McLoughlin of Leitrim

(O'Ferrall's "Linea Antiqua")

Families in Descent from Ualarg O Rork

O Rork
Mac Loughlin
Mac Murea
Mac Neill
Mac Cahal reagh
Mac Tiernan of Corra
Mac Tiernan Naban

MacNeill Mac Cahal reagh MacTiernan of Corry

[MacTiernan Naban]

Historical References to the above families

1. MacTiernan of Corry

1462 A.D. Annals of Connacht

O Conchobair won a victory at Ath Lechta Casc in which Diarmait
son of Brian and Tadc son of Tadc Mac Tigernain na Corra were
killed.

There's a mistake in this translation:

Seaan mac Taidc Meic Tigernain na Corra

The Four Masters get it right.

1462 A.D. Four Masters

Dermot, the son of Donough, son of Brian, and John, the son of
Teige MacTiernan na Corra, were slain in the battle.

Hogan's Onamasticaon has the following for corra:

Corra: Mac Tigearnain na Corra; Corraygowan towards Ballintober;
FM iv, 1018 [this is a reference to the yeare 1462]

Corra an gabair: O Conor atacked C. an Gabiar in Branan's
country, on the brink of the Aba Dubaicen, in E. of c. Rosc.;
or Corragore, or Corragowan (C. Gabann).

For Corra an Gabann, the editor of the Annals of Connacht has:

in bar. of Ballintober N., Roscommon (?); battle 1462.

The Annal entry in 1462 actually consists of two separate battles.
It begins:

"Tadc O Conchobair and his Kinsmen fought a battle at Corra an Gobann
with the son of Brian Ballach, Mac Diarmata and the Corca Achlann...
then follows the entry for Mac Tigearnain na Corra.

O'Donovan quotes from the Annals of D.F.:

A.D. 1462

"Thady O'Conner, and his kinsmen, and his sons, came into the north
part of Balintober, they on Donday, in Corraygowann...."

The consensus seems to be that the reference to Mac Tigearnain na
Corra is equivalent to Corra an Gobann or Corraygawann in the Barony
of Balintober in Roscommon County.

This is the same line traced in paragraph 1442 of O Clery:

Genelach Clainne Tigernain na Corradh [O Clery]

1442. Lochlainn, Niall, Aedh, Mael seachlainn: .iiii. m Maoil
sechlainn m Domhnaill m Mail sechloinn m Domnaill m Concobhair
m Tigernain m Domhnaill m Cathail leith m Aodha m Donnchadha m
Domhnaill m Ualghairg m Nell mic Aedha m Airt oirdnidhe.

2. MacTiernan Naban

1487 A.D. Annals of Ulster

"And, as Ua Domnaill did not catch Ferghal Carrach himself, to
deliver him up for that deed, the son of Mag Tighernain of the
[river] Buannaid was delivered to the clergy of the church in
pledge [for reparation] of that burning and so on.

1487 A.D. Four Masters

"and as O'Donnell was not able to overtake Farrell Carragh,
to avenge that evil doing upon him, he delivered up the
grandson of Tiernan of Buannaid to the clergy of the church,
to be detained by them as a pledge for that burning."

Mac Mic Tigernain na Buannaide [Annals of Ulster]

Hogan's Onamasticon has:

buannad: Mac mic Tigernain na Buannaide, AU iii. 320;
now river Bonet in c. Leitrim, rising in L. Glenade,
and flowing into L. Gill, FM, iv, 1156.

1659 Census Leitrim

Baronies of Leitrim, Mohill and Carrigallan

Principall Irish Names & their Numbers:

McTernan, 12, Terny, 4

Baronies of Drumaheir and Roscloger:

Principall Irish Names and their Numbers:

McTiernan, 26
McLoghlen, 32
McMorrey, 30
Gloghlen, 5

1591 State Papers

"The chief ordinary forces and strength of men to serve
O'Rourke in his wars are, the McLoughlins, the McMorrices,
and the Clantyernene. These had sixteen quarters of land
amoungst them as their inheritance, called Ylaugh, and the
lands of Cleanlough. These had never bonnaught of O'Rourke
but only their shares of preys and spoils that were taken."

