Clan MacNeil of Barra Crest: Buaidhi no Bas (To Conquer or Die)

The Clan MacNeil of Barra is one of the oldest Scottish clans: it can trace ancestry back to King Niall of the Nine Hostages in Ireland in 379 AD and King Lóegaire mac Néill in Ireland in 428 AD. The seat of the clan is Kisimul Castle. Although the castle was at one time sold to raise money to pay off debts, and allowed to fall into disrepair, it was later re-purchased by the American-born Robert Lister MacNeil in 1937 and restored. Historic Scotland now leases the castle for one pound and one bottle of whiskey per year for a lease term of 1000 years, from their leasor, Ian Roderick MacNeill, currently the 46th Chief of Clan Neil. Castlebay, Barra Traigh Eaig beach This article is about the island of Barra in Scotland. ... Clan map of Scotland Scottish clans give a sense of Scottish Highland identity and shared descent both to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which controls the... Niall of the Nine Hostages (Irish: Niall Noigíallach) was a High King of Ireland who was active in the early-to-mid 5th century, dying - according to the latest estimates - around 450-455. ... Events January 19 - Theodosius I is elevated as Roman Emperor at Sirmium. ... Lóegaire (Loeguire, Láegaire, Laoghaire, sometimes anglicised as Leary), son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. ... Kisimul (also Kiessimul or Chisimul) Castle is a small medieval castle located in the centre of Castlebay on Barra, an island of the Outer Hebrides. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Historic Scotland is the Scottish agency looking after historic monuments. ...

Account of the MacNeill Clan

The MacNeil name comes up subtlely and sometimes inconspicuosly through Scottish history. From meeting quietly with the Norwegian King Haakon Haakonson on the island of Gigha just before the Battle of Largs, to being included in the Hy Niall dynasty from Ireland, this Viking/Gaelic Norse-Gaels hybrid of peoples have managed clan survival for almost 1700 years. Håkon IV (1204—December 15, 1263), also called Haakon the Old, was declared to be the son of Håkon III of Norway, the leader of the Birkebeiner, who had seized control over large parts of Norway in 1202. ... Gigha (pronounced geea, or gi-haris) a small island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. ... The Battle of Largs took place in Largs, North Ayrshire in 1263 between Scotland and the forces of King Magnus III of Man and the Isles as well as the manxmens ally, King Haakon IV of Norway. ... The Norse-Gaels were a people who dominated much of the Irish Sea region and western Scotland for a large part of the Middle Ages, whose aristocracy were mainly of Scandinavian origin, but as a whole exhibited a great deal of Gaelic and Norse cultural syncretism. ...

Norse Gaels

Kisimul Castle.

The Norse-Gaels were a people who dominated much of the Irish Sea region and western Scotland for a large part of the Middle Ages, whose aristocracy were mainly of Scandinavian origin, but as a whole exhibited a great deal of Gaelic and Norse cultural syncretism. They are generally known by the Gaelic name which they themselves used, of which "Norse-Gaels" is a translation. This term is subject to are large range of variations depending on chronological and geographical differences in the Gaelic language, i.e. Gall Gaidel, Gall Gaidhel, Gall Gaidheal, Gall Gaedil, Gall Gaedhil, Gall Gaedhel, Gall Goidel, etc, etc. The nativised presence of Norsemen in Ireland also lent at least one self-reference, that of Ostmen. Other modern translations used include Scoto-Norse, Hiberno-Norse and Foreign Gaels. The Norse-Gaels were a people who dominated much of the Irish Sea region and western Scotland for a large part of the Middle Ages, whose aristocracy were mainly of Scandinavian origin, but as a whole exhibited a great deal of Gaelic and Norse cultural syncretism. ... Gael (Ancient people) : A Gael is a member of a distinct culture existing in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man whose language is one that is Gaelic. ... Norsemen (the Norse) is the indigenous or ancient name for the people of Scandinavia, including (but not limited to) the Vikings. ... Goidelic is one of two major divisions of modern-day Celtic languages (the other being Brythonic). ... The Hiberno-Norse were a mix of Irish and Norwegians who inhabited certain settlements in Ireland in the 900s. ...

