The importance of the Donnelly Sept within the ONeills’ of Tyrone

Talk delivered by local historian Jonathan Gray
The importance of the Donnelly Sept within the ONeills’ of Tyrone (Ó Néill Mór) and extended family grouping termed the Ceneal Eoghain (Cenéil nEógain). In their role as Marshalls to the ONeills, the Donnellys were responsible for fostering the children of 'The ONeill'. The Donnellys' territory was first in Co.Donegal but later moved eastward into Co.Tyrone, where the centre of their power was at Ballydonnelly, now modern-day Castlecaulfield.