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Sorley Boy McDonnell and his Castle
from Issue #11 July 2004
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Flamboyant Sorley Boy McDonnell, of the McDonnell clan is my type of man, formidable but charming, and had I of been alive in 1565 for sure I would of wagered a bet on getting his attention!
Sorley attacked and took the Castle, called Dunluce right out of the hands of one of Chief Richard de Burg’s followers’ called the McQuillens’. Sorely planned this particular battle well and laid a trap of twigs and rushes over a boggy area so when the McQuillen soldiers advanced, the McDonnell army attacked. The McQuillen soldiers becoming easy victims who got stuck in the bog, and they were shown no mercy when they fell to the blade of the McDonnell sword. A saying still exists in my part of the world today, ‘There had been nobody fooled by a rush but a McQuillen.’
Dunluce Castle as it stands today
Now, we can almost taste Sorley Boy McDonnell’s victory as he marched up the drawbridge, seated upon his white crested horse and his army following. You can imagine the Conqueror as he breathed in victory with a winning smile, before rushing deliriously to the inner sanctum of the Castle. His servants scurrying to bring him mead to toast, and make merry the success of battle with his knights.
Such a rogue character did McDonnell have that he risked Queen’s Elizabeth’s I displeasure when he captured a battle standard after a skirmish with the English and gained a reputation of respectful notoriety with the locals. Sorley seized every opportunity and took advantage of four salvaged canons from a ship called, “The Girona”. The ship was a part of the Spanish Armanda fleet; he mounted her cannons upon the Castle walls in 1588.
Sorely, however, did not rule his roost forever and retired to Dunaneenie. His son Randall came into possession of Dunluce Castle, and he set about restoring it to its former glory and re-acquainted himself with Royal Court. He impressed the royal courtiers with his lavish spending. Lady Katherine, his wife, also adored spending and buying luxury tapestries, silks, and curtains, and it was reported one set had belonged to Cardinal Wolsley of Hampton Court. I do not think I could have spent Randall’s money any better! Well… except perhaps on new kitchens!
Katherine furnished the rest of the Castle with elaborate upholstered chairs and stools; there were finely inlaid cabinets and many more interesting objects like telescopes, celestial, and terrestrial globes. Even Randall’s horses benefited from saddles worked with gold and silver. The roof of Dunluce Castle was ornate with the signs of the Zodiac.
It’s fascinating to think that humans today, even with all technology still consult our zodiac, read the runes or tarot as our ancestors did, so perhaps we are not as far progressed as we would like to think we are.
Now, getting back to the kitchen this is where local fable takes over a little, and all us Irish start telling a story by saying, “Did you hear the one about…”
Well, let me tell you the one about the kitchen…
One windless evening, in 1639, the Count and Countess held a banquet in Dunluce Castle. The fine Lord’s and Ladies arrived thundering over the drawbridge in their Cinderella coaches, and were greeted by the livery uniformed butler who announced their arrival to guests in the Great Hall. A fanfare sounded as they entered, and nodding to their fellows they would wander off to make merry and watch the Court Jesters, only stopping to lift a glass of the best claret, or mead from one of the servants. It was a point of great mirth to the locals, that some of the fine ladies had baited mice traps in their grandiose hairstyles!
The music played was the latest waltz of the day, as the Lords and Ladies danced and vied to win the attentions of the Count and Countess. Next servants would enter with silver platters rested upon shoulders, and the butler hit the brass gong with a soften drumstick that indicated dinner was ready. The sound of silk rustling filled the Great Hall as all made their way into the gallery for the feast.
Servants laid out the aperitifs, sweetbreads, and little bites with cheeses from a local goatherd, and served the honeyed mead to prepare the guests for their forthcoming feast of goose, duck, chicken and wild boar. Excitement was in the air, as dinner at McDonnell’s was always such a treat. Dinner commenced when Randall McDonnell stood up and with a gracious but overbearing attitude would announce, “Milord’s and Ladies, dinner shall now be served.”
Excited chatter would fill the room, but soon died down to a feared icy silence as the rumble got louder. People looked questioningly at each other as the noise and sounds of horror grew louder and yet louder with each second. The fine ladies looked around with frightened eyes, the Lord’s winced at the unknown that penetrated the space…their place, which once felt safe.
A terrified scream came from Mistress Hampton, as she watched her husband clamber on all fours over the table knocking over his golden goblet and others in his blind panic to vacate the room. Others followed. A stampede occurred. Count McDonnell who was standing, held together his last strands of bravado, raised his protesting arms in the air, and beckoned pleadingly that his fellow courtiers stay and enjoy the banquet that had been prepared.
The Cliff off which the kitchen fell
Blood curling screams and complete pandemonium overtook the Lords and Ladies as the servants rushed out pushing their way to safety over the top of the crème of society. One screamed, “Milord the kitchens…the kitchens…. they are falling over the top of the cliff and crashing into the rocks and oceans below. Lord help us all, run for your life! Run for your life, or the Devil will take us all!!”
However it is said that this was not the work of the Devil, but of Sorley McDonnell himself. He was setting a curse upon his son. The kitchen tumbling into the wilds of ocean should have slain him, but fate served to save him to teach him the lesson that it is not riches or being a courtier of the Royal Court that makes a man who he is, but rather how he holds his sword and honour through his life.
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