Irish Pedigrees: O'Brien - Kings of Thomond (#1)

There are ten O'Brien family lineages in the consideration for "Chief of the O'Briens," or "The O'Brien." A Gaelic title meaning the number one O'Brien. Following is the first lineage in the O'Brien Clan from which all succeeding lineages descend. Currently the family lineage of #5 (Dromoland & Inchiquin) hold the Gaelic title of "The O'Brien/Prince of Thomond."

 

From Irish Pedigrees; or the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, by John O'Hart

The Armorial Bearings of the "O'Brien" (of Thomond) family are: Arms: Gules three lions, passant guardant, per pale, or and argent. Crest: On a wreath issuing out of clouds, a naked arm, embowed, the hand grasping a sword, all ppr. Motto: Lamh Laidir an Uachdar.

O'Brien ancient arms

O'Brien Clan modern arms

THE following is the Stem [1] of this family, from Cormac Cas, who was the ancestor of Ó Briain of Thomond (anglicised O'Brien, O'Brian, O'Bryan, Brien, Bryan, Bryant, Breen, and Bernard), and a younger brother of Owen Mór, who is No. 85 on the "Line of Heber;" down to Henry O'Brien, the eighth Earl of Thomond, who d. in 1741. 

85. Cormac Cas: second son of Olioll Olum, King of Munster, by his wife Sabh or Sabina, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and relict of MacNiadh; he was one of the most distinguished champions of his time, and "remarkable for strength of body, dexterity, and courage." He defeated the Lagenians (or Leinster men) in the battle of Iorras Damhsa, Carmen (or Wexford), Liamhan (or Dunlaven), Tara, Teltown, and Samhna Hill; and the Conacians in the famous battle of Cruachan, in the county Roscommon. Cormac d. at Dun-tri-Liag, (or the Fort of the Stone Slabs), now "Duntrileague," in the county Limerick, of wounds received in the battle of Samhna Hill, from the spear of Eochy of the Red Eyebrows, King of Leinster. He was m. to Samer, dau. of Fionn MacCumhal (Fionn MacCoole), and sister of the poet Oisin, by whom he left, with other children:

86. Mogha Corb (or Mogha of the Chariots), who was b. A.D. 167, and attained a very old age. This Prince, who became King of Munster, which he governed for the space of twenty years, fought the memorable battle of Gabhra or Garristown, near Dublin, against the Monarch Cairbre Liffechar, A.D. 284.

87. Fear Corb: his son; b. 198; governed Munster for seven years; fought the battles of Tlachtga and Teltown against the Lagenians, in the latter of which he slew Tinne the son of Triun, a distinguished warrior; and defeated the Conacians in the battles of Ceara, Corann, and Rathcruaghan, with great slaughter.

88. Æneas Tireach: his son; b. 232; was distinguished for his patriotism and courage, particularly in the battle of Cliodhna, near Clonakilty; and was remarkable for the strictness of his laws, as well as for his impartial judgments.

89. Lughaidh Meann: his son; b. 286; dispossessed the Firbolgs of the tract now known as the county Clare (which had in his time formed part of Connaught), and attached it to Munster.

90. Conall Each-luath ("each:" Irish, Lat. "eq-uus," Gr. "ik-kos" a horse; "luath:" Irish, agile, Welsh "lludw," nimble), or Conall of The Swift Steeds: his son; b. 312. Had two sons—1. Cas; 2. Eana Arighthach.

91. Cas: the elder son; a quo the Dal Cais or "Dalcassians;" b. 347. Had twelve sons:—1. Blad, 2. Caisin, 3. Lughaidh, 4. Seana, 5. Aengus Cinathrach, 6. Carthann Fionn, 7. Cainioch, 8. Aengus Cinaithin, 9. Aodh, 10. Nae, 11. Loisgeann, and 12. Dealbheath.

92. Blad ("bladair:" Irish, to coax; Lat. "blater-o," to flatter): the eldest son of Cas; a quo O'Bladair, anglicised Blair, Flattery, and Blood (of Munster); b. 388; left four sons:--1. Carthann Fionn Oge Mór; 2. Carthann Dubh; 3. Eochaidh; 4. Brennan Ban, ancestor of O'Brennan (of Thomond), Glinn, Glynn, Maglin, Magan, Muldowney (now "Downey"), O'Hurley, etc.

93. Carthann Fionn Oge Mór: eldest son of Blad. Had two sons: 1. Eochaidh Ball-dearg; 2. Aengus, who was the progenitor of O'Curry, O'Cormacan, O'Seasnain, etc.

94. Eochaidh Ball-dearg: son of Carthann Fionn Oge Mór. Received Baptism at the hands of St. Patrick, and d. at an advanced age, leaving two sons: 1. Conall, 2. Breacan, a quo "Ibrickan," a barony in the county Clare.

95. Conall: the elder son. Died vita patris, and left issue: 1. Aodh Caomh; 2. Molua Lobhar, or St. Molua the Leper, founder of the church of Killaloe, co. Clare.

96. Aodh Caomh ("caomh:" Irish, gentle; Arab, "kom," noble; Lat. "com-is"): the elder son; a quo O'Caoimh, anglicised Coombe. Was King of Cashel. Of him Lodge says: "He was the first Christian King of this family, that became King of all Munster; and his investure with the authority and title of King of that Province was performed at his own Court, in the presence of St. Breanan of Clonfert, and of his domestic poet MacLemein, who afterwards became first bishop of Cloyne; and also by the concurrence of Aodh Dubh, son of Criomthan, then chief representative of the Eugenian race." He had two sons: 1. Cathal; 2. Congall, the ancestor of O'Noonan, of Thomond and South Connaught.

97. Cathal: the elder son.

98. Turlogh: his son; b. 641. Had—1. Maithan; 2. Ailgeanan, who was the ancestor of O'Meara, Scanlan and MacArthur.

99. Maithan: son of Turlogh; b. 683.

100. Anluan: his son.

101. Corc: his son.

102. Lachtna: his son. Had his residence at a place called Grinan Lachtna, near Killaloe: he d. at an advanced age.

103. Lorcan (also called Fingin): his son; was King of the Dalcassians; d. 942. Had three sons:— 1. Cineidi; 2. Cosgrach, the ancestor of Cosgrave of (Munster), and O'Hogan; 3. Lonargan, a quo Lonergan; 4. Congal; 5. Bran Fionn, a quo Slioght Branfionn, in Wexford: a sept who took the permanent surname of O'Brien, from this Bran, when surnames were introduced into Ireland.

