http://www.generation13.com/Annals/erainn-cianacht.html

Erainn-Cianacht

"The Laigin, or Dumnonii, were the third ethno-tribal group to come to Ireland, coming from Gaul shortly before the 
Gaels themselves, sometime during the first century B.C. Branches of the Dumnonii settled first in the Devon-Cornwall 
area before others moved on to Ireland. In southern Britain their kingdom gave its name to Devon (Dumnonia). 
There was a tribe called the Dumnonii, who inhabited most of south west Britain including Cornwall. Glastonbury, 
from ancient times had been an active seaport on the Severn estuary and situated to be the entrance point for a 
new religion into western Britain. An early Welsh story links Arthur to the Tor in an account of a face-off between 
Arthur and the Celtic king, Melwas, who had apparently kidnapped Arthur's wife Queen Guinevere. Avalon 
(probably from the Celtic word abal: apple) is a legendary island somewhere in the British Isles, famous for its 
beautiful apples and Lyonnesse is the sunken land believed in legend to lie off the Isles of Scilly, to the south-west 
of Cornwall. 

In the time of King Arthur (ca. A.D. 500), during the Vendel era (550-793) as the tribe most closely associated 
with that great Pendragon, these Devon Domnonii established a dual kingdom which included Armorica and the 
north coast of Brittany (Domnonie), from whose royal house eventually sprang the House of Stewart (which 
house inherited the crown of the Scots in 1371 and that of England in 1603). 

The Stewarts are covered under the chapter on the Normans, having come to Scotland in the wake of Norman 
conquest of England, in which they served as allies of the dukes of Normandy. In Ireland the Dumnonii were 
generally known as the Laigin, and originally became overlords in the southeastern and central regions, and in 
Connacht. From there they later spread to other parts of Gaeldom. 

The Cianacht encompassed the O’Connors (O Conchobhair) of Keenaght, and the Luighne. The O’Connors were 
lords of Keenaght, County Derry, until dispossessed by the O’Kanes shortly before the Anglo-Norman invasion 
in the twelfth century. The Luighne were of County Sligo, where they had settled as fighting men to the Northern 
Gaels in the early centuries A.D. The Cianacht were closely related to the Dealbhna and Saithne. 

The Luighne or "race of Lugh," included the families of O’Hara (O hEaghra) and O’Gara (O Gadhra). The O’Haras 
descend from Eaghra, Lord of Luighne (now the Barony of Leyney) in South Sligo, who died in 926. In the 
fourteenth century the O’Haras divided into two branches, the heads of which were known as O’Hara Boy 
(Buidhe), the Yellow O’Hara, and O’Hara Reagh (Riabhach), the Speckled or Brindled O’Hara. A branch of the 
family settled early in County Antrim, and became very important there. 

The O’Garas were once one clan with the O’Haras, and together their territory, Luighne, included the modern 
baronies of Corran and Leyney in South Sligo, and Gallen and North Costello (Sliabh Lugha) in Mayo. About 
the end of the tenth century the two families separated, and divided the territory between them, the O’Garas taking 
the Mayo portion. They were driven from their territory by the Jordans, Costellos and other Anglo-Norman 
settlers, and resettled in Greagraidhe, in Sligo, now the Barony of Coolavin, and were later known as lords of 
Coolavin. They built their stronghold, Moygara, at the northeastern extremity of Lough Gara. Branches went to 
Munster before the end of the sixteenth century, and are known as Geary or Guiry. The O’Duanys or Devanys 
of Sligo are a branch of the O’Garas. 

The Dealbhna Eathra and Dealbhna Nuadat were closely related to the Cianacht and Saithne. They originally 
comprised a single tribal kingdom in the Roscommon-Offaly area, but in course of time the various branches of 
the Deal bhna became separated under different overlordships, just as the Uí Maine became separated from their 
collateral kinsmen to the northeast of the Shannon, the Oirghialla, by the growing apart of the North Gaels which 
itself resulted in the ultimate overkingdoms of the Connachta and Uí Neill. The Dealbhna Eathra were situated to 
the east of the Shannon around Clonmacnoise, as a semiindependent tribal kingdom nominally subject to the 
Southern Uí Niell. Their chief families in medieval times were the MacCoghlans and O’Conrahys. 

The Deal bhna Nuadat were centered on the other side of the Shannon, between it and the River Suck in County 
Roscommon, and were tributary to the Uí Maine. Their later representatives are the O’Hanlys of Connacht. The 
O’Hanlys (O hAinle) were chiefs of Cenél Dobhtha, called in later tirnes Tuaohanly and Doohy Hanly, being 
a district along the River Shannon north of Lough Ree. The O’Hanleys held this territory as late as the seventeenth 
century as tributaries of the O’Connor Don of Uí Maine. In the late sixteenth century several related gentlemen of 
the name were given in succession the office of "Seneschal" ("Royal Officer") of "Tohahohanly" under Queen 
Elizabeth I. 

