Co. Derry

7 baronies, Anciently inhabited by the Darini, a race of its ancient Celtic possessors whose name may perpetuate in the name of the county. Ulster was an ancient province of northeast Ireland, named after one of its Chief inhabitants of Down and southern Antrim, and Armagh: the Ulaid (Voluntii). Other early peoples included the Pictish tribe of the Robogdii, the Cruithin and the Darini and Ithians. The Ithians, who were also called Darinians (of Mag Ithe), descended from Ithe, or Ithius, uncle of Milesius. Later there were the Dál Riata, Dál nAraide and the Dál Fiatach. Nennius mentions the "regions of Dalrieda" from the name of the whole of Endrium or Andrium, signifying Antrim, the "habitation of the waters," as the ultimate settlement of the Scythian colony in Ireland.

Oilill Olum became King of Munster and, as head of both the Eberian and Ithian tribes he became the first true King of the whole province; part of ancient Carbery in the county Cork was of the Ithian or Lugadian race, among the families of Thomond; they were also chiefs of Carbery, county Cork. This Érainn tribal or group name was applied to that part of southwest Co. Cork embraced by the diocese of Ross (formed in the 12th century) descended from Lughaidh Laidhe (Loígde). The chief kindreds of the Dal Riada of Argyle, the Cineal Loairn and the Cenél nGabrain, soon spread into much of Scotland with the uniting of their kingdom and the Kingdom of the Picts. The Corca Laoighdhe clan in the southwest of County Cork-their territory was coextensive with the Diocese of Ross, and their chief families were those of O’Coffey, O’Dinneen, O’Driscoll, O’Flynn, O’Hea, 0’Hen-nessy and O’Leary. The Western Islands and the north were possessed by the Norwegians. The north, meaning Tyrone where Niall became king of Meath at Tara apart from the Desmond seate of Eberian and Ithian members of the Southern Branch of Ó Neill. After 1066 AD, the Dunkeld nobility entered service in the northern wars. The area of Derry called Kilrea which was a compact little parish lying along the River Bann, and like its neighbor Agivey, held a peculiar position (Erenaghs) being appropryated to the Abbey of SS. Peter and Paul of Armagh.

Under old Gaelic Ireland, much of Derry was in the old territory of Tirowen or Tyrone. In the time of Ptolemy, Tyrone-Oriel was inhabited by the Scoti, which tribe extended itself over most of the inland regions; though some place the Erdini here, as well as in the neighboring maritime county of Donegal. The Scots began a massive migration out of Ireland (from Donegal and Derry) in the early five hundreds. It was afterwards known as the district or kingdom of Cenél Eoghain.

The river Foyle through Londonderry appears to have been the Argita and the Baan, the Logia, of Ptolemy. What was called a fortress named Dunseverick, Roitheachtach in Giants Causeway, mentioned in the Four Masters was long before the Christian era in Dalriada, Chief O'Cathain's castle. It separated into two districts: the Glynns and the Routes.

A portion of its southern border embraces the northern parts of the ancient district of Armagh and Orgial or Oriel. Of the Ui Meith - There were two groups of this name in the ancient Oirghialla, one called Uí-Meith-Macha. alias Ui-Meith-Tire, who were seated in the present barony of Monaghan, in the County of Monaghan; and the other Uí -Meath-Mara [Omeath], seated in Cualigne, in the north of the County of Louth; Northern Co. Louth, eastern Armagh and later in Monaghan.

 

Coleraine

Anciently contained the territory of Feara Li. Feara Li, or Fer Li, i.e. the men of Mag Lí, was located west of the River Bann in the barony of Coleraine, Co. Derry. The Book of Lecan notes that Fir Li (and Uí mac Uais) in Ulster extended from Bir (Moyola river) to Camus (south of Coleraine). The Moyola river was anciently the boundary between the Feara Li and the Húi Tuirtre. The Fir Lí are noted as an Aighiallan people who came under the dominion of the Cenél Eóghain by the 9th century. Their neighbors appear to have been the Uí Tuirtre and factions of both groups are said to have been driven to the east of the Bann (into Ulidia) by the advance of Ua Cathain of the Cenél Éoghain. Another Airghiallan group, the Fir na Chraíbe, were also noted at an early date in the region west of the Bann.

  • O Taidhg, belonged to as many as four distinct septs, whose present day representatives, where they survive, are now either Tighe or have become MacTigue or Mac Teague by attraction. An example of this is to be seen in the case of Donnchadh O Taidhg, Archbishop of Armagh from 1560 to 1562, whose name appears in some records as Donat Macteague. He was presumably of the Ulster sept of O Taidhg of Oriel origin, erenaghs of Termonkenny, Co. Down, located also in Feara Li (barony of Coleraine).

  • The O'Mullans were one of the chief septs under O'Cahan centered in the north of this barony. Clan Conchobhair; O'Mullan, MacCloskey and the Clan Diarmatta.

  • Coleraine was at one-time the name of the county (later, Derry and Londonderry).

