Connemara

The Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin were a family of professional historians in medieval and early modern Ireland. They originated in the kingdom of Annaly (also known as Conmaicne Maigh Rein) on the east bank of the Shannon (mostly situated in what is now Co. Longford) and later migrated into Connacht. The earliest known reference to a bearer of the surname dates to 1296, when, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. However, the family themselves can be traced back with confidence several centuries further, ultimatly to Maine of Tethba, an alleged son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. While Maine's relationship is probably fictitious, there seems to be no good reason for doubting that the O Duibhgeannain descend from the figure claimed as an ancestor by the rulers of Hy-Many. Conmaicne Mara is bordered on the west by Lough Corrib.

The Annals of Connacht, covering the years 1224 to 1544, are drawn from a manuscript compiled in the 15th and 16th centuries by at least three scribes, all believed to be members of the ClanÓ Duibhgeannáin. The early sections, commencing with the death of King Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair of Connacht, are exceptionally detailed and give a good account of Connacht affairs during the 13th and early to mid 14th century, particularly for families of Ó Conchobhair and Burke.

The Conmaicne of Magh Réin (descendants of Con Mhac) were said to have come to southern Co. Leitrim, from the Dunmore area of County Galway, in the first quarter of the 6th century. Three family groupings were noted - the Muintir Eolius, Muintir Cearballain and the Cenél Luachain. Of particular note was the powerful Muintir Anghaile (O'Farrell of Annaly, co. Longford) who are also claimed to descend from the Conmaicne Réin, their territory in co. Longford often included as part of Conmaicne Réin as well as part of Teathbha. Located on the west side of Lough Gowna in Co. Longford, possibly extending into south Leitrim, Muintir Geradháin or Mag Fhionnbhairr (e.g. Mac Ginver, Gaynor, or Finnevar) were noted chiefs. They take their name from a mythical ancestor known as Con Mhac "hound son".

The Conmhaicne Mara (the Conmhaicne of the sea) were Located in what is now the extreme west of County Galway and gave their name to the territory they occupied i.e. Connemara, which is the anglicised form of Conmhaicne Mara. The territory of Conmhaicne Mara / Connemara covers all of the barony of Ballynahinch and the civil parish of Inishbofin, which is in the barony of Murrisk. The Érainn were the second of the Celtic groups to come to Ireland. When the first inhabitants of the Arans, probably coastal fishers from the Connemara region, arrived on Inis Mór, they found it divided into two distinct regions, much as it is today. The highest parts of the island faced the Atlantic, sheltering the fertile lowlands from the violent storms that lash the western coast of Ireland. From their safe harbors facing the Connemara coast, the islanders could send out boats to catch the abundant fish of Galway Bay or the Atlantic, and they could build houses and farms on the sheltered lowlands. Irish (Gaelic) is still the first language for many of the inhabitants.

The area of County Galway in which Connemara lies is known as Iar Connacht ie the portion of County Galway west of Loch Corrib and a small piece of County Mayo. The territory contains the five Catholic parishes of

Other branches of the Conmhaicne located in what is now County Galway include the Conmaicne Toland, the Conmaicne Dun Mor. The parish of Kilconickny, which means "church of the Conmaicne" is located west of the town of Loughrea, nearby Clonfert. Loughrea (Baile Locha Riach in Irish) is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The town lies on Loch Riach, "the grey lake" although some say the name derives from Loch Riabhach which means "speckled lake" which seems more appropriate given its beauty. The town has a range of hills along its southern boundary. The only remaining buildings from medieval times are St. Brigids Church in Caherwalter, the Town Gate and the Carmelite Abbey and Graveyard.

Chiefs of Conmaicne Rein (Muintir Eolais) included Reynolds (Mac Raghnaill, Mac Rannall), with the O'Rourke (Uí Ruairc) dynasty cited as over-lords of this area. A Mulvey (Maoil Mhiadhaigh) sept was cited early as chiefs of Tellach Cearbhallan in Muintir Eolais. An early genealogy of the Conmaicne is given as: Finer, son of Cúmscrach (aka Cumascrach) m. Cécht m. Eircc m. Erccdail m. Duib m. Ma Druaid m. Nertai m. Fhernertai m. Cécht m. h-Uisli m. Béirre m. Beidbi m. Luigdech m. Conmaic (a quo Conmaicne) m. Oirbsen Máir (a quo Loch n-Oirbsen).

 

Various septs of are given in the Book of Fenagh as:


Clann Uadach (or Uatach) - The O'Fallons (Ó Fallamhain) were noted as chiefs of Clan Uadach, aka Clann Fhuadach, a territory comprising much of the present parishes of Cam and Dysart in the barony of Athlone, Co. Roscommon. There was also an apparently unrelated sept of Ua Fallamhain (O'Fallon of Crich na Cetach) centered near the barony of Warrenstown, county Offaly. Perhaps related to these were the people of Caille Fallamhain, a territory noted near the barony of Moygoish, in the north of county Westmeath, with Ua Lorcáin and Ua Clérchéin cited as chiefs in the 11th century.

An early genealogy of Clann Uadach: Seoan m. Aedha m. Riain m. Aedha m. Donncaidh m. Floind m. Maeleclainn m. Diarma m. Aedha m. Diarmada m. Muircertaigh m. Floind m. Ferchair m. Fallamhain (Ui Fallamain) m. Floind m. Ceinnedigh m. Uadac m. Aedha bailb m. Innrachtaigh m. Muiredaig mhuilethain.

The Clann Chointeagain (or MacGilfoyles) The Clann Choinleagain or MacGilfoyles (Mac Giolla Phoil) were an ancient clan in the territory of the O’Carrolls of Ely, being chiefs of the territory around Shinrone, South Offally.

The Corca Dhuibhne were a great clan in West Kerry, the chief families of which were the O’Connells and the O’Sheas. The O’Connells (0 Conaill) of Kerry were formerly chiefs of Magh 0 gCoinchin, in the east of County Kerry until dispossessed by the O’Donoghues about the middle of the eleventh century. The O’Connells then followed MacCarthy Mor, for whom they were hereditary castellans of Ballycarbery, near Caherciveen.