neither brother is referred to as mac domhnaill (i.e., the head of the clan), and raghallaigh suggests it may have a bearing on a possible dispute between aodh buidhe and alasdar for the chieftainship. while aodh buidhe is given laudatory praise, alasdar is portrayed as a 'fearsome warrior' who is nevertheless subordinate to his brother. nevertheless, alasdar succeeded on the death of their father, an calbach, in 1570. he held the position till his death in 1577, following which aodh buidhe succeeded him.