104. Cineadh (or Cineidi), King of Thomond [2]: the son of Lorcan; m. Babhion, dau. of Arcadh, son of Murrough O'Flaherty, lord of Iar Connacht or West Connaught.

Brian "Boru" mac Cennétig

105. Brian [3] Boroimhe [Boru], the 175th Monarch of Ireland: a younger son of Cineadh; b. 926, at Kincora, the royal seat of his ancestors; and fell by the hand of Brodar, the Danish admiral, at the Battle of Clontarf, on Good Friday, the 23rd April, 1014, in the 88th year of his age. This Brian ("Brian:" Irish, very great strength), was the ancestor of O'Brien, Kings of Thomond. He had eleven brothers, of whom only four left issue, viz.— 1. Mahoun, the eldest brother, who was King of Munster, before Brian, and a quo many families. II. Donchuan, who was the ancestor of, among other families, Eustace, O'Kennedy, O'Regan, (of Thomond), O'Kelleher, O'Beollan (or "Boland"), O'Casey, Power, Twomey, etc. III. Eichtigern (a quo Ahearne, Hearne, Heron), who was ancestor of MacCraith, (or MacGrath), of Thomond, etc. IV. Anluan, who was the ancestor of Quirk, etc.

Brian Boroimhe was four times m.; his first wife was Mór, dau. of Flan O'Hyne, Prince of Hy-Fiachra Aidhne, in Galway, by whom he had three sons of whom Murrough, who fell at the Battle of Clontarf, was one. Brian was secondly m. to Eachraidh, dau. of Ceaibhall, son of Olioll Fionn, and had: 1. Teige; [4] 2. Donal, who distinguished himself at Clontarf, and was slain by the Siol Murray in a battle fought by the Dalcassians against the Conacians. His third wife was Gormliath, the "Kormloda" of Icelandic history; sister of Maolmora, King of Leinster: and relict of Aulaf, the Danish King of Dublin, to whom she bore the celebrated Sitric, who succeeded his father as King of the Danes of Dublin. By Gormliath Brian had Donogh, the 176th Monarch of Ireland, who was the ancestor of Plunkett, and of the O'Briens of Coonagh, in Limerick, and of Aherlow, in Tipperary; and a daughter Sabh, who m. Cian, who is No. 109 on the "O'Mahony" pedigree, by by whom she had Mathgabhuin, the founder of the family of O'Mahony, in the county Cork. Brian's fourth wife was Dubhcobhla, who d. s. p. 1009; she was dau. of Cathal O'Connor, King of Connaught.

Banner of Brian Boru

106. Teige: younger son of Brian Boroimhe; m. Mór, dau. of Gilla-Brighid O'Mulloy, Lord of Fircall, in the King's County. (Another authority gives Mór as being the dau. of Melaghlin, son of Maolmora the 51st Christian King of Leinster). Teige was killed in 1022 by his brother Donogh, who thus became King of Munster. Donogh was m. to Driella, dau. of Godwin, Earl of Kent, and sister of Harold II., the last Saxon King of England; after a reign of forty-nine years Donogh abdicated; went on a pilgrimage to Rome, and took the habit of a Monk in the monastery of St. Stephen where he soon after died.

107. Turlogh Mór (d. in 1086, aged 77 years), became King of North Munster on the abdication of his uncle Donogh; m. Mór, the dau. of O'Hyne, of Kilmacduagh, in the co. Galway, by whom he had four sons and a daughter. The sons were—1. Teige, who d. at Kincora, leaving two sons, Murrogh and Daniel. 2. Murtogh, who succeeded his father; carried fire and sword, in A.D. 1101, through Conacht and Tir Conal; marched to Aileach Neid which he burned; and after a reign of 30 years he retired (1116) to the monastery of Lismore to repent of his sins—especially of his violation of the sacred soil of Aileach; he died at Lismore in 1119, leaving: Donal, the Shorthand (whose sons Connor and Lewy fell in battle in 1151); Mahon, ancestor of MacMahon of Corca Bascin, and Cineidi Ochar. 3. Dermod, of whom presently. 4. Donogh, slain in 1103 at the battle of Magh Coba. And the dau. was Mór, who m. Roderic O'Connor the 183rd Monarch of Ireland.

108. Dermod: son of Turlogh Mór; in 1116 succeeded his brother, Murtogh, as King of North Munster; m. Sadhbh, dau. of Teige MacCarthy M6r, Prince of Desmond (see "MacCarthy Mór" pedigree, No. 108), by whom he had issue—two sons, 1. Connor-na-Catharach, and 2. Turlogh. The Princess Sadhbh, on the death of Dermod, m. her cousin Cormac Magh-Tamnagh MacCarthy Mór. Dermod, in 1116, was defeated by the Hy-Niall and their Conacht relatives at Ruadh-Bheithach, near Dunkellin, co. Galway; he d. in A.D. 1120, was interred in Killaloe, and was succeeded by his son Connor, who, dying in 1142, was succeeded by his brother, Turloch.

109. Turlogh: son of Dermod; became King of North Munster in 1142; he m. twice—first, to a dau. of MacCarthy Mór, who d. s. p.; and secondly, to Narait or Ragnait, the dau. of O'Fogarty, lord of Ely-Deisceart (or Eliogarty), in Tipperary, by whom he had five sons: —1. Donal Mór; 2. Murtogh, who d. s. p.; 3. Brian of the Mountain, lord of Ormond;. 4. Dermod; 5. Consaidin or Constantine ("Saidh:" Irish, mildness, gentleness; "in," little), bishop of Killaloe (d. 1194), ancestor of the MacConsidine of the co. Clare.

Teige, uncle of Turlogh, contended with him for the Sovereignty of Munster, and a bloody battle was fought at Cluan-na-Catha, near Ardfinan, in Tipperary, in which Teige was defeated. In the year after, another terrible battle was also fought between Turlogh and Teige and his allies, at Barrymore in Cork, in which Teige was again defeated; upwards of seven thousand fell on both sides, A.D. 1152.

Turlogh, after a reign of 25 years, died and was interred at Killaloe, 7th Nov., 1167, leaving his son Murtogh King of Munster, who was slain in 1168, by the people of Clare, at the instigation of Connor O'Brien; for which his brother Donal, on his accession, fined them 3,000 cows.

