Update on the O’Donel’s of Newport

and O’Donnell’s of Achill,

County Mayo, Ireland

by Hugh O’Donnell Mar 3, 2007

The following black text is a paper written by Rupert O’Cochlain in 1978. I have taken the paper, highlighted sections in blue for particular focus and then added comments in Red based on my recent research and theory about my great grandfather. My great grandfather, Neil ODonnell along with his wife Bridget Campbell O’Donnell, lived in Gubnahardia (present day Currane), Achill Parish, Co Mayo before he immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861. Please read this combined paper and forward any comments to Hugh Owen ODonnell, Holy Cross Village, Apt 117, Notre Dame, IN, 46556.

“THE O'DONNELLS OF MAYO”

A paper by RUBERT S. Ó COCHLAIN originally delivered to the North Mayo Historical Society, December, 1978. Rupert O’Cochlain was Founder and Past President of the County Donegal Historical Society and the former Hon. Secretary, Military History Society of Ireland.

The paper was reprinted in the North Mayo Historical Society Journal (1990) Vol. 11 No 4 p 67- 81

Black text by Rupert O’Cochlain

Blue text highlighted of emphasis..

Red text is editorial comment by Hugh ODonnell

Rupert O’Cochlain has a large case of papers on the history of the ODonnell’s stored with Gillian Graham in the Lifford, Co Donegal, Historical Museum. The material needs to be sorted and indexed but was used by Rupert O’Cochlain to produce this paper.

THE O'Donnells have their roots in Donegal, being descended from Conall, popularly known as "Conall Bulban" from having been fostered on Ben Bulben in Sligo. Their distinguished ancestor, who was son of King Niall of the Nine Hostages, received the district between the Swilly and Dore as his patrimony. His descendants were cradled on Lennonside around Ramelton and when they rose to power, at the beginning of the 13th century, they chose Kilmacrennan as the place of Inauguration. The ceremony was both religious and civil. The former was conducted in the local Abbey by the successor of their kinsman, St. Colmbkille, i.e., the Bishop of Derry. O'Friel was the actual inaugurator. The newly elected Chieftain viewed his territories and received the homage of his people at nearby Rock of Doon.

"Here he swore upon the Cathach,

Held aloft the willow wand,

While ten thousand tribesmen hailed him

And awaited his command."

Eigneachan was the first to hold the high office. He was succeeded by twenty-four others, terminating with Niall Garbh, ancestor of the Newport O'Donnells, inaugurated 1603. Within a short time the new leaders, who controlled all the territory from the Swilly to the Erne, with a buffer zone beyond to the Drownes, moved their royal seat to Ballyshannon and cast covetous eyes westward into Connaught. Their dream was fulfilled, thus adding "Lord of Fermanagh, Lower Connaught and Sligo" to their Title. "Lower" in this context means "North" as the Irish always calculated from the equator. This extended influence no doubt accounted for the banishment of northern malefactors to Achill. It also highlights the ease with which Red Hugh, after destroying thirteen castles in Donegal and Connaught to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy during the Nine Year War, acquired Ballymote from the McDonagh clan for £400 and 300 cows-. Thereafter it became his chief residence. It was from Ballymote that he set out, after celebrating the Feast of Samhain, on the ill-fated journey to Kinsale. The disaster that followed changed the whole course of Irish history

Failure to obtain further foreign aid, coupled with the untimely death of Red Hugh in Spain, without ever having reached the ear of the King, rendered the home position untenable. The Irish were forced to sue for peace. Red Hugh's brother, Rory, whom he placed in charge in his absence, was pardoned, knighted, and created Earl of Tyrconnell. The price,. however, was a dear one. He had to renounce all extra-territorial claims, thus losing Ballymote without compensation. Inishowen, that great peninsula between Loughs Foyle and Swilly, had to be ceded to O'Doherty and the extensive Castlefin Estate restored to his cousin, Niall Carby, who had defected to the English. The Crown retained the castle and town of Ballyshannon, together with 1,000 acres around it. It also reserved the valuable fisheries of the Erne to itself. Rory was irregularly deprived of Lifford and 4,000 acres surrounding it, which had not been reserved under the terms of his Patent. The English Governor of Ballyshannon and the Protestant Bishop of Derry took illegal possession of the sea fishery at Killybegs. Sheriffs who were placed in the county extracted exhorbitant levies, while the occupying garrisons plundered the people of horses, cattle and provisions without compensation. With revenues slashed Rory went heavily into debt and was forced to raise money by mortgaging large portions of his remaining lands. He suffered many other wrongs and insults during the uneasy peace. Pressure mounted until he and Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, were obliged to provide for their safety by fleeing the country. They, and a large band of followers, sailed out of Lough Swilly on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (14th September), 1607, never to return, thus opening up the way for the Plantation of Ulster, from which the present Northern Ireland troubles stem.

