The O’Phelans (0 Faolain) are the
chiefly family of the Deisis, and were lords of that people and territory prior to the
twelfth century Anglo-Norman invasion. They are still a numerous family in this original
territory; while a branch also became established (probably as a result of the
Anglo-Norman invasion) at Magh Lacha, a plain in the barony of Kells, County Kilkenny,
where they also became numerous.
The Partraige
The Partraige were the ancient and remote people who inhabited the
wastelands of Iar Connacht (literally, "west of Connacht," i.e., beyond Connacht
proper) between Loch Corrib and Loch Mask. Little is heard of them besides their existence
until the emergence in historical times of the O’Malleys, who later disguised their
origin by the assertion of kinship with the Ui Briuin Gaels (which was probably founded on
intermarriage).
The O’Malleys (0 Maille) were a great
sea-power around Clew Bay in County Mayo. Their territory was coextensive with the
baronies of Burrishoole and Murresk on the west coast of County Mayo. Their leading men
were often famous as naval commanders, and the clan always had a considerable fleet under
their power, an unusual occurrence in Ireland, even among coastal families. The
O’Malleys were known to literature as the Manannans, or "sea-gods" of the
Western Ocean, and many tales tell of their prowess. There appears to have been a branch
of the family settled before the sixteenth century in the Limerick area, as lords of Tuath
Luimnigh.
The Uaithni
The Uaithni were located in County Galway in prehistoric times, but later
came to inhabit the northeast of County Limerick and the adjoining part of County
Tipperary. In historical times the tribe is represented by the O’Heffernans.
The O’I-Ieffernans (0 hlfearna in) were
anciently the chiefs of UaithneCliach, now the barony of Owneybeg, in the east of County
Limerick. They were dispossessed by the O’Mulryans in the fourteenth century, but
families of the name are still very numerous in Limerick and Tipperary.
The Ui Bairrche
The Ui Bairrche were originally from South Wexford, in the baronies of
Forth and Bargy, but they were driven from this territory by the Laigin of Ui
Ceinnsealaigh, and the main body settled among their allies among the northern Laigin,
mainly in the area of the barony of Slievemargy in the southeastern corner of Leix and the
adjoining portions of Carlow and Kilkenhy. Their chief representatives in historical times
are the OTracys and MacGormans.
The MacGormans (Mac Gormain) were, prior to
the Anglo-Norman invasion, lords of Ui Bairrche. Soon afterwards, however, they were
driven from |
