Question regarding source material on the Gallowglass

having researched my family tree as a natural born Scot with Irish heritage I came across information on the story of how we came to move to Ireland during the Norman Invasion.

As a Clan we were seated on the Islands of Mull,Coll and Tiree as long term allies of the Clan MacDougall.

As a result of this our Clan were part Gael and part Norse as were the MacDougalls who were descended in part to Somorled in England.

These were Warrior Clans established as such after the integration of the Norsemen in Western Scotland.

When the First Wars of Independence arose in Scotland the MacDougalls were behind the Balliol claim to the Throne which subsequently failed as a result of this we that is the McFaddens were forced to forfeit our Lands on Mull ,Coll and Tiree which were then given to the McLeans who fought on the side of Wallace and ultimately Robert Bruce.

As you are probably aware the Norman Invasion of Ireland happened to coincide with the latter part of the First Wars of Independence in Scotland and several Gallowglass Clans in Scotland were approached as Mercenary Forces to fight for and behalf of the Irish at this time.

The McFaddens now homeless by result of the loss in Scotland took the offer and made their way across the Irish Sea to Donegal.

Part of the deal was payment in land amd as a result of this our Clan remained in Ireland until present day.

My own ancestors moved back after the main famine as the subsequent wee famine an Gorta Beag hit Donegal again.

Thing is links between Ireland and the region were already strong as the region now known as Strathclyde incorporating Argyle and the Isles was previously the Kingdom of Dál Riata which spanned from the Western Isles of Scotland to the North East Antrim Coast meaning there could well have been family connections that crossed the Irish Sea which could have made the approach by the Irish for Military help much easier.

Certainly for the McFaddens it would seem to have been perfect timing given our own immediate issues of now being effectively homeless.

Interestingly enough The McLeans who controlled Mull going forward make no reference to the fact that historically they were awarded ownership of these isles in their history.

As we all know history tends to be written by the victors.

Hopefully this helps with your question.
As a McFadden from the very same region in Argyle (from Bute ) I’m as proud of our part in Irish history as I am a Scot.

As for the McLeans and their hold on our Lands?

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