Page:The Celtic Review volume 3.djvu/232

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THE MACNEILS OF BARRA
217

from Alexander, Lord of the Isles, a charter of the island of Barra and of the lands of Boisdale in South Uist. The charter was granted to Gilleonan, son of Roderick, son of Murdoch Macneil, to him and the longest liver of his brothers procreated between Roderick Macneil and the daughter of Ferchar Maclean, and failing them to the heirs male whomsoever of the said Roderick. Among the witnesses to the charter were Lachlan Maclean, Lord of Duart, John, son of Murdoch Maclean of Lochbuie, and Terlach, son of Ferchar Maclean. Gilleonan took possession of the Island of Coll and resided at Grisipol for a short time. He was attacked, defeated, and slain by John Garbh Maclean, second son of Lachlan Bronnach of Duart. The fight in which he fell took place in all probability about the year 1433. He was succeeded by his son Roderick.

V. Roderick fought under John, fourth Lord of the Isles, at the battle of Bloody Bay in 1484 or thereabouts. He was succeeded by his son Gilleonan.

VI. Gilleonan received from James I., in 1495, a charter confirming the grant which had been made to his grandfather by Alexander of the Isles in 1427. He received a precept of remission in 1517. He was succeeded by his son Roderick.

VII. Roderick was succeeded by his son Gilleonan.

VIII. Gilleonan was one of the men who in 1547 joined the alliance, in favour of restoring the Lordship of the Isles, under Donald Dubh, son of Angus Og. He appears on record in the Register of the Privy Council in March 1579. He had at least three sons, Rory Og, his heir, a son whose name is illegible, and Gilleonan.

IX. Roderick, Ruairidh Og, was a man of great strength and activity, and a fearless and fiery warrior. He was a devoted follower of Sir Lachlan Mor of Duart, and under that accomplished chief found ample scope for displaying his fighting qualities. He married Mary, daughter of William Macleod of Dunvegan, grand-daughter of Lord Lovat, and widow of Duncan Campbell of Auchinbreck. He had four children by