Kings of Ireland – McGroarty Family History O’Donnell dynasty – Like the family of O’Neill, that of O’Donnell of Tyrconnell was of the Uí Néill, i.e. descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, High-King of Ireland at the beginning of the 5th century; the O’Neill, or Cenél nEógain, tracing their […]
Ireland
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The Cathach of St. Columba is traditionally associated with St. Columba (d. AD 597), and was identified as the copy made by him of a book loaned to him by St. Finnian, and which led to the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne in 561 in Cairbre Drom Cliabh (now in Co. […]
One of Derry’s historic place-names is Ballymagroarty – Baile Mhic Robartaigh, the townland of the McGroarty family. The area is named after this herenach clan. In the middle ages, each parish had a herenach family whose duty it was to take charge of and preserve the church relics. In Derry […]
An Cathach (meaning ‘the Battler’) was a very important relic used by the Clan Ó Domhnaill (O’Donnell Clan), the old Gaelic royal family in Tír Chonaill (mainly modern County Donegal) in the west of Ulster. It was used as a rallying cry and protector in battle. It was said to […]