Extracts from the Papal Registers (Papal Letters)
My thanks to John D McLaughlin, who collated all
of this information, and gave me permission to reproduce it and reformat
it on this site. The information is also available by
following this link
to John's site.
Note: These entries from the Papal Letters show that the
MacMeanmans of Donegal were a branch of the O'Donnells.
The name is rendered MacMeanman, O'Donnell,
but more commonly, MacMeanman O'Donnell, the
last usage establishing the family as a branch of
the O'Donnell Kings of Tirconnell.
1397 A.D.9 Kal.
March
St. Peter's, Rome |
Provision to John Macmemnan, a Cistercian
monk of Assaroe in priest's orders, of
the see of Raphoe, void by the cession of bishop Cornelius, made
at the apostolic see through the said John, his proctor, to Francis,
cardinal priest of St. Susanna's, and thereby reserved to the pope,
in accordance with the reservation which the pope had lately made
of provisions of all cathedral churches and monasteries which should
become void at the said see. |
1397 A.D.
5 Kal. Feb.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To John Macmemnan, Cistercian monk of Assaroe,
in the diocese of Raphoe. Dispensation
to him - who has already had papal dispensation
on account of illegitimacy as the son of an
unmarried man and an unmarried woman to hold benefices and
an administration and offices accustomed
to be served by monks of his order - to
hold all dignities, even if archiepiscopal or
episcopal and elective, personatus and offices. His
illegitmacy need not be mentioned in future
graces. |
1407 A.D. 7 Id.
Nov
of Armagh. Siena |
To the archbishop of Armagh, the bishop of
Veszprem and the archdeacon. Mandate to
collate and assign to Eugenius Macuicamiranydhomhnaill, canon of
Raphoe, who is, he says, of noble birth, and a scholar in canon
and civil law, the deanery of Derry, value not exceeding 30 marks,
void and reserved under John XXII's constitution Execrabilis, because
the late William Mackathmayl, holding the rectory with cure of Furnay
in the diocese of Derry, obtained and held therewith for a month
and more without dispensation the said deanery, an elective major
dignity with cure; notwithstanding that Eugenius has been admitted
by authority of the ordinary as a canon of Raphoe. |
1409 A.D. 13 Kal.
Aug.
Pisa |
To the archbishop of Pisa, the bishop of
Raphoe and Dermit Ocoyneyl, canon of Killala. Mandate to collate
and assign to Eugenius Macmeamnanydomnaill, canon of Raphoe, the
deanery of Derry, a major elective dignity
with cure, value not exceeding 40 marks, void and
reserved to the pope under the constituion Execrabilis, because
Donald Macgillibridi obtained and held
it for a month and more with his rectory
of Theachbuichin in the diocese of Raphoe; notwithstanding
that Eugenius has lately been received
by authority of the ordinary as a canon
of Raphoe. |
1419 A.D. 5 ld. June
Florence |
To
the bishop of Raphoe. Mandate to collate and assign to Maurice
Macmeanmanydhomhnaill, clerk,
of the diocese of Derry, the rectory of Fathynmure in that
diocese, value not exceeding 7 marks, void
by the death of Roger Odubhgayll. |
1419 A.D. 16 Kal. June
Florence |
To
the bishop of Oloron, Maurice Macblosgaidh, canon of Derry,
and Eugenius Macmeanmen, canon of Raphoe....
|
1419 A.D. 16 Kal. July
Florence |
To
the bishop of Oloron, Eugenius Macmeanmanydhomhnaill, canon,
and the official of Raphoe....
|
1421 A.D.
3 Non. May
St. Peter's, Rome |
To Eugenius Odhomhnaille, elect of Connor. Provision to him,
canon of Raphoe, subdeacon, of
the see of Connor, void by the death of John, during whose life it was
specially reserved by the present pope. |
1421 A.D.
18 Kal. Feb.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To Eugenius Mahemeheanman, canon of Raphoe.....
|
1422 A.D.
2 Kal. July
S. Maria Maggiore,
Rome |
To
the bishop of Alet, and Eugenius Odomhnaill and Maruice Macbloscayth, canon of Achonry.....
|
1423 A.D.
2 Non. Jan.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the bishop of Alet, the
archdeacon of Derry, and Eugenius Odomnayll, canon of Raphoe.
