made good their did not, however, mean that the Scottish Crown. long-standing claims on the Inner territory in the Glens immediately Glens with the breakup of the Uí became MacDomhnaill land, for the Caisleán Carrach near Cushendun Tuirtre lordship under pressure MacEóins of The Glens continued is a strong candidate for a Bisset from the Clann Aodha Buídhe as a major presence in the region stronghold perhaps constructed branch of the Ó Néill lineage, with throughout the 15th century. during this period as a means of their last lord dying in 1368. holding control over their restored It was only with the death of the lordship. The castle comprises a MacEóin Bisset joined with Ó last MacEóin lord in the Ó Néill Coin of Edward II from Castle Carra small stone tower, surviving as a Néill in an attack on the Savages retinue at the Battle of Knockavoe This coin was found just outside the castle during two-storey ruin with a pronounced of Lecale in 1383 which led to the near in 1522 that brought excavation. It is a silver penny of Edward II, King of base batter and built upon a small death of his son Seinicín, whose the family’s influence to an end. As England, who reigned from 1307 to 1327. natural rocky outcrop overlooking only child was a girl, Margery. One we will see, it was this event that Cushendun Bay. Excavations at the might expect that at this point one enabled Alastair MacDomhnaill castle in the mid 1990s revealed of the men in the extended Bisset to then claim his rights to the that the tower had been reused family would have used this as an MacEóin lands since he was directly as a shelter for iron workers in the opportunity to claim leadership descended from Margery. 32 33

Clann Eòin Mòr

The Lordship of the Isles had its protection by the Scottish King, including a church, a large stone origins in the mixed Viking and which seems borne out by Aonghus hall and numerous other smaller Gaelic people of the Western Isles Mòr having his title to the Isles buildings, with a network of paved of Scotland in the 12th century. confirmed. Aonghus Mòr was paths linking the buildings and a Nominally a territory of , suceeded by Aonghus Òg who jetty. the Scottish component of the further strengthened his position Kingdom of Mann and the Isles by his early support of Robert the The excavations revealed that was seized by the great warlord Bruce, as noted previously. activity on the island began around Somhairle Mòr in 1158. 1300 and continued through to Perhaps the most successful the dissolution of the lordship On his death in 1164 the territory , however, was in the late 15th century. Despite was divided between his sons, Eòin MacDomhnaill, who ruled appearances, Eilean na Comhairle with Mull, Coll, Tiree and Jura given from 1336 to 1386. Married to the did not commence as a crannog to Dubhgall, progenitor of the daughter of King Robert II, it was (an artificial island) but is a natural MacDubhgaill lineage, and Islay one of his sons – Eòin Mòr– who isle which was used as the site of and Kintyre given to Raghnall, founded the Dunnyveg (Dùn a dun during the Early Medieval whose son Domnall was the Naomhaig, Fort of the Galleys) period. progenitor of the MacDomhnaill branch of the lineage, who became lineage. The Norwegian Crown, known as Eòin Mòr of Islay The foundations of a large stone conscious of their weakening grip and Kintyre. It was Eòin Mòr who hall – similar perhaps to the in the face of expanding Scottish married MacEóin Bisset’s daughter building at Castle Carra near power of Alexander III of Scotland, Margery in 1399. Cushendun – constructed in the mounted an expedition to the 13th century was uncovered during Western Isles in 1263 in which The capital of the Lordship of the the excavations. This building had Domnall’s son Aonghus Mòr Isles was at Loch Finlaggan (Port then been demolished – perhaps appears to have supported the an Eilein) on Islay, where the power during the 14th century – and three Norwegians. focused on two islands within the smaller buildings constructed loch. The larger of the two islands on the site. The larger of these Finlaggan Although the Norwegians were not is Eilean Mòr and the smaller one buildings may have been the convincingly defeated, they agreed is called Eilean na Comhairle (the council chamber, accompanied Finlaggan, Islay, showing Eilean Mòr in the centre of the picture terms where, for a payment from Council Isle). Excavations have by two residential units. The and to its right Eilean na Comhairle (the Council Isle). the Scottish Crown, they would revealed that Eilean Mòr was an excavations retrieved Medieval relinquish their title to the Western island which was defended with glazed pottery, Scottish White Isles. Their subjects and supporters earthen ramparts and which Gritty Ware and Scottish Grey Ware, in the Isles were guaranteed contained a complex of buildings and a local handmade coarseware. 34 35

