clare

Bunratty (Lower)	This area was earlier part of the cantred of Dál Gaes, also named Tradaree. O'Aherne and O'Kearney are given as chiefs of Uí Cearnaidh (Cearnaigh) and "Six Mile Bridge" marks their territory, which also included part of Tulla, up to the 14th century. The Dalcassian O'Kearneys migrated to Cashel. The Clann Dealbhaoith anciently inhabited the Barony of Bunratty, in the south of County Clare. The main stem of the clan was the ancient family of Ó Neill of Thomond, but this family is now represented by its two modern branches, O’Nihills of Limerick (from the Norse form of Ó Neill) and the Creaghs of Bunratty. The Greaghs (Craobhach) derive their cognomen of Creagh from one of their ancestors who carried a green branch in a battle against the Limerick Vikings (called Danes though of Norwegian origin). They subsequently became a respectable merchant family in Limerick, and later also in Cork, while keeping up their connection with Clare as well. The family provided several distinguished churchmen in the fifteenth century. Deer Island Saint Luchtigern lived during the early sixth century, A.D. Immediately adjoining the town is Ennistymon Castle (Innis Diamain), formerly a seate of the O'Brien family, descendants of the Earls of Thomond.
Bunratty (Upper)	An area which was very early a part of the cantred of Dál Gaes, also named Ó gCaisin. From the early North Munster territories, the Ó mBloid and Ó gCaisin are given as Dalcassian septs, descended from the sons of Cas. Ó Neill, chief of Finnluarach, aka Clan Delbuidhe (Dalvy) is noted here. The sept of MacNamara Fyne were noted as chiefs of West Clancullen in the barony of Bunratty. Tuath Echtghe This district, comprising the greater part of the celebrated mountain of Sliabh Echtghe, from which it takes its name, is mentioned in MacNamara’s Rent Roll as a distinct territory. From Feakle Parish, Two churches, in other parts of Ireland, derive their name of Feakle from St. Patrick’s teeth, one in Tipperary, and the other in Armagh.
Burren	In early days the area ir was also known as Hy Lochlean, or Bhurrin, where the O'Loghlins or O'Laghlins were chiefs. Clan-na-Rory It was also part of Corca Modhruadh, a territory co-extensive with the Diocese of Kilfenora. The chief families of this clan were the O'Loughlins, the O'Connors and at one time possibly the O Garbh (O'Garvan). Abbey and New Quay on the shores of the harbour of Burren in the bay of Galway, and on the road from Galway to Ennistymon, derives its name from an ancient Cistertian abbey founded here, either by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, in 1194, or by his son Donough Carbrac O'Brien, in the yeare 1200. The Selgovae and the Brigantes
Clonderlaw	Originally the eastern part of Corca Baiscinn, it was also referred to as Clan Cuilean where the McNamaras presided. Irish chiefs and clans of ancient Ormond (and Ely) Mac Mathghamha (MacMahon) were later chiefs and lords of Corca Baiskind here and in the barony of Moyarta. The Lords of Oriel A clan prince, Brian Boru succeeded his brother Mathghamhain, who had seized the throne of Munster from the Eogharacht rulers (963). The O'Boland clan is also cited here, as well as Kilroy, chief of Clonderlaw.
Corcomroe	Mac Fhlannchaidh (MacClancy) held their seate of power here at Cahirmacclanchy. MacClancy Castle The O'Connors and O'Loughlins of Clare hail from this area (Burren barony) as chiefs of Corcu Mhuadh, a territory which included this barony. The (Inishowen) return of Byngham and the Commissioners, 3 Oct. 1585. O'Connor is also cited as chief of the territory of Fear Arda. The O'Connors who became kings of Connaught were the head chiefs of Siol Murray; and took their name from Conchobhar or Connor, who was a king of Connaught in the tenth century. The grandson of this Conchobhar, Tadhg an Eich Geal or Teige of the White Steed, who was king of Connaught in the beginning of the eleventh century, and who died A.D. 1030, was the first who took the sirname of "O'Connor." The area around Lough Allen (Co. Kerry) was divided into districts ruled by local clans. Conchubhar was the son of Ruidhri O'Connor the last Ard Ri of Ireland. O'Davoren was cited as a chief brehon, and chief of Muintir Lidheagha, seated at Lisdoonvarna. From the North, the (unaspirated) Mac Tighearnain were the even more distant Clann Fergaile closely related to Maguire (Fergal a quo clann Fergaile was the king of Fermanagh) and a third sept, also Mac Tighearnain were descended from Tigearnan O'Connor great grandson of Turlough Mór, the high king of Ireland. The Islands of Arran formed part of Corcomroe
Ibrickan	Early known as Hy-Bracain (Thomond, Dublin-Kerry) with O'Mulcorcra(?) as chief. Also referred to as Ibh Caisin and held by the Cumhead-mor O'Briens, ancestors of the O'Briens. MacConsaidin (MacConsidine) are noted here. MacBrody were hereditary historians in Thomond. An O'Gorman (MacGorman) sept were noted as chiefs of Tullichrin, a territory comprising parts of the baronies of Moyarta and Ibrackan, where they settled [from Co. Leix] following the Norman invasion. An O'Mulvey (O'Mulmea) sept, chief of Brentry, is noted here near Slievecallan. With the exception of three parishes in the diocese of Limerick, it is included in the dioceses of Killaloe and Kilfenora, the whole of the latter being comprised within its limits it is wholly in the province of Cashel. For purposes of civil jurisdiction it is divided into the nine baronies of Bunratty, Burren, Clonderlaw, Corcomroe, Ibrickane, Inchiquin, Islands, Moyarta, and Tulla. The parish is in the diocese of Killaloe: the rectory forms part of the union and corps of the prebend of Rath. About a mile northwards from Killaloe, and rising over the road towards Tomgraney is the rocky mountain of Cragliath, far famed, in Irish story, and well known as the habitation of Aoibheal, the banshee of Munster and of the Dalcassians.
