Thank you very much for this information. I'm writing historical fiction, and my second main character is loosely based on the life of Shane O'Neill (Shane the Proud). Some of the documented events of his life (e.g. unanimous election of him as the next O'Neill, his strife with a certain English viceroy, etc.), as well as the names of well-known historical figures (e.g. Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Stuart, etc.), remain unchanged. However, I have changed his first name and use the spelling "O'Neal" for his family name in order to further distance the fictional character from the actual person. Having said this, anyone familiar with the history of the 16th century Ireland will easily recognize Shane O'Neill in my character, so I don't want to change his clan name beyond recognition.

The main character's surname (I need one for my novel ) is McKinnon, as someone on this forum suggested this is Scottish in origin (which is fine) and loosely means "love, beloved, etc.). Once again, my novel is a work of fiction, so my creative license comes into play more often than not!

I would appreciate any feedback, good or bad!

One nitpick: nobody suggested it means ‘beloved’, in Gaelic it is MacFhionghain (in Irish often as Mac Fhionghuine), and means ‘son (descendant) of Fionghuine (Findanus or Fingon)’ and Fionghuine means ‘fair-born; born fair-haired’. The name has nothing to do with the concept of love. ;-)

Well, I suggested Mac Ionmhain (mod. spelling Mac Ionúin), also anglicized McKinnon, page 2 of this thread (viewtopic.php?f=28&t=5790&start=10#p44736)

You can call me Nobody

Oups, somehow I missed this post and haven’t found this surname myself. In that case I take my words back.

Just revisiting these, if it's not too late ...

I wish to do it myself.
Is mian liom féin é a dhéanamh. (in person, personally)
or
Is mian liom é a dhéanamh asam féin. (by myself, by my own devices)

I'll make sure you get to then.
Cinnteoidh mé gur tusa a dhéanfaidh é, mar sin.
(I will ensure that it is you who will do it then.)

You did it yourself, Jane.
Rinne tusa thú féin é, a ~. (no one else is to blame)
or
Rinne tú asat féin é, a ~. (all by yourself, by your own ability)

You made it possible, Jim.
Is tusa a thug an deis dom, a ~. (It is you who gave me the opportunity.)

You made sure that I could, Jim.
Is tusa a chuir ar mo chumas é, a ~. (It is you who enabled me (to do it))

Sorry for stirring up the pot again ...

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WARNING: Intermediate speaker - await further opinions, corrections and adjustments before acting on my advice.
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Although this is grammatically correct, there are better ways to say "I love you" in Irish. Three of the more idiomatic ones are:

Mo ghrá thú. "I love you" literally "you are my love"

Tá mo chroí istigh ionat. "I love you" literally "my heart is in you" ("I've given you my heart" ?).

Is tusa mo ghrá "I love you" literally "you are my love".

There's a sound file and pronunciation explanation for the first here.

There's a sound file and pronunciation explanation for the second here.

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WARNING: Intermediate speaker - await further opinions, corrections and adjustments before acting on my advice.
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Thank you very much, Breandán! Everything you posted is super helpful!!