The Census of 1659 lists a townland called Clunlogher in
the parish of Killargand & Clunelagher. Is this is same
location as Cleanlough referred to in the State papers above?

"These had sixteen quarters of land amoungst them as their inheritance"

This implies a close relation among the MacLoughlins, the
MacMurrays and the Clantyernenes, i.e, a common and close descent.
This would probably rule out both the clainne Tigearnain na Corradh
and the Meg Tigernain Teallaigh Dunchadha, neither of whom were
closely related to the other families named in the document.

O Farrell calls the Clainne Tigearnain na Buannaidh "MacTernan Naban"
in the Linea Antiqua. Is "Naban" a corrupt anglicisation of "Na Buannaidh?"

The O Clery genealogies terminate in this line with the
grandsons of Tigearnain O Rourke 'of the river Buannaidh.'
This Tigearnan O Rourke appears to be the man named in the
annal entry of 1487. We have two slightly different translations
of the text: the son of Mac Tighearnain and the grandson of
Tigearnain from AU and FM respectively. Which one is correct?
And does it make any difference?
Does "Mac Mic" indicate a surname? Or did O'Donovan get it
right with his "son of the son of (grandson of) translation.

McTernan Naban

Awly O Rourke, Lord of Breffny, d. 1258
|
Melachlin O Rourke, Lord of Dartry & Clan Fearnmaigh d. 1274
|
Tigernan, a quo McTernan Naban ca. 1300
|
Murchertach, had four sons ca. 1330
|
Art, Bryan, Coconag, Matha ca. 1360

In the Annal entry of 1487, according to the O'Donovan
translation, the grandson of Tiernan na Buannaidh was taken hostage.
This is presumably the Tigernan in the pedigree above. But this
Tigernan would have lived around 1300 A.D., and his grandsons
no later than 1370 A.D. This annal entry in 1481 therefore cannot be
describing the Tigernan in the above pedigree.
In other words, no grandson of this Tigernan could possibly have
been alive in 1481. Therefore this passage probably should be
translated as in the Book of Ulster, i.e., Mac Tighearnain, a
surname (Mac Mic Tighearnain).

No other members of this line are named in the Annals; and even
if they were they would be untraceable in O Clery since his line
terminates in the grandsons of Tigearnan. The line is also untraced
in O Farrell past the same point. So we have a total blank until late
in the 16th century, when a clantyernene are named as sharing a common
inheritance with the MacLoughlins and the MacMurrays in Leitrim
(probably the barony of Dumaheir).
According to the O Clery genealogies, the Clainne Tigearnain na
Buannaidhe, the MacLoughlins and the MacMurrays were all descended
from Amlaibh O Rourke, the son of Art son of Domhnall, which is of
course the exact type of close descent (inheritance) described in
the 1591 State Papers entry.

3. Mac Cahal Reagh

There is a mention of this family in 1542 in the State Papers
as one of the septs under O Rourke.