With the passing of those who participated in the Flight of the Earls the main line of the O'Donnells is continued through Red Hugh's uncle, Calvagh, the 22nd Chieftain. He had a son, Con. The latter had a number of sons, three of whom, Niall Garbh, Aodh Buidhe and Con Óg, left issue to become the founders of what are known today as the Newport, Larkfield and Castlebar branches, respectively, of the family.

NEWPORT BRANCH

Niall Garbh, who regarded Tir Chonaill as his inheritance, was bitterly disappointed when the Crown bestowed it upon Earl Rory. Although he recovered Castlefin, it is unlikely that he moved from Lifford, where he already had a residence. His star was no longer in the ascent. Rejected by his new masters, he was arrested for alleged implications in the Cahir O'Doherty Rising of 1608, and held prisoner, without trial, in the Tower of London until his death in 1625.

In 2003 we saw Niall Garbh listed as a prisoner in records kept at the Tower of London

Wholesale clearances of the native population followed the defeat of the Irish by the Cromwellians at Svarrifhollis, outside Letterkenny in June, 1650. It is believed that under this upheaval Niall Garbh's grandson, "Rory of Lifford", and many others, were transplanted to the Ballycroy district of Mayo, around 1654. They were not welcomed by the Errismen, who, unsuccessfully, attacked them. Knight gives this account of their descendants in his "Erris In The Highlands" :

Erris is located about 10-15 miles north of Achill Parish and the town of Currane.

"This Colony of Ulstermen, at whatever time they settled in this country, still retain the ancient dialect of language used in the North, inter-marry almost exclusively with one another; a hardy, low-sized, dark-featured race, bold, daring and intrepid in danger, not good-tempered, but hospitable to the extreme. They are considered very intelligent and having that degree of cleverness and acuteness, particularly in bargaining, said to be peculiar of their northern origin, they are the material of a fine people, if properly managed."

The late Padraic Ó Domhnaill, the distinguished historian of Newport, writing as recently as 1937, said that his parents had wonderful traditions of the O'Donnells when they came from Donegal and told him that for several generations they used to go down there to visit their kindred and bring them presents of knitted wear, etc. I have been unable to trace a similar tradition in Donegal. In fact, the transplantation of the Ulstermen to Connaught is now forgotten.

Padraic ODomhnaill, or Patrick ODonnell, is my relative. His nephew and grand niece, Martin Daly and Marie Daly live in Dublin today. This Patrick ODonnell collected several boxes of Historical Documents from the basement of Newport House in the early 1930 which sit in Dublin today in the Historical Section of the National Library on Kildare Street. This info needs to be sorted and indexed.

The first O'Donnell homestead was at Claggan in Ballycroy. Rory of Lifford's son, Manus, a Jacobite Colonel, who fought at both the Boyne and Aughrim, came to reside at Rosturk, three miles from Mulranny, on the north shore of Clew Bay. He was a person of distinction and the subject of a poem by Cathaoir Mac Caba, in which the year of his death is given as 1736.

Manus (Colonel Maney) ODonnell’s third son was Hugh (Mor) ODonnell who built the Mansion now located in Newport, Co Mayo. Hugh (Mor) O’Donnell’s 3^rd daughter, Anne O’Donel, married a John ODonnell. This John O’Donnell is most likely a relative to my great grandfather Neil ODonnell, of Currane Achill, located 12 miles West of Newport, Co Mayo.

In a separate history of the McManomans, Colonel Manus ODonnell (Colonel Maney) came to Claggan, 9 miles North of Currane, in 1654 before moving to Rosturk, located 11 south east of Claggan on the road to Newport. Two Neil and one John ODonnell lived in Claggan in 1856.