The Saithne were closely related to the Cianacht and Dealbhna. They originally inhabited a territory in the 
southern part of the kingdom of Brega, the kingship of which they in ancient times had shared with kindred 
groups. Their lands in Brega lay southeasterly, midway between the River Boyne and the River Liffey. Their 
later representatives were the O’Caseys. The O’Caseys (O Cathasaigh) were originally lords of Saithne, in 
the north of the present County Dublin, until they were dispossessed by the Normans under Sir Hugh de 
Lacy soon after the Anglo-Norman invasion (twelfth cenwry). Afterwards they became an important Erenagh 
(church) family, being hereditary keepers of Kilarduff and Dunfeeny in County Mayo, Cloondara and Tisrara in 
County Roscommon, and Devinish in County Fermanagh. 

The Ciarraighe Locha na nAirne were originally part of a greater kingdom, the tribal kingdom of Ciarraighe, 
centered at Cruachu (the ancient capital of Connacht). This kingdom was fragmented by the Uí Briuin of the 
North Gaels during the late eighth century or early ninth century. They may have been, in more ancient times, 
closely related to the ancestors of the Oirghialla, the allies of the North Gaels (in the Heroic Age tales of the 
North, the "Ulster Cycle," Cruachu is the center of the Gaelic-Laiginian alliance). The Ciarraighe were 
indigenous to Connacht. Their main representatives in the Middle Ages were the O’Kierans (O Ceirin) of 
northwest County Mayo. The native territory of the O’Kierans was in the south of the barony of Costello, 
but they were reduced in power there by the Anglo-Norman encroachment, and branches in Donegal and 
Clare became more important. 

The Ciarraighe Luachra were the original tribe of North Kerry, a branch of the Ciarraighe. Before the 
Anglo-Norman invasion had had a semiindependent kingdom between Tralee and the Shannon. Their chief 
family was that of O’Connor (O Conchobhair) of Kerry, whose stronghold was at Carrigafoyle, near 
Ballylongford. They held the Barony of lraghticonor in the extreme north of County Kerry after the southern 
part of their territory was encroached upon by the Fitzmaurices of Clanmaurice and other Norman settlers. 
The O’Connors held lraghticonor down to the reign of Elizabeth, when it was confiscated by the English and 
given to Trinity College. 

The Eile were originally a tribe of western King’s County (Offaly), where place-names recall their early residence in 
that region. After the battle of Druim Derge (A.D. 516), at which battle they were decisively defeated by the 
expanding southern Uí Neill, they migrated to the area known after them as "Ely" in the south of Offaly and 
including northeast Tipperary. Their chief families in later times were the O’Carrolls of Ely, the O’Mahers, the 
O’Riordans and the O’Flanagans. The O’Carrolls (O Cearbhaill) descend from Cearbhaill, Lord of Ely, who 
was one of the leaders at the famous battle of Clontarf in 1014. The head of the O’Carrolls was originally lord 
of all Ely, but after the Anglo-Norman invasion their power was restricted to South Offaly, which was 
subsequently called Ely O’Carroll. 

The Uí Failghe, closely related to the Eile, had probably separated from them by A.D. 516, the year of the 
defeat of the Eile at Druim Derge by the Southern Uí Niell. The Uí Failge descend from Failge Berraide, 
who a few years earlier had won the battle of Fremainn Mide (A.D. 510). This victory probably accounts 
for their being able to remain in the more northerly portion of Offaly while their cousins, the Eile, were 
forced to migrate south. The chief families of the Uí Failghe include the O’Connors of Offaly, the 
O’Mooneys, MacColgans, O’Hennesseys, O’Holohans, O’Dempseys and O’Dunnes. 

The O’Connors (O Conchobhair) of Offaly were a powerful and warlike sept of the northeast of what is 
now County Offaly. They descend from Conchobhar, son of Fionn, Lord of Offaly, who died in A.D. 
979. From their stronghold at Dangan, now Philipstown, they successfully defended their territory from the 
English of the Pale (i.e. County Dublin) for more than 300 years. They were finally dispossessed by the 
English about 1550. The O’Mooneys (O Maonaigh) of around Ballymooney in County Offaly are a branch 
of the O’Connors. 