Both glazed wares have also been Eòin Mòr in Ulster affairs. Domhnall Néill, while Eòin Mòr and Sabina’s MacEóin Bisset lord at the battle of for themselves. These galloglass England, particularly after Henry found on excavations in Ulster, Ballach, the son of Eòin Mòr and son, Eòin Cathanach, was married Knockavoe near Strabane in 1522. [gallóglach – a warrior from Innse VIII had broken with Rome in the while the coarseware – Craggan Margery, married Johanna, the to Síle Savage, daughter of the Lord Alastair now made good his claim Gall, the Gaelic name for the years between 1532 and 1534. In Ware – is the Western Isles’ daughter of Conn Ó Néill, the of the Savages in Portaferry. to The Glens through his heritage, Hebrides] lineages established a letter written to the king in 1533 equivalent of Medieval Ulster ruler of the Clann Aodha Buídhe Ó as he was a descendant of Margey themselves in lordships by his council in Dublin it is stated Coarse pottery. Néill lineage, now established in In 1493 the lands of the Lordship of Bisset. He was helped in his efforts throughout Ireland and provided that: south Antrim. Domhnall Ballach the Isles were seized by James IV by the fact that he had at least nine their new lords with heavily armed During the later years of the and Johanna’s son, Eòin Mòr, also of Scotland and the independent sons, one of whom was perhaps foot soldiers, the upkeep of which “The Scottes also inhabithe now Lordship of the Isles there was married within the same lineage, lordship was at an end. Eòin Mòr the greatest leader that The Glens was provided for through taxation buyselley a greate parte of Ulster, continued involvement for Clan to Sabina, the daughter of Felim Ó submitted to the king’s authority have ever known, Somhairle and by the award of estates which which is the king’s inheritance; and and James IV knighted him and Buídhe MacDomhnaill (Sorley Boy enabled the newcomers to support it is greatlie to be feared, oonles was willing to allow him to retain his MacDonnell). themselves. estates, except for Dunavery Castle in Kintyre which was to become a Initially however Somhairle’s older An example of this process in action royal garrison. This was something brother Séamas was the more was the establishment of a branch that Eòin Mòr couldn’t accept and prominent member of the family. of the MacDomhnaill lineage as as the king was leaving by sea he Thanks to improving relations with hereditary galloglass to the Ó Néill launched a successful attack on the Scottish Crown Séamas was lordship in Tír Eoghain. Ragnall, the castle, with the king’s governor educated at the court of James V, son of Alastair (the elder brother of hung from the walls as the king where he met and subsequently Robert the Bruce’s helper Aonghus watched. The king, however, was to married Agnes Caimbeul, the Òg) took up this position in 1366 have his revenge. daughter of the 3rd earl of Argyll in following his defeat at the hands 1545. Among their offspring would of his cousin Eòin of Islay, the Lord Eòin Mòr, his son Eòin Cathanach, be Fionnghuala, better known to of the Isles, and the MacDomhnaill and three of his grandsons were history as Iníon Dubh, “the Dark galloglass were to hold estates arrested through the treachery Daughter” and the mother of Aodh around the Ballygawley area. of their kinsman Eòin MacIain of Ruadh Ó Domhnaill. Agnes brought and were executed a fine dowry for her new husband – For the MacDomhnaill lineage in for treason in 1499. over 1,000 Scots mercenaries. there would have been no real One of Eòin Cathanach’s son, impediment to them establishing however, had made his escape. The role played by Scottish Gaelic themselves within familiar territory Alastair MacDomhnaill and his warriors in Irish affairs throughout in North Antrim. For the Tudor Glenarm Friary Scottish Grey Ware Pottery followers left Islay and moved to the Medieval period was long Crown, however, this was very The Glens, establishing themselves established but had gained great much not the case, and it was This carved block of sandstone depicts Fragments of a Medieval jug found during the excavations at in the Ballycastle area. As such, importance by the late 13th century viewed as a Scottish intrusion into a mounted warrior and may have come from a now destroyed tomb. The Finlaggan. The vessel is of a type of pottery called Scottish Grey The Glens