Archive for Isle of Barra
“THE GALLEY” will feature a Two Part summary of the Hermon MacNeil Biography..
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Happy New Year
2024 will welcome a new issue of
THE GALLEY.
THE GALLEY, (issue #47, for Fall/Winter 2023) arrives in January 2024. It will feature a summary of the first half of the recent biography of Hermon Atkins MacNeil. This book, (researched, written, and published) by James Haas has been previewed several times here since its release in November 2022.
THE GALLEY is the official magazine of the Clan MacNeil Association of America edited by Vicki Sanders Corporon. As a teen she assisted her mother, Nellie McNeill Sanders, who was then Editor. Ever since, they continued the mother/daughter labors leading to Vicki following her mother as Editor.
Under Vicki’s watch THE GALLEY has grown into a bound full-color volume published semi-annually. It is mailed world-wide to all members of the Association as a privilege of membership.
MEMBERSHIP: You may join the Clan MacNeil Association (CLICK HERE) with or without kinship. You will enjoy receiving and reading THE GALLEY.
GALLEY of Spring/ Summer 2014
My upcoming articles are the fourth and fifth that I have written for THE GALLEY. 1, 2, 3. Part 2 will condense the second half of Haas’ book and be featured in the Spring/Summer issue of THE GALLEY.
I enjoy writing for THE GALLEY and working with Vicki Corporon. Many factors contribute to that pleasure:
- Our travel through Scotland and Isle of Barra in 2014 has generated tremendous knowledge, imagery, and appreciation for my Scottish heritage (MacNeil and McKay).
My 14 years as Webmaster of this website has allowed me to produce nearly 300 postings. My reading, research, photography, and travel have become my retirement career.
- My collaboration with James E. Haas through these years AND his continued research and publication of the Hermon MacNeil Biography have produced parallel research heightening public interest and awareness of Hermon Atkins MacNeil.
Roger Bow with his MacNeil Medallion at the MacNeil Flushing Memorial NYC (8-23-2020)
- I’ve spent the last decade traveling and photographing monuments, statues, and geography associated with MacNeil’s life and accumulated a database of resources for my writing.
- Through the website, I have met so many MacNeil descendants and enthusiasts (I call them my “Friends of https://HermonAtkinsMacNeil.com)
- My minting of the MacNeil Medallion commemorative in 2016 has increased knowledge and enthusiasm for Hermon Atkins MacNeil, the Standing Liberty Quarter.
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2016 MacNeil Medallion marking the 150th Anniversary the birth of Hermon A. MacNeil. Commissioned by our webmaster, these numbered medals are available on eBay.
2016 MacNeil Medallion marking the 15th Anniversary of his birth. Available on eBay.
Articles in THE GALLEY by the Webmaster. ___
- Daniel Neil Leininger, “Clan MacNeil Connections and Hermon Atkins MacNeil.” THE GALLEY, SPRING/SUMMER 2014; Vol.VI, No. 48, Pages 1, 15-21.
- Daniel Neil Leininger, “100 Years Ago in New York City, Relatives United to Form the Clan MacNeil Association of America.” THE GALLEY, SPRING/SUMMER 2021; Vol.VI, No. 62, Pages 14-20.
- Daniel Neil Leininger, “Kisimul Castle: Centennial Stories”. THE GALLEY, FALL/WINTER 2021; Vol.VI, No. 63, Pages 12-22.
Related posts:
- Hermon MacNeil Featured in “The Galley” (8.8) “Clan MacNeil Connections and Hermon Atkins MacNeil” The current issue…
- Hermon Atkins MacNeil to be featured in “The Galley” (8.7) Hermon MacNeil was the first president of the Clan MacNeil…
- Hermon Atkins MacNeil: BIOGRAPHY Published !!! (8) Author and historian, James E. Haas has completed “Hermon Atkins…
- 2021 ~~ “MacNeil Clan of America” ~~ 100th Year ~~ “GALLEY” Celebrates (Issue Spring/Summer 2021) (7.1) Chartered in 1921 by Robert Lister MacNeil, Barra XLV, with…
- Hermon MacNeil Led “MacNeil Clan of America” 1928 (6.7) For more of Clan MacNeil Association of America and CELTIC…
- Hermon MacNeil’s bronze bust of Evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1920) ~ “We Found It, Uncle Hermon!” (5.6) At age 78 Hermon MacNeil wrote an autobiographical sketch…
Related Images:
Chartered in 1921 by Robert Lister MacNeil, Barra XLV, with
Hermon A. MacNeil as its first president, the
R L MacNeil, Barra XLV
Hermon Atkins MacNeil
Association
of America”
celebrates its
Centennial year
1921 — 2021
SEE Upcoming Issue of
~ ~ Vicki Corpron, Editor ~ ~
Read the Introduction of my Article below these Tartans . . .
