Irish Origins
The individual tribe comprised a number of clans which each
descended from different but related ancestors. As time went by,
it was common for clans to further subdivide into new clans
– typically as the result of sibling rivalry.
Early Brehon law described the complex methods of defining
kinship within the male-dominated clan in terms of levels of
family relationship. The primary unit was the immediate family of
the same generation - i.e. brothers. The secondary unit was
the extended family including two generations - i.e.
brothers, sons and nephews. The tertiary unit was the tenuously
extended family including three generations - i.e. brothers, sons,
nephews, grandsons and grandnephews; and so on.
Administration effectively started at clan level, where the
senior heads of the primary family units would jointly elect a
clan chieftain from the pool of eligible males. In cases where
leadership was closely contended, it was common for a deputy or
tanaiste to be elected to assist and succeed the chosen leader or
taoiseach. These terms of office are still used in Irish
government to this day. In the early days, eligibility was
relatively unrestricted and all adult males of sound mind and
limb would be considered. As the centuries passed, it was
observed that physical traits desirable in a leader - wisdom,
strength, good character, etc. - were frequently passed on
to direct descendants. Gradually, the rules for eligibility were
modified so that the candidates needed to belong to the
quaternary family unit of the previous chieftain (down to great
grandsons and great grandnephews). The office of chieftain was
usually a lifetime post, but often prematurely terminated by
neighbouring warring tribes.
Above the level of clan, the tuatha were generally governed by a
minor king who was also the chieftain of the most dominant clan
in the area. At any given time in the middle ages, there were up
to 150 tuatha or petty kingdoms, and it is for this reason that
most Irish families can rightly claim to be descended from an old
Irish king.
Above the level of tribe, the land was divided into larger
provinces governed by a major king who was also the leader of the
most dominant tribe in the area. These kings were frequently at
war with each other, vying for greater power and the glorious
title of undisputed high-king or ard-rí. This title was often
claimed but seldom effectively attained, so the ambitious king
was usually obliged to settle for the lesser title of high-king
with opposition.
Since land was commonly owned by related families and normally
inherited through the male line, the details of genealogical
descent were always carefully noted and memorised by the family
members. As dominant families emerged, families of hereditary
bards developed to record key genealogies (not without
embellishment) in the form of elaborate poems passed down from
father to son by word of mouth. In later years, the hereditary
bards used parchment to serve the same purpose of safe-guarding
family territorial rights.
Formal surnames evolved in Irish society around the tenth and
eleventh centuries, and therefore rank among the oldest surnames
in Europe. The majority of these surnames are patronymic and
signify direct descent through the male line from a distinguished
personage well known in the locality. The prefix Mac (= son)
signifies first generation descent, whilst the prefix Ó (=
grandson) denotes second generation (or later) descent.
The surname O'Flannery (or more commonly Flannery, since the
prefix O was generally dropped in the nineteenth century) is
usually an Anglicisation of the Gaelic surname Ó Flannabhra, and
signifies descent from a person named Flannabhra. However, it is
equally important to note that both Flannery and Flannelly were
used as an Anglicisation of the Gaelic surname Ó Flannghaile, a
name which signifies descent from a person named Flannghaile.
It is interesting to note that the accent or fada over the prefix
Ó, which serves to lengthen the sound of the vowel, was
gradually modified to an apostraphe ' by the early scribes
in order to render the closely spaced lines of manuscript more
aesthetically attractive.
Flannabhra was a Gaelic personal name, not uncommon in the early
and middle ages. The name is a compound of flann (= ruddy) and
abhra (= eyebrow or brow), thus the literal meaning is "red
eyebrow". This descriptive name possibly referred to a
person with prominent red hair.
Flannghaile was another Gaelic personal name. The name is a
compound of flann (= ruddy) and ghaile (from gal = fury), thus
the literal meaning is "red valour". This descriptive
name possibly originated with a person who displayed valour in
combat or sport.
In general terms, there are two distinct septs of Ó
Flannabhra which developed independently in two different regions,
namely Connaught and Munster. The Connaught sept of Ó Flannabhra
was of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe. The Munster sept of Ó Flannabhra
was of Uí Fidhghente. Contentiously, there arises the issue of
the sept of Ó Flannghaile, which was also of Uí Fiachrach
Muaidhe in Connaught, and thereby hangs an interesting tale . . .
Theoretically, Ó Flannghaile is a different family to either of
the septs of Ó Flannabhra, and this is a point well recorded by
the foremost genealogists Woulfe and MacLysaght. However, the two
septs of Ó Flannabhra in Connaught and Munster are equally
distinct and unrelated; and it is now virtually impossible to
effectively distinguish between the Connaught sept of Ó
Flannabhra and Ó Flannghaile. For all practical purposes, the
sept of Ó Flannghaile must be included with the two septs of Ó
Flannabhra - not because this is the path of least
resistance, but because its exclusion would doubtless exclude
many Flannerys whose surnames have been corrupted by translation
and transcription over the generations. It is worth noting that
there are still individuals in Ireland who use the surname
Flannery in English and Ó Flannghaile in Irish. Thus, academic
purism should give way to reality, and all three septs ought to
be included in the Flannery Clan.
