Roots Archive
Roots: Reynolds and Haughey
This month we are featuring the families of our new Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Albert Reynolds,…
Roots: Unusual Irish Names
My recent article on “That’s Not an Irish Name” has prompted a lot of comment…
Roots: That’s Not an Irish Name!
Names such as Kelly, Murphy, O’Brien and Ryan are distinctively Irish and are widely known…
More Articles
Roots: The Remarkable Ryans
Given its status as one of the ten most numerous surnames in Ireland, the name Ryan is recognizable to most people as a telltale indicator of green in the veins. Less commonly […]
Roots: The Hogans, Logans and Cogans
Although these surnames sound alike, the similarities end there. The Hogans are a Dalcassian family. Hogan comes from the Irish word óg meaning young. In Irish mythology, the land of […]
Roots: The Macs
This issue’s Roots column is slightly different from the traditional format. Instead of looking at a single surname, or different but etymologically related surnames, I examine three unique but phonetically […]
Military Physicians: Like Father, Like Daughter
Dr. Francis O’Donnell and his daughter, Dr. Mary O’Donnell, have dedicated their careers as physicians to serving our soldiers. The story of their service to their country and to our […]
Roots: The O’Dowd Clan
In 982 the King of Connaught, Aedh Ua Dubhda (or Hugh O’Dowd), “died an untroubled death.” This note in Lebor Laignech, the medieval Irish manuscript better known as the Book […]
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 […]