Career
His name, which means left-handed or crafty, was anglicised as Colkitto (Collkitto), and he became a figure of legend. However he only used the nickname late in his life in 1629 when it appeared in a Latin translation of a Gaelic letter where College refers to himself as Ego Collatius Kiotach Macdonnell. He was normally known as College Macgilespik or a variant of this, or as College MacDonald.He died aged 77 at Dunyvaig Castle.
Some English speakers concluded that "College" must be his military rank and that "Ciotach" was a surname.
So he was also referred to as: Colonell Kittoghie, Colonel Kittack, Collonell McGillespick, Colonel Coill McDonnell alias McGillespick, Colonel
Killa and Colonel Macdonald. Others took "College" or "College Ciotach" as places, and so they introduced "MacDonald of College" and "MacDonald of Kolkitto".
Colonel Ciotach, a Highland Catholic by birth, but born in Ireland, was able to recruit troops for that war in Ireland.
His birthplace is given as Loughlynch, which is in the parish of Billy, County Antrim, mother"s name as a local O"Quinn or O"Cahan (O"Kane). This family is alluded to in a sonnet of John Milton (Sonnet XI) which has a line referring to three generations:
Colkitto or Macdonnel or Galasp. Galasp stands in for Gillespie (anglicised name).
Properly Colonel Ciotach can be called College Mac Gillespick MacDonald, College Keitache MacGillespick M"Donald.
Gilleasbuig (Archibald), killed at Dunaverty Castle in 1647. Aonghus (Angus), killed at Dunaverty Castle in 1647.
Alastair (Alexander), married Elizabeth MacAlister, died at Battle of Knocknanauss in 1647. Seamus (James).