110. Donal Mór (d. 1194): son of Turlogh; the last King of North Munster; was m. to Orlacan, dau. of Dermod na Gall MacMorough (by his wife, the dau. of O'Moore, Prince of Leix), and had Mór, who married Cathal Craobh Dearg O'Connor (d. 1224), the 51st Christian King of Conacht, with nine sons: 1. Donogh Cairbreach; 2. Murtogh Dall, ancestor of the Clan Murtogh Dall O'Brien, of Hy-Bloid, in the northeast of the co. Clare; 3. Connor Ruadh; 4. Murtogh Fionn, ancestor of the Clan Turlogh Fionn of the same territory; 6. Donal Conachtach, ancestor of Clan Donal Conaghtaigh, of Echtge, and subsequently of Ara, in the county Tipperary; 7. Brian (surnamed "of Burren"), ancestor of Clan Bhriain Boirnigh; 8. Connor, ancestor of Clan Connor Guasanaigh; 9. Dermod Fiodhnuich, ancestor of the Clan Dermod Fiodhniagh. In 1169, this Donal Mór founded a religious house, afterwards the cathedral church on the site of the existing edifice in Cashel; in 1171, he founded a nunnery in the City of Limerick, but not a vestige of it remains. In 1172, following the example of Dermod MacCarthy Mór, King of South Munster, he made Henry II., King of England, a tender of his submission on the banks of the Suir:—

  "Woe worth that hour, woe worth that day,That cost the freedom of the Gael;

And shame to those who broke the trust,In them reposed by Inis Fail."

In 1175, Donal, blinded Dermod, son of Teige O'Brien, and Mahon, son of Turlogh, his kinsmen, which act caused the death of Dermod soon after at Castleconnell. In 1176, Donal expelled the Anglo-Normans from the City of Limerick, putting most of Henry II's garrison to the sword. In 1192, he drove the English out of Upper Ormond, Ara, and Coonagh, where they established themselves; and stripping them of the booty they took from the native chieftains.

111. Donogh Cairbreach O'Brien: eldest son of Donal Mór; d. 1242. Was the first of the family that assumed this sirname, and the title of "Prince." Was surnamed "Cairbreach," from his having been nurtured in Hy-Cairbre-Aobha. He erected the palace of Clonroad, near the town of Ennis, and m. Sabia, dau. of Donogh O'Kennedy, lord of Muscry Tire, by whom he had Sabina [5] (who married Geoffrey O'Donoughue of Killarney), and six sons: 1. Connor; 2. Turlogh; 3. Murtogh; 4. Dermod; 5. Teige Dall; 6. A daughter Slainé, who d. Abbess of Killowen, in the barony of Islands, co. Clare—the foundation of her father in 1190. This Donogh Cairbreach O'Brien founded the abbeys of Corcomroe, in the barony of Burren, co. Clare; Killcooley, in the parish of Slievearadh, county Tipperary; Galbally, in the parish of Galbally, barony of Costlea, co. Limerick; and the Franciscan Monastery at Ennis, co. Clare.

112. Connor-na-Siuddine: eldest son of Donogh; slain at the Wood of Siudan, in Burren, county Clare, in 1268: hence the epithet affixed to his name, and a quo Sidney. [6] He m. Mór, dau. of MacNamara, lord of Hy-Coileann, and left issue: 1. Teige; 2. Brian Ruadh, ancestor of O'Brien of Arra; 3. Murtogh, who died without legitimate male issue.

113. Teige (d. 1259): the son of Connor; surnamed Caol Uisge: so called from his having (see No. 113 on the "O'Neill," Princes of Tyrone pedigree) attended there to hold a conference with Brian Catha Duin O'Neill, to whom this Teige O'Brien and Hugh O'Connor "granted the sovereignty over the Irish," in 1258, or constituted him Monarch of Ireland. This Teige m. Finola, dau. of Kennedy, son of Kennedy, son of Murtogh O'Brien, and had: 1. Turlogh Mór; 2. Donal, who defeated Mahon, grandson of Donal Conachtach, at the Abbey of Clare, in 1276.

114. Turlogh Mór, the hero of MacGrath's "Wars of Thomond:" the son of Teige; d. at his residence Insi-an-Lasi in 1306. Was m. three times: first, to Sabina (d. s. p.), dau. of Teige MacCarthy, of Dun-Mac-Tomain; secondly, to Orflath, (or Aurnia), dau. of Donal Oge MacCarthy Mór, by whom he had-- 1. Brian (ancestor of Siol Bhriain na Geall, of Glen Cean), 2. Murtogh (founder of the houses of Thomond and Inchiquin), 3. Dermod (who left no issue); and the third marriage of Turlogh was to Sabina O'Kennedy, of Muscry Tir, by whom he had two sons—1. Connor, and 2. Donal.

115. Murtogh: second son of Turlogh Mór; d. 1343. Was twice m.: first, to Sarah (d. s. p.) dau. of O'Kennedy, of Ormond; and, secondly, to Edaoin or Edina, dau, of his standard bearer, MacGorman, of Ibrackan, by whom he had three sons: 1. Maithan; 2. Turlogh Maol, ancestor of O'Brien of Bun-Cumeragh, in the county Waterford; 3. Teige.

116. Maithan Maonmaighe, who d. 1369: the son of Murtogh. The epithet applied to him means that he was fostered in "Maonmaighe," near Loughrea. Was m. to Winifred, dau. of O'Connor Corc., by whom he had seven sons: 1. Brian; 2. Connor (who m. Mary, dau. of Teige O'Brien, lord of Coonagh, by whom he had—1. Dermod; 2, Donal, bishop of Limerick; 3. Brian Dubh, the progenitor of O'Brien of Carrigagunnel and Glin, in the county Limerick); 3. Teige Baccach, ancestor of O'Brien, of Ballygarridan; 4. Turlogh; 5. Murtogh; 6. Dermod; 7. Donal.

117. Brian Catha-an-Aonaigh (or Brian of the Battle of Nenagh) who d. 1399: son of Maithan. Was twice m.: first to Slaine, dau. of Lochlan Laidir MacNamara. by whom he had three sons: 1. Teige na Glaoidh Mór (d. s. p.); 2. Mahon Dall, who had Turlogh, who had Brian, the progenitor of Siol Bhriain Debriortha (or the exiled); 3. Turlogh. Secondly, to Margaret, dau. of James Fitzgerald of Desmond, by whom he had Brian Udhar Catha, who was the ancestor of O'Brien, of Eachdroma.

118. Turlogh Bog: a younger son of Brian of the Battle of Nenagh; d. 1459. Was the hero of Glen Fogarty and Ballyanfoil; married Catherine, dau. of Ulick FitzWalter Burke, by whom he had issue: 1. Teige; 2. Donogh-Teige, bishop of Killaloe, who was called "Terence," by Ware; 3. Connor Mór na-Shrona, ancestor of O'Brien, of Sealhendhe, in Clare; 4. Turlogh Oge, who, from his dark complexion, was called "Gilla Dubh," and who was the progenitor of O'Brien, of Ballymacdoody; 5. Mahon, of Kilclaney; 6, Kennedy; 7. Brian Ganeagh; 8. Murtogh Beg.

