Died 1737 | ||
Manus O'Donnell, Irish soldier and noble, died 1737.
O'Donnell (O Domhnaill in Irish) was the son of Rory or Rodger O Donnell of Lifford, grandson of Colonel Manus O'Donnell who was killed in action at the Battle of Benburb in 1646, and grandson of Niall Garbh O'Donnell the last Gaelic chieftain of the O'Donnell clan. Rory of Lifford was transported to Mayo as part of the final conquest circa 1654 .Manus, the only known son of Rory of Lifford was a colonel in the service of the Irish forces during the Williamite wars.
That part of the O'Donnell clan that settled in Newport Co Mayo, altered the spelling of their surname to O'Donel and used a doubtful claim to gain ownership of the Cathach of St Columkille .Using that claim they were responsible for its return to Ireland in the early 19th century.