Mandate to collate and assign to Solomon Odubanaych, clerk, of the diocese
of Derry (who lately received papal dispensation, as the son of a priest and an
unmarried woman, to be promoted etc. as above, the rectory
of St. Eugenius's, Ardsracha, in the said diocese, value not
exceeding 8 marks, void by the death of Ysag Oculean. |
1423 A.D.
3 Non. Aug.
S. Maria Maggiore,
Rome |
To
the bishop of Connor. Mandate to collate and assign to
Cornelius Macmeamnan Ydompnayll, canon
of Raphoe (who is in or an unmarried woman, to be promoted to all, even holy orders
and hold a benefice even with cure, after which he had himself
made a clerk, and was received as a canon of Raphoe), the rectory
of the parish church of Raith Bruaich alias Raitha Maihienaih
in the diocese of Raphoe, value not exceeding 12 marks, void
by the death of Clement Ifarghil. He has hereby the necessary
dispensation. |
1424 A.D.
4 Non. July
Gallicano |
To
the bishops of Frigento and Raphoe, and Magonius Odomnayll, canon
of Raphoe. Mandate to collate
and assign to Bernard Macolgan, clerk, of the diocese of Derry,
the perpetual vicarage, value not exceeding
10 marks, of St. Eugenius's, Ardsracha, in the said diocese, void
by the death of John Odubanaych. |
1429 A.D.
11 Kal. May
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To
Donald Macmenman Ydhomhnaill, canon of Raphoe. Mandate to collate and assign to Malachy Ogallenbare,
clerk, of the diocese of Raphoe (who lately received dispensation
by
authority of the ordinary, as the son of an unmarried man
and an unmarried woman, related in the third and fourth degrees
of kindred and the third and third degrees of affinity, to be
promoted to minor orders and hold a benefice without cure) the
rectory of Cluayn Dabuadog in the said diocese, value not exceeding
12 marks, void because Maurice MacCarmayc Ydomnaill, sometime
abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Assaroe (Sameria) in the said
diocese, having been promoted by the said authority, when holding
the said rectory, to be abbot of the said monastery, obtained
possession of the administration etc. of the goods of the said
abbey, or at least of the greater part thereof. Malachy is
hereby dispensed to be promoted to all, even holy orders and hold the
said rectory. |
1429 A.D. 5 Id. June
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To
the bishop of Raphoe, and Donald Macmeanmanydomnayll and
Matthew Macdalayth alias Macdeccanayd,
canons of Raphoe. Mandate- Cornelius Magungail, priest, of the diocese
of Raphoe, having informed the pope that Odo Ochonmail, rector of Kalkachday in the said diocese
has committed perjury and simony etc. and has neglected to celebrate
and cause to be celebrated divine offices in the said church- if
Cornelius will accuse Odo before them, to summon Odo and others
concerned, and if they find the facts to be as stated, to deprive
Odo, and in that event to collate and assign the said rectory,
value not exceeding 6 marks, to Cornelius. |
1429 A.D.
15 Kal. July
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To
the archdeacon, and Matthew Macdalaidh and Donald
Macmaenmanodhonehnayll, canons of Raphoe.
