Ellis MacDonnell, Countess of Antrim

In 1604 Alice married Randal MacDonnell, the fourth son of Sorley Boy MacDonnell, Lord of the Glynns and the Route.^[13][14] Alice was described as "of good cheerful aspect, freckled, not tall but strong, well set, and acquainted with the English tongue".^[15] Her marriage was a dynastic match that brought Tyrone into an alliance with the MacDonnells, the dominant family in northern County Antrim, who also had strong connections in Scotland. Tyrone's other children made similar marriages with leading families across Ulster. Despite being Gaelic and Catholic, Randal was a strong supporter of settling Scottish Protestants in north-eastern Ulster, anticipating the Ulster Plantation.^[16] After the Flight of the Earls in 1607, when her father fled into exile in continental Europe,^[17] Ellis's husband became the foremost Gaelic aristocrat in Ulster following.^{[citation needed]}

Alice and Randal had two sons, both of whom followed their father as earls:

1. Randal MacDonnell, a leading courtier under Charles I known for his involvement in the War of the Three Kingdoms
2. Alexander MacDonnell succeeded to the title in 1683, and is best known as a Catholic leader during the Williamite Wars who had the city gates shut on him at the beginning of the Siege of Derry in 1688

—and six daughters:

1. Ann, married firstly Christopher, Lord Delvin, and secondly William Fleming, Baron of Slane^[18]
2. Mary, married firstly Lucas, 2nd Viscount Dillon, and secondly Oliver, 6th Lord Louth^[19]
3. Sarah, married firstly Neile-Oge O'Neill of Killileagh in County Antrim, secondly Charles O'Conor Sligo, and thirdly Donald Macarthy More^[20]
4. Catherine, married Edward Plunkett of Castlecor^[21]
5. Rose, married Colonel Gordon, commander of a regiment in Robert Munroe's army^[22]
6. Margaret, (died 1623) never married^[23]

In 1607 her father Hugh O'Neill left Ireland with the Flight of the Earls. He died in Rome in 1616.^[24][17] On 12 December 1620, her husband was created Earl of Antrim^[25] and Alice thereby became countess. Her husband died in 1636.^[26][27] Alice outlived him by almost 30 years. She was still alive in 1663.^[27] According to Jane Ohlmeyer, Alice died c. 1665.^[28]