For a period of two weeks in 1197, chieftain Eachmarach of Clann Dochartaigh ruled as King of all Tirconnell (roughly, all County Donegal today) upon the death of King Flaherty O'Muldory. Two weeks after Eachmarach's inauguration, the Norman knight John de Courcy led his army into Tirconnell, battling Clann Dochartaigh at the base of Inishowen. The Norman army prevailed, plundering Inishowen and killing about 200 O'Dohertys, including King Eachmarach. The O'Donnells thereafter ruled Tirconnell
Sword of Sir Cahir O'Doherty, c. 1600. Derry Museum, photo by Roger Doherty
McDade Crest, Tower Museum in Derry
Weapons from Sir Cahir O'Doherty's era discovered beneath Buncrana Castle
A real hero of Clann Dochartaigh was Rosa O'Dogherty, sister of Cahir - she accompanied her husband, Cathbarr O'Donnell, on the Flight of the Earls in 1607. Six years after he died, she married Owen Roe O'Neill, returning to Ireland with him in 1643 as freedom fighters, collecting weapons and funds for the rebellion; one English source said that Ireland would never be quiet while she was alive! Above is a letter written by Rosa, 1642.
Newgate, Dublin. 1608. Displaying the heads of Irish rebels Cahir O'Doherty (right) and Felim Riabhach McDavitt (left).
McDavitt reenactor depicting Felim Riabhach Mac Daibheid, leader of the Clann Daibheid, c. 1600. He was executed on September 27, 1608 by the English for leading a rebellion with his foster son, Cahir O'Doherty, against British domination in County Donegal
Song from Irish poet and song-smith Conall McDevitt, County Donegal, early 1800s
A modern adaption of a 19th century French poem to fit the contemporary theme of the 1% vs. the 99%.
Following the 1641 Rebellion and Confederates War of the Irish freedom-fighters, the English Parliament passed a series of laws confiscating virtually all lands left in the hands of Irish land-owners. In County Donegal, only five Gaelic landowners had been able to hold onto their freeholds up to these new confiscations, including Shane McDevitt, Daniel McLaughlin and Richard O’Doherty
Edward O'Donnell MacDevitt (1845-1898), Australian barrister and politician, was born at Glenties, County Donegal, Ireland
The listing of the six lineages of clan O'Doherty in 1600 A.D., naming the chief of each line, from a letter by the commander of English forces in Inishowen
Documentary "Roots of a Man", about tracing O'Doherty roots in Inishowen & County Donegal
In 1601, after clan Doherty was fined the enormous sum of 900 cattle for having charged the English for food and supplies at three times the normal rate, undaunted, the clan sent its McDavitt sept out and raided enemy clans, winning over 1,500 cows. The fine was paid, and the remaining cows were then sold to the English garrison at Derry at three times the normal rate!
Aodh Buidhe Mac Daibhéid, a foster-father of Cahir Ruadh Ó Dochartaigh, was a career officer in the Spanish army and envoy to the King of Spain, a man specifically recuited by the Kings of Ulster, Ó Domhnaill and Ó Néill, to help advise their war against the English
