Breslin
Encyclopedia
Breslin is an Irish surname, the anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Breaslain.
The name means Breisel = violent or truculent and the ending meaning little. There were two septs of O'Breislein in Donegal. The first was of the Cenél Enda a branch of the Cenel Connail, with lands in the territory of Enda in the west of Donegal.
s of church-lands and had in their possession a thousand year old bell of a saint. This bell is now in the British Museum. The O'Breslins of the Cenel Enda were not noted in history often but most if not all the Breslins living in Donegal today are of this sept. The other family were the O'Breslin-Fanad.
The O'Breslin-Fanad were descended from Congal Cennamagair Mac Fergus-Fanad, High King of Ireland, 700 to 710 AD. The O'Breslin-Fanad possessed the lands at the centre of the power of the Cenel Connail in the barony of Kilmacrenan
called Fanad
. From here came many High Kings of Ireland and Scotland and the ancestors of George Washington among others. The O'Breslins-Fanad lost a great deal of power two generations after Congal Cennamagair when the Cenel Connail lost forever their claim to be Irish High Kings. Closely related cousins of the descendents of Congal, the O'MaelDorry and the O'Concannon, became the kings of the Cenel Conaill and the O'Breslin-Fanad became one of the principal brehon
families of Ireland. Their power as chiefs of Fanad, was frequently mentioned by the Four Masters. In the beginning of the 13th century, the old ruling families of the Cenel Connail, O' Concannon and O'Maeldorry, lost power due to their four hundred years of constant inter-family and inter-clann and inter-tribal warfare creating a power vacuum. The MacLaughlans, the O'Boyles, the O'Donnels and the O'Breslin-Fanad all having about the same claim by descent from earlier kings, contested for power. After three generations, the O'Donnals with their paid gallowglass, the MacSweeneys, were recognised as Kings of the Cenel Connail.
The MacSweeneys were rewarded with the O'Breslin-Fanad lands and the O'Breslin-Fanad were exiled from Donegal about 1270. The O'Breslins of the Cenel Enda were not the same sept and were not considered a threat to the O'Donnals. They were allowed to stay in Donegal. The leading families of the O'Breslin-Fanad migrated to Co. Fermanagh, where they pursued their profession as brehons under the MacGuires
and Mayo-Sligo where they established themselves as brehons to the Burks.
One branch of the O'Breslin-Fanad later returned to Donegal to become the brehons to the O'Donnals. They also became erenagh
s of Derryvullen, County Fermanagh
. Some of the more adventurous of the O'Breslin-Fanad relocated to the lands of Co Cork, Co Waterford and Co Tipperrary where they won new lands by the sword. The O'Breslins in Co. Tipperarry were chieftains under the O'Carrols-Ely and the O'Brislanes of northern Co. Cork went there by about 1300 along with many other Donegal families as Gallowglasses in the pay of the McCarthys. John J. Breslin (c. 1836-1888), a Fenian
who effected the escape of James Stephens from Richmond prison, was of a Co. Tyrone family. There was also said to be another sept of the same name, a branch of the Hy Fiachrach but they were in fact another branch of the O'Breslin-Fanad brehons to the Burks. Their territory lay on the east side of the river Moy
at Killanley in the parish of Castleconnor
, Co. Sligo.
In Co. Donegal some families of Breslin have changed their name to Breese, Bryce and Briceland which are a common English surnames. Canon Power in his History of Co. Waterford mentions O'Breslin with O'Brick, O'Foley and O'Keane as the great families of the Decies, and the name appears in the Justiciary Rolls of 1306 and 1307 dealing with Co. Waterford. Other spellings include,Brees,Brislane and Brislan
The name means Breisel = violent or truculent and the ending meaning little. There were two septs of O'Breislein in Donegal. The first was of the Cenél Enda a branch of the Cenel Connail, with lands in the territory of Enda in the west of Donegal.