1542 A.D. State Papers
p. 195 Sept. 1

Bernard O'Rwerch

Indenture, 1 September, 34 Henry VIII - Bernard O'Rwerch
personally appeared before the lord Deputy and "Council
at the castle of Meynoth, and voluntarily submitted himself
to the King.
(1) He will acknowledge his Majesty to be his Lord and
King.
(2) He will renounce the usurped primacy of the Roman
Pontiff.
(3) Whenever any journeys shall be made into Connaught,
the parts of O'Donell, or the parts of O'Rayley, he will come
there in person with all his fordes; or if he should be prevented
by illness from so doing, he will send 24 horsemen and
24 kerne (turbarii) or footmen at his own expense.
(4) The Lord Deputy shall present fitting priests to the
eclesiastial benefices in his country which are now occupied
by laymen, reserving to the King his primacies or first fruits
and his ordinary jurisdictions of churches; the same benefices
to be granted under the Great Seal.
(5) If any invasion should be made in this kingdom by
any foreign foes, rebels,or enemies, he will rise in defence of
the kingdom with all his power.
(6) He will pay annually for each carucate of land in his
country 12d, which will amount annually to the sum of 20l.
(7) He will give a hostage to stand to the arbitration
of the Bishop of Meath, the Bishop of Kilmore (Brennensis)
Sir Thomas Cusake, and another to be chosen by O'Rayley,
touching all contentions between himand O'Rayley about the
lands called "Talloha," Mc'Gauran's lands, and the lands of both
the McKerwans. If the said arbitratiors cannot agree, the
final determination shall be made by the Lord Deputy and
Council. His request that O'Rayley should likewise give an
hostage is granted.
(8) He will exact and levy from his country 100 marks,
to be paid to the King and his officers in this kingdom as a
fine for the pardon and liberty now granted to him of becoming
a liege and true Englishman.
(9) He will send his son Hugh as a hostage to the Lord
Deputy; and if the Lord Deputy wishes to change the said
hostage for another, O'Rwerch will send another in his place,
viz., his son Thadeus.
(10) These gentlemen here recited shall be in the peace and
conduct of him and his heirs under the King:- the two
McGranels, O'Mulmoy, McGlaugh, Kenalowhan, Colloflimme,
McCahelrewe, O'Birne, McTernan, and McAnnauve.
(11) The Lord Deputy and Council have promised to
implore the King to grant and confirm to O'Rwerch
and his son, whom he will name his heir, the lands which he now
possesses, together with his title of Viscount of Dromaher,
and to appoint him a fitting seate and place in his Parliament.
(12) If O'Rwerch should be spoiled by any Irishmen, and,
upon complaint exhibited to the Lord Deputy, no restitution
should be made to him, then in that yeare he shall not
pay the said subsidy of 20l, if the sum of the spoil should
not (sic) exceed the half of the said subsidy.

MacTiernans or O Rourkes?

There is considerable debate in certain circles as to whether
the MacTiernans named in the Linea Antiqua in descent of Ualarg
O Rourke were in fact MacTiernans or O Rourkes. Some believe
all of the MacTiernans were descended from the MacTiernan of
Tellach Dunchadha sept in Cavan County.
In the Linea Antiqua these families are clearly labeled
"MacTiernan." And there are historical sources establishing that
at least one MacTiernan sept was native to that county - and
probably not related in any way to the MacTiernan of Tellach
Dunchadha sept of neighboring Cavan County.

The following document names a Clantyernene, who, along with
the MacLoughlins and MacMureas [McMorrices], who as their
inheritance, held the 16 quarters of Ylagh and the lands of
Cleanlough in Leitrim County. This description of a common
inheritance can hardly apply to the MacTiernans of Tellach
Dunchadha in Cavan County.

There are several other historical sources which place a
MacTiernan sept in Leitrim or at least in Connacht (Cavan was
not a part of Connacht).

