Goffraidh Ó Dónaill was the Irish king

Irish nobility

This article concerns the Gaelic nobility of Ireland from ancient to modern times. It only partly overlaps with Chiefs of the Name because it excludes Scotland and other discussion...

 of Tyrconnell and the first chieftain

Chieftain

Chieftain may refer to:The leader or head of a group:* a tribal chief or a village head.* a member of the 'House of chiefs'.* a captain, to which 'chieftain' is etymologically related.* Clan chief, the head of a Scottish clan....

 of mark in the O'Donnell

O'Donnell

O'Donnell , which is derived from the forename Domhnaill were an ancient and powerful Irish family, kings, princes, and lords of Tír Chonaill in early times, and the chief allies and sometimes...

 family.

Career

He rapidly came to power, initially with the support of the Norman FitzGeralds

FitzGerald

The surname FitzGerald is a translation of the French-Norman fils de Gérald, or son of Gerald . Variant spellings include Fitz-Gerald and the modern Fitzgerald. The name can also be used as two separate words Fitz Gerald...

.

In 1248, he was inaugurated as "The O'Donnell", meaning chief of the clan

Clan

A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...

. He made a successful inroad into Tyrone

Tyrone

The name Tyrone can refer to:*County Tyrone, a county in Northern Ireland, roughly corresponding to the ancient kingdom of Tír Eogain*An Earl of Tyrone*A small steam train which runs between Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland-Places:...

 against Brian Ó Néill in 1252. In 1257,he drove the English

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

 out of northern Connacht

Connacht

Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...

 after the battle of Creadran-Cille

Creadran-Cille

The Battle of Creadran Cille is a thirteenth century Irish battle fought in 1257. It pitted the Normans against the Kingdom of Tir Chonaill, whose forces were led by Goffraidh Ó Dónaill...

 killing Maurice Fitzgerald

Maurice Fitzgerald

Maurice Fitzgerald may refer to:*Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan was a major figure in the Norman conquest of Ireland...

 in personal combat, but suffering severe injuries. Ó Dónaill, while still incapacitated by his wound, was summoned by Brian O'Neill to give hostages in token of submission. Carried on a litter at the head of his clan, he gave battle to O'Neill, whom he defeated with severe loss in prisoners and cattle.

Ó Dónaill died of his wound immediately afterwards near Letterkenny

Letterkenny

Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...

, Ireland and was succeeded in the chieftainship by his brother Dónall Óg.