History
The O'Breslins of the Cenel Enda were a smaller family that was known as erenaghErenagh
The medieval Irish office of Erenagh was responsible for receiving parish revenue from tithes and rents, building and maintaining church property and overseeing the termon lands that generated parish income. Thus he had a prebendary role...
s of church-lands and had in their possession a thousand year old bell of a saint. This bell is now in the British Museum. The O'Breslins of the Cenel Enda were not noted in history often but most if not all the Breslins living in Donegal today are of this sept. The other family were the O'Breslin-Fanad.
The O'Breslin-Fanad were descended from Congal Cennamagair Mac Fergus-Fanad, High King of Ireland, 700 to 710 AD. The O'Breslin-Fanad possessed the lands at the centre of the power of the Cenel Connail in the barony of Kilmacrenan
Kilmacrenan
Kilmacrenan is a small village located in County Donegal on the north west coast of Ireland. The village had a population of 430 in the 2002 census, however the village's population has increased rapidily over the last decade as a result of people leaving Letterkenny and living in the countryside...
called Fanad
Fanad
Fanad is a peninsula that lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay on the north coast of County Donegal in Ireland. It encompasses the parishes of Clondavaddog, Killygarvan and parts of Tullyfern and Aughinish. The peninsula includes the towns and villages of Milford, Kerrykeel , Tamney,...
. From here came many High Kings of Ireland and Scotland and the ancestors of George Washington among others. The O'Breslins-Fanad lost a great deal of power two generations after Congal Cennamagair when the Cenel Connail lost forever their claim to be Irish High Kings. Closely related cousins of the descendents of Congal, the O'MaelDorry and the O'Concannon, became the kings of the Cenel Conaill and the O'Breslin-Fanad became one of the principal brehon
Brehon
Brehon is the term in Gaelic-Irish culture for a judge. The Brehons were part of the system of "Brehon Law". The Brehons wore yellow robes when delivering verdicts. Several dozen families were recognised as hereditary brehon clans.-See also:* Mac an Bhaird...
families of Ireland. Their power as chiefs of Fanad, was frequently mentioned by the Four Masters. In the beginning of the 13th century, the old ruling families of the Cenel Connail, O' Concannon and O'Maeldorry, lost power due to their four hundred years of constant inter-family and inter-clann and inter-tribal warfare creating a power vacuum. The MacLaughlans, the O'Boyles, the O'Donnels and the O'Breslin-Fanad all having about the same claim by descent from earlier kings, contested for power. After three generations, the O'Donnals with their paid gallowglass, the MacSweeneys, were recognised as Kings of the Cenel Connail.
The MacSweeneys were rewarded with the O'Breslin-Fanad lands and the O'Breslin-Fanad were exiled from Donegal about 1270. The O'Breslins of the Cenel Enda were not the same sept and were not considered a threat to the O'Donnals. They were allowed to stay in Donegal. The leading families of the O'Breslin-Fanad migrated to Co. Fermanagh, where they pursued their profession as brehons under the MacGuires
McGuire (surname)
McGuire is a surname of Irish origin, from the Gaelic "Mag Uidhir". The name means "son of Odhar" Some historical background indicates the name Mag Uidhir, Maguire or McGuire stems from the Magi of Éire who were the priests of ancient Ireland. The name is most often associated with County Fermanagh...
and Mayo-Sligo where they established themselves as brehons to the Burks.
One branch of the O'Breslin-Fanad later returned to Donegal to become the brehons to the O'Donnals. They also became erenagh
Erenagh
The medieval Irish office of Erenagh was responsible for receiving parish revenue from tithes and rents, building and maintaining church property and overseeing the termon lands that generated parish income. Thus he had a prebendary role...
s of Derryvullen, County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
. Some of the more adventurous of the O'Breslin-Fanad relocated to the lands of Co Cork, Co Waterford and Co Tipperrary where they won new lands by the sword. The O'Breslins in Co. Tipperarry were chieftains under the O'Carrols-Ely and the O'Brislanes of northern Co. Cork went there by about 1300 along with many other Donegal families as Gallowglasses in the pay of the McCarthys. John J. Breslin (c. 1836-1888), a Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
who effected the escape of James Stephens from Richmond prison, was of a Co. Tyrone family. There was also said to be another sept of the same name, a branch of the Hy Fiachrach but they were in fact another branch of the O'Breslin-Fanad brehons to the Burks. Their territory lay on the east side of the river Moy
River Moy
The River Moy rises at the foot of Knocknashee in the Northwest of Ireland.- Geography :The River Moy rises at the foot of Knocknashee in the Ox Mountains in County Sligo. It flows for 110 km...
at Killanley in the parish of Castleconnor
Castleconnor
Castleconnor is a parish in west County Sligo, Ireland....
