Parent(s) Donnshléibhe (father) | Children Dughall MacSuibhne | |
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Known for Eponymous ancestor of Clann Suibhne; supposed builder of Castle Sween. | ||
Suibhne mac Duinnshléibhe was a late 12th-century, and early 13th-century, lord in Argyll. He does not appear in contemporary records, although his name appears in the patronymic names of two of his sons. Suibhne appears in the 16th century Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne, which documents the early history of Clann Suibhne. This account claims that he is the ancestor of Irish clan, and that he was the builder of Castle Sween in Knapdale, Argyll. Suibhne is said to be identical to the "Swineruo", or Suibhne Ruadh ("Suibhne the Red"), recorded in the Ane Accompt of the Genealogie of the Campbells, a 17th-century Clan Campbell genealogy.
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Background
Suibhne is thought to have flourished in the late 12th century, and early 13th century. He does not appear in any contemporary records, but the records of patronymic names of his sons and descendants prove his existence. His name, Suibhne, has been stated by some commentators to be Gaelic in origin, and by others to be Norse in origin. The name itself is Gaelic, meaning "pleasant". The name was sometimes used as a Gaelic form of the Old Norse Sveinn, meaning "boy", "servant". He is stated to have been Thane of Glassrie (Glassary) and Knapdale.
Successors
Suibhne had two sons who appear in contemporary records. His son Dubhghall is recorded as granting, and witnessing, several charters. He was seated at Skipness Castle, in Kintyre. Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne married the granddaughter of a King of Connacht, High King of Ireland: the Annals of the Four Masters record that Beanmhidhe, daughter of Toirdelbach mac Ruaidhi Ó Conchobair, and wife of Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne, died in 1269. Beanmhidhe's grandfather, and Toirdelbach's father, was Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht, High King of Ireland (d. 1198). The descendants of Maol Mhuire mac Suibhne founded the various branches of the Irish Clann Suibhne.
Places associated with Suibhne
Suibhne is said to have left his name to Loch Sween, and to have built Castle Sween (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Suibhne) which overlooks its shores in Knapdale. The castle is thought to date to the mid 12th century. It has been described as one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland. The original castle was a simple enclosure, and was abandoned by the MacSweens in the 13th century. The Castle underwent extensive remodelling while in the possession of the Stewart earls of Menteith. In 1310, it was in the possession of Sir John Menteith, when the English king Edward II granted the ancestral MacSween lands to John MacSween and his brothers. The castle was finally destroyed in the mid 17th century.