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE

The Colonel had three sons -Charles Roe of Newcastle, Co. Mayo, will proved 19th June, 1799; Hugh Mor, died 1762, and Manus, who left only daughters. He also had a daughter, Anne, who made a romantic marriage with Henry MacDermott Roe of Roscommon. It appears that Henry was actually engaged to a Miss O'Malley of Mayo. He and his mother visited her people to make the final arrangements for the wedding. While there he sought his mother's permission to call on the O'Donnells of Newport. She consented on condition that he would return in time for dinner. On arrival at the house the Parish Priest and O'Carolan, the famous harper, were present. It did not take much persuasion to make Henry forget his dinner appointment. The uisce beatha, or poitin, must have flowed freely as he stayed the night and Anne and he were married in the morning! Mrs. MacDermott Roe was furious. She never forgave the unexpected bride, whom she described as coming from a family that were "far from well-to-do". Charles Roe's eldest son, Manus, entered the Austrian Service in 1741 and rose to the rank of Major General. He was given permission to return to Ireland to attend to his affairs in 1765. A mission entrusted to him at the time was the purchase of horses for the Emperor. He never returned to Austria, dying in Dublin in 1793, aged 80 years. He was quite wealthy. The vault at Straide (now, alas, in a sad state of decay), was constructed for him. He left an only daughter, who died childless. His brother, Lewis, also served for a period in Austria. He, too, returned to Ireland, settled at Killeen, Co. Mayo, dying at the ripe age of106 years in 1822. Lewis' grandson, Charles, a Lieutenant in the 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers), died without issue, 4th August, 1853, thus bringing the senior line to a close.

Returning to Calvagh Roe's brother, Hugh Mór -the building of Newport House with its beautiful staircase and Georgian domed hall, is attributed to him. He married Maud, daughter of Valentine Brown of Mount Brown, near Westport. Her cousin, John, conformed to the Protestant religion in 1729 and was created Earl of Altamont. His grandson, the third Earl, was made Marquis of Sligo for services in connection with the Union. Hugh Mór had a number of sons. The eldest, Hugh og, was unmarried. The next, Francis, left an only son, Hugh, who died in the East India Company's Service. The third was Neal. The Author of "Annala Beaga Pharaiste Bhuireis Umhaill" has this to say about him: "Hugh's son, Neal, 'bent upon winning', took steps at once to secure his worldly position. On the 14th November, 1763, scarcely a year after his father's death, he solemnly renounced the faith of his fathers and became a Protestant. With the change over to Protestantism, the way to advancement was wide open to his scion of the princely family of O'Donnell. By 1768 he was a magistrate. In December, 1770, he was created a baronet. Before the end of 1780 he had bought, for £20,000, the lands of the former abbey of Cong. Five years later he became the owner of the Medlicott Burrishoole Estate at a cost of £33,598-19s-4d. Where did the money come from? Neal's contemporaries were apparently as puzzled as we are, as we can see from the curious statement made by Rev. Mr. Benton in 1800. Benson stated: 'The family hold in this country, from the fortuitous acquisition of property, no inconsiderable rank'."

SMUGGLING

The source of his wealth is no longer a mystery. I have solved it by the chance remark in the autobiography of Rev. James Coigley, of 1798 fame. It was derived from the honourable occupation of smuggling, then prevalent on the west coast of Ireland. Sir Neal was a shipowner and traded as far south as Cadiz, Spain. Revenue officials seized several hogheads of wine from his Melcomb premises in 1790. He retaliated by suing the Crown for trespass and the breaking open of doors, etc. After protracted court proceedings he was awarded £1,500 damages and costs.

Melcomb is located less than a mile from Newport and is the home of present day historian Peter Mullowney who wrote his Master’s thesis on the “ODonel’s of Newport.”

Sir Jonah Barrington, in his "Personal Sketches", recounts that arriving "through deep snow, bog roads, and after several tumbles" at the inn of a Mr. Jennings at Hollymount, near Kilcommon, Co. Mayo, he was treated to the finest old claret, declared by his host to be "of the real smuggling of Sir Neal O'Donnell's own cutter, Paddy Wheack, from the Isle of Man". He was further assured that "Sir Neal (a Baronet of Newport), never sent a bad hogshead to any of his customers, his honour's brandy, likewise, was not ajot worse than his claret, and always tasted best on a cold morning".

Kilcommon is the location of Ballycroy Parish and the town of Claggan just West of Newport Union, Co Mayo.

Sir Neal had a keen interest in horses. As early as 1776, before his venture into property, he purchased the stud of the 1st Earl of AItamont, then rated as second in importance in the Kingdom. He was an acknowledged judge of animals. The press declared that he never bought a trained horse that did not pay for itself in Plates in the first year. His income in 1800 is given as "better than £8,000 a year". Twenty-three years later his Cong rents amounts to £3, 769-11s-2d. Unfortunately, the books also carried irrecoverable arrears of £5,945.