, Co. Sligo.
In Co. Donegal some families of Breslin have changed their name to Breese, Bryce and Briceland which are a common English surnames. Canon Power in his History of Co. Waterford mentions O'Breslin with O'Brick, O'Foley and O'Keane as the great families of the Decies, and the name appears in the Justiciary Rolls of 1306 and 1307 dealing with Co. Waterford. Other spellings include,Brees,Brislane and Brislan
Academics
- Jack BreslinJack BreslinJacweir "Jack" Breslin worked at Michigan State University, as a distinguished student leader, honored athlete, top administrator, and relentless advocate. His personification of the Spartan spirit and innovative leadership played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the nation’s first...
- Michigan State University administrator - Shaun BreslinShaun BreslinShaun Breslin is Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. He is considered as a leading British academic expert on Chinese Politics and Economy, Globalization, Regionalism, Governance and International Political Economy...
- Professor of Politics and International Studies - Paul BreslinPaul BreslinDr. Paul Breslin is a geneticist and biologist.He is most notable for his work in taste perception and oral irritation, in humans as well as in Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly....
- geneticist and biologist
Actors
- Abigail BreslinAbigail BreslinAbigail Kathleen Breslin is an American teen actress. She is one of the youngest actresses ever to be nominated for an Academy Award....
- lead actress in Little Miss SunshineLittle Miss SunshineLittle Miss Sunshine is a 2006 American comedy-drama film. The road movie's plot follows a family's trip to a children's beauty pageant.Little Miss Sunshine was the directorial film debut of the husband-wife team of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The screenplay was written by first-time writer... - Christopher Breslin - American actor
- John Breslin - American actor
- Mark BreslinMark BreslinMark Breslin is a Canadian entrepreneur, stand-up comedian and actor best known for being the founder of Yuk Yuk's, the largest chain of comedy clubs in Canada.He made several guest appearances in the Robocop: The Series television series....
- founder of Yuk Yuk'sYuk Yuk'sYuk Yuk's is a national comedy club chain in Canada, owned by former stand-up comedian Mark Breslin and established in 1977 by Breslin and Joel Axler... - Patricia BreslinPatricia BreslinPatricia Rose Breslin was an American actress known for her guest roles in various television series in the 1950s and 1960s.-Early years:...
- 1950s and 1960s television actress - Spencer BreslinSpencer BreslinSpencer Breslin is an American teen actor and musician.-Early life:Breslin was born in New York City, the son of Kim, a personal manager, and Michael Breslin, a telecommunications expert...
- American actor and musician - Sam Breslin Wright - American actor
- Andrew Breslin - Porn Star
Athletes
- Paddy BreslinPaddy BreslinPaddy Breslin is a former association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.Breslin played two official A-international matches for the New Zealand, both against New Caledonia, the first a 0-4 loss on 8 November 1967, the second a 1-3 loss on 8 October 1968, Breslin...
- former football (soccer) player - William J. Breslin - aka Jack Britton (Boxer)
Business persons
- Herbert BreslinHerbert BreslinHerbert Breslin is a music industry executive. He has been influential in the careers of several musicians since the 1960s, the foremost of these being the tenor Luciano Pavarotti, with whom he started his career.-Work:...
- music industry executive - Wilbur BreslinWilbur BreslinWilbur "Willy" Breslin has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Breslin Realty Development Corp. since 1965. Active in real estate development, leasing and brokerage for over 45 years, Breslin is an active member of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, the National Institute...
- founder of Breslin Realty and former Hofstra Board member & benefactor - Jim Breslin - President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Ireland, (AOPA-Ireland)
Military persons
- Charles BreslinCharles BreslinCharles "Charlie" Breslin , was a volunteer in the West Tyrone Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army from Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.-Background:...
