Forthcoming, under preparation:
A Reference Guide to the Collected Works
of Patrick Denis O'Donnell (1922-2005)
A catalogue (under preparation ) of an estimated 10,000 articles written over a period of 60 years, most of which were published in various journals, periodicals, or other collections.
Desperate Hope -
Reflections on Survival Pathways for Civilisation (2023)
Full booklet presented to the InterAction Council, 37th Annual Plenary Meeting in Valletta, Malta, 15-17 May 2023, as contribution to its Malta Declaration on Multilateral Solutions for a Better Future.
The new book "Memorialising Emigré Dignity - the Cultural Heritage of St. Anthony's College Leuven" was launched at the Royal Irish Academy on Friday 5 September 2025. It was co-sponsored by the Irish College Leuven, the Clans of Ireland (Patron: President of Ireland), Eneclann Ltd/Irish Family History Centre (Ireland's top genealogical research company), and the O'Donnell Clan Association. Eneclann and Clans of Ireland jointly covered the printing of the publication, and the Clans of Ireland and O'Donnell Clan covered the costs of a drinks reception. In addition, the Genealogical Society of Ireland handles mail-order sales. The book consists of a series of essays building on the first webinar of the Irish College Leuven back in October 2020 (with the Leuven Centre for Irish Studies - LCIS), which was co-organised with its CEO, David Grant. This book launch featured an outstanding array of distinguished speakers, being a keynote address of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern whose erudition on Irish history, was complemented by the welcome addresses of the RIA Academy Librarian, Barbara McCormack and RIA Member and co-author, Dr. M. Katharine Simms, and by guest speakers: Prof. John McCafferty, Chair of the Irish Manuscripts Commission and Director of the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD; Dr. Benjamin Hazard, School of History, UCD and Editor & Researcher, Irish Manuscripts Commission; Rev. Fr. Francis Cotter, STD, OFM, Dún Mhuire House of Studies, Killiney, Franciscan Historian & Theologian on “Franciscans of Today"; and Paul Manzor, CEO/Eneclann – Irish Family History Centre and Luke McInerney for Clans of Ireland (Foreword). The finale consisted of a harp recital by Dr. Mary Louise O'Donnell, her evening repertoire consisting of three pieces by Turlough O'Carolan, "Madam Maxwell" and "Carolan's Concerto", and most appropriately on the occasion, "Caoineadh Uí Dhomhnaill" the lament for The O'Donnell, being for Prince Red Hugh O'Donnell, aka Aodh Ruadh Ua Domhnaill, who died in Simancas in Spain in 1602, as well as two pieces by Thomas Moore, "The Last Rose of Summer" and "Believe me if all those endearing young charms..." The Authors of the book include Count Douglas O'Donell von Tyrconnell, Prof. Johan Verberckmoes, Prof. Fr. Micheál MacCraith, OFM, and Baron Bernard Snoy et d'Oppuers, along with Dr. Katharine Simms, David Grant and Francis M. O’Donnell (editor and coordinator). You can find links to Youtube video recordings on the making of the book, and the full programme of the launch, complete with all talks, and a press review by The Irish Catholic weekly at this blue tab
Tyrconnell-Fyngal Publishing - the house imprint brand
An expanded listing of works written by Francis Martin O'Donnell, being books, booklets, essays, articles, brochures, video recordings included panels moderated or participated in, signatures of multiple global appeals and declarations (some co-drafted), and contributions of chapters to other works; citations, and including a listing of research monographs, policy papers, and interviews published.
The Faction Fighters of the 19th century, by Patrick Denis O'Donnell
published by Anvil Books, Tralee, Ireland, 1975
POETRY:
No Man's Land
- Selected Poetry & Art
published by Tyrconnell-Fyngal Publishing, Dalkey, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-9162891-0-9 (108 pages, paperback)
For over fifty years, this poet/artist has written but never published his poetry. After much hesitation, he now brings forth this first selection, a fifth of the corpus. It reflects a multicultural heritage, and the richness that diversity of experience across the globe can bring over time. There is frequently a close relationship between writings, especially particular resonance between this poetry, and his occasional art. Certain themes in poetry or prose are picked up, cited or visualized in the paintings. Allusions to scripture or spiritual references can also occur.
