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The following extract is from text
provided by Rory Cain, who had contacted ScotWars feeling
that the closing comments in the http://www.scotwars.com/html/maccolla_ends_the_story.htm
article to be misleading and actually incorrect. Unfortunately
ScotWars has lost touch with the original author and would
love to put Rory Cain’s points to him. Therefore rather
than change the original submission we have printed the
following information, subsequently supplied by Rory following
his initial contact, thanks to Rory for this.
Original Enquiry from Rory
Name=Rory Cain
Type=HistoryQuery
Comments=Turlough O'Cahan was friend & ally of Sorley
Boy MacDonnell, not an enemy. When Sorley Boy was threatened
by the Lord Deputy Sir John Perrot, Turlough brought his
forces & his other ally Brian Carragh O'Neill of Loughinsholin
to Sorley Boy's defence. Various references state this.
Your website seems to be in error. What are your sources?
ScotWars Response
The text you refer to is a final note
at the end of a 5 page article on MacColla which was submitted
circa. 1998 by Austin Rock, studying the site and the battle
of Knocknanoss. Sadly we have lost touch with Austin over
the years and cannot put your point to him to reply or indeed
change his submission.
If you do not mind, a couple of questions
that I am curious of...
"Also ALL Irish clans have a march,
the March of the O'Cahans is very obscure but it is a very
stirring tune recorded to commemorate Turlough O'Cahan the
16th Century Grand Father of Manus and his victory over
the MacDonalds[ironic is it not]. All Irish marches though
played on the harp where composed for the war pipe."
1. Are the relationships you describe
in your email pertaining to the 16th century (as the reference
in the above text) or at the time of MacColla in the 17th
century.
2. Is there confusion caused between
Turlough O'Carolan in the 17th cent and Turlough O'Cahan
the 16th Century Grand Father of Manus, or is that a typo?
3. Is the victory he talks of a well
known battle? What was it?
Thanks for reading the articles in
the first place, if you wish to contribute to site feel
free.
Further Information From Rory
Thanks for your reply. Firstly to answer
your questions:
1. The relationships in my email are
ca.1584-86, two generations before the events of 1641.
2. Turlough was the given name of both
the O'Cahan chieftain (although not Chief) from eastern
O'Cahan territory on the River Bann, allied to the MacDonnells,
and of a harper, O'Carolan, from the western regions of
O'Cahan's territories, then County Coleraine.
3. I don't have the name of the battle,
but the campaign was that of 1584-85 when the Lord Deputy
moved against Sorley Boy & took Dunluce Castle 1584,
which Sorley Boy regained 1585.
4. As for correcting Austin Rock's
note, Turlough O'Cahan held Dunseverick Castle late 16th
C & early 17th C. William Camden's Britannia was first
published 1588 and continually revised by him to 1607, so
he was a contemporary of Turlough O'Cahan. That source is
referenced in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland for
County Antrim, series V, volume 16, p. 38. Of Dunseverick
Castle, Camden says that "it was given to Sorley Boy
[MacDonnell of Antrim] about the year 1570, after which
it became the residence of O'Cahan, an Irish chief from
the bank of the River Bann, from whom the County of Coleraine
was called O'Cahan's country. He was friend and ally of
Sorley Boy who, together with Bryan Carragh [O'Neill, Lord
of Loughinsholin & Toome], united their forces with
his to oppose the Deputy Sir John Perrot."
From other sources, I believe Sorley
Boy was awaiting reinforcements from the Isles, which faced
an inevitable delay. Turlough O'Cahan, from his base on
the River Bann, was able to move more quickly, reinforce
Sorley Boy, and make further campaigning by the Lord Deputy
untenable. No dramatic battle, which would add a romantic
gloss, just the cavalry arriving in time. But obviously
the MacDonnells were grateful.
Also working aagainst an O'Cahan- MacDonnell
conflict, the O'Cahans were kin to the MacDonnells. Angus
Og MacDonnell had married Una O'Cahan, early 14th C; Iain
Cathanach MacDonnell, 15th C., was so-called because he
had been fostered by the O'Cahans; Sorley Boy's sister Elizabeth
married Richard O'Cahan of Coleraine, closely related to
Turlough; Gillaspic MacDonnell was fostered by O'Cahan of
Coleraine, closely related to Turlough, and married his
foster-father's daughter; and Gillaspic's son, Colla, married
Maebh O'Cahan, daughter of Turlough and sister of Gillbubh,
making Alasdair MacColla MacDonnell a cousin to Colonel
Manus Rua O'Cahan.
That's how I see the historical record.
The O'Cahans were one of the most consistent opponents of
the English and that is who they marched against under Turlough
O'Cahan, as under their other chiefs. So I would be glad
if the present incorrect story, which I understand you cannot
amend, were at least balanced with a more historical account.
Regards
Rory Cain
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