Uí Fidhghente in Munster
The River Maigue rises near Ardpatrick in south County Limerick
and flows northwards to join the River Shannon, effectively
bisecting the county into two halves. Historically, Uí
Fidhghente was the half of County Limerick to the west of the
Maigue.
The annals state that the tribes of Uí Fidhghente descend from
Oilioll Olum (Oilioll of the bare ear - because "his
ear was bitten off by the Dé Dánann maiden Áine as he was
ravishing her"; king of Munster, who died in 234). He was a
son of Eoghan Mór (otherwise known as Mogh Nuadhat, king of
Munster, who died in 166) from whom the Eoghanacht tribes of
Munster were named.
Oilioll married Sadhbh, a daughter of Conn Cetcathach (Conn of
the hundred battles; king of Connaught, who died in 157) after
whom the province of Connaught was named. There was great rivalry
between Conn and Mogh, who effectively ruled the northern ("Conn's
Half") and southern ("Mogh's Half") portions
of Ireland respectively. The marriage of their children may have
been a strategic alliance. As a consequence of this ancestry, Uí
Fidhghente (also known as Uí Ghabhra) was exempt from all
tributes and hostages to subsequent kings of Munster.
The genealogical poem attributed to Saint Beanán (Saint Benignus,
who died in 468) but subsequently enlarged and continued to a
much later period, forms part of the old Book of Rights and
includes the following verse :
"The Eoghanachts pay no tribute, for theirs are the lands
that serve Caiseal, The Clanna Chais, or the people of Raithleann,
or of Gelann Amhain, or of Locha Lein, or of the Uí Fidhghente,
or of Aine Cliath, pay no tribute."
The chief families of Uí Fidhghente were the O'Coileáin (Collins),
O'Cinnfhaelidh (Kennelly), O'Flannabhra (Flannery) and
Mac Inneirghe (MacEnery). Although many Flannerys remain in
Limerick to this day, they have also dispersed throughout
neighbouring Counties Clare, Tipperary, Kerry and Cork, as well
as emigrating overseas.
The Book of Rights records the following annual tribute from the
king of Munster to the chief of Uí Ghabhra (otherwise Uí
Fidhghente) to ensure his political support. It is worth noting
that most chiefs only received multiples of six or seven items.
"Ten steeds to the king of Uí Ghabhra,
Ten shields, ten swords fit for battle,
Ten drinking horns in his protective fort,
Without hostages from him, without pledges."
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe in Connaught
Historically, Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe was an area of land in the
north of Counties Mayo and Sligo, and at one time stretched from
the River Moy as far north as the River Erne. Uí Fiachrach
Muaidhe formed part of the greater region known as Uí Fiachrach,
which occupied most of Counties Galway, Mayo and Sligo. For the
majority of its history, Uí Fiachrach was bounded by the River
Robe in the south of County Mayo and extended northwards to the
River Cowney which discharges into Sligo Bay at Drumcliff.
Uí Fiachrach was named after Fiachra Foltsnathach (Fiachra of
the flowing hair), son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin (Eochaidh of
the moist middle - because "he was much troubled by the
flux of the belly" or dysentery; king of Connaught and much
of Ireland, who died in 366). Eochaidh was a grandson of Conn
Cetcathach.
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe was named after Fiachra Ealgach, son of
Daithi (the last pagan king of Connaught) and grandson of Fiachra
Foltsnathach. The annals state that the tribes of Uí Fiachrach
descend from Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, but there is a certain
amount of ambiguity concerning the precise lineage of the family
and several possible genealogies have been suggested. As a
consequence of this ancestry, Uí Fiachrach was usually exempt
from all tributes and hostages to subsequent kings of Connaught.
St. Beanán's genealogical poem in the Book of Rights
includes the following verse :
"The free tribes of Connaught without sorrow,
No ample tribute of them is due;
The Uí Briuin of the ships of the seas,
The Siol Muireadhaigh of the tribes.
The Uí Fiachrach of the great plain,
The Cineal Aedha, - not unjust,
They are not liable to rent or tribute,
To give to the king of Connaught."
This privilege features in the records for the inauguration of
Cathal Croibhdherg O'Connor (Charles the Red-fisted; king of
Connaught 1201 - 1224), but appears to have briefly lapsed
for a short time until it was reinstated in 1213 when Donnchadh O'Dubhda
(the O'Dowds were the senior sept of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe)
sailed a large fleet into Clew Bay, and compelled Cathal
Croibhdherg O'Connor to give up every claim to the tributes
which the latter demanded out of the principality of Uí
Fiachrach.
The genealogical poem by Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Firbis includes
the following verses :
"The O'Mailchonaires without a blot,
The O'Flannabhras without oppression,
The O'Seghdas of rich prudence,
Heroes who reject not men of learning."
"The O'Flannghailes, who reported no fault,
A people of most universal bravery,
Dwell around Lough Glinne of hospitable men,
Youths with whom valour is a hostage."