The Clann Cholgan included the families of MacColgan, O’Hennessy and O’Holohan. The MacColgans 
(Mac Colgan) were chiefs of the territory around Kilcolgan in the extreme northeast of County Offaly. 
The O’Hennessys (O hAonghusa) shared the lordship of Clann Cholgan (i.e., their clan-name was 
applied to the territory they possessed) with their kinsmen the O’Holohans (O hUallachain). 
Their territory comprised the present barony of Lower Philipstown, a district adjoining the hill of 
Croghan, near Kilbeggan, and lying just east of the O’Connors in northeast Offaly. A branch of the 
O’Hennessys were chiefs of Gailenga Beg, the district between Dublin and Tara, until they were 
dispersed into Offaly as a result of the Anglo-Norman invasion. Some of the O’Hennessys spread early 
into Tipperary and Glare. In County Clare they are now known as Henchy or Hensey. 

The Uí Riagain or O’Dunnes (O Duinn) were chiefs of Uí Riagain in the northwestern corner of County 
Leix. They were, along with their kinsmen the O’Connors and O’Dempseys, one of the chief families of 
Leinster. A branch of the family possessed a territory around Tara until dispersed about the same time as 
the O’Hennesseys of that area (see above). The clan-name Uí Riagain, Anglicized Iregan, may reflect 
some relation to the sept of O’Regan (O Riagain) of the Southern Uí Neill, one of the Tribes of Tara, 
which settled in Leix after the Anglo-Norman invasion." 


http://www.generation13.com/Kintyremull/pages/clancolganmactire.html

"GENELACH CLAINNE COLGCAN.

(Rawlinson MS) 1029 Annals of the Four Masters Mac Tíre, mac Donnghaile, MacBain states the name should 
read: Paul Mac-ic-Tire.  Mac Tíre Úah-Uallacháin m. Desmond, Thomond, Tipperary-Waterford, Ui Bairrche, 
Uachtar Tire, Cruachan , Ancient Connacht Kings, Leinster, Ulster, Cuiléoin m. Benntraige, Ui Briuin Cualand, 
Ui Fergusa, Fothaírt, Osraighe, Ui Mail, 			Cuallan Leinster, Munster
Conchobuir m.	Ui Eathach Cobha, Airrtir, Iarthaír, 			Ulster, Connacht
Meic Thíre m. 				Ulster
h-Uallacháin m 	Clan Colgcan, Hy- Fiachra, 			Munster
Fogartaich m. 	the Eugenians, Collada Chrioch , Ancient Connacht Kings,			Connacht, Munster
Cumascaig m. 	MacComiskey			Leinster, Ulster
Colgcan m. 	Clan Colgcan, Ancient Connacht Kings, 			Meath, Munster
Mugróin m. 	Ui Ria-cain, Ancient Connacht Kings, 			Leinster, Munster
Flaind Dá Chongal.				Leinster


The Annals of Ireland (ca. 1650) spell t-saoir with a sl 's'; the Annals of Tigernach have a capital "s" . The 
later annal entries for other mac an t-saoirs seem to vary between sl and capital "s" The passage stating that 
his mother was Dar Erca, from whom many saints were born ….these saints were born in her line and that 
she was an ancestor, not literally a mother of all of them…the Annals occurred in the O'Brolchain of Donegal 
family, in either 1029 or 1097, followed by a Michael Mac-an-tShair in 1268, Bishop of Clogher in Tyrone 
Co. This last is definitely a surname, as apposed to the uses in the earlier Annal entries, which are merely 
descriptive terms. 

Mac Tíre Úah-Uallacháin m. Cuiléoin m. Conchobuir m. Meic Thíre m. h-Uallacháin m. Fogartaich m. 
Cumascaig m. Colgcan m. Mugróin m. Flaind Dá Chongal. 1029 Annals of the Four Masters Mac Tíre, 
mac Donnghaile, MacBain states the name should read: Paul Mac-ic-Tire. GENELACH CLAINNE 
COLGCAN (Rawlinson MS). The 'ic' here is a second 'mac' forming with Tire the 'son of a wolf' meaning. 
Written Paul mac Mac-Tire, but when spoken, the second M would tend to drop out of the name, resulting 
in the form quoted by MacBain. possible that MacIntyre is simply a form of Mac-ic-Tire or Mac-in-Tire, 
in shortened form, simply MacTire or MacTyre, pronounced Mac-ic-Tire … 

The McAteers of Donegal, may have been a branch of the O'Brolchains of Donegal. 