119. Teige an-Chomhaid, or Teige of the Castle of Chomhad, in Burren, which he erected in 1459 in his father's lifetime: son of Turlogh Bog; d. 146S. He m. Annabella, dau. of Ulick Burke, son of "Ulick of the Wine," of Clanrickard, and had six sons: 1. Turlogh Donn; 2. Donal, whose sons Brian, Connor, and Murtogh possessed the estates known as Tir Briain Cacthnava, Dubh, and Dun-Hogan, all in the co. Clare; 3. Donogh, of Drom-fion-glas, who had four sons--Murtogh, Teige, Dermod, and Brian-na-Corcaidh (who divided his estates of Cahir-Corcrain, and Castletown, amongst his sons: I. Mahon, II. Murrogh, III. Connor, IV. Dermod, V. Murtogh, and VI. Teige-an-Comain); 4. Murtogh Garbh; 5. Murrogh; 6. Dermod Cleireach, of Cacthnava-na-Madara, who had six sons--I. Donall-na-Geall, II. Murrogh-an-Tarman, III. Brian-an Comhlack, IV. Mahon, V. Donogh, VI. Torlogh.

120. Turlogh Donn, who d. 1528: son of Teige-an-Chomhaid; married twice: first, to Joan, dau. of Thomas, eighth Lord Fitzmaurice (see No. 13 on the "Fitzmaurice" pedigree); and, secondly, to Raghnait, dau. of John MacNamara, of Clan Coilcain, and by her had: I. Connor; II. Donogh; III. Murrough, first Earl of Thomond and Baron of Inchiquin; IV. Teige, slain by Pierce, Earl of Ormond; V. Dermod; VI. Margaret, m. to Owen O'Rourke, of the county Leitrim; VII. Slaine, m. to Henry Oge O'Neill, son of Henry, Prince of Ulster; VIII. Fionala, who m. Manus O'Donnell, Chief of Tirconnell.

121. Connor, who d. 1540: eldest son of Turlogh Donn; was twice m.: first, to Anabella, dau. of Ulick Ruadh [Roe] de Burgo, of Clan Ricarde, and had:

I. Donogh Ramhar (or Donogh the Fat).II. Sir Donal, ancestor of O'Brien of Dough, Newtown, and Ennistymon. Connor m. secondly, Alice, dau. of Maurice Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond, by whom he had four sons:

I. Sir Turlogh, lord of Ibrackan.II. Teige, of Ballinacorrig, whose dau. Amory m. John, Knight of Kerry.III. Murrogh, of Cahironanane, whose only son, Dermod, died young.IV. Murtogh, of Dromtyne, whose two sons d. s. p.

122. Donogh Ramhar, the second Earl of Thomond: eldest son of Connor; m. Helena, dau. of Pierce, Earl of Ormond, and had:

I. Connor.II. Donal, ancestor of O'Brien of Ballincorran, in the co. Clare, represented in 1741 by William O'Brien, son of Murrogh-na-Buile.I. Margaret, who m. Dermod, Lord Inchiquin.II. Honoria, who m. Teige MacNamara of Clan Coilcain.III. Mór, who m. Theobald, son of William, the first Lord Castleconnell.

123. Connor, the third Earl: the son of Donogh Ramhar; was twice m.: first, to Joanna, dau. of Thomas, the 16th Lord Kerry, and had a dau., who d. s. p.; and, secondly, to Winifred, dau. of Turlogh O'Brien of Ara, by whom he had:

I. Donogh, of whom presently.II. Teige, who m. Slania, dau. of Teige, son of Murrough, Earl of Inchiquin, the proprietor of Smithstown Castle otherwise called Ballygowan, and had:

I. Turlogh, of Ballyslattery, who m. the dau. of Donogh O'Brien, of Leamanagh, and had a son Connor.II. Col. Murtagh, who m. Joanna, dau. of Turlogh MacMahon, of Clena, but d. s. p.III. Dermod, who m. Una, the dau. of Donogh O'Brien, of Newtown, and d. s. p.

III. Sir Donal, from whom descended the Viscounts Clare; the third son of Connor.

I. Honoria: the eldest daughter of said Connor, the third Earl of Thomond; who m. Thomas, the 18th Lord Kerry.II. Margaret, who m. James, the second Lord Dunboyne.III. Mary, who m. Turlogh Ruadh MacMahon.

124. Donogh: [7] the eldest son of Connor, the third Earl of Thomond; was the fourth Earl, who was commonly called the "Great Earl;" d. Sept., 1624; m. Elizabeth, dau. of Gerald, the eleventh Earl of Kildare, and had:

I. Henry, the fifth Earl, who m. Mary, dau. of Sir William Brereton, Baron of Leighlin, and dying in 1639, left:

I. Mary, whose first husband was Charles Cockaine, first Viscount Cullen.II. Margaret, who was the second wife of Edward Somerset, Marquis of Worcester.III. Elizabeth, who was the second wife of Dutton, Lord Gerard, of Bromley.IV. Anne, who m. her cousin-german Henry, the seventh Earl of Thomond.V. Honoria, who m. Henry, Earl of Peterborough.

II. Brian, the sixth Earl, of whom presently.

125. Brian, the sixth Earl of Thomond: the second son of Donoch.

126. Henry, the seventh Earl: his son; m. twice: first, his cousin-german, Anne, as above mentioned, and had:

I. Henry, Lord of Ibrackan, who m. Catherine Stuart, sister of the last Duke of Richmond and Lennox, of that House, and had:

I. Donogh, who m. Sophia, dau. of Thomas Osborne, Duke of Leeds, but d. s. p.II. George.I. Mary, who m. Robert, the 17th Earl of Kildare.II. Catherine, who m. Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon.

Henry, the seventh Earl of Thomond, was secondly m. to Sarah, daughter of Sir Francis Russell, of Chippenham, and had:

III. Henry, who d. young.IV. Another Henry.III. Elizabeth, who d. s. p.IV. Finola, who was the first wife of Henry Howard, Earl of Suffolk.V. Mary, wife of Sir Mathew Dudley, of Clopton.

127. Henry Horatio, Lord O'Brien, and Baron of Ibrackan: youngest son of Henry, the seventh Earl; d. 1690, vita patris; m. Henrietta, dau. of Henry Somerset, Duke of Beauford, and had:

I. Henry, of whom presently.I. Mary.II. Elizabeth.

128. Henry O'Brien: the son of Henry Horatio; succeeded his grandfather as the eighth Earl of Thomond. He m., in 1707, Elizabeth, dau. of Charles, Duke of Somerset; was created an English Peer by the title of "Viscount of Tadcaster," in 1714; and d. without legitimate male issue, on the 20th of April, 1741.