Fosterage was still a way of life in the West. Sir Neal himself had been brought up in a lowly house in Ballycroy. He continued the custom with his children.

Claggan is in the Parish of Ballycroy, located just north of Currane and northwest of Mulranny in present day Co Mayo. Claggan is the place that Colonel Manus ODonnell, grandfather of Sir Neal ODonel, made his first homestead after Manus’ father Rory lead 2000 people from Donegal to Co Mayo once “transplanted” by Cromwell in 1654.

IRISH SPEAKER .

Sir Neal was an Irish speaker and used the language to transact business with his tenants. He had Valiancy's Irish Grammar, published 1782, in his library. An amusing story is told of a Ballycroy man who sent his young son with a pig for the landlord. The lad was told to be careful about his manners and have 'Sir' with every word. Sir Neal encountered him ag geata an tigh mór and asked: "Ca bhfuil do thriall, a mhic?". True to his briefing the boy replied: "Chuir Sir m'athair Sir mise Ie Sir'moic ag Sir Niall!"

The baronet had married Mary, daughter of William Coane of Ballyshannon and had a numerous family. Their eldest son, Hugh, as Lieutenant Colonel of the South Mayo Militia and Colonel of the 100th Regiment of the Line. He represented the Borough of Donegal in the Irish Parliament. He bitterly opposed the Union. In a fighting speech in the 1799 Session he declared: " ...Should the legislative in dependence of Ireland be voted away by a Parliament which is not competent thereto, I shall hold myself discharged from my allegiance. I will join the people in preserving their rights. I will oppose the rebels in rich clothes as I have done the rebels in rags."

For those disloyal sentiments he was dismissed from his regiment overnight. He had been offered the Earldom of Achill and a large sum of money but could not be bought off by Castlereagh.

His younger brother, Captain James Moore O'Donel, was equally incorruptible. He, too, sat in Parliament and made the last speech in the Irish House of Commons, in the course of which he said: "I have opposed the Union through every stage. I shall continue to do so. One principle alone actuated and directed my conduct- the love of my country and certainly neither I or this House has any right or power to vote away the property and privileges of Irishmen. Let the Ministry of both countries look to it; let those who have sold their birthright for a pot of porriage look to it; if they persevere the consequences will be dreadful; on their heads be it. For my part, in the presence of this House, in the hearing of my country and in the awful presence of God -who yet, I trust, with his omnipotent arm, will avert this dreadful punishment -I wash my hands of all concern with the waste of blood which must follow from the further continuance of this destructive proposal."

How right were his predictions!

My great grandfather, Neil ODonnell, from Currane, Achill Parish, never admitted his relatives were Sir Neal and Sir Richard ODonel. Sir Neal changed the spelling of his name from ODonnell to ODonel after he became protestant. My great grandfather, Neil ODonnell, was an avid Catholic during his life in Cleveland Ohio. Neil ODonnell’s daughter, Grace ODonnell, married a John Gallagher from Currane Achill Parish in Cleveland in 1885. Grace and John Gallagher had three Catholic priest as offspring.

ENNISCRONE DUEL

This gallant fellow met an untimely end in a duel with Major Denis Bingham. at Killangly Glebe, near Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. A tradition says that he was lame and had the sight of only one eye. He is supposed to have been placed with his back to the sea, so that he was silhouetted against the horizon. The same source alleges that his opponent had been instructed by his second to fire before word was given. This he did scoring a direct hit to the heart. Bingham himself was unhurt.

Sir Neal was Colonel of the Volunteers in 1782. When the threat of invasion had receded and the force disbanded, he and his family continued to send reports of suspicious movements of foreign shipping off the Mayo coast to the Government. James Moore, 0'D., alarmed by the rumour that the remnants of the Hoche Expedition was heading northwards after leaving Bantry Bay, fitted out his own pleasure cruiser of 30 tons and sent her to sea with a crew of six to patrol between Erris and Galway Heads on look-out for the enemy. Upon advising Dublin Castle of his action he was directed to discontinue it as unnecessary. His claims for expenses were disallowed.

