Episode 18: Mother-Daughter Duo: Lady Agnes Campbell & Finola MacDonnell

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In the 16th century, Ulster, now known was Northern Ireland, was at the precipice of change. Gaelic power networks connected western Scotland and its isles to Ulster through the exchange of mercenaries and regional power. Politically powerful women such as Lady Agnes Campbell and her daughter, Finola MacDonnell, embodied the prowess of their families by bringing mercenaries as dowries.

Agnes and Finola moved to Ulster in 1569, marrying Gaelic Irish chieftains and influenced their husbands to uphold their respective claims. Agnes corresponded with Queen Elizabeth I, elevated her sons' positions, and supported Gaelic resistance against the crown. Finola held Donegal Castle, helped install her son as the next O'Neill chieftain, and planned to overthrow the sheriff of Donegal.

Come along with us as we explore these Gaelic women's roles in an ever-changing world and their influence on Ulster during colonialism through history and astrology!

Sources

Articles:

• "Campbell, Lady Agnes" by Judy Barry (https://tinyurl.com/3sdymdjh)
• "Donegal Castle Celebrates International Women’s Day with Free Talk on ‘Iníon Dubs’ of Tír Chonnail" by Rachel McLaughlin, March 6, 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/2ucyp5yw)
• "MacDonnell, Fiona" by Emmett O’Byrne (https://tinyurl.com/2s43y45u)
• "Mongavlin Castle, Monreagh Heritage Centre" (https://tinyurl.com/4x3sm6pj)
• "O’Donnell, Finola", The New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women (https://tinyurl.com/4u75dbxm)
• "The Plantation in Ulster at the Beginning of James I's Reign" by Constantia Maxwell (https://tinyurl.com/2urrccwu)
• "Spouses, Spies, and Subterfuge: The Role and Experience of Women During the Nine Years War (1593-1603)" by James O’Neill

Digital Media:

• "Border Reivers, Ulster, and the End of the Lowland Clan World" on The Scottish Clans Podcast
• “The Nine Years’ War” on The History of England podcast
• “The Nine Years’ War - Dr. James O’Neill” (https://tinyurl.com/3twrkr62)
• "The Sea-Kingdom: Dál Riata & The Birth of Scotland" (https://tinyurl.com/y44bun7z)

Books:

• The Highland Clans by Alistair Moffat
• Imeacht Na nIarli (The Flight of the Earls) 1607-2007 by Roddy Hegarty
• Northern Ireland: A Very Short Introduction by Marc Mulholland
• The Plantation of Ulster: The Story of the Scots: 1610-1630
• Scots Mercenary Forces in Ireland (1565-1603) by G.A. Hayes-McCoy
• 'The scum of both nations': a Gaelic perspective of gender and communities during the conquest of Ulster by Olivia N. Garl
• Twisted sisters: women, crime, and deviance in Scotland since 1400 eds. Yvonne Galloway Brown & Rona Ferguson
• Tyrone’s Rebellion by Hiram Morgan
• Women in Early Modern Ireland eds. Margaret MacCurtain & Mary O'Dowd

Websites:

• Castle History | Enniskillen Castle (https://tinyurl.

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