SAOIRSE - Map of the Anglo-Irish War (1919-1921). In 1985, Comdt. Patrick Denis O’Donnell, and his comrade in arms, Comdt. Eoghan O’Regan, both of the Irish Defence Forces, known in Gaelic as Óglaigh na hÉireann (“Warriors of Ireland”), brought out Saoirse (Freedom), a Map of Ireland, focused on the War of Independence (1919-1921), also called the Anglo-Irish War (the latest of many Irish struggles against invasion and colonization) and which O’Donnell had researched at length, covering all of the military incidents of engagements, skirmishes, ambushes and assaults, between Crown Forces (British Army, with the British-controlled Royal Irish Constabulary, and their Auxiliaries) against Irish insurgency forces fighting for Independence. The map gives locations, casualty figures, and a chronology of 30 months of conflict. The map also indicates the regional concentration of incidents more in the southwest than north or east. While he did the research, and tabulations, the map design was done by Comdt. O’Regan, who also wrote the article here which appeared published in An Cosantóir, the Irish Defence Journal to which Comdt. O’Donnell was a regular subscriber and a frequent contributor. The map was published by Léaráid Maps of Dun Laoghaire on a scale of 1:575,000, and sized 32” X 24” (inches). The I.R.A. indicated on the map indicates the old Irish Republican Army precursor of what became in time the national official Irish Army, and should not be confused with the banned paramilitary entity that later arrogated the same name and acronym.
The Cathach is Ireland's most ancient manuscript dating to about 555 AD. St. Colmcille/Columba (521-597), lived in the 6th century AD, and is one of the three patron saints of Ireland, along with Brigid and Patrick. A collateral ancestor, and patron saint, of the O’Donnells of Tyrconnell, he wrote the Cathach psalter (facsimile of a manuscript page below left), converted the pagan Picts, of what later became known as Scotland, to Christianity, founded the monastery of Iona where later Scottish kings were buried. One of our own kin of the Cenel Conaill, and O'Donnell precursor from Loch Gartan in Donegal, as a pre-Schismatic saint, he is venerated by Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants. He is also inadvertently responsible for the first codification of copyright law in the world, when judged wrong for copying a psalter "to every cow its calf, and to each book (belongs) its copy". That judgment, codified in the Brehon Laws of ancient Ireland caused a war, a regicide, and his exile that led to the conversion of Scotland, and the first codification in ancient Brehon law of the notion of copyright, well over a thousand years before the modern equivalent in the Statute of Anne, the Copyright Act of 1710. The famous copy became the Cathach or battle-book of the O'Donnell dynasty, and Columba went on to found famous monasteries, notably at Iona, in Scotland. His monks also founded the church of St. Germain-en-Laye, outside Paris, where Stuart exiles were laid to rest, and where Sean or Jean Count O'Donnell wed in 1711, founding a dynasty of French O'Donnell counts in France until extinct in 1879. The early Scots were the Irish Gaels who gave their name to their colony, Scotland. The Cumdach (illustration below right), or book-shrine of the Cathach, was once adorned with lapis lazuli that often adorned some such book shrines - evidence of early medieval trade reaching far-off Afghanistan. Click icon for Cathach text:
An Tiomna Nuadh
- The New Testament
in Gaelic translation direct from the Greek, by Uilliam O'Domhnuill (William O'Donnell). Trinity College Dublin is “The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity near Dublin founded by the Most Serene Queen Elizabeth” Queen of England, France and Ireland, per Charter of 3 March 1592. The three first scholars mentioned in the Charter were Henry Lee, William Daniell, and Stephen White. This William Daniell (O’Donnell) was also a Gaelic scholar, known as Uilliam O’Domhnuill, who translated the New Testament into Irish (Gaeilge) from the Greek. Afterwards one of the college's first elected Fellows, while at Trinity College, he took up the work of translating The New Testament (Tiomna Nuadh) into Irish, the quarto edition of which was printed in 1681-5. He became the Anglican Archbishop of Tuam. Here is a nineteenth century re-print of the original, from 1849.
HERALDRY - COAT of ARMS
The Vision of the Cross, Emperor Constantine the Great's vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (by the School of Raphael in the Sala Costantino, Apostolic Palace, Vatican). The vision inspired the grant of the Arms of the Holy Cross by Saint Patrick to Conall, ancestor of the O'Donnells, and the motto,In Hoc Signo Vinces, which appears in Greek in this painting: "Εν τούτῳ νίκα" (by this sign, conquer).
The O'Donnells of Tyrconnell
-A Hidden Legacy
This book is presented for those including the many at home and abroad in the Irish diaspora with an interest in the hidden heritage of Ireland to lend a glimpse into the Ireland that was, and the diversity of yearnings and perspectives that made it was it is today. Curious academics, historians and genealogists may also find something of value.
Published by Academica Press LLC, Washington D.C.
under its Maunsel Irish Research Series
Release date: February 2019
ISBN: Hardcover: 978-1680534740
Writings & Publications
OTHER WORKS
Own works published
Analytical articles, essays, chapters, papers, and blogs; and other literary material; compilations, bibliographies and bibliographical collections:
Artistic Creations
Oil paintings, watercolours, and other sketches, drawings, etc. (see also the top tab: Corporeal). Musical compositions, scores, and recordings.