NOTES

[1] Stem: Along with the Stem, the genealogies of the following branches of this family are also contained in this Volume: 1. O'Brien, of America; 2. of Ara; 3. of Dough; 4. of England; 5. of Ennistymon; 6. of Lords of Inchiquin; 7. of Marquises of Thomond; 8. of O'Brien of Newtown; and of Viscounts Clare, etc.

[2] Thomond: The place of inauguration of the O'Briens, as Kings and Princes of Thomond, was at Magh Adhair, a plain in the barony of Tullagh, county of Clare; and their battle-cry was Lamh Laidir An Uachdar, or "The Strong hand Uppermost." On their armorial ensigns were three lions rampant, which were also on the standards of Brian Boroimhe, borne by the Dalcassians at the battle of Clontarf. In modern times the O'Briens were Marquises of Thomond, Earls of Inchiquin, and Barons of Burren, in the county of Clare; and many of them were distinguished commanders in the Irish Brigades in the service of France, under the titles of Earls of Clare, and Counts of Thomond.

[3] Brian: Brian Boroimhe is represented by our old annalists as a man of fine figure, large stature, of great strength of body, and undaunted valour; and has been always justly celebrated as one of the greatest of the Irish Monarchs, equally conspicuous for his mental endowments and physical energies; a man of great intellectual powers, sagacity, and bravery; a warrior and legislator; and, at the same time, distinguished for his munificence, piety, and patronage of learned men: thus combining all the elements of a great character, and equally eminent in the arts of war and peace; a hero and patriot, whose memory will always remain famous as one of the foremost of the Irish Kings, in wisdom and valour. Brian lived at his palace of Cean Cora (Kincora), in a style of regal splendour and magnificence, unequalled by any of the Irish Kings since the days of Cormac MacArt, the celebrated Monarch of Ireland in the third century--the glories of whose palace at Tara were for many ages the theme of the Irish, bards.--CONNELLAN'S Four Masters.

           "Oh, where, Kincora! is Brian the Great?And where is the beauty that once was thine?

Oh! where are the Princes and Nobles that sateAt the feast in thy halls, and drank the red wine.

Where, oh, Kincora!"

[4] Teige: In O'Farrell's Linea Antiqua, on the "Roll of the Monarchs of Ireland," at No.178, this Teige is mentioned as the "eldest" son of Brian Boroimhe.

[5] Sabina: This Sabina, her husband, his brother, and three of Sabina's sons, were burned in their own house at the "Green Ford," by Fingin Mac Conal MacCarthy.

[6] Sidney: From another authority we learn that the cognomen of this Connor should be written Suiderly or "of the spittles;" and the fact of his effigy having a short pipe in its mouth gives support to this conjecture: hence it is clear that the Irish smoked in the twelfth century!

It is also stated that Connor was slain by his own Kinsman, Dermod, son of Murtogh O'Brien, whereupon Brian, son of Connor, was nominated "The O'Brien." Connor was interred in the north end of the abbey of Corcomroe, where the peasantry still point out the site of his tomb. On the tomb in bas-relief is the effigy of a mailed warrior in the usual recumbent posture, wearing the round tunic of the 13th century, and a short pipe in his mouth.

[7] Donogh: In 1601, this Donogh O'Brien, the fourth Earl of Thomond, assisted the English against the Irish and Spaniards at Kinsale. He commanded a thousand men, chiefly English, and the defeat of the native Chiefs and Princes was owing in a great measure to the bravery which he displayed. It is stated by Carew, in the Pacata Hibernia, that Donogh had often told him that an Irish prophet, whose writings he had often read, foretold the defeat of the Irish at Kinsale; and Fynes Morison says that the Manuscript containing the said "prophecy" was shown to Mountjoy on the day of that engagement. On the 6th May, 1605, Donogh was appointed President of Munster; and Commander-in-chief of the English forces in that Province, on the 25th of the same month, in that year. He died on the 5th of September, 1624, and was interred in the Cathedral Church of Limerick, where a handsome monument, exhibiting a Latin inscription, was erected to his memory.

O'Brien Clan Heraldry

History of O’Brien Clan Heraldry

Celtic lion from ring of King Brian Boru.

 by Garry Bryant / Garaidh Ó Briain

(Irish Armiger, 1992)

     Burke’s Peerage has listed that the arms of Irish King Brian Boru are “Gules three lions passant guardant per pale Or and Argent.” This is not correct, and many believe in Burke’s statement, but heraldry as such didn’t exist in 1014 A.D. Various annals tell of Irish kings and their banners with symbol and color descriptions that existed before the Anglo-Normans came, but these symbolic banners were not hereditary. Following is a history of the heraldry of the O’Brien Clan.

     First one must understand the principle of heraldry. Its main purpose was to identify an individual on the battlefield which is believed to have begun in the early twelfth century. Those symbols became hereditary and also associated with property, i.e., nobility. Means of differencing the basic heraldic symbol came into use to show the structure of a family and so that the symbols, although slightly modified, would show relationship to the original arms and give individual identity. The belief that a coat-of-arms belongs to all of a common surname is incorrect in the heraldry of the British Isles. Heraldic arms are granted (in the early days they were assumed) to an individual and his heirs male forever. A difference in this is in Scotland, where each individual must matriculate their arms in the court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms.¹

     Although the heraldic records of Ireland have been in existence since the first herald Sir John Chandos, K.G., in the 1300s, was appointed by King Richard II. Ireland’s rules have followed those of England in most ways. The first modern Chief Herald of Ireland was Edward MacLysaght, who wrote several books on Irish family history and heraldry. The Chief Herald wrote that the basic arms of the clan didn’t just belong to the chief but to all clan members, and labeled them as “sept (clan) arms.” Under the Gaelic Order the clan lands belonged to the people and not to the chief. So the basic clan arms belong to the people of the clan. This position of MacLysaght has caused debate in the circles of heraldic research, but the Chief Herald strongly wrote that one could display them on their wall to show clan membership, but if one wanted to use those arms on stationary, silver, etc., as individual arms for identity, then MacLysaght advised that that individual petition for a grant of arms from the Chief Herald’s office in Dublin.²

     Individual arms are considered a personal matter by the herald’s office. One’s personal arms can reflect the clan arms or be totally different, which is unlike Scotland where if one has a surname of one of the Scottish clans or families, the heraldic design is based upon those of the chief’s arms. Keeping the clan or family in order heraldically.³

     Irish heraldic arms can be found designed in three categories, lending a distinct style to Irish heraldry:⁴

1)      Norman - military in origin. Use of three identical symbols, use of ordinaries, simplicity.

