CLAN
TERRITORY
In
the north of Donegal we find an area containing three parishes,
those of Tullaghobegley, Raymunterdoney and Clondahorky. This
is believed to be the ancient centre of the Mag Fhionnghaile/McGinley
clan. We are still very much represented in the area, being one
of the commonest names there. It is a large area that includes
the villages of Gortahork, Dunfanaghy and Falcarragh. According
to the famous and well respected Dr McGinley of Glenswilly, the
story within his family is that the McGinleys had a stronghold
in the Dunfanaghy area but were besieged by the English at the
end of the Nine Years War (1594-1603). To the north is the spectacular
Horn Head peninsula with the equally wonderful Tory Island out
at sea. It is on Tory Island that one of the earliest records
of one of our clan is mentioned. Ciothruadh Mag Fhionnghail lived
at the end of the 1400’s and early 1500’s. The noted
Monk and Scribe lived here in the monastery. To the south the
land sits in tight under the watch of Muckish Mountain. To the
western side we have the Glenna River. Somewhere in this area
was the beginnings of our clan. Family tradition suggests areas
closer to the sea, probably towards the north eastern part of
the 'cut off' section on the map below:
Map
1. Original homeland, c. 1250-1609.
Map
2. McGinleys dispersal within Co. Donegal, c. 1610.
Map
3. McGinleys dispersal within Ireland.
(Ginnelly's)
This
branch of the family are usually called the Achill McGinleys, although
they are fairly spread out around the neighbouring areas such as
Burrishoole and parts of south Kilcommon Parish, a very large parish,
and on the island of Kilmore in particular. The surname was at first
recorded in this part of the world with the Mac-prefix (MacGinnally,
McGinnally, McGinnelly, McGinnely etc.) but today it is generally
found without the Mac/Mc-prefix. This is confirmed as far back as
The Griffiths Valuations for Co. Mayo (1855) in which no Mac/Mc
forms were recorded. The most common form then as now is Ginnelly.
WESTMEATH
MCGINLEYS
(Ginnell)
This
branch of the McGinleys remain the least recorded and researched of
the clan. Very little is known about them. We do know, however, that
they left north Donegal sometime in the 1500's. It is not known if
this was part of an English dispersal. It was most likely a voluntary
move to pastures new as we find no records relating to 'Pardons' or
forced removals to the area. We have no information regarding clan
territory belonging to them in the area, but they must have developed
an area of their own since the timescale falls within the 'Celtic
Period' or 'Brehon Period' when clan territory was the norm. The name
was at first found as McGinnell but the prefix was dropped in the
1800's. The regular form today is Ginnell with a few other forms such
as McGinnell, Gennell, McGindle, Gindle etc. The last two forms are
common in Australia only.
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