Donal II O'Donovan

Who is Donal II O'Donovan?

Donal II O'Donovan, The O'Donovan of Clann Cathail, Lord of Clancahill, was the son of Ellen O'Leary, daughter of O'Leary of Carrignacurra, and Donal of the Skins, The O'Donovan of Clann Cathail. He is most commonly referred to as Donnel O'Donevane of Castledonovan in contemporary references of his time.

Donal's elder brother Diarmaid O'Donovan was hung by Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare in 1581 following a raid urged by Elizabeth I into O'Sullivan territory,. Donal is credited with being granted the Chieftainship of Clan Cathail by his father in law following the death of his father in 1584. Prior to 1600, the assumption of a chieftainship was based, not on senior descent, but upon a vote by eligible kinsmen and a recognition as such by the local overlord. Donal was inaugurated and granted the White Rod by the MacCarthy Reagh, his father-in-law Owen MacCarthy Reagh, 12th Prince of Carbery, and the Lordship of Clancahill in 1584, and was later recognized by the Lord Chancellor Adam Loftus in 1592, defeating an attempt by his younger brother Teige, who alleged Donal to be a bastard, to depose him. He was the last of his line so inaugurated in the ancient Gaelic manner.