                        (See ill. 1)

[ILL. 1]

Burke

Roche

Lacy

Fitzgerald

2)      Anglo-Irish - Concerned with family relationships and status. Use of ordinaries with      

     Gaelic symbols. A main charge surrounded with three identical but different charges.

     (See ill. 2)

[ILL. 2] 

O'Lynch

O'Connell

         

  

O'Cullen

O'Kennedy

        

3)   Gaelic or Irish - Mythological. Use of Gaelic symbol; simple or complex designs.

              Main charge held by supporters. (See ill. 3 & 4)

 [ILL. 3]

O'Carroll

O'Conner

O'Donovan

O'Malone

[ILL. 4]

O'Keane

MacEagan

O'Neill

O'Sullivan

   

   
     Tournaments that were held in Scotland, England, and Continental Europe contributed heavily to the advancement of heraldry and its pageantry to promote the individual knight and his heraldic arms during the medieval era. But no tournaments were ever held in Ireland. Heraldry was used on banners and in sealing documents and property identification. One of the unique aspects to Irish heraldry is that the Gaelic symbols are also literary; they are symbols which recall to the viewer Irish mythology and the Emerald Isle’s ancient history. An example is the arm of Nuada, king of the De Danann gods, whose hand is holding a sword. Nuadu lost his arm in battle. Because he was disfigured, Nuadu no longer could be king, and had to abdicate. The divine silversmith, Dian Cech, fashioned a silver arm for Nuadu and with magic attached it to his body making it possible for him to reclaim his kingship, which he did. The arm (or hand) holding a sword is recalling this event in Irish literature. Nuadu in old Gaelic means “cloud maker.”⁵

     Other heraldic literary or mythological symbols:

•    Boar - Fierceness, food of the Gods.

• Flaming sword - sword of light and truth.

•  Hand (with arm) holding sword - story of Nuada of the silver hand.

•  Stag - sovereignty.

•  Serpents and lizards - rebirth and renewal.

•   Hound - Myth heros of Cuchulainn and Curoi mac Daire.

• Tree - kingship and druids.

•   Salmon - wisdom. High-Kingship of Tara.

•  Hand - the derbfine or true family

• Red Hand - symbol of the O’Neills of Ulster (also the story of a king who cut off his hand and flung it to shore to be the first to touch land making his claim first).⁶

• Cross - Christianity.

•  Hand holding cross - purely a Gaelic charge usually denoting the “Kindred of St. Columcille.”

•   Sun, moon and stars - reaching back to pre-Christian times.

      The first known symbol of the O’Brien’s was the battle flag of the Dál gCais which is described in the Book of Leinster as being "dung (brown), purple, red and gold (yellow)," but the design is unknown. The Dalcassians held the right to lead the King of Munster’s army into battle.⁷ Their territory was northern Munster Province called Thomond which today is the counties of Clare, Limerick and northern Tipperary. (See ill. 19.)

[ Ill. 19] Thomond (northern Munster), Ireland.

 

     At this same time is the banner of Brian Boru. Two sources give different designs. One design is that he used three lions, yet the other source has a blue flag with an arm holding a sword with a sun. The latter design is possibly correct.⁸

     Nuadu’s arm was used by the early kings of Munster, who belonged to the Eóghanacht (MacCarthy) dynasty. These Eóghanacht kings throne name was “Mogha Nuadhad,” which translated means, “the slave of Nuada.” This dynasty set up relations with the Schottenkloster of St. James Abbey at Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany. This Irish monastery used the symbol of Nuada’s arms since many of the monks and abbots were from Munster and its benefactors were Munster kings and noblemen. The abbey arms are like that of the province of Connacht and the abbey’s arms are a dimidation of the double eagle of the Holy Roman Empire impalling an embowed arm holding a sword, i.e., the half eagle is for the Holy Roman Empire and the sword arm for the kings of Munster.⁹  (See ill. 5.) When the Uí Briains became kings of Munster and High-Kings of Ireland in the eleventh century, this ancient Eóghanancht symbol was taken over by the Uí Briains and the abbey arms were used by King Conchobhar Slapar Salach Ua Briain (d. 1042 A.D.).¹⁰ (See ill. 6.)

[ILL. 6] Province of Connacht, Ireland.

[ILL.5] St James Abbey.

     The Chief Herald of Ireland’s office has stated that the first heraldic arms used by the Uí Briain family is described as “Gules a dexter forearm holding a sword in pale all proper.” (See ill. 7.) This lends some continuity to Brian Boru’s banner and his grandson’s use of the St. James Abbey arms.¹¹

[ILL. 7] Old O'Brien arms.

      O’Brien heraldic arms were changed on 1 July 1545, when Murrough “The Tanist” Ua Briain, 57th King of Thomond, surrendered his kingdom to King Henry VIII of England, which kingdom was re-granted to him with the English title of 1st Earl of Thomond (for life) and Baron Inchiquin (heirs male), holding all in fee simple. This resignation of Thomond to King Henry VIII took place at Greenwich by the Thames River, in England, with Murrough’s nephew, Donough Ua Briain, in tow being a minor. Donough later became 2nd Earl of Thomond and created Baron Ibrackan (his line ended d.s.p. in 1774, with the Viscounts of Clare). To show this resignation of the Gaelic Order and showing loyalty to the new king and government, the old heraldic arms were discarded and King Henry VIII granted to Murrough his own personal arms, “Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or, and armed and langued Azure,” (See ill. 8) but with a difference. The lions would be split into the heraldic metals of gold and silver, with no blue nails and tongue, for differencing. These new arms would read as, “Gules three lions passant guardant in pale per pale Or and Argent.”¹² (See  ill. 9) From an English point of view this was a great honor, but to the Ui Briain Clan, the Irish, and the Gaelic Order, it was surrender and defeat.¹³

[ILL. 8] Arms of England.

[ILL. 9] O'Brien new arms.

