O'Leary
![O'Leary Coat of Arms](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/O%27Leary.png/220px-O%27Leary.png)
History
[edit]Ancient
[edit]The Uí Laoghaire clan, today associated with the Uibh Laoghaire parish inCounty Cork,is considered by scholars[1][2]to have originated in the early Middle Ages on the south-west coast, in the area of Ros Ó gCairbre (Rosscarbery), of which the O'Leary were hereditary lords.[3]
![Carrignacurra Castle, Inchigeelagh, Co. Cork, Ireland.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Carrignacurra_Castle%2C_Inchigeelagh_-_geograph.org.uk_-_734639.jpg/220px-Carrignacurra_Castle%2C_Inchigeelagh_-_geograph.org.uk_-_734639.jpg)
The Annals of Innisfallen (Dublin copy) records St. Fachtna's (Saint Fachanan) death in 600 AD as occurring in "O'Laeghaire of Ross i.e. Corca Laidhe-I-Laeghaire Ruis".[4]The clan traces its lineage toLugaid Mac Con,an ancientKing of TaraandHigh King of Ireland,and descendant ofDáire Doimthech.In the 12th century the O'Leary's were recognised hereditary wardens of St Fachtna's monastery and seat of higher learning, theSchool of Ross.[5]In more recent times (since 1300 AD), the clan, of theCorcu Loígde,was pushed north and settled in an area west ofMacroomaroundInchigeelaghcalledUibh Laoghaire(orUibh Laoirein modern Irish – the 'gh' is silent in the old Irish). Their presence in the area is marked by a four story stone tower house calledCarrignacurra Castle,which was built on a rocky outcrop on the south bank of theRiver Leein the late 16th century, a mile east of Inchigeelagh.[6]
The Corcu Loígde were the rulers ofMunster,and of territories beyond the province, before the rise of theEóganachtain the 7th century. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Learys were one of the chiefly families of theCorca Laoghdnetribe who in turn came from theErainntribe who were the second wave ofCeltsto settle in Ireland from 500 to 100BC.[7]The port of Dún Laoghaire, near Dublin is not associated with the O'Leary sept(s), rather it is named for Lóegaire mac Néill, a 5th-century High King of Ireland.
The book of Lecan (A.D. 1397-A.D. 1418) details the early status of O'Leary as a Corco Laidetaisach duchusa(hereditary chieftain) in the tuath of Ross (Ruis), with associated families:
Tuath Ruis.i. Tuath in Dolaich, o Loch in Bricin co Faid Ruis -, o Thraig Long co Sid na Fear (i) Find. O Leagaire a taisach duchusa. Is iad so an oclaid duchusa.i. O Ruaidri -, O Lonan -, O Laidid -, O Torpa -, O hUrmoltaich -, O Mirin -, O Meic Dairic -, O Tuaraide -, O Trena -, O hUainidi -, O Cerdin[8]
The name also occurs in the Cineal Laoghaire branch of the Eoghanacht dynasty which later came to dominate Munster.[9]With the unrelated Corco Laidhe andEoghanachtbranches of O'Learys settling in north-west Cork and nearby Kerry respectively, the tracing of lineage is complex.
Modern
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Peadar_Ua_Laoghaire.png/220px-Peadar_Ua_Laoghaire.png)
Although almost nothing is known of their activities for several centuries, the O'Learys reappear as a still titled[10]family in the 16th century, and relatively wealthy, although they were subject to theMacCarthy of Muskerrydynasty, from whom they received theWhite Wand(a symbol of authority).[11]They were the only other freeholders in Muskerry besides theO'Mahonys,[12]and had built several castles in their territories, including Carraignaneelagh, Drumcarragh and Carrignacurra, of whichCarrignacurrais the only one still standing.[13]The celebrated Irish language writerPeadar Ua Laoghairewas a descendant of the Carrignacurra branch of the family.[14]
Auliffe O'Learyjoined the side ofHugh Ó Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyronein theNine Years' War,from the very inception of it, and took the field with William Bourke (Clanricarde) and others.[11]For this the chiefs of the O'Learys were eventuallyattained,and their lands parceled out, but because of the remoteness of their territory it was never carried out, and they remained safe there until theCromwellian confiscationsdecades later.Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancartydid however appear to do his best to allow them to stay on their lands through leasing.[15]The family became much more scattered during the laterWilliamite War in Ireland.
