Eoin Carragh Mac Donnell

   Other names for Eoin were John the scabbed and John Carragh.

  General Notes:

The following comes from The MacDonnell of Leinster Association

Calvach MacDonnell died in 1435 and was succeeded by his son Eoin Carragh (John the scabbed). John was described by the analysts as "the best captayne of the English." Shortly after Eoin Carragh arrived in Queens County, he began construction c. 1450 on a tower house in a forest near the River Barrow, on the site of a previous fort or castle, apparently using existing stone. It had walls eight feet, eight inches thick, with curious recesses, passages and a winding stone stair to the summit contained in them, as shown in the drawing below, published in the 1854 Journal of The Ulster Archaeological Society. The groined ceilings and finishing touches presented a striking contrast to other rude keeps to be seen in Ireland in the 15th Century, demonstrating the family's achievement, as well as the patronage of the FitzGeralds. Tower houses were distinctive fortified stone dwellings built by the gentry between 1400 and 1650. Surrounded by a "bawn" (cattle fort - outer wall or fortified enclosure), they were square or rectangular in a style known as Irish Gothic and were commodious and ostentatious. Thick walls, machicolations, murder holes, arrow slits, and later, gun loops, provided defense. Eoin Carragh was killed in Offaly in 1466 and was followed by his son, Turlough Ogh (young Calvach or Charles) MacDonnell, 1st of Leinster, because Turlough Ogh was the first of the family born in Leinster. He was head of the Clan in the latter half of the 15th Century and so was progenitor of Sliocht Toirrdhealbhaigh (Tribe of Charles), who came to be known as The MacDonnells of Leinster.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Title: 4th of Knocknacloy.

Eoin married.