They came from Donegal. Legend says they are descended from the 5th-century Ulsterman Niall of the Nine Hostages, whose son Conall was baptized by St. Patrick. It is from Domhnaill (d.901), a descendant of that mythic Conall, that the family name, which has since been anglicized as O’Donnell, emerged. St. Patrick gave the O’Donnells their crest. According to the early 17th … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Donnells
Roots
The Collins Clan
Collins, also sometimes found as Cullane or O’Cullane, is one of the most common surnames in Munster. It originates from the sept of Ó Coileáin, which extended from County Cork to south Limerick. The name itself is thought to come from the Irish coileán, meaning a whelp or a young dog. In the 13th century, the Ó Coileáins were chased southward into Cork after losing a war with … [Read more...] about The Collins Clan
Joe Biden’s Irish Roots
By Megan Smolenyak, Contributor
IA News April 12, 2023
IA News April 12, 2023
It’s well known that President Joe Biden spent his early years in the very Irish city of Scranton, Pennsylvania. But what about his ancestors? Genealogist Megan Smolenyak, who also traced President Obama’s Irish roots, has delved into the President’s family tree and unearthed a few surprises. How can you not love a name like Finnegan Biden? I find it charming when family names … [Read more...] about Joe Biden’s Irish Roots
Irish Family History Day – January 24
By Adam Farley, Editorial Assistant
January 22, 2013
January 22, 2013
Irish Family History Day is Thursday, January 24. In partnership with The Gathering and the launch of more than 21 million birth, marriage, and death (BDM) certificates to the site, FindMyPast.com has declared Thursday, January 24 to be “Irish Family History Day.” It’s more than just a nominal accolade though, because this Thursday the site is opening their Ireland records to … [Read more...] about Irish Family History Day – January 24
My Mother the Imposter: A Roots Mystery
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