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Somhairle Buíodh MacDomhnaill Sorley Boy Mac Donnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1505 |
| Died | 1590 (aged 84–85) |
| Resting place | Bonamargy Friary |
| Predecessor | Colla MacDonnell (brother) |
| Successor | Randal MacDonnell (fourth son) |
| Spouse(s) | 1. Mary, dau. of Conn O'Neill 2. Unknown, a dau. of Turlough O'Neill |
| Children | 4 sons, 5 daughters. |
Somhairle Buíodh MacDonnell (Scottish Gaelic: Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill), known as Sorley Boy MacDonnell, whose last name was also given as MacDonald (c. 1505 – 1590), was a Gaelic chief, the son of Alexander Carragh MacDonnell, 5th of Dunnyveg, of Dunyvaig Castle, lord of Islay and Cantire, and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan, both in Scotland. MacDonnell is best known for establishing the MacDonnell clan in Antrim, Ireland, and resisting the campaign of Shane O'Neill and the English crown to expel the clan from Ireland. Sorley Boy's connection to other Irish Roman Catholic lords was complicated, but also culturally and familiarly strong: for example, he married Mary O'Neill, the daughter of Conn O'Neill. He is also known in English as Somerled and Somerled of the yellow hair.
MacDonnell could neither read nor write. When signing documents, his mark was authenticated by his secretary's signature alongside of it.[1]
- ^ McWhiney (1988) Cracker Culture: Celtic Ways in the Old South. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Press. p.212. ISBN 0-8173-0458-4