1885 State Papers
Oct. 3 Dublin

The Compostition Book of the province of Connaught and
Thomond. This book contains the Commission, 15 July 1585. The
return of Byngham and the Commissioners, 3 Oct. 1585. The abstract
of the composition, which was retuned into the Court of Chancery
in Ireland. The names of 41 Mc's (Macks) and 26 O's (Oes) who
surrendered their Irish names and customs of inheritance, and
received their castles and lands by patent, to them and their heirs,
in English succession. The Macs are, M'William Eighter, M'Ne Marra Fynn,
M'Ne Marra Reoghe, M'Gilly Reoghe, M'Glaneghee,M'Everhin, M'Hubberte,
M'Oughe, M'William Roe, M'Cremon, M'Walter, M'Huighe, M'Edmonde,
M'Gyrraughe, M'Reamon, M'Thomas, M'Vavye, M'Walter, M'Dermott, M'Padyn,
M'Tybbott, M'Phillippen, M'connell, M'Glaughe, M'Tyernan, M'Keallye,
M'Gravell, M'Deirmotte Roe, M'Branan, M'Kehernye, M'Evillye, M'Costolowe,
M'Jordan, M'Murreye, M'Enawe, M'Loughlin M'Granill, M'Donoghe encorren,
M'Donoghe cobea, M''Dermott Gall, and M'Manys. The Oes are, O'Rourk,
O'Connor Sligo, O'Connor Dunne, O'Connor roe, O'Kelly, O'Flaherty, O'Male,
O'Heyne, O'Maddyne, O'Dowdy, O'Harry Bwye, O'Harry Reoghe, O'Naughtyne,
O'Loughlin, O'Guffe, O'Neylan, O'Murrye, O'Mannyn, O'Cowchanon, O'Byrne,
O'Flynne, O'Hanlye, O'Hartye, O'Lorkan, O'Flanegane, and O'Mulrenyn.

The following pardon List of about 1609 also mentions MacLoughlins
and McTiernans as followers of O Rourke, all of Leitrim County.

Patent Rolls of James I
ca. 1609
p. 24 Pat. 1 James I

IX.-10. General pardon to Thadeus otherwise Teige O''Rourke
of Leitrim, Esq., chief of his name, Thadeus otherwise Teige oge
O'Rourke, gent. Donnell O'Rourke, gent. Owen O'Rourke, gent.
Shane oge McLoghlin, Teige oge McLoghlin, Uny McLoghlin, Shane
McCaffrie McTernan, Cahire McTernan, Chasrie McTernan, and
Brian oge O'Flannagan, in Leitrim co."

1591-2 State Papers
Feb.

43. Names of the five baronies in O'Rourke's country, viz., in
Mynterolles, two baronies called Leitrim and Moyghell. The
M'Grannells enjoyed these two baronies as their proper lands, until
the late O'Rourke's father supplanted them by strong ahdn, and
since that time they have lived under the spending and tyranny of
O'Rourke. A third barony is called Carryg Allen and is occupied
by a sept of the O'Rourkes, called the O'Rourkes of Carryg Allen.
All these three baronies lie on this side the mountain Sleighoneron,
which divideth the whole country as it were into two parts, the
lands and grounds thereof are fruitful, though some bog and woods.
The other to baronies lie beyond the said mountain of sleighoneyron,
viz., the barony of Dromaheare, in which is the country called Brenny
O'Rourke, O'Rourke's ancient castle having fifty or sixty quarters
lying about it called Canarvy. This barony is most champaign ground
and the best land in all the country. The barony of Roselougher,
M'Glannough's country. A fast country full of bogs and woods. And
the Carrhy, Owen O'Rourke's country, called the O'Rourkes of the
Carrhy, a champaign and very fruitfull.
O'Rourke's house, called the newton, is in none of these baronies,
but standeth upon the border of his country, near to Sligo, and hath
belonging unto it eight quarters of land in demsne called Mooyghhellys.
The chief freeholders in the country of O'Rourke are the two MacGrannells,
in Mynterooles, McGlannough, in the Dartry, the O'Rourkes of Carryg Allen,
the O'Rourkes of the Carrhy, and the MacGawrains. The chief ordinary forces
and strength of men to serve O'Rourke in his wars are, the McLoughlins,
the McMorrices, and the Clantyernene. These had sixteen quarters of
land amoungst them as their inheritance, called Ylaugh, and the lands
of Cleanlough.
These had never bonnaught of O'Rourke but only their shares of
preys and spoils that were taken."

