John na Seoltadh Ó Máille

Who is John na Seoltadh Ó Máille?

John na Seoltadh Ó Máille, Gaelic-Irish Lord and sailor, fl. 1568.

John na Seoltadh was a son of Donnell Ó Máille of Ui Mail, the Ó Máille lordship based around Clew Bay. He was a kinsman of Gráinne Ní Mháille though in an unknown degree. Gráinne did have a brother or half-brother called Dónal na Piopa Ó Máille who was acknowledged as a son of her father, Eoghan Dubhdara Ó Máille.

The main source for John is an entry in the Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno 1568.

A hosting was made by James, the son of Maurice, son of John, son of the Earl, about Lammas, against Mac Maurice of Kerry, i.e. against Thomas, the son of Edmond. This James was commander of the Geraldines in the stead of the sons of James, son of John, who had been kept in captivity in London for a year previous to that time. The country was soon plundered, devastated, burned, and totally ravaged by James and his forces. The greater part of the inhabitants of the country fled, carrying with them to Lec-Snamha as much of their cattle as they were able. James had so numerous an army that he pitched two very extensive camps on both sides of this town.