The importance of the Donnelly Sept within the ONeills’ of Tyrone

The importance of the Donnelly Sept within the ONeills’ of Tyrone (Ó Néill Mór) and extended family grouping termed the Ceneal Eoghain (Cenéil nEógain). In their role as Marshalls to the ONeills, the Donnellys were responsible for fostering the children of 'The ONeill'. The Donnellys' territory was first in Co.Donegal but later moved eastward into Co.Tyrone, where the centre of their power was at Ballydonnelly, now modern-day Castlecaulfield.
The image shows the remains of a dried-up crannog two miles from Castlecaulfield, known as Donnelly's Fort.
Local historian Jonathan Gray