44. Notes for O'Rourke's country. In O'Rourke's country there
two sorts of freeholders. As the M'Glannoughs, M'Grannells, who
were chieftains but subject to O'rourke's spending. These pretend
that they owe no service to her Majesty, but only to O'rourke. The
others are persons of inferior calling and made freeholders by the
Commissioners at the establishment of the late composition, with
reservations of service and tentures to her Majesty. Most of both
sorts are chargeable with the forfeiture of their freeholds by law,
for, though some may stand clear of complicity with O'Rourke, they
may be called upon to prove their first grants, and, not being able
to do so, Her Majesty may either resume their lands or re-grant them
with reservations of rent in lieu of their former contributions to
O'Rourke, as was done in the Brenny, Annaley, and now in Monaghan. Or
else Her Majesty may expel them all and plant English there, which
would be hardly taken. All O'Rourke's places of strength in islands,
loughs, &c., should be demolished or put into the hands of the English.
If the Earl of Kildare could be drawn to relinquish his claim to the
barony of Sligo and take in lieu of it lands in O'Rourke's country, it
would tend to the civilisation of the country, and John Newton and
other suitors might by recompensed from the same lands.

Lastly, the State Paper entry for 1542 describes two MacTiernan
septs in the same document.

1. MacKerwan

(7) He will give a hostage to stand to the arbitration
of the Bishop of Meath, the Bishop of Kilmore (Brennensis)
Sir Thomas Cusake, and another to be chosen by O'Rayley,
touching all contentions between himand O'Rayley about the
lands called "Talloha," Mc'Gauran's lands, and the lands of both
the McKerwans. If the said arbitratiors cannot agree, the
final determination shall be made by the Lord Deputy and
Council. His request that O'Rayley should likewise give an
hostage is granted.

There is no doubt this is a reference to the MacTiernans
of Tellach Dunchadha in Cavan County.

A later clause in the same document lists a McTernan sept
under O Rourke. This is the same passage that lists a
MacCahal rewe or reagh sept under O Rourke.

(10) These genlemen here recited shall be in the peace and
conduct of him and his heirs under the King:- the two
McGranels, O'Mulmoy, McGlaugh, Kenalowhan, Colloflimme,
McCahelrewe, O'Birne, McTernan, and McAnnauve.

Who were these McTernans? They are evidently to be differentiated
from the MacKerwans of Tellach Dunchadha in Cavan.

Woulfe mentions a MacTiernan sept in Co. Roscommon, said to be
descended from the O'Connors. Might this not instead be the
MacTiernan of Corry line of the Linea Antiqua, whose territory,
according to our experts, was in Roscommon County?

Woulfe (Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall)

Mac Tigearnain - (1) a branch of the O'Connors in co. Roscommon,
who are descended from Tigearnan, grandson of Turlogh Mor O'Connor,
King of Ireland. (2) of a Breifney family, of the same stock as the
O'Rourkes, who were formerly chiefs of Tellach Dhunchadha, now the barony of
Tullyhunco, in the west of Co. Cavan (3) of a Fermanagh family,
of the same stock as the Maguires, who were formerly chiefs of
Clann Fearghaile.

If this is the case, then the MacTiernans of Leitrim were probably
the line labeled MacTiernan Naban in the Linea Antiqua; and it was
these MacTiernans who shared a common inheritance with the MacLoughlins
and MacMurrays of Ylagh and Cleanlough in Leitrim County.

MacTiernan of Fermanagh (O Clery)

Genelach Meg Tigernain Cloinde Ferghail
MacTiernan (related to the Maguires of Fermanagh)

1669. Flaithbertach m Toirrdelbaigh m Ferghail m Lochlainn
m Donnchada m Lochlainn m Donnchada m Lochlain m Cernaigh
m Tigernain m Mailruanaidh (o tait muinter Mael ruanaidh)
m Maele duin m Ferghail m Cearnaigh m Lughain m Iorghalaigh
m Eignigh m Corbmaic m Fergusa m Aedha m Corpmaic m Cairpre an daim argit
m Eachach m Cremthainn m Feig m Dedaidh dhuirn m Rochadhae m Colla fo crith.