Keenaght
  • The O'Connor of Glengiven (Dungiven) family here declined with the rise of the O'Kanes in the 12th century. O'Cathain (O'Cahan or Kane) were chiefs of Keenaght of Dungiven (Glengiven) centered here. The Cianachta, whose leading sept was the O'Connors of Glengiven (Glinne-Geimhin) in the Roe Valley, had held their position for many centuries before the rise of the Ua Cathain beginning about 1138.

  • The MacGilligans were one of the three chief septs under the O'Cahans, and MacGilligan's country was on the northern coast.

  • O'Quinn is also cited as a chief of Moy Lugad, in Keenaght of Glengiven. Ceann Coradh, now Kincora, was the stronghold of Brian, and the Dalcassian septs near the mouth of the Shannon river. Magh Ith and Cenél Enda, Partly in the barony of Raphoe, and partly in the barony of Tirkeran in Derry. According to O'Dugan, the following were chiefs of Magh Ith: O'Boyle, O'Mulbraisil, O'Quinn, and O'Kenny. Clan O'Quinn

Liberties of Coleraine
  • O'Cathain (O'Cahan or Kane) were chiefs of Creeve centered near here. Much of county Derry was then known as Tir Cahan, or Cathan-aght, signifying O'Kanes's country. "O'Kane's country:" they were a branch and tributary to the O'Nials, and their chief seate was at a place now called the Deer Park, in the vale of the Roe.

  • There was also a Cenél Enna centered in Moycashel barony, co. Westmeath, represented by the familes of Ua Braonain (e.g. Brennan) of Creeve, and Mag Ruairc (e.g. Groarke) of Teallach Conmasa. Cenél Enda septs are also cited for the Uí Fiachra Aidhne, the Uí Briuin, the Conmaicne and for the ancient Uí Ernáin of Leinster who migrated to Munster. Teallach Dunchadha O'Dugan cites Mac Tighernain (McTiernan, McKiernan) as chiefs of Teallach Dunchadha, now the barony of Tullyhunco in co. Cavan. Irish Cráeb gave the modern place-name elements Crew and Creeve. Near Glenavy are the adjoining townlands of Crew and Crew Park, and in the first is Crew Hill.

  • Prior to the rise of the O'Cathains, a branch and tributary to the O'Nialls (Northern Úí Neill). In the present county of Antrim the Darnii or Darini are also inferred from Ptolemy, prior to the rise of the Dál Riata in that area. In the present county of Tyrone, the Scoti and sometimes the Erdini are said to be translated from Ptolemy's early map, prior to the rise of power of the Cenél Eoghain (Tir Owen, Tyrone).

  • Other families associated with this are Kilreagh incude O'Connor, O'donnell, O'Mullan, McCloskey, O'hegarty, O'Corr, McGurk, Mcrory, O'Diamond, McCrilly, McGilligan, O'Derry, and McColgan. From the name of the herenagh or layman who farmed the property and had the upkeep of the Church, the place was nominated "Kilrea O'Demon, or O'Diamond.

Liberties of Londonderry
  • Anciently considered a portion of Magh Ithe, the Plain of Ith, an uncle of Milesius.

  • The O'Deery sept were noted near here as erenaghs of Derry church, or Derry Columbkille. The Diocese of Derry originated in a monastery founded by St. Columb, about 545, of which some of the abbots at a very early period were styled bishops, but the title of the bishop of Derry was not established until 1158, or even a century later, as the bishops, whose see was at Derry, were sometimes called Bishops of Tyrone. Irish annalists claim that Londonderry Cathedral occupies the site of a monastery founded in A.D. 546 by St. Columb.

  • The northwest liberties of Londonderry, Templemore parish, extended into the county of Donegal until the yeare 1809.

  • McLaughlin of Derry: The brother of Aibhne or Fhoibhne, founder of the McLaughlins of Redcastle in Moville Parish. The only identification possible concerning this branch of the McLaughlins of Tirconnell is that they held the herenagh lands of the McLaughlins in Temple Mor Parish in or near the island of Derry.

Londonderry Borough
  • Anciently designated Doire-Calgaich, the oak wood of Calgach. For 593/97, The battle of Sliabh Cua, in Munster, was gained over the Munstermen by Fiachna, son of Baedan. Tibraide, son of Calgach, died.

  • About the 10th century this name gave way to Derry-Columbkill, after the abbey founded here by St. Columbkill.

  • It later was nown simply as Derry, the prefix, London-, being imposed in 1613.

