List of rulers of Tyrconnell
This article lists the rulers of Tyrconnell, a medieval Irish kingdom which covered much of what is now County Donegal.
Oral history
It was founded in the fifth century by a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, Conall Gulban, of whom the Cenél Conaill are descended. They ruled the kingdom until the Flight of the Earls in September 1607, which marked the end of the kingdom.Early Chiefs of Cenél Conaill
- Conall Gulban mac Néill
- .......
- Ninnid mac Dauach
- Ainmuire mac Sétnai
- Báetán mac Ninneda.
- Áed mac Ainmuirech
- Conall Cú mac Áedo
- Máel Coba mac Áedo
- Domnall mac Áedo
- Conall Cóel mac Máele Coba
- Cellach mac Máele Coba
- ......
- Loingsech mac Óengusso
- Congal Cennmagair mac Fergusa
- Flaithbertach mac Loingsig
- Áed Muinderg mac Flaithbertaig
- Loingsech mac Flaithbertaig
- Murchad mac Flaithbertaig
- Domnall mac Áeda Muindeirg
- Máel Bresail mac Murchada
- Ruaidrí ua Canannáin
13th century – 17th century
O'Donnell clan chiefs were inaugurated with a traditional ceremony. Under brehon law, the title of clan chief could only be transferred by abdication or the death of the current clan chief. Despite this, many of the following individuals took power by force by imprisoning or overpowering the current clan chief, effectively becoming the ruler of Tyrconnell.| Illustration | Name | Reign | Claim | Life details | |
| Egneghan MacDaly | 1201 – 1207 | 1207 | |||
| Donall Mor MacEgneghan O'Donnell | 1207 – 1241 | Son of Eneas | 1241 | ||
| Melaghlin O'Donnell | 1241 – 1247 | Son of Donall Mor | 1247 | ||
| Gofraid O'Donnell | 1247 – 1257 | died 1257 | |||
| Donal Oge O'Donnell | 1257 – 1281 | Son of Donall Mor | – 1281 | ||
| Hugh O'Donnell | 1281 – 1290 | Son of Donal Oge | 1333 | ||
| Turlough O'Donnell | 1290 – 1303 | Son of Donal Oge | 1303 | ||
| Hugh O'Donnell | began 1303 | Son of Donal Oge | |||
| Connor O'Donnell | 1333 – 1342 | Son of Hugh | |||
| Niall Maelsechlainn Donnchadh Garbh O'Donnell | 1342 – 1348 | Son of Hugh | |||
| Aonghus O'Donnell | 1348 – 1352 | Son of Connor | |||
| Felim O'Donnell | 1352 – 1356 | Son of Hugh | |||
| Seaán O'Donnell | 1356 – 1380 | Son of Connor | |||
| Neal Garbh O'Donnell | ended 1380 | Son of Hugh | 1380 | ||
| Turlough-an-Fhina O'Donnell | 1380 – 1422 | Son of Neal Garbh | 1422 | ||
| Niall Garve O'Donnell | 1422 – 1439 | Son of Turlough-an-Fhina | 1439 | ||
| Naughton O'Donnell | 1439 – 16 May 1452 | Son of Turlough-an-Fhina | – 16 May 1452 | ||
| Hugh Roe O'Donnell I | – 11 July 1505 | Son of Niall Garve | – 11 July 1505 | ||
| Hugh Duff O'Donnell | 11 July 1505 – 5 July 1537 | Son of Hugh Roe I | 5 July 1537 | ||
| Manus O'Donnell | 5 July 1537 – 1555 | Son of Hugh Duff | 1490 – 9 February 1563 | ||
| Calvagh O'Donnell | 1555 – 26 October 1566 | Son of Manus | – 26 October 1566 ----Seized power in 1555 | ||
| Hugh McManus O'Donnell | 26 October 1566 – 3 May 1592 | Son of Manus | – 7 November 1600 ----Seized power in 1561 with Calvagh's imprisonment. Became senile in his later years and abdicated. | ||
| Hugh Roe O'Donnell II | 3 May 1592 – 9 September 1602 | Son of Hugh McManus | October 1572 – 9 September 1602 ----Senior confederate commander in the Nine Years' War. Died in Simancas whilst seeking Spanish reinforcements. | ||
| Rory O'Donnell | Never inaugurated | Son of Hugh McManus | 1575 – 28 July 1608 ----Took part in the Flight of the Earls. Died in Rome of fever. | ||
| Niall Garve O'Donnell | April 1603 – 1608 | Grandson of Calvagh | – 1626 ----Fought for the Crown during the Nine Years' War. Arrested for instigating O'Doherty's rebellion and sent to the Tower of London for life in 1609. |