Inchiquin	Also know as the triocha Cét of Cineal Fearmaic. Noted here included the Cenél Cuallachta, a branch of the Dál gCais, descended from Aonghus Ceannathrach, son of Cas. O'gRiobta (Griffin) was the chief family of this tribe; The O’Deas (0 Deaghaidh) being the lords of the territory of that name, which comprised the greater part of the present Barony of Inchiquin. The O’Griffeys (0 Griebhta) were the chief family of the Cenél Guallachta in the southeast of what is now the barony of Inchiquin. They followed the O’Deas, and had their castle at Ballygriffy in the parish of Dysert, near Ennis. The name is usually Anglicized as Griffin. The O'Quinns were centered around Corofin, their territory known as Muintear Ifearnain. The O'Deaghaidh (O'Dea) sept were noted as chiefs of Dysart-O'Dea, a considerable territory in the barony of Inchiquin. This parish was formerly called Dysert O’Dea, from its having been the territory of the sept of that name. The Inchiquin line of the powerful O'Brien family (Dysert) An Ó Neill sept, of the Uí Bloid, was noted near here as chiefs of Clan Dalvy and of Tradree. Tuath Echtghe district; comprising the greater part of the celebrated mountain of Sliabh Echtghe. Before the yeare 1318, it was a part of the country of the Uí Bloid, and it is still placed in the Deanery of that name, or as it is Anglicised, O’Mullod. It is likely that it originally formed part of O’Shanahan’s country and descended from Lorcan, a king of Munster, who was grandfather of Brian Boru. (Ormond and Ely)
Islands	The triocha Cét of the Úí Cormaic comprised a large section of this barony. The Cenél Cormaic were also noted in Maenmaigh (descended from Cormac, son of Eoghan, son of Niall?). O'Hart cites O'Donchadha, or O'Donoghoe, were chiefs of Clan Cormaic, a district in Maenmoy in Galway. Maenmagh - aka Maonmag or Moenmoy, a territory round Loch Reagh, co. Galway. A ninth century dictionary Sanas Cormaic, under the names Iarnnbélrae, Iarnbélrae, and Iarmbérla, which, if treated as Old Irish, means "Iron-speech". It was created by Cormac mac Cuilleanáin (836-908), king-bishop of Munster; it is an encyclopaedic dictionary containing simple synonymous explanations in Irish or Latin of Irish words. O hAichir (O'Hehir) were chiefs of Uí Cormaic and Uí Flanchadha in the old territory of Thomond. It was also known by the name Clonroad. The early Dalcassian territories would eventually be formed into the medieval and more modern baronies of Tulla. O'Clohessy is later cited here centered at Ballycloghessy.
Moyarta	Originally the western portion of the chiefs of the triocha Cét named Corca Baiskind. Also known as Hy Garman, of the O'Brien Arta. A MacDonnell sept is also cited as chiefs of the territories of Corca Baisgin or Baiscind. They descend from Domhnall, son of King Murtagh Mor O'Brien. A MacMahon sept succeeded as later chiefs here. When Iniscathy was originally created a diocese it embraced in its episcopal jurisdiction the existing baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw in Thomond; the barony of Connello, in Limerick; and that part of Kerry bordering on the Shannon from the Feal to the Atlantic. In 1188, the diocese was divided between those of Limerick, Killaloe, and Ardfert, the island itself being united to the See of Killaloe. The Uí Toirdealbhaigh - a family of the Dalcassian race; the sixth in descent from Cormac Cas, son of Oilioll Olum, King of Munster in the 3rd century, and a sept of descendants of Toirdealbach (Father of St. Flannan), King of Thomand. Branching out of the race of Cian, son of Oilill Olum, the Clan Cian is found anciently in the territory of h-Éile Muman, among other places. A main branch descends from Cearbhal, lord of Ely, who was descended from Oilioll Olum. Various septs are noted of Éile (Ely).
Tulla (Lower)	Tulla lower and upper were part of the cantred of Dál Gaes, a large portion of this named Ó mBloid. It's original name as a barony is given as Tullaghynaspull. O'Kennedy was found early here at Killaloe before being driven out by the O'Briens and McNamaras. The Thomond O'Hallorans served as chiefs of Faith-ui-Hallurain between the baronies of Tulla and Clare (in Galway) near Lough Derg. O'Grada or O'Grady were cited as chief of Cenél Donghuile (Dongali) here, and were found in the 14th century at Tomgraney parish in Tulla (Upper). O'oney is cited as chiefs of Cuiltenan (Kiltananlea parish). The Uí Bloid family of O'Muldoon (one) is cited in the parish of Ogonelloe.
Tulla (Upper)	Ui Ronghaile, descendants of Ronghal, a branch of the Dál gCais of which the O'Shanahans were chiefs (near Feakle). Their power was dissolved in the 14th century by the McNamaras. The Mac Namaras are cited as chiefs of Tricha Ced Uí Caisin and of Clan Cuilean, the former located in the Tulla baronies and a part of Bunratty. The sept of MacNamara Reagh were noted as chiefs of East Clancullen in the baronies of Upper and Lower Tulla. O'Duibhgin (O'Dugan O'Deegan) were chiefs of Muintir Conlochta, a district in the parish of Tomgraney, in the barony of Upper Tullagh.