Kismul Castle from mainland.

The Norse-Gaels originated in Viking colonists of Ireland, the Outer Hebrides and Scotland who became subject to the process of Gaelicization, whereby starting as early as the ninth century, they adopted the Gaelic language, and many other Gaelic customs, such as dress. The terminology was used both by native Irish and native Scots who wished to alienate these Hiberno-Norse, and by they themselves who wished to stress their Scandinavian heritage and their links with Norway and other parts of the Scandinavian world. Gaelicized Scandinavians dominated the Irish Sea region until the Norman era of the twelfth century, founding long-lasting kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Man, Argyll, Dublin, York and Galloway. The Lords of the Isles, a Lordship which lasted until the sixteenth century, as well as many other Gaelic rulers of Scotland and Ireland, traced their descent from Norse-Gaels. Norse-Gaels are recorded as the allies of Harold Godwinson's sons in their battles against the Normans, which occurred circa 1069-1070. The Hiberno-Norse were a mix of Irish and Norwegians who inhabited certain settlements in Ireland in the 900s. ... Lord of the Isles, now a Scottish title of nobility, originally referred to a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys. ...

MacNeil History

The Clan MacNeill were among the tribes of the Lords of the Isles, and its heads appear to have been of Norse or Danish origin. Mr. Thomas Smibert, Esq., in his authored works, The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland, being an Account of their Annals, Separately & Collectively, with Delineations of their Tartans, and Family Arms, observed “... the Clan MacNeil, is one of the best known of all, though never one of the most powerful in point of mere numbers. The first of the Macneil chieftains, it is said, appears in the authentic records of the fifteenth century, and was then lord of a strong castle and other property in Knapdale, on the mainland of Argylshire. As this castle was named Castle Sween - plainly a Norse term - it seems to us probable that the family of the Macneils had either been installed in some of the possessions of the Norwegian colonists - since the isles and coasts of the west were at the very date ceded, and in part evacuated, by the rovers from the north of Europe - or, as it is not less possible, that the Macneils were themselves in part of Norse descent, and kept their lands permanently. The arguments used relatively to the Macleods apply so far, in short, to the Macneils. The clan, it must always be held in mind, was in any case largely Gaelic to a certainty. We speak of the fundamental line of the chiefs mainly, when we say that the Macneils, like the Macleods, appear to have at least shared in the blood of the old Scandinavian inhabitants of the western islands. The names of those of the race first found in history are partly indicative of such a lineage. The Isle of Barra, and certain lands in Uist, were chartered to a Macneil in 1427; and, in 1472, a charter of the Macdonald family is witnessed by Hector Mactorquil Macneil, keeper of Castle Sween. Lord of the Isles, now a Scottish title of nobility, originally referred to a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys. ... Norsemen (the Norse) is the indigenous or ancient name for the people of Scandinavia, including (but not limited to) the Vikings. ... Knapdale shown within Argyll Knapdale is a rural area of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, adjoining Kintyre to the south, and divided from the rest of Argyll to the north by the Crinan Canal. ... Scandinavian can mean: a resident of, or anything relating to Scandinavia any North Germanic language a chess opening, Scandinavian Defense the aviation corpotation Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Barra (Eilean Bharraigh in Gaelic) is a mostly Roman Catholic island, and the southermost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. ... MacDonald (or McDonald) is a surname associated with members of the Clan Donald. ...

The Clan MacNeil fought at the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594. The Battle of Glenlivet was fought in 1594 near Allanreid and Morinsh. ...

