Domhnall O'Neill (abt. 1259 - abt. 1325)

Ancestors Descendants This profile is being included in the O'Neill Dynasty & Name study - a sub-project of the Irish Roots Project

Biography

Possible mother Jill of Argyll

Domhnall adopted the title "The O'Neill." He ruled on three occasions in Tyrone (Tir Owen, king of Tir-Eogain), viz., 1283-86, 1290-91, and 1295-1325. In the Book of Manuscripts, housed at Trinity College in Dublin, Domhnall is styled, "Rex ultoniae et omnium regulorum hiberniae." ^[1]

He was at odds with the English and supported Aodh Buidhe and Neil Culanach O'Neill.

Domhnall was summoned by Edward I, King of England, in 1302 to fight against the Scots. He was again summoned to do battle against the Scots by King Edward II in 1314.

After the Battle of Bannockburn that year, Domhnall offered to resign his title and office and invited Prince Edward Bruce to be King of Ireland. This plan went awry as it was contrary to Ireland's native Brehon Law and also because Edward, having been crowned King of Ireland at Dundalk, was killed in the Battle of Faughart in 1318.

In the latter year, Domhnall addressed to Pope John XXII his famous "Querimonia," or letter of detailed complaint, against English behavior in Ireland.

Domnhall had five sons -

Aodh Reamhar Cu'Uladh

Brian

Rory

Sean

Domnhall died in 1325. ^[2]

"Domhnall O’Neill, the signatory to this ” Remonstrance,” was the son of Brian of Down, who had been acknowledged as Ard Ri at the conference of Caol Uisge. Despite the gloomy tone in which he writes, the Irish had, for some time past, been fairly successful in checking the progress of the invaders. Domhnall had himself contributed to this result. But he saw that the rivalries and jealousies of the Irish chiefs were so strong that unity under a native leader seemed to be hopeless. Himself the heir of the greatest traditions in Ireland, and occupying the strongest position in the island, he patriotically determined to waive his own claims, and to endeavor to secure under a stranger king that national unity which a native chief could not secure. The ” Remonstrance “f therefore proceeded to say that the Irish had invited Edward Bruce, ” descendant from our most noble ancestors,” to reign over them." ^[3]

Research Notes

This profile is based on Jaski's table 14a

Clann Name: Cenél nEógain, Ua Neill

Annals

The Annals of Ulster^[4]

AU1322.1 Domnall, son of Brian Ua Neill, king of Tir-Eogain, rested in Christ.

AU1322.4 Cu-Uladh, son of Domnall, son of Brian Ua Neill, one full worthy to be arch-king of Ireland, was killed by the sons of Niall, son of Brian. That man, Cu-Uladh, was the brother of their father.

Sources

1. ↑ List of rulers of Tír Eoghain
2. ↑ Desmond O'Neill, The Ancient and Royal Family of O'Neill, Omeath, Ireland, 1995.
3. ↑ Ireland History .irelandhistory.org/tag/domhnall-oneill site deleted
4. ↑ The Annals of Ulster - CELT

• His profile in the Dictionary of Irish Biography:
  • https://www.dib.ie/biography/oneill-o-neill-domhnall-a6950
• The Peerage
• Jaski, Bart Genealogical tables of medieval Irish royal dynasties Table-14a Early Irish Kingship Succession by Jaski, Bart, Published by Four Courts Press, 2013, ISBN 1846824265 ISBN 9781846824265