MacNeil of Barra (ANCIENT Tartan)
MacNeil of Barra (MODERN Tartan)
HERE IS TEASER of my ARTICLE IN THE Upcoming GALLEY …
100 Years ago, in New York City, a Story of
The Clan MacNeil Association of America
Robert Lister MacNeil — Hermon Atkins MacNeil
… and 56 other MacNeils
Daniel Neil Leininger
The year 2021 marks the Centennial of the founding of the Clan MacNeil Association of America. While the Galley, celebrates the Clan MacNeil with every issue, this one sings it — a “wee bit” louder – well, actually more in forte. One hundred years, that’s auld lang syne. (old long ago). So, let’s stop, remember, and celebrate the founding of this Association and those who made it possible.
Robert Lister MacNeil, Barra XIV, 1915
The Association is Born. One century has now passed since Robert Lister MacNeil, The MacNeil of Barra XIV, called a meeting on May 26, 1921 at the Caledonian Club in New York City. Hermon A. MacNeil, on behalf of the Barra, sent out a call to clansmen. Those who responded came together that night and accomplished four things: 1) formally organized the Association, 2) elected officers, 3.) adopted a constitution of three articles, and 4) recorded in Article 3 a list of Charter Members from across America — the United States and Canada. This event marked the official birth of the Clan MacNeil Association of America with Robert Lister MacNeil, the Barra XIV, as the patron of brighter days for MacNeils in America and Scotland.
[Full Article will be posted here after publication in Spring/Summer Issue]
Your GALLEY subscription is included (click HERE) in the Annual MacNeil Membership.
CLICK HERE for my previous FULL article in The GALLEY
Cover of GALLEY with Dan Leininger’s article in Spring/ Summer 2014
Page 1
Link to 2014 Galley Article: Clan “MacNeil Connections …”
ALL MacNeil Clan members recieve the GALLEY
Related posts:
- Kisimul Castle the home of the MacNeil Chieftans (4) Kisimul Castle was the 14th Century home of the…
- MacNeil Kinsman ~ Hermon Atkins MacNeil and Robert Lister MacNeil (3) We celebrate “MacNeil Month” each February. This February 27, 2014…
- MacNeil Month ~~ February 2016 ~~ 150 Years (3) The year 2016 marks the sesquicentennial of the birth of…
- 153rd Anniversary of the Birth of Hermon Atkins MacNeil ~ American Sculptor ~ Feb 27, 1866 (3) I never met Hermon MacNeil. I never met my maternal…
- Hermon MacNeil Led “MacNeil Clan of America” 1928 (2) For more of Clan MacNeil Association of America and CELTIC…
- MacNeil Postcard ~~ Feb 27, 2018 ~~ Hermon MacNeil Birthday #152 (2) This Feb 27th of 2018 marks the 152 Anniversary of…
MacNeil of Barra Modern Tartan – Homespun Wool Blend Tartan Fabric
Related Images:
MacNeil Postcard ~~ Feb 27, 2018 ~~ Hermon MacNeil Birthday #152
Posted by: | CommentsThis Feb 27th of 2018 marks the 152 Anniversary of the birth of HERMON ATKINS MacNEIL. We celebrate with a little MacNeil history.
American sculptor of hundreds of pieces and monuments all over this country, 1st President of the Clan MacNeil Association of America,
Eight years ago this website started gathering the many images and stories associated with his life and work. The Clan name traces back to to the Island of Barra in the Western Hebrides of Scotland.
The Kisimul Castle in Castle Bay was restored by the MacNeil of Barra XLV –Robert Lister MacNeil. The story of the Clan and the Castle are told in his book, Castle in the Sea: The Macneil of Barra XLV, published in 1964. His son Ian Roderick Macneil, Chief, Clan Macneil, published a revised 2nd edition 1975.
The Kisimul Castle is featured in cameo on this postcard “The Macneil” by Raphael Tuck and Sons. (Publishers to their Majesties the King and Queen) as part of their series “SCOTTISH CLANS.” Series VI; Postcard 9481.
The reverse of this never used postcard contains a Clan history of the two branches of the MacNeils:
No Date is found on the Postcard
MacNeil Chief greets visitors arriving to the Kisimul Castle for the 2014 Gathering of the MacNeil Clan.