      At this same time the name of Ua Briain (Ó Briain) was anglicized to that of O’Brien by England, and Murrough and his followers were to stop practice of Gaelic speech, culture, and convert to the Church of England, this included all followers and servants. ^13a

     What is interesting to note, is that the ancient arms were not lost but transferred to become the crest. The only difference was the addition of clouds. These clouds allude to the arms Gaelic motto: “Lamh Láídir an Uchtar (the strong hand uppermost).” At this same time the O’Brien arms became quartered with three piles. Author Ivar O’Brien believes that this may be an earlier symbol (it first appears in 1543 as the 2nd and 3rd quarters with the lions to Murrough O’Brien, Baron Inchiquin),¹⁴ possibly belonging to the O’Briens of Arra in northwest County Tipparary (a branch of the O’Brien Clan who are described as being a law unto themselves) However there are strong circumstantial evidence that this was adopted with a difference from the Anglo-Norman family of Devonshire and Pembrokeshire, Wales. This family’s surname is de Bryan, founded by a knight named Guy de Bryan (a name that continued in the family for generations). The de Bryan’s had a branch of the family stationed in Ireland and in time they became the Marshal of Ireland.

[ILL.11] de Bryan arms.

[ILL.10] Murrough O'Brien arms 1543.

     Later the de Bryan descendants settled around Dublin and heavily in County Kilkenny, and a few in County Clare. The main male line became d.s.p. in 1390 A.D., with the passing of Sir Guy de Bryan, K.G. It is speculated by Ivar O’Brien that possibly King Brian Catha Ua Briain, King of Thomond, upon his arrival at Dublin to swear fealty to King Richard II, saw that with no male heirs of the de Bryan family, assumed the de Bryan arms because of name similarity. The de Bryan arms are, “Or three piles meeting in base Azure.” (See ill. 11.) The O’Brien quarter is differenced as, “Argent three piles meeting in base Gules.” In the third quarter is “Or a pheon (arrow head) Azure.”¹⁵ (See ill. 10.)     

     Again only speculation to the arrow head’s meaning and author Ivar O’Brien suggests that this is to show loyalty to Sir Henry Sidney, the Lord Deputy of Ireland at this time, whose personal arms used the pheon.¹⁶

     The second motto of “Viguer du dessus,” is a poor French translation of the Gaelic motto. The French motto means, “strength from above,” which made its first appearance in 1615.¹⁷ (See ill. 17.)

[ILL.17] O'Brien arms 1617A.D.

       On a corbel next to the fireplace at Lemenah Castle in north-west County Clare, the O’ Briens also carved in stone a unique Celtic knot called “The O’Brien Knot.” This badge symbol is used extensively by the Lemenah and Dromoland O’ Brien’s.¹⁸ (See ill. 14.)

[ILL.14a] Lemenah Castle

[ILL.14b] O'Brien knot.

 

     Today, The O’Brien, Sir Conor O’Brien, Chief of the O’Brien Clan, has extended the use of the basic O’Brien arms, Gaelic motto and crest for use by the O’Brien clansmen / women and this includes the O’Brien knot. These arms may be displayed as outlined at the beginning of this article by MacLysaght. Use of the quartered arms, supporters, baronet’s badge, dual motto and baron’s coronet, are strictly for use by the Chief, The O’Brien, who’s personal arms these various elements are.¹⁹ (See ill. 17.)

     The last heraldic symbol used by the O’Brien Clan was the regimental banner of Daniel O’Brien, 4^th Viscount Clare, who commanded the Irish regiment in the service of France known as “Clare’s Regiment (a.k.a. Clare’s Dragoons).” This regiment was originally organized by Charles O’Brien, 3^rd Viscount Clare, for King James II army during the Williamite War in Ireland from 1688-1690.

     When King James’ army was defeated in Ireland, rather than serve the new king, William of Orange, the Irish soldiers volunteered to follow their king into exile. Many served in the armies of France, Spain and Austria. These regiments were known as “The Wild Geese.” The nickname came about at the sea-ports in Ireland where on the ship manifest the cargo listed as wild geese were actually recruits for the Irish regiments abroad (France, Spain and Austria). The wild geese cargo listing was to fool the harbor-master. The wild geese continued until the units were disbanded at the beginning of the French Revolution in the early 1790s.

[ILL.15] Clare Regt. banner.

[ILL.16] Soldier in Clare's Regt.

     Uniforms for the Irish regiments in the service of France were basically white pants, shirt and knee socks, with a red coat that was trimmed in the regiments color: black for Dillon, green for Mountcashel, yellow for Clare, etc., with a matching colored vest, and finally a black tricorn hat with a white cockade which indicated their Jacobite support.²⁰ (See ill. 16.) 

     The Clare regimental flag was quartered with a cross of St. George overall, fimberated white. Quarters one and four were red, and quarter two and three were the regimental color. A Stuart crown was above a harp which was centered in the cross. In each quarter the crown was bendwise; sinister in quarters 1 and 4, and dexter in quarters 2 and 3. The motto, “In hoc signo vinces” is Latin for “in this sign we shall conquer.” The harp, crowns and motto were in gold.²¹ (See ill. 15.)

     Most of the clans that belonged to the Dál gCais have in their arms one or more lions as displayed in the modern O’Brien arms, but there are a few exceptions. Earl         O’Brien used to seal several land deeds a seal charged with a cross Moline, not a single hint of a lion in any form. Letters by his wife, use a seal that appears to be a fox courant (running). Definitely by this time one would think the O’Brien arms of the three lions would be used, but no.

     In the modern era many of the Irish clans have developed a tartan for use in the wearing of kilts at festivals, etc. The use of tartan as a heraldic or clan symbol is not of Irish origin. The Irish did wear kilts, though not of prevalent use as in the Scottish Highlands, but then the Scottish Lowlanders didn't wear kilts either as some would have one believe. The O'Brien Clan does have a tartan designed by an O'Brien who lives in Australia. Concerning Irish tartans, it is one of the earliest (abt. 1995), but it is not officially recognized by the O'Brien Clan Chief. (See ill. 18a & b).

[ILL.18a] O'Brien modern tartan.

[ILL.18b] O'Brien ancient color tartan.

    

     The prolific writer, Morgan Llywelyn, has infamously penned the phrase “Lion of Ireland,” which was the title of her famous novel about Brian Boru. This title does justice to him. Yet remember, the modern arms are not Gaelic or Irish at all, for their origins are with England; they are English arms, not Irish.

O'Brien Clan badge 

     Many of the members of Irish clans are frustrated over not having a clan badge to wear to identify themselves with the clan and to identify themselves to others like those of the Scottish clans. 

     Scott McMillan (a former asst. herald in the Irish Chief Herald's office) and Romilly Squire (Scottish heraldic painter) have devised a badge using the famous Irish Claddagh symbol and the crests of the major 100 or so Irish clans.Personally I like the symbolism for the Claddagh is a well recognized Irish symbol with excellent meaning. (See ill. 21)

     Yet many Irish clans don't have crests to their arms. Celtic Studios out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has designed a badge using the Celtic cross as a motif along with Celtic artwork.that is based on the various clan shields or arms. (See ill. 22)

[ILL.22] CELTICSTUDIO design.