Newport was occupied for a week by the insurgents, following the advance of General Humbert's forces on Castlebar in 1798. The occasion was marked by the planting of a "Tree of Liberty" in the Main Street. Sir Neal was a volunteer with Lord Cornwallis' troops at Athlone when news of the occupation reached him. His four sons were also with their regiments. He hastened home immediately to find the place evacuated. He cut down the tree, arrested Fr. Manus Sweeney, who was standing beside it and confined him in fetters in Newport House. His release was secured after a few days by the local parson, who feared a hostile reaction by the population if he continued in custody. Upon gaining his freedom Fr. Manus proceeded to Killala. When that place was recaptured he retraced his steps to Newport and, after a time, set out for his native Achill. He was rearrested by Major Bingham, "To the expense of the Government of £50", tried at Castlebar, sentenced to death and hanged, I am told, from the arm of the market scales in Newport. Evidence on behalf of the Crown was given by Sir Neal, although he was not the principal witness at the trial.

We know a Neil and Michael ODonnell lived in Newport in 1799. They are both buried in Killeen cemetery located 4 miles west of Newport. This Neil ODonnell, of 1799 Newport, was the great great grandfather of Neil ODonnell who lives near Killeen today.

This present day Neil O’Donnell of Killeen/Sandhill tells the story that his great great grandfather, Neil ODonnell of 1799 Newport harbored the Catholic priest, Fr Manus Sweeney before he was hanged by the Sheriff of Newport, Sir Neal O’Donel. The father of Neil ODonnell, of present day Sandhill, was Francis ODonnell. The father of Francis was Patrick ODonnell. The Father of Patrick ODonnell was another Patrick ODonnell. This Patrick ODonnell was evicted from Newport in 1865 to Killeen/Sandhill Co Mayo. This Patrick ODonnell’s father was Neil ODonnell of 1799 Newport.

Interestingly, the present day descendants of Michael ODonnell, of 1799 Newport, tell the same story… that their relatives harbored Fr Manus Sweeney before he was executed.

Michael ODonnell, of 1799 Newport, had a son Neil O’Donnell. Neil moved moved to Mulranny in the early 1800’s Another son of Michael, Hugh, moved to Kilmenna. Michael’s two other sons, Owen and Manus, moved to Currane Achill. My great grandfather descended from Owen. Other ODonnell’s from this Manus, live in Achill today. See http://www.pitt.edu/~odonnell/dooghbegOD.html

Captain James Moore O'Donel was quite a paradox. As a soldier he did not spare himself rounding up the rebels. As a lawyer he turned up to defend them in court. When he was not successful he pleaded for a lenient review of the sentences by the Lord Lieutenant. This so angered Rev. Dr. Benton, Chaplain to the South Mayo Militia, that he charged the entire family with what amounted to treason. A sworn military enquiry was held in Castlebar. As a result of the evidence it submitted the Lord Lieutenant had no hesitation in fully exonerating them "from any imputation of disloyalty, or want of zeal in their duty as magistrates and officers."

Sir Neal's daughter, Maria, married Dodwell Browne of Rahins, Castlebar. A monument, with inscriptions in Irish, French and English, to her memory stands in the grounds. Her grandson, Dodwell Francis Browne, kept a Journal of Family History. It has some very interesting entries. I quote:

"(I) Headquarters, Sunday morning. General Humbert presents his best compliments to Mrs. Browne, thanks her for her polite attention she has hitherto shown him, requests that she will be good enough to send him a shirt by the bearer.

"General Humbert sends her a horse which saved his life in the late engagement and requests she will order proper care to be taken of it.

"(2) Madame, I make you a thousand thanks and I have received what you had the goodness to send me. I hope I will be so happy to see you tomorrow at dinner for General Humbert.

"(3) Mr. and Mrs. Browne present their respects to General Humbert, acquaint him that the wetness of the day prevent their waiting for him, which they regret extremely. They mean, however, to avail themselves of the honour tomorrow should the day prove dry.

"(4) The family tradition is that Dodwell and Maria duly dined with the French General in the Rebel Mess in Castlebar. It was said at the time that no table cloth being available an English flag was used for the purpose, but this is believed to have been a falsehood circulated by Dodwell's enemies. If it was true he (a Lieutenant R.N.), would hardly have got command of the Falcon the following November and of the Osprey the succeeding May."

