John Cathanach's three sons, John Mor, John Og and Donald Balloch were executed at the same time as their father and grandfather.
His remaining son, Alexander, fled to Ireland.
Alexander Konnell [later called McConnell/MacDonnell] was born in 1480. At the end of the 15th century, the MacDonnells became the enemies of King James IV of Scotland and Alexander fled to Ireland to stay. He received a pardon from King James V in 1531 and grants of land in Kintyre, but Antrim Ireland was to remain the family's main base in the future. Note: the source for this paragraph is from a booklet on Dunluce Castle written by the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland. The paragraph about Colla McConnell below is from this same source.
At Glenan in the Tarolf on May 6, 1520, "Alexander Konnel of Dunoveg, with his hand on the pen, promised that he would be to Sir John Campbell of Calder a cuming man and servand hym self and all his branch of the Clan Donyl that he is cuming of."
This is the first record in history we have of the name Konnel, from which the present name McConnell is derived.
For his services Alexander Konnel received a lease for five years of 45 merklands in Isla, 15 merklands of Jura and the Island of Colonsay.
From 1528 to 1531 Alexander was in revolt and fought against the Campbells, but he was pardoned June 7, 1531. To guarantee he would keep the peace, his son James was left with the King as hostage. The young heir of Dunnyveg remained at court several years and by the King's express wishes received a liberal education under Dean Henderson at Holyrood, the effects of which were apparent in after years.
During this interval, the Earl of Argyle accused Alexander Konnell of many disturbances of the peace, which Alexander was able to refute to the satisfaction of the King. the Earl of Argyle was summoned and deprived of his offices which were conferred upon Alexander. From time to time, until his death, Alexander kept up a constant correspondence with the King. He received from his Majesty on more than one occasion presents of bows and arrows, doubtless in order to encourage archery among the Highlanders.
In 1532 Alexander Konnel raised 7,000 men with whom he crossed to Ireland and drove the English from Ulster.
Alexander Konnel married Catherine, daughter of John MacIain of Arnamurchan by whom he had eleven children.
Justiciary Records of Scotland, where under date of July 23, 1529 we find noted: "The King called upon the Justice-Clerk to receive James MacConnell, the son of Alexander of Dunnyveg, to relax them from our horne."
Alexander Konnel of Dunnyveg died at Sterling while on a visit to the King in 1538 and was buried in the High Church of the town. He was succeeded by his son