[ILL.23] Texas design.

     A third alternative to the Irish clan badge is designed out of a firm in Texas that uses the arms with the clan name in Gaelic on the top, and on the bottom a shamrock with Celtic knotwork on either side. (See ill. 23) 

     As for the O'Brien Clan for a clan badge they have designed one of their own which can be obtained from the clan shop at the O'Brien Clan website. (See ill. 24)

[ILL.24] O'Brien Clan badge at obrienclan.com.

   

ENDNOTES

¹  The Court of the Lord Lyon, Scottish Crest Badges, leaflet #2. (Edinburgh: 1993.)

²  Edward MacLysaght, Irish Families: Their Names, Arms and Origins. (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972) Pp. 10-12.

³  John Grenham, Clans and Families of Ireland: The Heritage and Heraldry of Irish Clans and Families. (Secaucus, New Jersey: The Wellfleet Press, 1993) Pp. 72-73.

⁴  Lt. Col. Robert Gayre of Gayre and Nigg, The Nature of Arms. (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1961) P. 92.

⁵  Count of. Clandermond, “Gaelic Heraldry and the Kingdom of Desmond,” Heraldry.  The Augustan Society. Vol. III. 2 (1995): Pp. 4-11.

⁶  Donnchadh Ó Corráin and Fidelma Maguire, Gaelic Personal Names. (Dublin: The Academy Press, 1981) P. 146.

⁷  Proinsias Ó Conluain, “The Red Hand of Ulster,” Dúiche Néill. O Neill Country Historical Society. #5, 1990. Pp. 24-38.

⁸  MacMahon, Sir Lee. “Some Celtic Tribal Heraldry and Ancient Arms of Ireland,” Irish-American Genealogist. The Augustan Society: Torrance, CA. Annual 1979. Pp. 256-259.

⁹ Hibernian Society’s publications in the early 1900s.

¹⁰  Clandermond, p. 7.

¹¹  John J. Kennedy, “The Arms of Ireland: Medieval and Modern,” The Coat of Arms IX. #155, Autumn 1991: London. Pp. 91-109.

¹²  Letter from Deputy-Herald Fergus Gillespie to Garry Bryant, 1991; Micheal Ó Comain, Irish Heraldry. (Swords, Ireland: Poolbeg Press, Ltd., 1991). P. 32-33 & 144. NOTE - the first recorded arms of an Irish prince are those of Hugh O’Neill, King of Ulster, who died in 1325. The oldest document relevant to Irish heraldry bears the seal of Roderick O’Kennedy, 1356.

¹³  Donough O’Brien, History of the O’Briens: From Brian Boroimhe, ad., 1000 to ad. 1945. (London: B.T. Batsford, Ltd., 1947) Pp. 50-54 & 198.

^13a   Donough O’Brien, p. 54.

¹⁴  Ó Comain, p. 32.

¹⁵  Ivar O’Brien, “The O’Brien Arms a speculation of their origin,” The Royal O’Briens: A Tribute. 1992. P. 61.

¹⁶  Ivar O’Brien, O’Brien of Thomond: The O’Briens in Irish history, 1500-1865. (London: Phillimore, 1986) P. 16.

¹⁷  Ivar O’Brien, O’Brien of Thomond: The O’Briens in Irish history, 1500-1865. (London: Phillimore, 1986) frontispiece.

¹⁸  Risteard Ua Croinin, and Martin Breen “Interesting Remains at Lemeneagh,” The Other Clare. Vol/Issue 11: Pp. 46-48.

¹⁹  Meeting between Sir Conor O’Brien and Garry Bryant, 14-15 February 1997. Farmington, Utah, U.S.A.; Kennedy’s Book of Arms. (Canterbury, England: Achievements Ltd.).

²⁰  Harman Murtagh, “Irish Soldiers Abroad, 1600-1800,” A Military History of Ireland. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996) P. 298.

²¹  Jane Urwick, “Banners of the Wild Geese,” The Coat of Arms, IV #115, Autumn 1980: London. Pp. 285 - 289.

 

ILLUSTRATIONS

Cover art of Celtic lion head is reported to be from the ring worn by King Brian Boru.

ill 1 - Norman arms: Roche, Fitzgerald, de Lacy, Burke

ill 2 - Anglo-Irish arms: O’Cullen, O’Lynch, O’Kennedy, O’Hegarty.

ill 3 - Irish arms: O’Malone, O’Donovan, O’Carroll, O’Connor.

ill 4 - Irish arms: MacEgan, O’Keane, O’Neill, O’Sullivan

ill 5 - St. James Abbey, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.

ill 6 - Province arms of Connacht.

ill 7 - Ancient Ó Briain arms.

ill 8 - King of England arms..

ill 9 - Modern O’Brien arms.

ill 10 - Murrough O’Brien arms.

ill 11 - Sir Guy de Bryan K.G., arms.

ill 12 - Possible arms of Mac-I-Brian Arra.

ill 13 - Lemenah castle, County Clare, Ireland.

ill 14 - O’Brien knot.

ill 15 - Banner of Clare’s Regiment in the Service of France.

ill 16 - Foot soldier in Clare’s Regiment.

ill 17 - Full achievement of arms for Sir Conor O’Brien.

ill 18a & b - O'Brien modern & ancient color tartans

ill 19 - Map of Thomond.

ill 20 - Related Irish clans to the O’Brien Clan that use the lion passant/passant guardant in the clan arms:

           MacMahon, O’Meara, O’Grady.

 

 

FYI: In 2002 Garry Bryant volunteered for an academic study using DNA in genealogy, which is now becoming a very effective tool in genealogy research. In May 2007, he received a phone call from one Kevin O’Brien of Buffalo, NY., to whom he had an email relationship for ten years. Kevin said, “I remember how you often wondered if your surname was Bryant or O’Brien. Well you’re not only an O’Brien, but you and I are cousins.” At the Ysearch website for FamilyTree DNA Bryant’s pedigree was posted with his 37 marker test. O’Brien's and Bryant’s markers matched exactly ... 37/37, making them descending from a common ancestor around the 8^th - 10^th generation. O’Brien has his pedigree researched and documented to about 1760 at Killernan, County Clare, Ireland (7^th generation), and Bryant has his documented to the sixth generation to John O’Bryan who immigrated to Ontario, Canada by 1836. Of the 150 members in the O’Brien Surname DNA project, they are the closest in matches to The O’Brien, being four markers off, which indicate their branch broke off of the main line about 1250-1325 A.D.