SACRED HEIRLOOM

Brigadier Daniel O'Donal of the Ramelton Branch, whose regiment fought at both the Boyne and Aughrim, took the Cathach, or Battle Book of the O'Donals, with him to France, to which he repaired under the Treaty of Limerick. This was a copy of the Psalms made by St. Colmkille and the subject of the famous copyright case of long ago in which the decision "to every cow its calf and to every book its copy" was given. The custom was to have it borne thrice around the army of Tyrconnell on the breast of a sinless cleric; then, if the fight was in a just cause, it was believed that St. Columkille would come to the assistance of his kinsmen and victory was assured. The sacred vellum was housed in a beautiful 11th century silver gilt casket.

Daniel was worried that the shrine was showing signs of wear and tear. To save it from further deterioration he had a rim case into which it could fit made and deposited the relic in a Continental monastery, to be claimed by whosoever should prove himself the Head of the O'Donnells. It lay unknown and forgotten for almost a century until Sir Neal of Newport chanced to hear of it. Some say that it was Fr. Prendergast, the last Abbot of Cong, who had been abroad, told him. In any case, fortified by the spurious pedigree, prepared by Sr. William Betham, showing him as senior of his race which he was not -that honour rested with Lewis of Killeen (already referred to), who lived to 106 years -made a successful claim and so had the sacred heirloom brought back to Ireland. His grandson gave it in charge to the Royal Irish Academy. The manuscript is now in their library and the shrines on display in the main hall of the National Museum.

FAMINE WORK

Sir Neal died in 1811. He was succeeded by his son, Neal Beag, whose daughter, Mary, became a Catholic, entered the Presentation Order of Nuns in Galway, and as Sr. Mary de Pazzi, did herculian work for the relief of the distress among the starving population during the Famine years. Neal Beag's son, Hugh, was next in line. His reign was a short one. Upon his death the Baronetcy passed to his brother, Richard, who had been fostered with the O'Donnell family of Rossmore. The new holder earned the nickname "the Darbyite" or "swaddling preacher", from his having embraced a sect founded in 1830 by John Nelson Darby, a Dublin lawyer. Sir Richard, in his enthusiasm, built a conventicle in which to preach to his followers in Newport. It is now the Catholic Parochial Hall. He was also actively involved with the Rev. Mr. Nangle in the establishment of the Missionary Settlement at Achill. He had taken a fierce dislike to all things Catholic and is on record as having said that he would not leave a Catholic between Knocknabola Bridge and the River of Newport. But he only succeeded in exterminating himself. He is gone and the Catholics are still there.

Sir Richard ODonel owned all the land of present day Currane in 1852. He was landlord to my great grandfather. Around 1852, Sir Richard O’Donel sold the land in Currane, Achill and the land around Achill Sound to a William McCormack and William Pike who are believed to have turned the land to pasture use. Shortly after Sir Richard ceased to be my great grandfather’s landlord, Neil ODonnell, left for Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and two infant children. Bridget and Neil named their first two children named Michael and Owen, They arrived in New York harbor on the ship “South Shore” June 5, 1861. My great grandfather, Neil, left behind in Currane his Gallagher neighbors. Neil O’Donnell’s next door neighbor in Currane was an Owen Gallagher. Interestingly, Neil’s daughter, Grace, subsequently married the nephew of Currane’s Owen Gallagher, a John T Gallagher, who left Currane for Cleveland, Ohio in 1885 to marry Grace O’Donnell Neil ODonnell had 5 sisters who remained in Currane. Their married names were Cattigan, Patten, Nolan and Toolis. Neil’s wife Bridget, lived in Currane before she was married to my great grandfather Neil O’Donnell. Bridget’s parents were Patrick Campbell (1809-1869) and Mary Cattigan. Patrick and Mary were married in 1836. Bridget’s brother was Michael (Navey) Campbell whose grandson, Patrick Campbell, still lives in Currane with his wife Grace (nee Cattigan, Patten, ODonnell) in 2007. Grace’s grandma, on her father’s side, was Neil O’Donell’s sister, Bridget, who married William Cattigan around 1855. Interestingly, Grace’s ggrandmother, on her mother’s side, was Neil O’Donnell sister, Grace, who married Manus Patten around 1855.

Neil and Bridget Campbell O’Donnell, Manus Patten and Grace O’Donnell, and William Cattigan and Bridget O’Donnell Cattigan all lived in 1856 Gubnahadia (Currane) per the 1856 Griffith Valuation. The ruins of their homes are clustered like a Clahclan just 500 yards west of the Compass Bar in present day Currane near JJ McNamara’s oyster beds in Achill Sound.

