Historical account of the Macdonnells of Antrim

PREFACE.
| HE MACDONNELLS OF Antrim are a leading branch of the Scottish Clan-
donnell, and, as such, they rank among the most distinguished repre-
sentatives at the present day of the ancient Irish Clann-Colla. Their
history, therefore, is important, as being bound up with that of a once powerful and
widely extended race. It is, perhaps, not less so, as preserving an authentic
account, during many centuries, of the territories in which their leading houses
were gradually built up — and often suddenly cast down. The records of the
Antrim Macdonnells are thus found to touch the shores of our North Channel
with a truly historic light, restoring, so to speak, the ruined castles now crumbling
on so many bold positions, along the coasts of Antrim and Argyle. Several records,
illustrative of this branch, are here printed for the first time, relating to periods
of great historical interest, and to persons whose names must have been once
familiar as household words throughout this northern province.
Of these original records, a few are introduced in the text ; the greater
number, however, may be found in the Appendix — not arranged in chronolo-
gical order, but simply to suit the references to their contents arising in the
course of the narrative. This narrative, the writer has much pleasure in stating, is
largely indebted for its facts to the admirable calendars of Irish State Papers
recently printed by the government, and especially to the volumes edited by Hans
C. Hamilton, Esq., the Rev. Dr. Russell, and John P. Prendergast, Esq., the
distinguished historian of the Cromwellian settlement of Ireland.
The foot-notes are occupied with explanations and discussions, which, from their
variety and extent, could not, obviously, have formed part of the text, but which, in
a book of this class, it would have been difficult, and perhaps unsuitable, to omit.