In looking at a clan map of Scotland, the lands of the Clan Ross were far to the north of Kintire in Argyle, 
making a descent from this historical Paul Mac Tire doubtfull, unless one takes into account the fact that the 
Clan Ross were granted lands in northern Argylle in 1225 by Alexander II.The Kingship of Tirconnell or 
Donegal was held by two families for centuries, the O Cananains and the O Muldoraighs; then suddenly 
in around 1180 A.D., the O'Donnells came out of nowhere to claim the kingship of Tirconnell. This was just 
slightly after the heyday of Somerled, the ancestor of the MacDonalds, in Scotland. Shortly after 1200 A.D., 
we find Domnall oge O'Donnell marrying a MacDonald of the Isles and a Mac Suibhne from Kintire. 
Later the Mac Suibhne gallowglasses were settled in Donegal under the O''Donnells. The MacMeanmans 
of MacMenimans of Donegal, were a branch of the O'Donnells who originated as a separate family in 1303. 
The O'Donnells of Donegal's arms also feature a hand holding a cross - and this is a clan emblem of ancient 
usage. The hand faces the other way. There is a legend associated with their clan arms, that St. Patrick placed 
a cross on their ancestor's shield (Conal Gulban) and the image was burned into his shield.

The Irish surname, in the Annal enties of 1268 and 1288 as Mac an t-Saoir (Michael Mac an t-Saoir, 
archbishop of Armagh and Clogher in Tyrone). The Mac an t-Saoir tag, …does not mean son-of-the-wright. 
(perhaps meaning saintly, like St. Ciaran, or even Christlike (Christ was a carpenter or wright himself). 
Michael Mac-an-tshair, Official of Ard-Macha, was consecrated bishop in Clochar by the archbishop of 
Ard-Macha on the morrow of the Nativity of Blessed Mary [Sept 8). Bishop Michael Mac Antsair, in 
1279, exchanged with the abbot the episcopal residence that had been built near the abbey by Bishop 
Donat O'Fidabra, between 1218 and 1227, for a piece of land outside the town, called Disert-na-cusiac, 
on which he erected another episcopal palace. Or it could have some meaning related to church-building 
or construction. The O'Brolchains were noted for their construction of churches in Derry. ….It was 
common practice condoned by the church for priests and clergy to marry and have families at this period in 
Irish History. The Gallaghers and McMenimens of Donegal both had married priests and Bishops in their 
family trees; so although we don't have a pedigree for this Michael Mac an t-Saoir, it is certainly possible he 
was an ancestor of the MacAteers of Donegal and Tyrone. 

The Gaelic surname Mac an tSaoir belongs both to Ireland and Scotland. In Scotland it is always 
MacIntyre. In Ireland the Maclntyres slightly outnumber the Mac Ateers, but a number of the former 
are Ulstermen of Scottish extraction. Together they are estimated in population statistics to number some 
4,500 people in Ireland: almost all the MacAteers are in Ulster (Armagh, Antrim and Donegal), while 
the MacIntyres are less concentrated in that area, with a considerable number in Co. Sligo. Ballymacateer 
is a place near Lurgan; Carrickmacintyre is in Co. Mayo. 

The last Mac an t-Saoir in the Annals was actually Michael, bishop of Clogher in Tryone Co., in 1288. By 
this date the mac an t-Saoir nickname had clearly become a surname. little researched family names in 
Donegal. The fact that the last Mac an t-Saoir in the Annals was an O Brolchain, a Donegal sept, in 1097, 
was about the time when surnames were first being adopted in Ireland. This Michael was a bishop of 
Clogher in Tyrone is not very important - men from other counties were routinely made bishops of dioceses 
outside of their home counties. The bishop of Clogher who held the sea from 1268-1287 was Michael 
Mac An tSaoir and the famous St. Kieran of Clonmacnois, who flourished seven centuries earlier, was 
called Mac an tSaoir. MacAteer, or MacIntyre, is one of those names which had been subjected to 
anglicization by translation. Saor is the Irish word for a certain type of tradesman such as a mason or a 
carpenter. The name has never become Mason, but Carpenter was fairly widely used as a synonym, so 
that the surname Carpenter in Ireland is often not English in origin but MacAteer in origin. Also, since saor 
has another meaning of free, the English surname Freeman sometimes hides a MacAteer beginning. It is 
not improbable that the English name Searson was also sometimes used in the same way. It has been used 
as the anglicized form of Ó Saorthaigh. Freeman also does duty, in this case by mistranslation, for 
Ó Saorthaigh, the name of a small Westmeath sept normally called Seery in English. A branch of this, 
or possibly a distinct family of the same name, was also at one time located in Donegal, today descendants 
are now found in small numbers in north Connaght, where some of its members are called Seery and 
some Freeman. 

