Melaghlin O'Donnell ( Irish: ''Maol Seachlainn Ó Domhnaill'') was

king of Tyrconnell This article lists the rulers of Tyrconnell ( Irish: ''Tír Ċonaıll''), a medieval Irish kingdom which covered much of what is now County Donegal. Oral history It was founded in the fifth century by a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, Conal ...

and a member of the

O'Donnell dynasty The O'Donnell dynasty ( or ''Ó Domhnaill,'' ''Ó Doṁnaill'' ''or Ua Domaill;'' meaning "descendant of Dónal") were the dominant Irish clan of the kingdom of Tyrconnell in Ulster in the north of medieval and early modern Ireland. Naming ...

. He was a son of Donall Mor O'Donnell (''Domhnall Mór Ó Domhnaill''), king of Tyrconnell (died 1241), a man who was married to Lassarina (''Lasairfhíona''), daughter of Cathal Crobhdhearg Ó Conchobhair, King of Connacht. Melaghlin had two brothers: Goffraid (died 1257) and Donall Og (died 1281). Melaghlin died in 1247.

Reign

In 1245, O'Donnell ravaged north Connacht. The following year, Maurice FitzGerald invaded

Tyrconnell Tyrconnell (), also spelled Tirconnell and Tirconaill, was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland. It is associated geographically with present-day County Donegal, which was officially named ''County Tirconaill'' between 1922 and 1927. At times it also i ...

, seizing several hostages and secured them within

Sligo Castle Sligo Castle () was a Norman era castle built in 1245 in Sligo Town in Connacht in the west of Ireland. The castle is no longer extant but it was of great importance in the history of the West of Ireland. It is mentioned in the annals numerous ...

. The year afterwards, O'Donnell counter-attacked FitzGerald, and the hostages were killed in retaliation. In 1247, FitzGerald invaded Tyrconnell again, and was halted at Ballyshannon by the combined forces of

Cenél Conaill Cenél is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history *Cenél nEógain (in English, Cenel Eogan) is ...

and

Cenél nEógain Cenél is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history * Cenél nEógain (in English, Cenel Eogan) is ...

. When Cormac O'Connor (''Ó Conchobhair'') forded the

River Erne The River Erne ( , or ''An Éirne'') in the northwest of the island of Ireland, is the second-longest river in Ulster, flowing through Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and forming part of their border. Course The Erne rises on ...

and came upon O'Donnell's combined forces from the rear, and O'Donnell fell in the resulting battle of Ballyshannon. Following O'Donnell's death, FitzGerald installed Rory O'Cannon (''Ruaidhrí Ó Cannanáin'') as king of Tyrconnell. The latter, however, was later repulsed and slain by Goffraid O'Donnell. O'Donnell is the subject of a contemporary elegy composed by

Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe, or Gilbride McNamee () was an Irish poet. Background and family Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe was hereditary Ollamh to the Cenél nEógain. The '' Ceart Uí Néill'', a late medieval document dealing with the rights ...

(died c. 1272). Ó hUiginn (2016) p. 113; McKenna (1946).

Citations

References

Primary sources

Secondary sources

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:O'Donnell, Melaghlin 1247 deaths 13th-century Irish monarchs Maol People from County Donegal Medieval Gaels from Ireland Kings of Tír Chonaill