At the time of the Scottish restoration when persecutions, hardships and cruelties prevailed against the Presbyterians, the MacKirdys, who were of this faith and branch would likely have become extinct had not Pethrick and his four brothers fled from Scotland.

Wodrow tells us that in the Spring of 1666 came the severest visitation of cruelties yet known and the Presbyterians arose in arms. He says, "In the middle of November of 1666 occurred the rising, but all was against the Presbyterians as they were undisciplined, their horses untrained, and the royal army was too powerful. Soon the rising forces were scattered; some were killed, many of the prisoners were executed, and those of note who escaped were forfeited in life and fortune in their absence,"

In the latter part of November of 1666, the five MacKirdy brothers; Pethrick, David, William, John, and Daniel escaped in an open oar boat through a blinding snow storm and rowed across the turbulent sea. After the dangerous voyage, they sought shelter from the storm on one of the rocky islets near the north coast of Ireland. Sailing on the third day to the mainland, they landed near Giant's Causeway on the coast of County Antrim. After locating in Ireland they changed the spelling of their name to McCURDY.