Papal Letters

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, MacMeanmanO'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 othersconcerned, 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 theAugustinian 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 ofa 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 saiddeanery, 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 ofCluyayndachorchach 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 theyfind 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 norserving 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.