BUILT ASHFORD CASTLE

He (Sir Richard ODonel) died in 1879 and was succeeded by his son, George, the 5th and last Baronet. Sir George cared little about religion. He married a Catholic and it was L through her influence that the Sisters of Mercy secured the site for their convent and schools on the Barrack Hill, Newport. He died childless in 1889, his heir being his niece, Millicent Agnes, daughter of his brother, Richard Alexander, who had predeceased him. The estate had been heavily encumbered with charges and mortgages from the beginning. The burden had been somewhat eased by the sale of the Cong lands, comprising some 7,770 acres, to Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1856. It was he who built the grandiose residence now known as Ashford Castle Hotel, Congo. What Millicent Agnes received was only a small fraction of her extensive possessions of her great-great grandfather, the 1st Sir Neal. She married Edwin Thomas, who changed his name by deed-poll to "O'Donel". They had an only child, George O'Donel Frederick Thomas O'Donel, a Captain in the British Army, who was killed in action in France, 16th June, 1915. He was married but had no family.

The line of male offsping for the descendants of Sir Neal O’Donel ended with George O’Donel.

Edwin Thomas O'Donel died 25th August, 1932, and Millicent Agnes herself on 15th October of the following year: She left the little she possessed to her daughter-in-law, who sold Newport House. Padraig O'Donnell, the Newport historian, acquired the contents of the Rent Office in the course of the sale. It is to the great credit of his widow that she gave this valuable collection of documents, etc., to the National Library, where they are now available to the public.

Commenting on this branch of the family a modem writer declared: "Sic transit gloria mundi -the O'Donnells of Newport have gone and their place knows them no more."

But this was not true. The line appears to have continued from the 2^nd Son of Hugh (Mor) O’Donnell. We know this because of new information about the son of Francis O’Donel, a Hugh O’Donnell who left Ireland in his teenage years to join the East India Company.

We now know that the 2^nd son of Hugh (Mor) ODonnell, Francis ODonel had male offspring that survived to today. Francis ODonel was the older brother of Sir Neal ODonel. Francis had a son Hugh ODonel who became a soldier in the East India Company. He was an officer of the Bengal Army from 1805—1837. Few people know that this Hugh ODonel, son of Francis ODonel of Newport, had three sons. His pedigree survives to today.

The following was published by Vincent ODonnell, Secretary of the ODonnell Clan Newsletter in 1991.

Page 7 “ODonnell Clan Newsletter” No 16 Summer 1991

Article Titled “Missing Link” by Vincent O’Donnell

Many subscribers appear to be deeply engaged in tracing their ‘roots’ but most ‘come up against a stone wall somewhere around the 1830’s because few records were kept in Ireland up till then. One family, however, has been luckier than most in that their ancestor joined the East India Company where excellent records were kept.

Frank H. O’Donel (D72) of Essex, England, can, without any doubt, trace his pedigree from a Hugh O’Donel (note spelling) whose military record in the ‘Officers of the Bengal Army 1805—1837’ by Major V.C.P. Hodson reads as follows:

O’Donel, Hugh (1785—1837). Lieut.Colonel, 13th N.I. b. Newport, Co. Mayo, 2 July 1785. Cadet 1803. Arrived in India 29 Apr. 1805. Ensign 7 Apr. 1805. Lieut. 14 Apr. 1805. Capt. 15 Aug. 1820. Major 1 Apr. 1830. Lt. Col. 13 Aug. 1835. d. Nasirabed, Rajputana, 27 Sept. 1837. bapt. 8 July 1785. Son of Francis O’Donel, of Fahey Lodge, Kilcommon, Co. Mayo, and Catherine his wife. m. Dina.jpur, Bengal, 1 Dec. 1826, Miss Jane Finch. (She died 8 Feb. 1892, aged 85).

Services: Posted Lieut. to 7th N.I. in 1806. With Raingarh Bn. 1811-13; commanded the unsuccessful attack on Nowagarh, 27 February, 1812, when his conduct was reported as having been “highly creditable. Adjt. 2/7th N.I. 25 June 1813 till 27 Sept. 1820. Third Mahratta War 1817—19. Transfd. to 13th N.I. (late 1/7th) May 1824. Actg. Bde. Major to Assam force 8 Aug. 1826. d.d. 49th N.I. 14 Aug 1832 till Oct. 1833. Posted Lt. Col. to 13th N.I. 30 Jan. 1838.

Who was this Hugh? His parents are given as Francis and Catherine O’Donel of Fahey Lodge, Kilcommon, Co. Mayo, and the year of his arrival in India as

1805.