About the 13th century the territories within in the modern county of Clare were given as Ó mBloid, Ó gCaisin, Tradaree, Cenél Fearmaic, Uí Cormaic, East Corcabaiscinn, West Corcabaiscinn, Corcomroe, Burren, and Uí Breacain. Six of the ancient territories are today represented on the Clare County Council's Coat of Arms, that is - Corcumrua, Uí Caisin, Clann Cuilean, Corca Baiscinn, Uí Breacain, and Dal gCais, that compromise the present day county.

Clanwilliam - named for the Clanwilliam Burkes. The O'Cuircs (O'Quirkes) were noted here in the 11th and 12th centuries as kings of Muscraige Cuirc, sometimes called O'Quirkes Country. The O'Heffernans are cited here after being displaced by the Ryans from Owney and Owneybeg baronies. Also see County Tipperary. The Ó Conaings (O'Gunning), a sept of the Uí Bloid, were noted with territory near Castlegunning (Castleconnell) prior to being dispossessed by the MacWilliam Burkes in the 13th century.

Ui Bloid, descendants of Blod, son of Cas, a branch of the Dál gCais. This clan includes the O'Kennedy, O'Shanahan, O'Durack and O'Ahern families of eastern Co. Clare. O'Cahill is given as one of the chiefs of Finn-coradh (Fianchora), along with O'Flattery in Thomond. O'Dobharchon (O'Davoren) is cited as chief of Muintir Lidheaga (O'Liddys). Lysaght is placed in a district about Ennistymon; O'Daly of Leath Mogha or Munster, in the barony of Burren; MacGillereagh (MacGilroy, MacGilrea, Gilroy, Kilroy) in the barony of Clonderlaw; and MacBruodin, in the barony of Inchiquin.

Brian Boru, who gave his name to the O'Brien family, was famous in Irish history for becoming king of all Ireland--at least for a time--by defeating his main rival in the Ó Neill clan who controlled North Ireland and part of the south. As commanders of the Cavalry of the Hy Maine, the O'Neachtains took part in the many battles (Clontarf) against rivals for territory or control. The most important battle, by far, was the Battle of Clontarf, in which the High King of Ireland. The Norwegian Viking battles took place at Sciath-Nechtin, Dublin, and at Carlingord Lough with the Danes emerging the victors in approximately 850 AD.

The Uí Neachtain (Naughton; Norton) are said to belong to the Laigain group, later living in the territory of the Ui Maine. Between about A.D. 1 and 400 the North Gaels expanded their foothold in the northwest of Ireland and established themselves as Sacral ("totemistically" sacred) High-Kings at the ancient site of Tara near Dublin and Kerry with the aid of their allies, the Laiginian tribe of Oirghialla or Oriel..

Heber is the line (Milesian Genealogies) from which Brian Boru comes: All Irish genealogists and historians agree that the country of Corcabaskin derived its appellation from the descendants of Cairbre Baiscain, son of Conaire the Great, the 122nd Monarch of Ireland, and brother of Cairbre Riada.

In the townland of Knocknacross, now modernized into Mountshannon West, is a holy well dedicated to the same St. Kieran (Ciaran), but the festival day of the saint is not remembered. Ballymacolman, or Colmanstown, has the remains of an old castle, which belonged in 1580 to Teige MacMahon, of Clonderalaw.