Alexander Mac Donnell

   Another name for Alexander was Alexander of Wicklow.

  General Notes:

The following comes from The MacDonnell of Leinster Association - The Carolingian Era

Alexander, Hugh Buidhe's second son, followed a military career, discussed above. Brian (1580-1637), third son of Hugh Buidhe, was the father of Alexander, born in 1613, who married Helena, daughter of Thomas Archbold. They lived at Wilcaoorn, Queens County, in 1589, according to a Trinity College deposition. Helena had been born in Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Alexander has been identified as governor of the town of Wicklow (in 1641) and may have succeeded his father in that office. A town governor in that era was something between a mayor and a military governor. Alexander had a large family, but only the names of three sons are known. The oldest was Thomas, and the two younger were Brian and Archibald. There remains no record of where Alexander and his family lived after he became governor, although there still is an estate on the outskirts of the town, now occupied with a hotel, which still bears its historical name, "Tinakilly House." It is probable that Tinakilly Townland was the location and that Alexander named his home in Wicklow in honor of his birthplace in Queens County. It was an impressive estate and became more impressive after Fergus, 8th of Leinster, moved to Wicklow c.1690 and leased the farm of Coolavina or Coolavin, an estate of more than 398 acres next to Tinakilly. Alexander's headstone in the Presbyterian Cemetery, just across the road from the entrance to Tinakilly House, although very old, clearly reads:

"Here lieth the body of Mr Alexander McDonald who departed this life March 30th, 1683 in the 70th year of his age."

  Burial Notes:

"Here lieth the body of Mr Alexander MacDonnell who departed this life March 30th, 1683 in the 70th year of his age."

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Commander of Galloglasses.

• Occupation: Constable of Wicklow County.

Alexander married Mary Helena Archbold, daughter of Thomas Archbold, before 1645. (Mary Helena Archbold was born about 1622 in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland and died in 1683.)