The 1659 census shows that the MacIntyres were numerous in Co. Donegal at that time, and the hearth money 
rolls of somewhat later show that the name was also common in Co. Monaghan. The adoption of Carpenter 
for MacAteer took place for the most part in the Dublin area, so that Most Rev. Dr. John Carpenter, 
Archbishop of Dublin from 1770 to 1786, who is remembered for his prominent part in the struggle for 
Catholic Emancipation, probably belonged to a branch of that sept. He was interested in Irish and in close 
touch with the Irish poet O'Neachtain; he wrote his name in Irish as Mac an tSaoir. However, Henry 
Carpenter (fl. 1790), poet and scribe, known in his native Irish language as Enri Mac an tSaoir, was a 
Clareman. The name also occurs in Co. Clare in a place-name-Cahermackateer, near Corofin; but as a 
surname it is very rare in that county in any of the above forms." 

http://www.generation13.com/Baronies/baroniespages/down.html

"Co. Down

14 baronies, Cited by Ptolemy to be anciently inhabited by the Voluntii or Uluntii, it was early referred to as Ulagh 
or Ulidia, being part of the early territory of the Dál Fiatach, Dál Araide and Uí Eatach Cobha (Greater and 
Lesser Ulster.) At what period this tribe settled in Ireland is unknown: the name is not found in any other 
author who treats of the country, whence it may be inferred that the colony was soon incorporated with the 
natives, the principal families of whom were the O'Nials, the Mac Gennises, the Macartanes, the Slut-Kellys, 
and the Mac Gilmores. The main Érainn tribes were the Dál Fiatach (in modern east Down, these were the 
descendants of the Ulaid of Navan), the Uí Échach (Ec Eghagh) of the Ards and the Dál Riata of
 north-east Antrim. Minor tribes included the Uí Blaithmeic (Ee Blahvic) of north Down. The main tribes of the 
Cruthin were the Dál nAraidi of mid Antrim and the Uí Echach Cobo of west Down. Minor tribes included the 
Latharna of Larne. The Dál Fiarach were known as the Ulaid to the early writers and the Dál nAraide as Cruthin, 
though the whole federation of these peoples was also known as Ulaid. It was coterminous with the modem 
counties of Antrim and Down. By the 8th century the island's clans had grouped themselves into five provinces. 
By the 12th century the principal families were Ó Neill, MacGennis, MacCartan, Kelly and MacGilmore.

The Uí Eathach Cobha were also prominent in Down and Monaghan in descent from the Dal nAriade. Modern 
county Armagh, the home of the ancient capitol of Ulidia (Uladh), that is Emhain Macha, was mentioned by 
Ptolemy as home to the Vinderii and Voluntii, prior to the establishment of Oirgialla by the three Collas in the 
4th century. The river Foyle through Londonderry appears to have been the Argita and the Baan the Logia but 
in ancient divisions the south and south-western parts were included in the territory of Dalaradiae, or Ulidia, 
and the rest was designated Dalrieda; with the Picts of upper Antrim and (Scythia) Scotland.

For six centuries, therefore, the King of Emania was Sovereign of all Ulster and sometimes also High-King 
of Leland. The King of Uladh, then, who was crowned and proclaimed on the Crew Hill, had subject to him 
the Kings of Dalradia, of Dalmunia, of Dufferin, of the Ards, of Lecale, of Iveagh, and of several minor 
provinces. By the 4th and 5th centuries much of the western and central portions of Ulster began to be 
dominated by the tribes of the northern Uí Neill and the Oirghialla. The Cruithni (Cruithin) of ancient 
Ulidia were said to occupy an area of south Antrim and north Down, athough they are generally referred 
to as an early indigenous population located in various parts of eastern Ulster. Among the Uí Máine dwelt 
the Sogain, a Cruithin (Pict) tribe, and the Dál naDruithne believed to be Tuatha De Danann Celts. 
Also-the Belgae and the Kingdom of Connacht. 

Ards (Lower)

An Ó Neill sept is cited here 

Kentigern's (abt. 528-614) success as bishop if clouded by the fact that the bishopric of Glasgow has no recorded 
history for some centuries after him and he his not mentioned in the lives of Columba, David, and Asaph. According 
to Bede, St. Augustine's conference with bishops and teachers of the British church dates to 602 at Augustine's 
Oak. Seven British bishops and numerous scholar-monks from the monastery of Bangor-is-Coed met Augustine 
and his associated clergy. 

As St. Maelrubha of Applecross was himself connected on his mother's side with St. Comgall, founder and first 
abbott of Bangor of the Irish Picts in the Ards of Ulster', the right to the abbeylands may at first have passed in 
the Pictish mode, and the O'Beollans perhaps have acquired the abbacy by a female descent or tanistry in the 
transitional ninth century. Applecross abbey was founded in 673 by Saint Maelrubha, abbott of Bangor, who 
descended from Eoghan (Owen), another son of King Niall. The earliest man we known of to have the comital 
title to Ross, was the rebel Máel Coluim mac Áeda. 

The Cenél Aedha, of Cenél Conaill, a sept descended from Conall Gulban who are said to have given their name 
to the barony of Tirhugh, alias Tír Aedha, in county Donegal. 