Mandate to collate and assign to Roderick Odochartaigh, priest, of
the diocese of Raphoe,
who lately received papal dispensation, as the son of a priest and
an unmarried woman, to be promoted etc. as above, f. 141d., the rectory
of Fathainmure in the diocese of Derry, value not exceeding 10 marks,
void by the death of Roger Odubhghaill, summoning and removing the
Augustinian abbot and convent of Sella Nigra in the said diocese,
who have unduly detained possession for more than four years, but
less than five, whom Roderick cannot sagely meet within the city
or diocese of Derry; whether it bevoid as stated, or by the resignation
of Maurcie Macheromheanmanidhonehnaill, or by the deprivation of
the same Maurice by authority of the ordinary, or in any other way. |
1429 A.D.
7 Kal. Aug.
Ferentino |
To
Maurice MacMeanman Idhomhnaill. Collation and provision
to him, who is a priest and is by
both parents of noble race, of the
archdeaconry of Connor,
a major elective dignity with cure, value not
exceeding 12 marks, void and reserved by the death at the apostolic
see of Odo Akailti (sic); notwithstanding that he was lately received
by authority of the ordinary as a canon of Rapoe. |
1429 A.D.
4 Id. March
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To
the abbot of Assaroe (Sameria) in the diocese of Raphoe. Mandate
to collate and assign to Donald Macmenman
Ydomnaill, canon of Raphoe, who lately received papal dispensation, as the
son of an unmarried man and an unmarried woman, to be promoted etc. as above, f. 141d, the
rectory of Cluayndocorach in the diocese of Raphoe, value not
exceeding 10 marks, void and reserved becasue Eneas Micgillabridi,
who
is to be removed, when holding the arch-deaconry of Raphoe, a non-major
dignity, obtained the said rectory and held it and the said archdeaconry
together for six years, against Execrabilis; notwithstanding that
Donald has been received by authority of the ordinary as a canon of Raphoe. |
1429 A.D.
3 Kal. Dec.
Ss. Apostoli, Rome |
To
the archdeacon and Donald Macmenman Idhominaill and Davidh
Obindhi, canons, of Raphoe.
Mandate to collate and assign to Cornelius
Magunguil, priest, of the diocese of Raphoe,
the perpetual vicargae, value not exceeding 3 marks, of Cellabega in the said diocese, void
and reserved by the death at the apostolic see of Cathal (Kartholus)
Ogleandan; summoning and removing Critin Macneda Odubenaidh, priest,
of the said diocese, who under pretext of a collation made to him
by the ordinary after the said voidance has unduly detained
possession for more than two years; notwithstanding that the pope
lately ordered provision to be made to Cornelius of the rectory
of Cillachday in the same diocese, value not exceeding 6 marks, of
which he has not got possession. He is hereby dispensed to hold
both for life. |
1429 A.D.
4 Id. Dec.
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To
Donald, bishop of Connor. Translation to the said see from
that of Derry, to which the pope has
this day translated bishop Eugneius from
Connor. Before taking possession of the
administration of Connor, he is to take to the archbishop of Armagh and the bishop of Meath
the usual oath of fealty to the pope.
Note: This is Eugenius, or Eoghan, or Owen MacMeamman O'Donnell. |
1429 A.D.
5 Id. Dec.
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To Eugenius, bishop of Derry. Translation from Connor, whither
the pope has this day translated Donald
from Derry. Before taking possession he is to take to the archbishop of Armagh and
the bishop of Meath the
usual oath of fealty to the pope. |
1430 A.D.
13 Kal. March
SS. Apostoli, Rome |
To
John Fossard, bachelor of canon law. Collation and provision
to him, a priest, of noble race and lawful birth,
of the archdeaconry of Connor, a major dignity with cure, value not
exceeding 12 marks, provision of which the pope made to the late Maurice Macmeanmam Idhomhnail
on its
becoming void and reserved by the death at the apostolic see of
Odo Okeala, and which had become void and again reserved by the death,
also at the apostolic see, of the said Maurice without having had possession; |
1432 A.D.
7 Id. April
ST. Peter's, Rome |
To
the prior of St. Mary's, Dungemin, in the diocese of Derry, and
Nemeas Ohenrachtaich and Donald Oceallachan,
canons of Clogher and Armagh. Mandate, if they find that
it was lawful, to admit for this time only the resignation mentioned below, and to collate and assign