Could it be that he was Hugh (105) in the Newport genealogical chart that appeared in ‘0 Domhnaill Abu’ No. 3 ? While writing about the Newport Branch in that newsletter I did not comment on this Hugh as little is known of him except that he joined the East India Company and this information comes from O’Donovan’s Appendix to the Annals of the Four Masters, p. 2396.

Other factors supporting this theory:

1. Spelling of surname — on page 2392 AFM, O’Donovan comments on the unusual form used by the Newport Branch i.e. ‘O’Donel’, this has been the form used by Frank Hugh’s ancestors down to the present generation.

2. In both cases the father’s name is Francis. Indeed it is interesting to note the names of Hugh of Bengal’s sons, i.e. James Hugh, Francis Hugh, Neil, Connel, and to compare them to those of Hugh of Newport’s uncles, i.e. Hugh, Neil, John and Connel.

3. Although, I have seen no date given for Hugh of Newport’s departure, it is quite likely to have been in the early years of the 19th. century

Frank Hugh of Essex would be grateful if anyone could help establish the connection. Does anyone know the name of Francis (32b)’s wife? Does anyone know about Fahey Lodge, Kilcommon, Co. Mayo? Does anyone know the exact date of Hugh of Newport’s departure, or any other information that might help?

Inscription on the Tomb of Lieut. Col. Hugh O’Donel in Nasirabad, Ra.jastan, India.

Sacred to the memory of

Lieut. Col. Hugh O’Donel Comg 13th Regt N.I.

Died 27th. Sept. 1837 aged 49 years.

This monument is erected by his bereaved and disconsolate widow and a few of his most intimate friends as a tribute of affection and regard founded upon a knowledge of his excellent qualities as a husband and a friend.

I have spoken with Ralph ODonel, son of Frank Hugh ODonel, and he confirms the above information. I believe the above data adequately confirms Frank Hugh ODonel as the direct descendent of Francis ODonel, son of Hugh (Mor) ODonnell of Newport House. As Ralph O’Donel is able to collect more information we will be better able to establish that the Newport O’Donel’s, through Francis O’Donel continues.

The remainder of Rupert O’Cochlain paper talks about the following topics.

LARKFIELD BRANCH

CASTLEBAR BRANCH

O'DONNELL’s OF SPAIN

O'DONNELL’s OF AUSTRIA

O'DONNELL’s OF FAHEENS

EPILOGUE

The entire paper by Rupert O’Cochlain can be found at

http://www.geocities.com/newporthistsoc/workhouse/nm1990.htm

A Patrick (Padraic ODomhnaill) ODonnell is mentioned by Rupert O’Cochlain as the person who rescued historical papers from Newport House after it was sold by Sir Richard O’Donel’s in-laws in around 1930.

This Patrick O’Donnell, through his descendants, have provided much of the history I have presented here. Patrick O’Donnell’s father was Neil ODonnell of Mulranny. Neil ODonnell of Mulranny’s great grandfather was Michael ODonnell of 1799 Newport. Exactly how this Patrick ODonnell and his great great grandfather Michael O’Donnell of 1799 Newport are related to the Newport ODonnell’s is yet to be established. Clearly Patrick was very interested in the ODonnell History of County Mayo. Patrick had a brother, Father Martin ODonnell, a Priest of the Tuam Diocese. Father Martin O’Donnell wrote on County Mayo history as well.

Data on my ancestor’s also came from a School Principal in Kilmeena, Co Mayo, in 1950 named Martin Hugh O’Donnell. Martin was the grandson of Hugh O’Donnell and Molly Berry of 1820 Kilmeena. Martin’s great grandfather was Michael O’Donnell of 1799 Newport. The data of Patrick O’Donnell of 1939 Newport and Martin Hugh O’Donnell of nearby Kilmeena agree.

The contents of the Patrick O’Donnell collection are contained in Packing Cases 263, 264 and 265 at the Historical Section of the National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin, Ireland.

The history of the Newport O’Donel’s and O’Donnell’s of Achill Parish, Ballycroy Parish and Burrishoole Parish, Co Mayo continues to unfold as information from the Rupert O’Cochlain and Patrick O’Donnell collections of papers are sorted and indexed.

Black and Blue text by Rupert O’Cochlain, December, 1978.

Red text by Hugh ODonnell, Pittsburgh, PA September 18, 2005, updated March 23, 2007.

Purple text by Vincent O’Donnell, 1991.