The Uí Echach were also known as the Uí Echach Coba to distinguish them from similarly named groups, to the 
east in the Ards peninsula (Ui Eachach Arda), and to the west in Airgialla. 

Ards (Upper)

Very early the MacGillmores; MacGiolla-Muire (MacGillmore or Gilmore) possessed the district of the Ards. 
Grey abbey was situated in the Ards Peninsula, seven miles from Newtownards, at the confluence of a small 
river and the Strangford Lough. 

Comber abbey was colonised with monks from Whitland in Wales, January 1200. An early Irish monastery, 
founded by St. Patrick, previously existed on the site, but is thought to have been defunct by the time the 
Cistercians arrived. The site of the abbey lies at the northwest end of Strangford Lough, at the mouth of 
the river Enler. 

The Viking tide was turned by Muircertach, Niall Glundubh's son and successor. His base was the Grianan 
of Aileach near Derry, a circular dry-stone fort still in a good state of preservation; from here he set out with 
his army in mid-winter (hence his name Muircertach of the Leather Cloaks). In a vigorous campaigning 
career Muircertach won victories over the invaders at sea on Strangford Lough in 926, took and burned 
Dublin in 939, ravaged the Norse settlements in the Scottish Isles with an Ulster fleet in 941 and died 
in combat in 943. 

Savage is cited here following the incursions of de Courcy in he late 12th century. The county continued 
chiefly in the possession of the same families at the period of the settlement of the North of Ireland in the 
reign of King James, at the commencement of the seventeenth century, with the addition of the English 
families of Savage and White. 

The Glynnes, so called from the intersection of its surface by many rock dells, extended from Larne, 
northward along the coast, to Ballycastle, being backed by the mountains on the west, and containing 
the present baronies of Glenarm and part of that of Carey. 

The Route included nearly all the rest of the county to the west and north, forming the more ancient 
Dalrieda. A right of supremacy over the lords of this territory was claimed by the powerful family of 
the northern O'Nials (now written Ó Neill), who were at length deprived of the southern part of 
this county, at the time of the arrival of the English, by the family of Savage and other English 
adventurers. The ruins of Antrim Castle can be found in Antrim Castle Gardens, a water gardens 
site that dates as far back as the 17th century; one of the earliest of its kind remaining in the British Isles 
the gardens feature an ancient motte. 

Other northern septs: The Uí Echach na hÁrda, of the ards of county Down, are given in descent from 
Eochaid Gunnat in the Book of Leinster. The Cinel-Eachach are noted by Seamus O Ceallaigh in the 
Airghiallian kingdom of Uí Fhiachrach of Ard Sratha (Ardstraw, Co. Tyrone). 

Castleregh (Lower)

The MacGilmores, kings of the Uí Derca Cein, were later centered here. 

A O'Mulcreevy sept is cited here, as well as near Newry. 

Castlereagh (Upper)

The O'Murrys (McIlmurray) were located here. The Compostition Book of the province of Connaught 
and Thomond (1585) 

Dufferin

Mac Artain (MacCartan), chiefs of Kinel Fagartaigh. 

Chiefs of Ormond and Ely 

Clan Conchobhar (Clan Conor) of Magh Ith 

The Cenel Moain of Magh Ith (Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh, Derry) 

Fogartaigh 

The O'Lowrys are cited here early. 

Later the Blackwood family were barons of Dufferin. In 1125, Bangor was rebuilt by Malachy O'Morgaur, 
then abbot, with the addition of an oratory of stone, said by St. Bernard to have been the first building of 
stone and lime in Ireland. 

Iveagh (Lower-Lower Half)

Iveagh was anciently part of the territory of the Uí Eatach Cobha. Horses are significant not only in the 
origin legend of Lough Neagh, but also in Geraldus Cambrensis' story of the inauguration ritual of an 
Ulster king. Another Uí Eachach family in Co. Down gave rise to the barony name Iveagh, from the 
dative Uibh Eachach." and the earliest union of the Picts and the Scots (Connacht). 

MagAonghusa (Magennis or McGuinness), lords of Iveagh. Noted chiefs of Airghialla included Ua 
Laidhgnén (O'Leighnin?), Ua Éiccnigh (O'Heany or Hegney), Ua Cerbhaill (O'Carroll), Ua 
Baígelláin (O'Boylan), Ua Anluain (O'Hanlon), Mac Mathgamna (MacMahon), among others. 

