Ireland and the Scottish Isles. 37 



were made as far as Castlereagh, when large preys cf cattle 

 would be driven back to the Glens, and thence to Rathlin, to 

 be taken afterwards to Islay at their convenience. In the year 

 1 551 a feud existed between the O'Neills of Castlereagh and 

 the Macdonnells, and the latter made an incursion into Clan- 

 naboy, from which a great prey of cattle and other valuables 

 were lifted and removed to Rathlin. The Macdonnells were 

 able to strike a blow at England more easily through the North 

 of Ireland than any other quarter, and the Government in 

 Dublin made up their mind to put them down. This was in 

 1 551, when Elizabeth was Queen. Four ships were fitted out, 

 and a large number of soldiers placed on board to proceed to 

 Rathlin, and, if possible, carry off the plunder that was supposed 

 to be stored there. The ships, on their arrival, proceeded to land 

 an armed force of three hundred men, part gunners and part 

 archers. The Macdonnells awaited them on the shore, prepared to 

 give them a warm reception, By a sudden upheavel of the sea 

 or a great Atlantic roller the boats were driven high on the rocks, 

 and before they could recover themselves the Macdonnells 

 attacked and slew every man except the two captains. These 

 were retained as hostages, and afterwards exchanged for the 

 younger brother of the chief, the afterwards celebrated Sorley 

 Boy, who was then a prisoner in Dublin Castle. The Macdon- 

 nells at this time owned Dunluce Castle, which they had taken 

 from the MacQuillans, also Kenbane Castle and Dunanynie 

 Castle, built on a cliff near the sea at Ballycastle, which was 

 the favourite residence of Sorley Boy. Ballycastle was pre- 

 viously called Port Brittas, and was the place principally used 

 for landing or embarking for Cantire. It was also from here 

 that Fergus was supposed to have embarked when he and his 

 brothers founded the Scottish kingdom. A little to the east 

 of Ballycastle is Port Usnach, from where Naysi and Derdrie 

 sailed to Alba. 



There were frequent intermarriages between the Macdon- 

 nells and the leading families in the North of Ireland. The 

 Macdonnells succeeded in holding a large portion of their 