The appellation of "Mac-Torquil," half Gaelic, half Norse, speaks strongly in favour of the supposition that the two races were at this very time in the act of blending into one people. After all, we proceed not beyond the conclusion, that, by heirs-male or heirs-female, the founders of the house possessed a sprinkling of the blood of the ancient Norwegian occupants of the western isles and coasts, interfused with that of the native Gael of Albyn, and also of the Celtic visitants from Ireland. The proportion of Celtic blood, beyond doubt, is far the largest in the veins of the clan generally (sich).” ^[1]

Religion

Because the MacNeil of Barra were in such a remote spot of the Hebrides in Scotland, the clan was mostly overlooked by the English government occupying Scotland. Thus, the MacNeil of Barra were the last Catholics in all of Scotland. The MacNeil of Barra were cleared from Barra Island during the Scottish land clearances under King James I. The MacNeils did not practice the King's religion, the Church of Scotland, and the English wanted to use Barra exclusively for shepherding. The MacNeils on the island were sent to North America, to places such as Virginia and Nova Scotia, Canada. The Hebrides The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, and in geological terms are composed of the oldest rocks in the British Isles. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government Constitutional monarchy (as part of the UK)  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP... James VI and I King of England, Scotland and Ireland James VI of Scotland and I of England (Charles James) (19 June 1566–27 March 1625) was a King who ruled over England, Scotland and Ireland, and was the first Sovereign to reign in the three realms simultaneously. ... The Church of Scotland (CofS, known informally as The Kirk, Eaglais na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the national church of Scotland. ... In a draw in a mountainous region, a shepherd guides a flock of about 20 sheep amidst scrub and olive trees. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Official languages None (English,French,Gaelic) Flower Trailing arbutus Tree Red Spruce Bird Osprey Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 11 10 Area...

Gaelic Names

• MacNèill (Surname)
• Clann 'icNèill (Collective)

Motto

• Buaidh no bas (Gaelic for "Victory or Death")
• Vincere Vel More (Latin for "Victory or Death")

Note: This page contains phonetic information presented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) using Unicode. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language. ...

Clan Seat

• Kisimul Castle, Barra, Scotland

Kisimul (also Kiessimul or Chisimul) Castle is a small medieval castle located in the centre of Castlebay on Barra, an island of the Outer Hebrides. ... Castlebay, Barra Traigh Eaig beach This article is about the island of Barra in Scotland. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government Constitutional monarchy (as part of the UK)  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP...

Branches

• MacNeil of Barra
• MacNeil of Colonsay
• MacNeil of Gigha

Castlebay, Barra Traigh Eaig beach This article is about the island of Barra in Scotland. ... Colonsay shown within Argyll Colonsay [Colbhasa] is an island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, located north of Islay and south of Mull. ... Gigha (pronounced geea, or gi-haris) a small island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. ...

Septs of Clan MacNeil

• (Mac)Grail
• (Mac)Gougan
• (Mac)Gu(i)gan
• (Mac)Neal(e)
• (Mac)Neilage
• (Mac)Neill
• (Mac)Nelly
• McNeal [Americanized]
• Neil(son)
• Nelson

Notes and Reference

June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Trivia

• Legend has it that every evening, the 35th Chief, Rory the Turbulent, would send a herald and trumpeter to the battlements of Kisimul to proclaim to each point of the compass: "Hear, oh ye people, and listen oh ye nations! The Great MacNeil of Barra having finished his meal, the princes of the world may dine!"
• One rival clan chief, on hearing the MacNeils boasting about his long ancestry, commented, "I suppose you MacNeils must have been on the Ark." The reply was simple: "Nae, the MacNeil had a boat of his own."
• Apocryphally, the River Nile in Egypt is so named because a Clan member had a very large estate there a few hundred years ago: hence "Nile" is a corruption of the name "Neil".
• The MacNeils are known for four things: arrogance, lawlessness, expert seamenship and piracy.

A painting by the American Edward Hicks (1780–1849), showing the animals boarding Noahs Ark two by two. ... The Nile ; Ancient Egyptian iteru), a river in Africa, is accepted by most authorities as being the |longest river on Earth]]. The Nile has two tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile, the former being the longer of the two. ...

External links

• The Tartan of Clan MacNeil
• Electric Scotland: Clan MacNeil
• Rob Harbison's MacNeil page
• Isle of Gigha Associated with McNeill branch
• Isle of Colonsay Associated with MacNeill branch