- IRA member - Thomas F. BreslinThomas F. Breslin"Colonel" Thomas F. Breslin was a civil engineer and a civilian contractor for the United States Army. He was pinned as a Colonel at the outbreak of the Battle of the Philippines and died during the Bataan Death March, the brutal POW march in the aftermath of the Battle of Bataan.-Birth and early...
- died in the Bataan Death MarchBataan Death MarchThe Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by... - Thomas P. Breslin - Brigadier General Louisiana National Guard
Musicians
- Niall BreslinNiall BreslinNiall Breslin is an Irish singer and former sportsperson. He found success as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with ska-punk/pop band The Blizzards and as a co-writer and producer with 19 Entertainment....
, vocalist for The BlizzardsThe BlizzardsThe Blizzards are an Irish band from Mullingar in County Westmeath. They were formed by Niall Breslin in late 2004, and also feature Dec Murphy , Justin Ryan, Anthony Doran and Aidan Lynch... - DJ Baby AnneDJ Baby AnneDJ Baby Anne , who refers to herself as "The Bass Queen", is an Orlando-based DJ and producer who works with live sets and original mixes that fuse Electro with Miami Bass and funky breaks.-Discography:...
, (born Marianne Breslin)
Politicians
- Cormac BreslinCormac BreslinCormac Breslin was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was born in Gweedore, County Donegal. He was educated at St. Eunan's College, Letterkenny. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1937 as a Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal West. He was re-elected at every election until his retirement in 1977. He...
- Irish Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician - Neil BreslinNeil BreslinNeil Breslin is a member of the New York State Senate. A Democrat, he represents Albany, New York. His district follows the Albany County, New York boundaries exactly....
- New York State Senator - Joan Breslin PitkinJoan Breslin PitkinJoan Breslin Pitkin was a delegate to the Maryland General Assembly for 24 years. Pitkin was born in New York City in 1932. Pitkin received her college education at the University of Vermont.-Career :...
- Maryland assembly member
Writers
- Ali Breslin - writer of Bad Day at Black RockBad Day at Black RockBad Day at Black Rock is a 1955 thriller film directed by John Sturges that combines elements of Westerns and film noir. It tells the story of a mysterious stranger who arrives at a tiny isolated town in a desert of the southwest United States in search of a man...
- Jimmy BreslinJimmy BreslinJimmy Breslin is an American journalist and author. He currently writes a column for the New York Daily News' Sunday edition. He has written numerous novels, and columns of his have appeared regularly in various newspapers in his hometown of New York City...
- American journalist and author - Theresa BreslinTheresa BreslinTheresa Breslin is a Scottish author, primarily of young adult fiction. She began writing when working as a librarian, and has published 29 books, five of which have also been sold as audiobooks....
- Scottish author, primarily of young adult fiction - Susannah BreslinSusannah BreslinSusannah Breslin is an American writer best known for creating the blog The Reverse Cowgirl and for her on-camera reporting for the Playboy TV program Sexcetera. Her writing and television work tends to deal with sexual and pornography-related topics. She has also written for periodicals including...
- American writer
Buildings
- Breslin Student Events CenterBreslin Student Events CenterThe Jack Breslin Student Events Center is a multi-purpose arena at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The arena opened in 1989, and is named for Jack Breslin, MSU alumnus, former athlete and administrator, who first began pushing for the arena in 1969. It is home to the Michigan...
at Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,... - John J. Breslin Theatre at Felician CollegeFelician CollegeFelician College is a private Roman Catholic college with two campuses, located in Lodi and Rutherford, New Jersey.It was founded as the Immaculate Conception Normal School by the Felician Sisters in 1923, and became Immaculate Conception Junior College in 1942. With the authorization of its first...
- Wilber F. Breslin Center for Real Estate StudiesWilber F. Breslin Center for Real Estate StudiesOn September 19th 2007 Hofstra established the Wilbur F. Breslin Center for Real Estate Studies.Mr. Wilbur F. Breslin , the man responsible for some of Long Island's big commercial projects helped launch Hofstra University's Wilbur F...
at Hofstra UniversityHofstra UniversityHofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...