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Roots

Irish Roots: O’Connell, Connolly, Conlon and Connellan

James G Ryan

July 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment

The name Connolly is derived from several different roots. In Connaught and Monaghan it derives from the Gaelic O'Coingeallaigh. Both are anglicized to Connolly although the spelling form Connelly is often found in Galway. There have been several famous bearers of the name. In the early 18th century William Connolly (1660-1729) was an eminent lawyer and politician. His family … [Read more...] about Irish Roots: O’Connell, Connolly, Conlon and Connellan

Roots: The O’Sullivans Past & Present

By James G. Ryan

May/June 1996

May 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment

The O'Sullivan Clan of Munster has produced fine military leaders, sporting heroes, politicians, movie stars, songwriters, and even a space walker, as the following history of one of the most popular Irish names illustrates. The O'Sullivans or Sullivans are one of the most populous of the Munster families. In Irish O'Sullivan is O'Súileabháin. And there is no doubt that … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Sullivans Past & Present

Roots: The O’Briens

By James G. Ryan

January/February 1996

March 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment

The O'Briens are one of the great Gaelic families of Ireland, and were the rulers of the ancient kingdom of Thomond, which takes in much of the modern county Clare and also the adjacent parts of counties Limerick and Tipperary. The family name is derived from Brian Boru (925-1014 A.D.) who was King of Thomond and rose to become High King of Ireland. Brian Boru is best … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Briens

Roots: Byrnes and O’Beirnes

By James G. Ryan

September / October 1997

March 7, 2025 by Leave a Comment

The names O'Byrne and O'Beirne (or Byrne and Beirne) are often regarded as variants of the same name, much to the annoyance of the less-common Beirnes. In fact, the names spring from totally different sources. O'Byrne is derived from the Gaelic O'Broin, meaning "descended from Bran," an 11th century King of Leinster. The O'Byrnes were chieftains of what is now County Kildare … [Read more...] about Roots: Byrnes and O’Beirnes

Roots: The Burkes

By James G. Ryan

July/August 1997

February 14, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Burke (or Bourke) is one of the most popular Irish names of Norman origin. The name was introduced to Ireland through the person (and presumably extended family) of William Fitzadelm de Burgo, who came to Ireland in 1169 with the Norman invasion forces. William was granted large estates of O'Connor land in Connacht but the family did not effectively gain possession of this … [Read more...] about Roots: The Burkes

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July 28, 1769

Sir Hudson Lowe, an Anglo-Irish soldier, was born on this day in his mother’s native city of Galway in 1769. Hudson’s father, John Lowe, was an army surgeon, so much of his childhood was spent in various garrison towns; particularly in the West Indies. In 1787, he entered his father’s regiment. Lowe is best known for his time as Governor of the colony of St. Helena and as the “gaoler” for Napoleon Bonaparte.

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