As an example of their wealth and capacity in the mid-16th century, an early O'Leary of Carrignacurra[16]is purported to be the fosterer ofDonnel na g croiceann, or Donnel of the Hides,ancestor of the modernO'Donovansof Clan Cahaill. His daughter Ellen married Donnell. Their issue wasDonnell II O'Donovan.
The last O'Leary lord of the Old Gaelic order was Donal MacArt O'Leary (1575–1657).[17]
People
[edit]Military
[edit]- Art Ó Laoghaire(d 1773), Austro-Hungarian army officer
- His wifeEibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill,composed "Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire"
- Daniel Florencio O'Leary(1802–1854), military general under Simon Bolivar
- Michael John O'Leary(1890–1961), Irish-Canadian recipient of theVictoria Cross
- William O'Leary (British Army officer),Deputy Commander Field Army (British Army)
Religion
[edit]- Arthur O'Leary (preacher)(1729–1802), Irish Franciscan and polemical writer
- Francis O'LearyMBE (1931–2000), founded the St Joseph's Hospice Association
- Henry Joseph O'Leary(1879–1938), Bishop of Charlottetown and Archbishop of Edmonton
- Louis James O'Leary(1877–1930), 6th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown
Poetry and literature
[edit]- John O'Leary (Fenian)(1830–1907), Irish poet who was imprisoned in England
- Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire(1774–1849), Irish poet
- Peadar Ua Laoghaire(1839–1920), Irish writer in Irish and Catholic priest
- P. I. O'Leary(1888–1944), Australian poet and journalist
Politics and law
[edit]- Brendan O'Leary,Irish political scientist
- Clement O'Leary,Canadian member of Parliament
- Cornelius O'Leary,Irish historian and political scientist
- Denis O'Leary(1863–1943), New York politician
- Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire(born 1989)Teachta DálaforSinn Féin
- Grattan O'Leary(1888–1976), Canadian journalist and Senator
- Harriet Wright O'Leary(1916-1999), American teacher and politician and first woman to serve on the tribal council of theChoctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Hazel R. O'Leary(born 1937), formerUnited States Secretary of Energy
- Henry O'Leary,Irish-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick
- Hugh O'Leary(born 1974), English accountant and husband ofLiz Truss
- Humphrey O'Leary(1886–1953), 7th Chief Justice of New Zealand
- James A. O'Leary,member of the United States House of Representatives from New York
- Jean O'Leary,American gay and lesbian rights activist, politician, and former nun
- John O'Leary (ambassador)(1947–2005), mayor of Portland, Maine, and United States ambassador to Chile
- John O'Leary (Kerry politician)(1933–2015), former Irish Fianna Fáil party politician and TD for Kerry South
- John O'Leary (Wexford politician)(1894–1959), former Irish Labour party politician and TD for Wexford
- Joseph V. O'Leary,NYS Comptroller 1941–1942 and founding member of the Liberal Party of New York
- Kevin O'Leary (judge)(1920–2015), 2nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
- Michael O'Leary (politician)(1936–2006), former leader of the Irish Labour Party
- Seán O'Leary (Irish politician)(1941–2006), former Irish senator
- William O'Leary (Irish politician)(died 1955), Irish Fianna Fáil politician and TD for Kerry
Journalism and activism
[edit]- Émile-Dostaler O'Leary(1908–1965), Canadian journalist and writer
- Grattan O'Leary(1888–1976), Canadian journalist and Senator
- Jeremiah O'Leary,American journalist
- John O'Leary (journalist),editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement
- Olivia O'Leary,Irish journalist
- P. I. O'Leary(1888–1944), Australian poet and journalist.
