Historical account of the Macdonnells of Antrim

n8
THE MACDONNELLS OF ANTRIM.
daughter of George Savage, Esq. Their eldest son, the late Randal M'Donnell, married Mary,
daughter of Archibald MacElheran, Esq., (210) of Cloney, by whom he left two sons, Alexander
and John. The former, who was known as of Kilmore and Dublin, married, in 185 1, Margaret,
daughter of Alexander M'Mullin, Esq., of Cabra House, county of Down, and by her left one
daughter, Rachael Mary Josephine, who, at her father's death in 1862, succeeded to the family
property in county of Down — the Antrim lands being the inheritance of her uncle, lieutenant-
colonel John M'Donnell, J. P. In the year 1870, this gentleman married the honourable Madeline
O'Hagan, daughter of Thomas lord O'Hagan, lord chancellor of Ireland. (211)
Sir Alaster MacColl's second son, Archibald, surnamed Mor, entered the army when a mere
youth, and became a distinguished officer. Several years before his death, which occurred in the
year 1720, he settled at Glassmullin, in the parish of Layd, where he also held the lands of
Dooney, Ligdrenagh, Mullaghbuy, and the two Knockans. In the year preceding his death, he
rented from Randal, the fourth earl of Antrim, the lands of Glassmullin, Gallvolly, Tully, Carnelagh,
Knockans, and Carnaine, the landlord reserving all timber and timber-trees; mines, and minerals;
quarries of stone, slate, and coal; hawks and all other birds of game ; with the right of fowling,
fishing, and hawking over the premises. The tenant was bound by a bond of ^500 to fulfil all
the terms of the lease, which was witnessed by James Horan, Maurice M'Hendry, and Edmund
Keating.
This captain Archibald M'Donnell's wife was Anne Stewart, daughter of captain Stewart of
heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, transfer and
make over my whole right, title, and interest, of the
written Lease, and the lands therein mentioned, and all
the issues and profits arising thereout, to Mr. Alex.
M'Donnell of Knapan, his heirs, executors, adminstrators,
and assigns, in consideration of part of his marriage
portion with my daughter Anne M'Veagh ; as witness my
hand and seal this 20th day of May, 1727.
"Elease M'Veagh.
" Witness prst ,
"Archd. M'Donnell,
" Hector Hamilton."
(210) MacElheran. — This surname is a contraction of
Mac Gilla-Ciaran, or Kieran, ' the descendant of the dis-
ciple or servant of St. Ciaran. ' This Irish saint passed
into Scotland in the seventh century, and dwelt in a cave
near the present Campbelton. The old local name for
Campbelton is Ceann-loch-cill-Ciaran, so called from this
saint's church, which was built at the head of the Bay.
(211) Ireland. — The old churchyard of Layd, near
Cushindall, has been the burial-place of this branch of
the Macdonnell family for many generations. On a large
square tablet are the lollowing inscriptions : —
" To the memory of Coll M'Donnell late of Kilmore,
and Family, who is here buried, aged 74 years, died the
25th day of March, 1719.
" Here lieth the remains of John M'Donnell late of
Kilmore, who departed the 25th of December, 1S08, aged
75 years.
' ' Also, Rose Savage, his wife, who departed this life
the 24th of July, 1814, aged 78 years.
" Also, his son Alexander M'Donnell of Rathlin, aged
60 years, who departed this life the 13th of February,
1S20.
" Also, to the memory of the said John's eldest son,
Coll, lost at sea, 24th June, 1S20, aged 63 years.
" Also, said John's fourth son Archibald, late an officer
in the Royal Navy, died 2 1st February, aged 77 years.
"Also, said John's sixth son, John, died February,
1841, aged 69 years.
"Also, said John's fifth son, Randal of Kilmore,
Glenariff, died 14th August, 1S54, aged S2 years.
"Also, Margaret Anne, daughter of Alex. M'Mullin,
Esq., of Cabra house, county of Down, and wife of Alex-
ander M'Donnell, Esq., of Dublin and Kilmore."
Onahandsome monument is the following inscription: —
"Erected in Memory
" Of James M'Donnell of Belfast and of Murlough, in
this county — a Physician whose great abilities and greater
benevolence made him venerated in the Glens of Antrim,
where he was born; and in Belfast where he died A.D.
1845, in his 82nd year.
"Also, in memory of Eliza, daughter of John Clarke,
Esq., of Belfast, and wife of the said James M'Donnell ;
she died A. D. 1 798. Also of Penelope, daughter of James
Montgomery, Esq., of Larne, and second wife of the said
James M'Donnell. She died A.D. 1854.
" Also, in memory of Michael, father of said James ;
and of Alexander, father of Michael ; and of Coll, father
of Alexander, and son of Major-General, Sir Alexander
M'Coll Macdonnell, knight of the field, whose other son,
Captain Archibald likewise rests in this churchyard."