Domhnall Ballach

Who was Domhnall Ballach?

Domhnall Ballach, also known as Donald Balloch MacDonald was a son of Iain Mòr Tànaiste MacDhòmhnaill and Margaret Bisset, daughter of MacEoin Bisset, Lord of The Glens. He was the second chief of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg.

He succeeded to the chieftainship of the clan after his father was murdered by James Campbell after a scheduled meeting at Ard-du, Islay in 1427. Donald took revenge and James Campbell was executed, protesting however, that it was done under the King James I of Scotland's order.

Known as a military leader he was chosen to lead Clan Donald and defeated the forces of King James I at the battle of Inverlochy in 1431. Subsequently after a number of defeats against Royal forces Donald was forced to flee to Ireland. A pickled head was presented by his friend, the Irish Chief Hugh Buy O'Neill, who presented it to the King James I, as that of the rebel Lord of Dunnyveg. After the death of King James I, Donald returned to Dunnyveg in 1437.

He died on an islet upon Loch Gruinart, Islay in c. 1476.