O'Haedha (O'Hugh) is given as chief of Fernmoy centered in the barony of Lower Iveagh. 

the Book of Fenagh and Leabhar na gCeart make note of an Uí Echach (baronies of Iveagh, co. 
Down) as a sub-territory of Airghialla 

Iveagh (Lower-Upper Half)

The Oriel sept of O'Rogan is cited in Iveagh prior to the 13th century, as well as the O'Rooneys, 
O'Hanvys and O'Devaneys. In the 12th century, the Irish Annals note Ua Ruadhacain (O'Rogan) 
as chiefs of Airthir, an area which may have been more restricted in size. The Ua Ruadacháin 
were noted as chiefs of Uí Eachach (Echdach), tributary to the O'Hanlons at the time. An Oriel 
sept of Ua Ruadhacain (O'Rogan) is cited in (or near) Armagh prior to the 13th century. The 
Kingdom of Airghialla was broken up by the Saxon-Gall (Anglo-Norman) advance into Ireland 
in the late twelfth and early thirteenth century. 

The O'Lavery sept, originally of northeast Ulster are found her in medieval times near Moira. In 637 
Ulster's resistance to the Gaels received a near mortal blow at Moira and Dalriada lost its lands in 
Ulster after siding with the vanquished. Over the centuries Ulster people became the dominant 
population in the Galloway and Ayrshire area of Scotland. The Ulster-Scottish kingdom of Dalriada 
continued until the close of the eighth century. 

Iveagh (Upper-Lower Half)

MagAonghusa (Magennis or McGuinness), lords of Iveagh. The Catalogue of Kings of Uladh states 
that no less than eight of them were descended from this Connla. The race of Connla, son of Aífe 
and Cuchulainn is represented by the Magennises of Iveagh in whose family the lordship of Iveagh 
was hereditary. His mother Aife was a female warrior from Alba, a rival of Scathach the Amazon. 

O'Rooney is cited here early. Mac Giolla Epscoip (Mac Gillespie) was chief of Clann Aeilabhra, 
legislator of Cath Monaigh, located somewhere in the barony of Iveagh up to the 12th century. 

Iveagh (Upper-Upper Half)

MagAonghusa (Magennis or McGuinness), lords of Iveagh, or 'Magennis's Country'. The 
Ua hAonghusa (O'Hennessy) sept of Gailenga Becc was located on the Co. Dublin/Meath border. 
The Gaileanga have an early genealogy tradition back to Ailella Auluimm (Oilill Olum). 

The Clann Cholgan included the families of MacColgan, O’Hennessy and O’Holohan. The MacColgans 
(Mac Colgan) were chiefs of the territory around Kilcolgan in the extreme northeast of County Offaly. 
The O’Hennessys (O hAonghusa) shared the lordship of Clann Cholgan (i.e., their clan-name was 
applied to the territory they possessed) with their kinsmen the O’Holohans (O hUallachain). 
The O’Hennessys (0 hAonghusa) of Corca Laoighdhe were chiefs of a territory in southwest 
Cork near Ross Bay. 

O'Gowan is cited here as noted in the name Ballygowan. 

Kinelearty

Mac Artain (MacCartan), chiefs of Kinel Fagartaigh, or 'MacArtan's Country'. Ros Laogh means 
promontory of the cow or calf. The MacIntyres had settled in Glen Noe, near a promontory that 
had a rock in the shape of a white cow- a location known as the Clach an Laoigh Bhiata, or 
stone of the White calf in Glen Noe. 'MacArtan's Country' was also called Kinelearty in 
Ulidian Antrim. Of the tribes of Uladh, Kinelarty named for the Cenél Foghartaigh- Mac 
Artain (MacCartan), chiefs of Kinel Fagartaigh, included the present baronies of Kinelarty, 
Dufferin (Dubthrín) and part of Castlereagh, in county Down. According to Keating the 
Mac Artán genealogy derives from the same origins as the Dál n-Araidhe and Úí Eathach, 
his genealogy citing the line of Mac Artán descending from Sárán m. Cóelbad m. Cruind Ba 
Druí m. Echach m. Lugdach m. Rossa (of clann Conaill Cernaich). 

Lecale (Lower)

Roscommon- Galway

Lecale, derived from the Dál Fiatach tribal name of Leth Cathail. The Book of Lecan notes the Monaich 
Ulad of Rusat, and the Monaigh of Lough Erne. Monaigh Arad, being called from one of the three 
grandsons of Capha, in county Down. The Cenél Maelche, a sept of the Ulidians of Dal-Araidians 
or Dál Fiatach, near Moira (Mag Rath), county Down, or in Antrim, alias Monach. The annals 
make note of Mac Giolla Epscoip (e.g. Mac Gillespie) as a Chief of Clann Aeilabhra, rector 
of Monach-an-Dúin, legislator of Cath Monaigh; later becoming erenaghs of Kilraine in couny Donegal. 