provided MacDomhnaill as the demand for soldiers grew their Irish dominion, at a time when Ware, commonly found in southwest Scotland and the Scottish warrior is wearing a bascinet (a type of with retreat and offered him the throughout Ireland and enabled the threat from the “Auld Alliance” Islands. It was manufactured from the 14th century through to the helmet) and an aketon (a knee length 17th century. In recent years it has been recognised on sites from chance to revitalise the family’s members of families such as the of Scotland and France was a real padded jacket). He holds a spear aloft Ulster on excavations at Armoy, at Bishop Street in Derry, and at fortunes during the , Mac Suibhne and MacDubhgaill one; the latter might use Ireland in his right hand and the reins of his . assisted by the death of the last lineages to develop a new niche as a launch-pad for an invasion of horse in his left hand. 36 37 that in a short tyme they be dryven Somhairle had informed an English Caistéal Cheann Bháin from the same, that they, bringinge prisoner, Walter Floddy, “playnly (Kinbane Castle) in more nombre daily, woll, by that Inglische men had no ryght to lyttle and lyttle soe far encroche Yrland”. Kinbane Castle is situated at the in acquyringe and wynninge the landward end of a chalk headland possessions there, with the aide If this statement is authentic, protruding into the sea. It consists of a sub-circular courtyard enclosure with a of the kingis disobeysant Irishe then we can gain real insight into two storey stone tower at its southwest rebelles, who doo nowe ayde theym Somhairles view of the world in end. The castle was probably built by therein after soche maner, that at which he lived. He evidently saw Colla MacDomhnaill in the mid 16th lengthe they will put and expel the no contradiction in his lineage, century and may have been occupied king from his hole seignory there”. originating out of Islay, as having as late as the 18th century. a right to hold land in Ireland. It The Dublin administration clearly was the English who had no right viewed the MacDomhnaills as to be there. Given, however, that he interlopers from Scotland who would have viewed himself and his should be forced to return to their people as part of a Gaedhealtacht own country as soon as possible. that extended across the The Annals of the Four Masters Western Isles and Ulster then no Desperate for new allies, he turned relates that in 1551 a raid was made contradiction could or should be to the MacDomhnaills, travelling to by the Lord Justice into Ulster with expected. Cushendun to open negotiations four ships sent to Rathlin. Alastair with them. It remains uncertain MacDomhnaill’s sons Séamas and Somhairle’s great rival was Séan exactly what happened, but on 3rd Colla Maol Dubh led the resistance Ó Néill, lord of Tír Eoghain, who June 1567 he and his followers were on the island and the Tudor force had been at war with the Tudor murdered. Political power in Ulster was utterly defeated, with their administration in Ireland until a had now shifted, and Somhairle leader Sir Ralph Bagnall taken peace treaty was reached in 1562. used this as an opportunity to forge A garrison of 40 English soldiers total possession of their lands, forces took heavy casualties. War prisoner. Bagnall remained in Now the Crown’s agent in Ulster, new alliances with the Ó Néill and Ó was placed in the castle but were including the great castle at Dún weariness on both sides now their custody until they were able Séan attacked the MacDomhnaills, Domhnaill lineages. recalled within two months. Libhse (Dunluce). seems to have made compromise to exchange him for their brother, inflicting a heavy defeat on them in possible, however, and Somhairle Somhairle Buidhe, who had been 1565 at Ballycastle. Somhairle and He also sought a peace treaty During these decades the The Tudor administration in agreed to submit to the Crown. In imprisoned in Dublin the previous his brother Séamas were captured with the Tudor administration MacDomhnaills had been wrestling Ireland were greatly alarmed return for an official grant of the year. Little is known of the early and taken as prisoners to Strabane in 1572 but this came to nothing with the MacUighilín (MacQuillan) by this development and in the Glens and the Route. life of Somhairle and this is the where the latter died of his and in 1575 Walter Devereux, 1st lineage for ownership of the Route, following year Sir first time he enters the historical wounds. After two years Somhairle Earl of Essex, sent three ships the land between the River Bann moved northward with an army This was a fitting culmination to record