- Walter-Patrice O'Leary(1910–1989), Canadian journalist, political activist and trade unionist
Arts and entertainment
[edit]- Arthur O'Leary (composer)(1834–1919), Irish composer and pianist
- Dermot O'Leary(born 1973), English television and radio presenter
- Fletcher O'Leary,Australian child actor
- Jane O'Leary(born 1946), American-Irish avantgarde composer
- Karen O'LearyNew Zealand comedian and television and film actress
- Mary O'Leary (producer),American television producer
- Matt O'Leary,American actor
- Michael O'Leary (actor)(born 1958), in American soap operaGuiding Light
- Patrick O'Leary (writer)(born 1952), American science fiction writer
- Tim O'Leary,fictional character in the British soap operaBrookside
- Ursula O'Leary,English actress
- William O'Leary (actor),American actor
Sport
[edit]- Amanda O'Leary,American lacrosse coach
- Bob O'Leary,American soccer player
- Charley O'Leary(1882–1941), American baseball player
- Clare O'Leary,first Irish woman to climb Mount Everest
- Clare O'Leary (cricketer)
- Dan O'Leary,American baseball player
- Daren O'Leary,English rugby union player
- David O'Leary,English-born Irish football (soccer) manager formerly of Aston Villa
- George O'Leary(born 1946), American college football coach
- John O'Leary (Gaelic footballer)
- Kieran O'Leary,Irish Gaelic footballer
- Kristian O'Leary,Welsh football (soccer) player
- Mike O'Leary,American curler
- Noel O'Leary,Irish footballer
- Peter O'Leary (referee),New Zealand football (soccer) referee
- Pierce O'Leary,Irish footballer
- Ryan O'Leary,Scottish footballer
- Seánie O'Leary(1952–2021), Irish hurler
- Stephen O'Leary,English-born Irish footballer
- Tomás O'Leary(born 1983), Irish rugby union player
- Troy O'Leary(born 1969), American baseball player
Other
[edit]- Brian O'Leary,American "scientist-astronaut"
- Catherine O'Leary(1827–1895), owner of the property in which it was alleged the Great Chicago Fire started
- Ciarán O'Leary,Irish professional poker player practicing in the USA
- Daniel O'Leary (mobster),Irish American mobster
- James Patrick O'Leary(c. 1860–1926), American mobster
- Kevin O'Leary (entrepreneur),Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist
- Michael O'Leary (Ryanair),CEO of the low-cost Irish airline Ryanair
Places
[edit]- Uibh Laoghaire, parish aroundInchigeelagh,inCounty Cork,Ireland.
- Dún Laoghaire,Dublin, Ireland – Name means "Fort of Leary".
- O'Leary, Prince Edward Island
- Plaza O’Leary – major square inCaracas,Venezuela.Named forDaniel Florencio O'Leary
See also
[edit]- Leary (disambiguation)
- Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups,from whom many of the modern Irish surnames came from
References
[edit]- ^Dublin Annals of Inisfallen
- ^John O'Donovan,ed. 'The Genealogy of Corca Laidhe', inMiscellany of the Celtic Society.Dublin. 1849.alternative scan
- ^Cork History and Society, P. O'Flanagan, C. Buttimer, Geography Publications, Dublin 1993
- ^John O'Donovan
- ^"Trung Quốc - song màu võng công ty hữu hạn > trang đầu".Archived fromthe originalon 22 September 2008.Retrieved3 August2008.
- ^"Castles of Ireland - Carrignacurra Castle".Castles of Ireland.
- ^Cairney, C. Thomas (1989).Clans and Families of Ireland and Scotland.Jefferson, North Carolina,United States, and London:McFarland & Company.pp. 61–64.ISBN0899503624.
- ^Cork History and Society, P. O'Flanagan, C. Buttimer, eds. Geography Publications, Dublin 1993
- ^Cork History and Society, P. O'Flanagan, C. Buttimer, eds. Geography Publications, Dublin 1993, p 63
- ^In the Gaelic system.
- ^abÓ Murchadha, p. 208
- ^Diarmuid Ó Murchadha,Family Names of County Cork.Cork: The Collins Press. 2nd edition, 1996. pp. 206 ff
- ^Lee, Phillip (1914)."Notes on Some Castles in Mid Cork"(PDF).Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society.XX(102): 57–68.
- ^Ó Murchadha, p. 214
- ^Ó Murchadha, p. 211
- ^The branch to which this O'Leary belonged is not precisely known. It may have been different from the one that later occupied it.
- ^Donal MacArt O'Leary[permanent dead link]by Peter O'Leary