The Rev Donald McNicol: A symposium From Lismore to Barbados 7 September 2024 Ionad Naomh Moluag
This event was funded by the British Arts and Humanities Research Council with the Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre and explored many aspects of Rev. Donald McNicol (1735-1802), a one-time minister of Lismore. Topics included his extensive Gaelic literary collection, songs, writings and family. It was free to all.
Thanks to “An Là on BBC ALBA” you can sample some of the day here
Mary MacDougall lead the singing of Mo Shùil Ad Dhèidh (“My Eye is After You”), originally written as a poem by the Reverend Donald McNicol when, as a thirty-five-year-old, he lamented being rejected by 17 year old Lilias Campbell, the local laird’s daughter. She had already accepted her cousin Captain Alexander Campbell but, when he displeased her, she accepted the Rev. McNicol. They married just after her eighteenth birthday, and she had sixteen children 8 of whom died in childhood. The poem was later set to music and remains a very popular Gaelic song to this day.
Robert Hay of Lismore introduced the day and the Rev Donald McNicol and Lismore in the 18th century
Donald McNicol was born at Succoth, Cowall, Argyll in 1735, to a family with both Government and Jacobite connections. He lived his life surrounded by Campbells, and firmly on the Government side. He graduated MA from St Andrews in 1756 and, after 2 years as minister in Saddell and Skipness, in 1766 he was appointed to the Parish of Lismore and Appin, serving to his death in 1802. His parish was extensive, involving a great deal of travelling, much of it on horseback owing to the poor road infrastructure: the stipend was poor; and he was required to preach in Gaelic and English. The church was newly refurbished and there was a new manse (1757) which, nevertheless, was less than satisfactory. In his time, Lismore was an arable island, owned by several Campbell landlords, some of whom had embarked on Agricultural Improvement, including breaking up the traditional townships. This may have contributed to the “rage for emigration” noted in his return to the First Statistical Account.
5 other speakers dealt with his collecting of Gaelic poetry and traditions; his relationship with Duncan Ban McIntyre; the James MacPherson affair, his role as a host to Highland travellers and correspondence with Thomas Pennant; and his well-known courtship of Lilias Cambell.. These were :
Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart
(University of the Highlands and Islands), A very short introduction to a very busy man
Peadar Ó Muircheartaigh (University of Edinburgh) The McNicol families of Succoth, Lismore and Barbados
Ulrike Hogg (National Library of Scotland), Rev. Donald McNicol’s Gaelic song collection
Nigel Leask (University of Glasgow), ‘Trusting to a Blind Guide : Donald McNicol, Remarks on Dr Samuel Johnson’s Journey to the Hebrides (1779).
Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh (University of Glasgow) The McNicols of Glen Lochy & Glen Orchy and Duncan Bàn MacIntyre’s satire Òran don Tàilleir
The locals who took part were the aforementioned Bob Hay and Mary MacDougall, Archie MacColl whose opinion fo the event was sought in an interview with Andreas Woolf for BBC Alba, and Mairi Campbell whose music closed the event.
Mary MacDougall
Mairi Campbell
Archie MacColl
Some speakers and organisers
The following is an extract from: A Walk Round Lismore Old Graveyard Dr Robert Hay
Rev Donald MacNicol March 1802
In the enclosure you will find the gravestone of Rev Donald McNicol (1735-1802). Minister of Lismore 1766-1802. Leading Gaelic scholar; collector of ancient Gaelic poetry and traditions, mostly now lost; author of the Defence of MacPherson against Samuel Johnson; Correspondent with Thomas Pennant; Theologian; Song Writer; Amanuensis of Duncan Ban McIntyre. His literary and theological work can be found in the National Archives of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and Glasgow University Special Collections.
He is best known in Lismore folklore for his successful courting of Lilias Campbell at Lochnell Castle, in competition with the son of the Earl of Breadalbane. They had fifteen children, eight of whom died in infancy. Their relationship is celebrated in well-known Gaelic songs: Mo shuil a’d dheigh – My eye following you. Mo nighean dubh – My dark lassie
It is not in great repair but reads:
“Here lie interred the remains of the Revd Donald McNicol late minister of Lismore and Appin who died 28th March 1802 aged 67 years. And of eight of his children who died before him. Also of Lillias Campbell his spouse who died 30th June 1831 aged 78 years.”