Mac
Somhairle Buidhe - McDonnell of Antrim
 The
Right Honourable Alexander Randal Mark McDonnell, 14th Earl of
Antrim and Chief of the McDonnells of Antrim.
Along the northeast coast of Ireland
lies County Antrim, a wild, beautiful place, with natural wonders
along the rugged shores. It is here the family draws its heritage
from days of Sorley Boy and the title eventually bestowed.
The Earl of Antrim, Alexander Randal
Mark MacDonnell, was born February 3, 1935. His father was the 13th Earl of Antrim KBE.
His mother, Angela Christina, was a
professional sculptor. She studied privately in Brussels and the
British School in Rome. She held the distinction of being one of the
youngest sculptors ever to exhibit at the Royal Academy. Also
exhibiting in England and Ireland, her work was collected privately
and by institutions. She also passed her talent and love of art to
her sons. She died in 1984.
The Earl attended Downside, a well known Catholic boarding school in
England. He went on to Oxford, studying history, then to Ruskin
College (at Oxford) with a diploma in art. Melding the two fields,
he went on to study art restoration in London under Professor
Ruhemann at the National Gallery.
1969-71 found then Viscount Dunluce as
Restorer at the Ulster Museum, on to the Tate Gallery 1965-1975. He
was Keeper of Conservation 1975-95. Director of Collection Services
was added to his duties from 1990-95.
While the family uses their ancestral
estate in Glenarm, the Earl still retains the original castle,
Dunluce. It is leased to the governing authorities for tourist
management. There is some restoration construction at this time, and
happily, with Earl's supervision, the historic integrity of the
architecture can be maintained.
He has two daughters and a son, the
present Viscount Dunluce, Randal, by a previous marriage. Randal
works in London and is an active presence at Glenarm.
The Earl met the former Elizabeth
Sacher, daughter of the late Michael Moses Sacher, and married in
1977. She restored art until she became allergic to the chemicals
necessary to her work. The Countess now uses her talents to restore
dollhouses. They have a daughter. The Earl has also been involved in
other pursuits: Director of Ulster Television 1982-2000; Chairman,
Northern Salmon Company, Ltd.; Member of the Executive Committee of
the City and Guilds Art School. He enjoys painting and vintage cars.
Sir Ian of Sleat notes he was
privileged to announce the addition of the Earl of Antrim to the
High Council of Clan Donald several years ago at Glencoe.
Sloinneadh: Alasdair Ragnhaill
mac Ragnhaill Iain mhic Ragnhaill 'ic Uilleam 'ic Marc 'ic Te�rlag nic Ragnhaill Uilleam 'ic Alasdair 'ic Ragnhaill 'ic Alasdair 'ic
Ragnhaill Arranach 'ic Somhairle Buidhe 'ic Alasdair 'ic Iain
Cathanach 'ic Iain Mhor 'ic Domhnaill Balloch 'in Iain Mhor Tanaiste
'ic Eoin 'ic Aonghais Og 'ic Aonghais Mhor 'ic Domhnaill 'ic
Ragnhaill 'ic Somhairle.
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