to
Dermit Machlosgaid, canon of Derry - who has for several years in
the university of Oxford and in other studia particularia studied canon
law, and who was lately dispensed by papal authority, as the son
of a priest and an unmarried woman, according to some, as the son of
a
priest and a married woman, according to others, (i) to be promoted
etc., as above, to receive and hold, in the vent of their being collated
to him in virtue of a papal mandate of provision which had been
made in his favour, the perpetual vicarage of Nuatmail alias Nuadmail
Kannid and the rectory of Drumgoasa sive Ros alias the comorbanship of
St. Kannicius, in the diocese of Derry, which rectory has under
it
three churches, of whose fruits the rector of Drumgoasa has been
wont to receive two parts, and the perpetual vicar one part, and
which rectory is called by some a plebanatus or dignity or personatus
- the deanery of Derry, a major elective dignity with cure, value
not exceeding 48 marks, which Eugenius Macmenmun Ydomnaill, clerk,
of
the diocese of Derry, resigned in the Roman court.... |
1432 A.D.
11 Kal. Jan.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To
the dean and the archdeacon and Cornelius Macmenman Ydomhnaill,
canon,
of Raphoe.....
|
1432 A.D. 2 Non. June
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the archdeacon of Derry.
Mandate - the pope having been informed
by Donald Macmeanman Ydomhnaill, rector
of Cluaindacorcach in the diocese of Raphoe, that Cornelius Magillabrighdi,
priest, and Nicholas Magmallgusa, clerk, of the said diocese, both claiming
a right in the deanery of Raphoe, simoniacally agreed that Cornelius
should hold it and that Nicholas should receive from him yearly
a part of the fruits - seeing that Donald, on account of Cornelius's
power, has no hope of obtaining justice in the city or diocese of
Raphoe,
if Donald will accuse Cornelius before him, to summon Corneliuis
and others concerned, and if he find the facts to be as stated,
to deprive Cornelius, and in that event to collate and assign the said
deanery, a major dignity, value not exceeding 40 marks, to Donald,
if found fit, who is a priest and who was lately dispensed by papal
authority, as the son of a priest, professed of the Cistercian order,
and an unmarried woman, related in the fourth degree of kindred,
to by promoted to all, even holy orders and hold a benefice even with
cure, and who was thereafter received by authority of the ordinary as
a canon of Raphoe; notwithstanding that he holds the said rectory.
He is hereby specially dispensed, on account of the said defect, to hold the
said deanery, on obtaining which he is to resign the rectory. |
1432 A.D.
5 Kal. Dec.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the abbot of Assaroe
(de Sameria) in the diocese of Raphoe, and
the archdeacon and Cornelius Macmeanmanydomhnaill,
canon, of Raphoe.... |
1432 A.D.
5 Kal. Dec.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the bishop of Derry,
the archdeacon of Raphoe, and the official
of Derry. Mandate to collate
and assign to William Macgillabridi, clerk, of the diocese of Raphoe (who without
mention of his illegitimacy, as the son of an unmarried man and an unmarried
woman, has had himself made a clerk), the rectory of
Cluyayndachorchach in the said diocese, value not exceeding
9 marks, so long void by the death of Andrew Omurigaid that its
collation lapsed to the apostolic see, summoning and removing
Donald Macmenman Ydomhnayll, priest, of the said diocese, who has
unduly detained possession for more than four years under pretext
of a collation made by authority of the ordinary after the said
lapse.
William is hereby dispensed on account of the said defect to act
as
a clerk, be promoted to all, even holy orders, and hold the said
rectory. |
1438 A.D.
12 Kal. Dec.
Ferrara |
To Laurence Ogallcur and
Cornelius Macmenman Idomnaill, canons, and
the official, of Raphoe.....