but a statement allegedly was released. Séan’s fortunes and 300 men to Rathlin where and the . The defeat of a of 2,000 soldiers to expel the his career and he was no doubt made by him and contained in a took a severe turn for the worse they captured Bruce’s Castle and combined MacUighilín and English MacDomhnaills from Irish soil. content with what he had achieved letter from Captain William Piers, when he was heavily defeated by murdered the garrison of 200 and force at the Battle of Orra on 29th Initially Perrot was successful, for his lineage. The old warlord died constable of Carrickfergus, to the the Ó Domhnaills at the Battle perhaps as many as 300 to 400 of April 1583, however, ended this capturing Dunluce Castle, but in his mid-eighties in 1590 and was Lord Deputy, Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd of Farsetmore, near modern the island’s inhabitants. contest and Somhairle now took as the campaign dragged on his buried in Bonamargy Friary. earl of Sussex, in 1558 states that , on 8th May 1567. 38 39 Further Reading Pronunciation guide

Byrne, F.J., 1973: Irish Kings and McNeill, T.E.,1980: Anglo- Nelis, E., McSparron, C. and The guide is to help and encourage readers of this book in being able to pronounce the personal names and place High Kings, Four Courts Press, Norman Ulster: The History , S., 2014: “Excavations names in the form that would have been used by the historical figure i.e. Gaelic. As the international phonetic Dublin. and Archaeology of an Irish at St Patrick’s Church, Armoy, system would take significant effort to learn, we have used a simplified English phonetic to aid this process. Gaelic , 1177-1400, John , Co. Antrim”, in C. Corlett and M. sounds are sometimes difficult to represent in English, non-with standing this challenge the reader will still get Caldwell, D., 2008: Islay: The Land Edinburgh. Potterton (editors) The Church in an opportunity to engage with these names. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, it is intended to of the Lordship, , Edinburgh. Early Medieval Ireland in the light of facilitate the reader to appreciate a different the way of speaking and therefore a way of knowing would have been Mallory, J.P. and McNeill, T.E., Recent Archaeological Excavations, in Gaelic society of these times. Duffy, S., 1999: “Medieval Scotland 1991: The Archaeology of Ulster: Wordwell Limited, Dublin, pages and Ireland: Overcoming the From to Plantation, 143-158. Sruth na Maoile = Shrew na Moeela Amnesia”, History Ireland 7.3, Institute of Irish Studies, Queen’s Somhairle Buídhe Mac Domhnaill = Sorlye Buwee Mac Doe-nil pages 17-21. University Belfast. Ó Cróinín, D., 2003: Early Irish History and Chronology, Four Ó Néill = O Nyel Edwards, N., 2006: The McSparron, C., 2016: “Fifty years of Courts Press, Dublin Uí Néill = EE Nyel ( This is the clan name version of the Ó Néill) Archaeology of Early Medieval Archaeology in Antrim”, The Glynns Ó Domhnaill = O Doe-nil Ireland, Batsford, London. 44, pages 16-27. O’Sullivan, A., McCormick, F., Ìle = Eela Harney, F., , J. and Kerr, T., Í = Ee Forsythe, W. and McConkey, McSparron, C. and Williams B., 2011: 2014: Early Medieval Dwellings and R., 2012: Rathlin Island: An “’. . . and they won land among Settlements in Ireland, AD 400- Diùra = Jura Archaeological Survey of a the Picts by friendly treaty or the 1100, Archaeopress, Oxford. Cinn Tìre = Cinn Cheera Maritime Landscape, Northern sword’: How a re-examination An Bhinn Mhór = An Vinn Vwore Ireland Environment Agency, of Early Historical sources and Woolf, A., 2007: From Pictland to Baile an Chaistil = Bal-ye an Cashtel Belfast. an analysis of Early Medieval Alba: AD 789 to AD 1070, Edinburgh Dál Riata = Dall Reeate-a settlement in North University Press, Edinburgh. Hill, G., 1873: An Historical Account confirms the validity of traditional Dál Fiata = Dall Feeate-a of the MacDonnells of Antrim, accounts of Dál Riadic migration to Dál nAraide = Dall naridge-a Archer, Belfast. Scotland from Ulster”, Proceedings Uí Echach Cobo = Ee Aghagh Coba of the Society of Antiquaries of Dún Soirbhice = Doon Sorvicka Lane, A. and Campbell E., 2000: Scotland 141, pages 145-158. Dunadd, An Early Dalriadic Capital, Cloch Dhún Muirigh = Clou Goon Murry Studies in Archaeology, Uí Tuirtrí = Ee Tootree Oxbow, Oxford. MacDubhgaill = Mac Doogall (Mac Dougal) Teamhair = Chevair Ceannanas – Kynanas Latharna = Lyah-arna Rìoghachd Innse Gall = Reeocht Inchye Gaal. Port an Eilein = Port an Ilin This project is supported as part of the Heart of the Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is kindly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.