Donnell O'Neill

Domhnall adopted the title "The O'Neill." He ruled on three occasions in Tyrone (Tir Owen), viz., 1283-86, 1290-91, and 1295-1325. He was at odds with the English and supported Aodh Buidhe and Neil Culanach O'Neill. Domhnall was summond by Edward I, King of England, in 1302 to fight against the Scots. He was again summond 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. In the Book of Manuscripts, housed at Trinity College in Dublin, Domhnall is styled, "Rex ultoniae et omnium regulorum hiberniae." Domnhall had five sons, to-wit: Aodh Reamhar (my 19th great-grandfather), Cu'Uladh, Brian, Rory and Sean. Domnhall died in 1325. [1]

[1] Desmond O'Neill, The Ancient and Royal Family of O'Neill, Omeath, Ireland, 1995.