Loughinsholin

  • Derived from for the "lough of the island of the O'Lynns" - who were originally O'Flynn, chiefs of Uí Tuirtre. From County Roscommon, the Sil Mailruain held a large district in the barony of Ballintubber, comprising the parishes of Kilkeeran, Kilkeevin, Kiltullagh, and in County Galway, the parish of Ballynakill. The Síl Mailruanaidh, alias Uí Floinn led by the O'Flynns (of Slieve Ui Fhloinn or O'Flynns Mountain) hence Clan Teige, Clan Cian, septs of Hy-Many, in the 12th century were in Southwest Derry. This was within the traditional territory of the Uí Thuirtre and Fir Lí, west of the River Bann. The Uí Tuitre of co. Derry are known to have moved west across the river Bann, into county Antrim, supplanting the lands of the Eilne branch of the Dal nAraide by the 10th century. There was also a tribal group of the Clann Colla, in North Ireland, referred to as Uí Cremthainn. Ua Floinn (O'Flynn, O'Lynn) were Uí Tuirtre leaders as were the later kings of Derlas. In Cork, Ross and Cloyne. Groups of the Uí Tuitre were apparently driven east across the river Bann by the rise of the O'Cahans about the 12th century, and are later recorded in the central baronies of Co. Antrim, i.e. Toome and Antrim. The Uí Tuirtre genealogy goes back to Fiachu Tuirtri, son of Colla Óiss (Uais). After this time the O'Flynns (O'Lynns) were dominant chiefs of Uí Tuirtre, they being claimed as a senior branch of Clanna Rury of Ulidia. The neighboring territory of Fear Li (Fir Li) was (also?) in the barony of Coleraine (northeast co. Derry), and the O'Flynns (O'Lynns) are cited holding the kingship of both Tuirtre and Fir Li, at various times.

  • O'Hegarty is found centered in this area, as well as in Tirkeeran. St. Patrick, having crossed the river Foyle, founded several churches in this district, one of which occupied the site of the present church of Cumber. The ruins of the old church at Banagher parish in the barony of Tirkeeran are situated on the summit of a sandy ridge on the south side of the river Owenreagh. There are also the ruins of an ancient church at Straid, said by the country people to have been the second founded by St. Patrick in this part of the kingdom. The county Armagh is chiefly in the diocese of Derry, with some portions in those of Armagh and Connor. For the purposes of civil jurisdiction it is divided into the city and liberties of Londonderry, the town and liberties of Coleraine, and the baronies of Coleraine, Tirkeeran, Kenaught, and Loughinsholin.

  • A MacGurk sept, of the Cenél Binnigh, was noted here near the parish of Magherafelt in medieval times.

  • Other septs mentioned for this area (Loughinsholin and Kilrea) at that time include O'Kelly, O'Corr, McRory, O'Mulhollan, O'Crilly (MacCrilly), O'Dimond, and McCracken.

  • To the south, around Slieve Gallion, the O'Mellans once held territory referred to as "Mellanaght" (Mellan's Country).

Tirkeeran
  • The territories in the 12th century are given as Teallach Caghalain, Teallach Duibhailbe, Teallach Braenain. 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. Teallach Eachdhach O'Dugan cites Mag Samhradhain (Magauran) over Teallach Eachdhach, now the barony of Tullyhaw in co. Cavan. Their genealogy is said to derive from Uí Briuin lineage. O'Rourke Family [Drumahaire line]. The rulers of Muintir Kenny were of the family of Mac Con Snamha of Lough Allen. The MacTernans, a Sept of the O'Rourkes, descended from Tighearnan O'Rourke who ruled the land called Teallach Donnchadha anglicized to Tullyhunco a barony in the present Co Cavan, Ulster.

  • The O'Caireallain (O'Carolan) sept were chiefs of Clan Diarmada (which contained Clondermot parish).

  • The MacCloskey sept, a branch of the O'Cahans, are noted here in medieval times.

  • An O'Colgan (later MacColgan) was a chief in Tirkeeran in the 14th century.

  • The sept of O'Mulvenna were hereditary ollavs to O'Cahan.

  • O'Quinn, O'Kenny, O'Heitigein, O'Gnives, O'Hairnin, O'Looney, O'Neny, MacShane and O'Tierney are listed as chiefs of Moy Ith which comprised parts of Raphoe and Tirkeeran.

 

 

The Four Tribes of Owney-On the north by the estuary of the river Shannon and the county of Tipperary; on the east by the county of Tipperary; on the south by county Cork, and on the west by county Kerry. Of the tribes mentioned by Ptolemy, the Coriondi appear to have inhabited this portion of Ireland; and although from a very early period it was included in the native kingdom or principality of Thomond...

Owneybeg - Uaithney was the name of the Eoghanacht cantred here, controlled by the O'Maoilriain (O'Mulryan or O'Ryan) and St. Malachy who were cited as chiefs of 'Owney Mulryan' which included both Owneybeg, and Owney in Co. Tipperary. O'Dinan (Dinnahane) is cited as chiefs of Uaithne here, as hereditary chiefs of the Eoghanacht Uaithne Agamar. Ó Cathaláin (O'Culhane) is cited as a chief of Owney Beg before being dispossessed by the O'Mulryans in the late 12th/early 13th centuries. O'Duinechair and O'Dinan, chiefs of Éoganacht Uaithne Ageamar [Owney Agamar]. This territory comprised part of the counties of Tipperary and Limerick, now the baronies of Owney and Owneybeg.