A search through Dermot McEvoy’s family history revealed an eye-opening secret. Here’s what he discovered, plus a guide to researching your own Irish ancestors. (This article has been updated since its original publication to reflect the most recent re-location of the General Registry Office.) Mary Josephine Kavanagh was born in Dublin on March 18, 1907. She was my mother, or … [Read more...] about My Mother the Imposter: A Roots Mystery
Roots
Roots: The Bold O’Briens
The O’Briens are an illustrious and prominent clan that has shaped the history of Ireland. The name, also spelled O’Bryan or O’Brian, means “of Brian” indicating descendance from Brian Borumha mac Cennetig, or Brian Boru, the celebrated High King of Ireland. Brian Boru (925-1014) received the throne of Thomond (an area which covers much of modern day County Clare as well as … [Read more...] about Roots: The Bold O’Briens
Roots: O’Connor
The O’Connor name, with its varied spellings, doesn’t spring from a common source. The name arose in five areas of Ireland: Connacht, Kerry, Derry, Offaly, and Clare and split into six distinct septs, five of which are still in existence. The most prominent sept is that of the Connacht O’Connors who gave us the last two High-Kings of Ireland: Turlough O’Connor (1088-1156) and … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Connor
Roots: The McCarthy Clan
By Liam Moriarty, Contributor
April / May 2006 Originally published in the March/April 1997 Issue of Irish America
April / May 2006 Originally published in the March/April 1997 Issue of Irish America
The McCarthy clan traces its ancestry through an illustrious line of individuals and events reaching far back into ancient Celtic history and myth. The McCarthys claim descendants from the Eoghanachta, the rulers of the fifth province of Ireland, or Munster. The Eoghanachta were a people believed to have descended from Heber, the son of the mythical King Milesius of Spain. It … [Read more...] about Roots: The McCarthy Clan
Roots: Dunne and Duffy
By James G. Ryan
April / May 2000
he names Dunne and Duffy have nothing in common except that they are derived from colors, the Dunnes from donn, the Gaelic word for brown and Duffy from dubh, the Gaelic for black. This is relatively unusual since the vast majority of Gaelic names are based on relationships i.e. "Son of," or "Follower of." The Dunne family name is derived from the Gaelic O'Duinn or O'Doinn, … [Read more...] about Roots: Dunne and Duffy