The 2014 Gathering of the Clan was celebrated at the Castle and across Barra. I had the priviledge to attend the festivities and to tour Scotland for three weeks with Donna, my wife. It was a memorable trip of a lifetime and an inauguration of our retirement years. 
Webmaster, Daniel Neil Leininger in kilt at Kisimul Castle in the summer of 2014.
Related Images:
Kisimul Castle the home of the MacNeil Chieftans
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Roderick Wilson MacNeil of Barra, 47th Chief, stands at Kisimul Castle. (August 2014 dnl)
Webmaster, Daniel Neil Leininger in kilt at Kisimul Castle in the summer of 2014.
Kisimul Castle was the 14th Century home of the MacNeil Chiefs.
In 2014, the current Chief, Roderick Wilson MacNeil, received the Clan members at a Reunion of the MacNeil Clan on Barra. Here he stands outside the boat landing to the Castle.
In the courtyard of Kisimul Castle two young Lasses were playing bagpipes to welcome the visitors. 
The castle home of the MacNeil Chieftains has been restored and contains many of the ancient objects of the clan.
“Vincere Vel Mori” Conquer or Die ~ The MacNeil motto over the crest and coat of arms.
The MacNeil Crest graces the wall of the Great Room above the fireplace.
Weapons hang from the far wall ascending the stairway.
The MacNeil Gathering inside Kisimul Castle August 2014. MacNeil’s from Scotland, Barra, Canada, and the USA stand together
According to the MacNeil Clan Association website: 
“In 1937 Kisimul castle and most of the Island of Barra were brought back into the family when Robert L(ister) MacNeill, a descendant of the 22nd chief, returned from the United States, purchased most of Barra and spent his life restoring Kisimul Castle. His son, the 46th chief, (was) a law Professor and divid(ed) his time between Scotland and the United States.” (Source: http://www.clanmacneilusa.us/?page_id=61 )
SOURCES:
Clan MacNeil — http://www.clanmacneilusa.us/?page_id=61
Historic Scotland — http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_189&PropName=Kisimul%20Castle
PHOTO CREDITS: Dan Leininger (Copyright 2014)
.
The castle has since been placed under the protectorship of Historic Environment Scotland. This allows for the perpetual preservation of this site as a Scottish national treasure.
It opens it also to attract thousands of visitors annually to experience the serene beauty of the Isle of Barra ~ the westernmost habitation of the Outer Hebrides.
The beautiful Isle of Barra was (as the local Scots say ) truly a “Barradise” of MacNeil sights and Scottish Heritage. The natural undisturbed beauty makes it a restful where the wash of the waves wash sing you to sleep at night, and the sea gulls gently wake you in the morning.
SOURCES:
- Clan MacNeil — http://www.clanmacneilusa.us/?page_id=61
- Historic Scotland — http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_189&PropName=Kisimul%20Castle
- PHOTO CREDITS: Dan Leininger
Related Images:
MacNeil Month ~~ February 2016 ~~ 150 Years
Posted by: | CommentsThe year 2016 marks the sesquicentennial of the birth of Hermon Atkins MacNeil on February 27, 1886.
Hermon Atkins MacNeil about the time of his Standing Liberty works.
While we celebrate each February as “MacNeil Month,” this year is extra special as the 150th anniversary of his birth.
Several events during 2016 will acknowledge that here on HermonAtkinsMacNeil.com:
.
- The newly commissioned 2016 MacNeil Medallion will be available for sale on eBay. CLICK HERE
- Postings will continue to celebrate the life and art of Hermon A. MacNeil.
- Kisimul Castle the home of the MacNeil Chieftans from the 14th century, will be featured.
- The origins of the MacNeil Clan on the Isle of Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides will be visited with photos and history .
- The webmaster’s ongoing travels and activity will be presented as his “Search for Uncle Hermon” continues as a odyssey of retirement.
- Antique “MacNeil Postcards” of some of his sculptures across the U. S. will be presented as features.
- MacNeil’s years in Paris will be revisited with photos of the newly restored Ecole de Beaux Arts where he studied and taught.
- MacNeil’s teachers in Paris will be featured with photos of their sculptures in the Musee d’Orsay in the center of Paris. This museum was built as the railroad station for the Universal Exposition of 1900 in which MacNeil and his contemporary sculptors exhibited and received prizes.
- Our recent Travels to Scotland will be featured with photos and stories.
- Our travels to France this year will be shared.
ALL in ALL, 2016 begins as a banner year for this website. SO stay tuned.
Better yet, SUBSCRIBE by clicking the button.
