In the rich history of Ireland and Irish emigration to the United States, few surnames have been as enduring and prevalent as Murphy. This is an exploration of the Murphy surname and its prevalence from the mid-19th century to the present day. Census records and emigration lists uncover the patterns of this quintessentially Irish last … Read more
Some Irish names can be traced back to a single clan within a single province. But the Murphy name is so spread across the island that scholars believe that it descends from separate clans in different provinces. The strongest connections can be traced to a branch of the Kinsellas (Uí Cheinnsealaigh) whose stronghold was in … Read more
The Hungry Grass is a cursed patch of land. The unfortunate person who walks across it is struck with extreme hunger. The hunger is accompanied by stomach pains and a sudden wave of physical weakness. Moreover, victims become so disorientated that they can walk around in circles for days. This keeps them tied to the … Read more
When you’re of Irish heritage, you will sometimes have to grapple with Latin terms in old parish records. This includes baptism, marriage, and death registers. You may also find Latin inscriptions on headstones. This list has over one hundred and twenty Latin terms that you may see in your genealogy research. You can scroll through … Read more
Kinsella is one of the big clan names in Irish history. Their strongholds were in Leinster. Here are some of the family names of Kinsella ancestry. Are you amongst them? Kinsella, Kinshellagh, Kinshlagh Kinsello, Kinchelloe, Kenselloe Kinsler, Kinslayer, Kinchsular The first Kinsella was the son of a King of Leinster. But let’s start at the … Read more
Kavanagh or Cavanaugh is one of the great names in Irish history. The clan strongholds were in Leinster. Several generations took the title of King of Leinster through the centuries. Here are some of the family names of Kavanagh ancestry. Are you amongst them? Kavanagh, Cavanaugh Cavan, Caven, Keevan This article will tell you about … Read more
Here are the lyrics to Follow Me Up To Carlow. The song has three verses and a chorus. After the lyrics, we explain all the characters and places in the song. First Verse Of Follow Me Up To Carlow Lift MacCahir Óg your face Brooding o’er the old disgrace That Black Fitzwilliam stormed your place, … Read more
O’Byrne is one of the great names in Irish history. The O’Byrne Clan ruled from their strongholds in the Wicklow mountains for several centuries. Here are some of the family names of O’Byrne ancestry. Are you amongst them? This article will tell you about the exploits of Fiach McHugh O’Byrne, the great mountain warrior. But … Read more
Before the tenth century, people in Ireland used a single name alongside their sept (tribe) name. The tenth-century saw Brian Boru become High King and unite armies from Connacht, Munster, and Leinster. The population was growing and people were traveling outside their traditional clan territories. New neighbors needed a way to distinguish between different people … Read more
Brian Boru was born in the first half of the 10th century and died in battle in 1014 in the Battle of Clontarf. As one of the greatest kings of Ireland, he gave his name to the O’Brien clan and many other variations of the name. This article takes you through his rise from a … Read more