Clan Sweeney
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sweeney is an ancient clan name with Irish and Scottish links, famous for their fierce mercenary warriors. It is closely related to the clan septs of MacQueen, MacSween MacSweeney, Sweeny, MacSweeny, MacSwiney, Swiney, Sweney, Swine, Sweny and Sevnagh. The sept names and variations all sharing the Gaelic origins of MacSuibhne meaning 'son of Sweyn', one of the Lords of Galloway. The Sweeney clan also claim kinship, mentioned in the Fenian cycle, with the Irish high kings, of the same descent as the Clan Donald, Lords of the Isles. The clan traces it's linage back to the ancient family seats of Lochranza Castle on the Isle of Arran, Skipness Castle and Castle Sween at Knapdale on the Kintyre peninsula, Scotland's oldest surviving stone-built castle. In the aftermath of the Battle of Bannockburn elements of the clan were exiled and their lands seized by Robert the Bruce for supporting the claims of John Balliol during the Scottish Wars of Independence, subsequently re-establishing themselves at Rathmullan in Donegal, Ulster as Gallowglass. They then divided into three branches: MacSuibhne Fanad, MacSuibhne na d'Tuatha, and MacSuibhne Banagh. Rathmullan was the seat of MacSuibhne Fanad for the next 400 years, during which time their influence extended from Donegal into Connacht and Munster. In Donegal their principal seats were Doe Castle and Rahan Castle near Killybegs. Those who stayed on in Scotland largely formed into the MacQueen Clan - MacQueen being one of the septs of MacSuibhne, later joining the powerful Chattan Confederation of Highland clans.
In Scotland the inauguration of the MacSuibhne Clan chiefs had taken place at Iona, where they were also buried. In Ireland they were inaugruated in Kilmacrenan, County Donegal, where MacSuibhne Fanad became influential allies of the O'Donnell of Tyrconnell. The remains of the Sweeneys who went to Ireland are interred outside the walls of Castle Doe, Donegal.
[edit] Notable Sweeneys
- Fionnuala Sweeney - is an Irish anchorwoman and reporter for CNN International.
- Julia Sweeney - is an American actress and comedian.
- Stephen Sweeney - is an American Democratic State Senator.
- John E. Sweeney - is an American Republican State Congressman.
- John Swinney - Former leader of the Scottish National Party.
- Madeline Amy Sweeney - was a memeber of the cabin crew on board American Airlines flight 11.
- John Sweeney - President of the AFL-CIO.
- Robert Augustus Sweeney - a two time recipient of the Medal of Honor.
- Major Charles W. Sweeney - was the pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
- King Sweeney (also "Suibhne") - was a mad king of Irish legend.
- Joe Sweeney - was a musician and minstrel.