The Cenél Aengusa were kings of Leth Cathail, according to MacFirbis, who also describes the Uí 
Morna of this region. As tradition has it the ancient Manaigh or Monaigh occupied the area near 
Lough Erne, giving their name to the modern county of Fermanagh. 

The Monaig are often associated with the Manapioi (Menapii), a maritime Belgic tribe of Northern 
Gaul who are noted on Ptolemy's 2nd century map of Ireland in southeast Ireland. They spread 
northwards as the Fir Manach, or Monaig in Irish. O'Curry in his Manuscript Materials mentions 
Monaigh Arad, being called from one of the three grandsons of Capha, in county Down. 

The O'Colter (Coulter) sept is noted here in medieval times. 

Lecale (Upper)

Roscommon- Galway

The MacDunslevy (Dunleavy) family were noted here as lords of Ulidia. The Annals for Dál Fiatach cite. 
(O'Duinnshleibhe or MacDunnshleibhe). The Irians (or "Clan-na-Rory") of Ulster also settled several 
families in Munster, as early as the first and second centuries. The Craobh Ruadh [Creeveroe] or the 
portion of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster, a large territory which comprised the central parts of 
the present county Down, with some adjoining parts of Armagh. The Ulaid were the great Érainnian 
people who gave their name to Ulster, and it is they who are celebrated in the Ulster Cycle. Their 
direct royal representatives in historical times were the Dal bhFiatach of County Down, but they also 
encompassed the Uí Duach and Dal Riada as well. The Osraighe (including the Uí Duach and 
the MacGilpatricks) were of the same stock as the Ulaid, being descended from Oengus Osraigh, 
ancestor of the Dal bhFiatach. The Osraighe migrated to Ossory (County Kilkenny). The 
Dal bhFiatach or MacDonlevys (Mac Duinnshleibhe) were a warlike clan that held great power 
in County Down and South Antrim until 1177. Of the Clan-na-Rory, who, according to O'Brien, 
possessed the Craobh Ruadh [Creeveroe] or the territory of the famous Red Branch Knights of Ulster. 

The Russell family dates back to the 12th century at Downpatrick. Downpatrick was originally named 
‘Aras-celtair’ and ‘Rath-Keltair,’ one signifying the house and the other the castle or fortification of Celtair, 
the son of Duach; by Ptolemy it was called ‘Dunum.’ 

Leth Cathail is described as a subdivision of Uladh, the "half" belonging to Cathal, son of Muireadhach, 
son of Aonghus, son of Maolcobha, son of Fiachna, son of Deaman, a king of Ulidia. Literally, it was 
"Cathal's Half of Dál Fiatach". As such the early genealogy of the Leth Cathail is an offshoot of the Dál Fiatach. 

The first recorded arrival of the Gallowglass was in 1259. Prince Aedh O’Connor of Connaught, 
son of King Feidhlim married a princess, daughter of Dubhgall MacRory King of the Hebrides. 

Lordship of Newry

Septs cited in this area in medieval times included Haughey, O'Mulcreevy, and McAlinden. 

The Haughey, or O'Hoey, chiefs were included as Kings of Ulster (O hEochaidh) prior to the Norman invasion. 

Mourne

An old name for the barony is given as Boirche, or Bairchiu. 

O'Machoiden (MacCadden), chief of Mughdorn, or Mourne. Colla Meann fell in this battle. Colla 
Menn had sons named Mennit Chruthnech and Mugdorn Dub di Ultaib. From Colla Meann descended 
the Mughdorna and the Dál Mennat. The Collas first went to their kin in Connaught [King Muiredeach] 
and there gathered a great army for the invasion of Ulster. Co. Monaghan. The Mugdorna territory 
stretched from Monaghan, where it is preserved in the name Cremourne (Crích Mugdorna 
"the territory of the Mughdorn"), south to as far as the river Boyne at Navan. 

The Airghialla federation in addition, other places where Arghialla groups have been noted included 
areas within the modern counties of Tyrone, Cavan, Meath, Westmeath, Louth, and Derry. Their 
territory, depending on timeframe, included much of what includes the modern counties of Monaghan, 
Armagh and Fermanagh. 

MacDunvany was a chief of Clanawley in Co. Down, their territory referred to as Uí Mughroin or Cenél Agaidh. 

O'Laichnain (Loughnane) is desribed as chief of Modbarn Beag (Little Mourne) and cited as chiefs of the Dalriada. 

The Mac Donlevys were a chief family in Down and southern Antrim, descended from Kings of Uladh, 
until the Normans arrived in 1177. 

O'Ainbith (Hanvey) is cited as chief of Uí Eachach Coba in the barony of Iveagh.
 
Monarchs of Ireland with Ulster Connections 

The Three Collas destroyed Emain Macha, which was never again used as the capital of Ulster. 

Clanna Rory of Ulster"