|
1461 A.D.
3 Id. Oct.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the abbot of St. Columba's
Celle nigre, Derry, the prior of Dungemyn in the diocese of Derry
and Henry Omuriessan, a canon
of Derry. Mandate (the pope having
been informed by Bernard Macmenman
alias Odomnayll, clerk, of the diocese of Raphoe, that Thomas Orodayh,
rector of the parish church of Teacbuyn in the said diocese, when
litigating in those parts with Donald Obuy, priest, of the said
diocese, about the said rectory before certain executors appointed
by the apostolic see, paid to them the sum of 8 marks sterling in
order that they might adjudge the rectory to him, and also promised
to give and pay to the said Donald for without any authority of
the said see, a certain sum upon the fruits of the rectory, in order that
he might acquiesce in such pretence, thereby committing simony and
incurring the sentences etc. promulgated against simoniacs, and
that moreover, an open and notorious fornicator, he has kept openly in
his
house a certain concubine by whom he has begotten offspring still
living,
and that he has committed perjury, to the shame of the clerical
order) if and after Bernard, who was lately made a clerk, notwithstanding
his
illegitimacy as the son of a priest and an unmarried woman, accuses
Thomas, who is a priest, and from fear of whose power Bernard has
no hope of obtaining justice in the city and diocese of Raphoe, before
the above three, to summon Thomas and others concerned, and if they
find the foregoing to be true, or one of them enough for the purpose,
to deprive and remove Thomas, and in that event to collate and assign
the said rectory, value not exceeding 12 marks to Bernard, whom
the pope hereby dispenses to be promoted to all even holy orders and receive
and retain it, notwithstanding the said defect etc., and to resign
it, simply or for exchange, when he pleases. |
1469 A.D.
Prid. Id. Dec.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the abbot of St. Mary's, Macosquin (de Claro fonte), in the
diocese of Derry, and Donald Oaweruollan and Cornelius
Oqweruollan, canons of Derry. Mandate, as below.
The pope has been informed by Eugenius MacMemnan alias Odomhuaill, clerk, of the diocese of
Raphoe..... |
1469 A.D.
14 Kal. Dec.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To the official of Raphoe.
Mandate, as below. The pope has been informed by Donatus Odochartaich, canon
of Derry, that Bernard Odomphnaill alis Meameamnan (recte Mecmeamnan,
i.e., Macmeamnan), rector of the parish church of Theachbiuthin in the diocese of Raphoe,
is an open and notorious fornicator and has dilapideated and converted
to his evil uses the goods of the said church, and is defamed of
several other excesses and crimes, and also of not residing in nor
serving the said church. The recent petition, moreover, of
the said Donatus contained that if the said church were erected into
a prebend of Raphoe it would be to the increase of divince worship
therein. The pope therefore orders the above official, if
the said Donatus (who is a priest, and has been received by authority of
the ordinary as a canon of Derry) will accuse the said Bernard before
the said official, to summon Bernard and the chapter of Raphoe and others
concerned, and if he find the foregoing to be true, to deprive
and remove Bernard, and in that event to erect, in accordance with
the petition of the said Donatus, the said church, value not
exceeding 11 marks sterling, into a prebend of Raphoe for his lifetime
only, and to collate and assign to him a canonry of that church
and such prebend. The pope's will is that the cure of souls in
the said church, which is exercised by a perpetual vicar, shall not be
neglected, and that on the death or resignation of Donatus the said
church shall return to its former condition. |
1482 A.D.
18 Kal. Dec.
St. Peter's, Rome |
To John Ofaelan, a canon
of Ferns. Mandate to collate and assign
to Bernard Macmeanman Ydohnmayll, priest,
of the diocese of Raphoe, (who was lately dispensed by papal authority
on accounty of illegitimcay, as the son of a priest and an unmarried woman, to
be promoted to all, even holy orders and receive and retain a
benefice even with cure, and to resign it, as often as he pleased,
after which, having been so promoted, he obtained by canonical
collation the rectory of the parish church called [the church] of
the house of St. Bohynus in the said diocese, which he has
resigned), the perpetual vicarage of the aprish church called
[the church] de Sustinentia in the said diocese, value 10 marks
sterling, void at the apostolic see by the death there of
Donald Ochahan, and therefore ipso facto reserved to the pope. |
Bishops of Derry
In a list of Bishops of Derry, we find:
O Domhnaill, Eoghan, Bishop of Connor 1421-9; translated from
Connor to Derry, 9 December 1429; bishop of Derry 1429-33;
d. before September 1433.
Probably that Eoghan Mac Meanman
O Domhnaill provided to the deanery of Derry in 1407. He wasa subdeacon
when appointed to Connor in 1421.
Deans of Derry
O Domhnaill, Eoghan Mac Meanman (Eugene Mac Meanman O Donnell)
is provided in 1407, deprived in 1409, deprived again by Primate
Fleming for unspecified reasons, but goes on to become bishop
This is the same Eugenius (Latin form of the name) O Domhnaill
in the Papal Letters.
|