McLeas in Donegal- Craig McClay Wilson

[Grant South1]

Hello Craig, You mentioned previously a few points regarding your research of our Mcleas around Lough Swilly. Craig, can you tell me where is the quote regarding the Mcleas of Lindsaig in Donegal. Further in not wanting to replicate research you may have already undertaken. According to the Tithe and Griffith Valuations have you mapped the various McLea families to their farms/holdings? All the best!

[Craig McClay Wilson]

Hi Grant: My "research" was not very scholarly: 1) Fron Duncan Mclea's 1743 Manuscript:

[Craig McClay Wilson]

Grant, Found some more of my research on the McClays of Donegal: 1) 1665 Hearth Taxes:

[Grant South1]

Hi Craig, Thank you for the information, I wanted to make sure we did have references in support. Rob Livingstone has done a lot of work on the old parochial records for Argyll. This is now on the website. Information for Donegal McLeas could also be establish from the various historical sources you've cited above. Here is the BBC site, with reference to the historical Plantation. It includes an informative map which outlines the settlement history for the various areas within Ulster in the early 17thc. Of interest is an enclave of Scottish undertakers shown to be established by the 1620's on the southern bank of Lough Swilly. I had a little look at the lands granted in this area and see that Ludovic Stuart, 2nd Duke of Lennox, has the greater share, and several other Stewarts also received grants. One of whom acted as Ludovic Stuart's agent. The Cunninghams are also found with various land grants.

[Craig McClay Wilson]

Thanks Grant, A couple of more points: 1) The 1743 manuscript, an Account of the Name Mclea, has this quote: "there are and have been several of the name of McLea priests in Ireland". 2) A Stewart family was the major

[Grant South1]

Craig- I believe the Catholics of the Western Hghlands and those native to Donegal, practiced a hybrid of early so-called Celtic Christian beliefs and remaining pre-christian spiritual/elemental spirituality. I do not believe the Catholic Church would have agreed in principle to their spiritual pathos and were active in attempting to stamp out and reconstruct remaining belief systems practiced within the Gaelic fringe. I'll see what more is found about the Stewarts. It may be a case of the same Stewart family holding various lands, suggesting/supporting family ties within the community on both sides of Lough Swilly. All the best!

[Grant South1]

Craig, Here is the list of Chief and Ordinary Scottish Undertakers in Donegal. The Stewarts may have purchased the lands near the lower northwestern shore of Lough Swilly after the original land grants. My McClee's were on lands that I believe were originally held by the Stewarts of Rockhill, I think this line descends from the original agent of the Duke of Lennox, and was also a grantee. Further research is needed. As we know most of the Stewarts stayed loyal to their Royal cousins. Finding McLeas as tenants on Stewart lands would be very likely given the respective historical associations. DONEGAL - BOYLAGH AND BANAGH BARONY (western Donegal) Origin in Scotland Lands in Ulster McCLELLAND, Sir Robert of Bomby Kirkcudbright Rosses, 2,000 acres CUNNINGHAM, Alexander of Powton, elder Wigton Moynarga, 1,000 acres DUNBAR, Alexander of Egirnes Wigton Kilkerhan, 1,000 acres McCULLOCH, James of Drummorell Wigton Mullaghveagh, 1,000 acres McKEE, Sir Patrick of Larg Kirkcudbright Cargie, 1,000 acres MURRAY, George of Broughton Wigton Boylagheightra, 1,500 acres STEWART, William of Mains Kirkcudbright Downeconnolly, 1,500 acres VAUS (or VANS), Patrick of Lybrack or Lybreck Wigton Boylaghoutra, 1,000 acres DONEGAL - PORTLOUGH PRECINCT (eastern Donegal) Origin in Scotland Lands in Ulster STEWART, Ludovic, duke of Lennox Resided mostly at court. Family associated with Stirlingshire and Dumbartonshire. Magalevin, Lettergull and Cashel, 3,000 acres CUNNINGHAM, Cuthbert Ayr CoolemcItrien, 1,000 acres CUNNINGHAM, Sir James of Glengarnock Ayr Dacostrosse and Portlough, 2,000 acres CUNNINGHAM, James Ayr Moiagh, 1,000 acres CUNNINGHAM, John of Crawfield Ayr Donboy, 1,000 acres McAULAY, Alexander of Durling Dumbarton Ballyweagh, 1,000 acres STEWART, John of Kilbirnie Ayr Lismolmoghan, 1,000 acres STEWART, Sir Walter of Minto Lanark Corkagh, 1,000 acres STEWART, William of Dunduff Ayr Cooleaghy, 1,000 acres

[Craig McClay Wilson]

Grant, On websites devoted to the town of Ramelton in Donegal, a Sir William Stewart is listd as the person who founded the town. Lists him as getting 1000 acres from King James in 1610. Says he's from Wigtownshire, Scotland. Could be connection between him and the McClay who shows up on the 1665 Hearth Taxes from Bridge End(aka Drumaghanan)which is just across the River Lennon from Ramelton. Craig