Caomhán mac Connmhach
Encyclopedia
Caomhán mac Connmhach, Eponym
and Ancestor
of the Clan
Ó Caomháin of north Connacht
, fl. 9th-10th century. The surname
is variously anglacised as Keevan, Kevane, Keeveen, Keevans, Keaven, Keavan, Cavan
.
were grandsons of King Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe
(died 772). Their father was Connchmach mac Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
, who traced his descent back to the semi-legendary Niall Noígíallach (died c. 450?), via his son, Fiachu mac Néill
(fl. 507-514). This made Caomhán a member of the Uí Fiachrach
dynasty
who produced a number of Kings of Connacht
.
(263.8), "Caomhán was older than Dubhda and Caomhán thought that the kingship (of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe
was his; but God
did not will that there should be kings of his progeny
; and they made an arrangement about the kingship, i.e. that Caomhán's representative should have a choice of territory as his patrimony and (the right to be at) the shoulder of the king of Ui Fhiachrach always, [the possession of] his steed
s and accoutrements when he is inaugurated, and [the right to] proceed around him three times after his inauguration; and the territory that he chose was from Tuaim Dhá Bhodhar to Gleóir. The steed, accoutrements, and the clothes of Ó Caomháin are to be give to Mac Fir Bhisigh on the day that Mac Fir Bhisigh calls Ó Dubhda by the name of lord."
"Dáibhídh and Domhnall sons of Aodh s. Dáibhídh s. Tomás s. Giolla na Naomh s. Domhnall s. Dáibhídh s. Diarmuid s. Tomás s. Domhnall s. Tomás s. Giolla na Naomh s. Diarmuid s. Domhnall s. Cathal s. Giolla na Naomh. s. Diarmuid s. Cathal s. Caomhán, fom whom are Uí Chaomháin, s. Connmhach s. Donn Cathaigh, etc."
This is followed by two further genealogies:
"Tomaltach, Maghnus, Donnchadh, Aodh Fionn, and Seaán, the five sons of Dáibhídh, son of that Aodh."
"Tomás Óg, Tomaltach, Niall, and Cathal Riabhach:those are the offspring of Tomás Mór s. Dáibhídh s. Giolla na Naomh Mór."
gives an account of the privileges of Clann Chaomháin. At 271.21 (pp. 614–615), Mac Fhirbhisigh lists the patrimony
of Ó Caomháin in Carra, County Mayo
as "the seven townlands of Ros Laogh, from Cluain Lis (or Leasa) Néilín to Béal Átha na Lúb, and from Béal Átha na gCarr to Muileann Toirmáin, which were obtained by Caomhán s. Connmhach from Dubhda, his brother, and by Aodh Ó Caomháin from Aodh s. Ceallach, gs. {grandson of} Dubhda, king of Uí Fhiachrach; ... and it has been the native and inherent property of Uí Chamoháin ever since, as are many other territories besides."
At 274.10 (pp. 620–621), Mac Fhirbhisgh states The territory of Ó Caomháin is from Tuaim Dhá Bhodhar to Gleóir, and its native families are Mac Caoilleacháin, from An Carn and Ó Coitil from Baile Uí Choitil." At 274.19 and into 275.1, he goes on to state that "The chief sea of Ó Caomháin is Saidhin Uisce tar Abhainn, which is called Inis Screabhainn; although Clann Néill" (a branch of the O'Dowd
s) "is considered to have conquered that territory, it is not through native right that they took it but by force following the killing of Dáibhidh Ó Caomháin and Domhnall Ó Caomháin, whereupon Clann Néill were in the chieftaincy for a period, and Niall [g]s. Niall was killed by Muircheartach Fionn Ó Caomháin in revenge for [the loss of] his land." At 276.11 Inis Screabhainn, noted as both the foregoing and Soighean Uise tar Abhainn, is called "The chief homsestead of Ó Caomháin."
275.17 states "Ó Loingsigh and Ó Caomháin of An Cuirreach from Muine na bhFiadh (or Muine Dhiadh is its name today."
invasion and settlement of Connacht
in the middle decades of the 12th-century, families such as the Clann Chaomháin lost their territories, been exiled or becoming tenents-at-will under the new lords. King
Sén-Brian Ó Dubhda
of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe
(died 1354) regained much of these territories but mostly allotted them to his own followers.
. The Annals of the Four Masters
contains a references under the year 1294, stating that Dermot O'Caomhain died.
A more fulsome entry, sub anno, 1306, occurs in the same annal:
A great depredation was committed by the Clann-Murtough O'Conor in the territory of Carbury. David O'Caomhain, Chief of that tract of country extending from Tuaim-da-Bhodar to Gleóir, a rich and affluent brughaidh farmer, Donough Mac Buidheachain, and many others, were slain on this predatory incursion.
Eponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
and Ancestor
Ancestor
An ancestor is a parent or the parent of an ancestor ....
of the Clan
Clan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
Ó Caomháin of north Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
, fl. 9th-10th century. The surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
is variously anglacised as Keevan, Kevane, Keeveen, Keevans, Keaven, Keavan, Cavan
Cavan
Cavan is the county town of County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The town lies in the north central part of Ireland, near the border with Northern Ireland...
.
Family background
Caomhán mac Connmhach and Dubda mac ConnmhachDubda mac Connmhach
Dubda mac Connmhach, Eponym and Ancestor of the Clan Ó Dubhda of north Connacht, fl. 9th-10th century.-Family background:Dubda mac Connmhach was a grandson of King Donn Cothaid mac Cathail of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe...
were grandsons of King Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
Donn Cothaid mac Cathail, King of Connacht, died 773.Donn Cothaid was a King of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe branch of the Connachta. He was the great-grandson of Dúnchad Muirisci mac Tipraite...
of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe were a branch of the Ui Fiachrach dynasty of the Connachta. They were centered in the Moy River valley of Co. Mayo. The Uí Fiachrach Muaide territory at its widest reach included the baronies of Erris and Tirawley in Co. Mayo, and the barony of Tireragh in Co. Sligo...
(died 772). Their father was Connchmach mac Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
Donn Cothaid mac Cathail
Donn Cothaid mac Cathail, King of Connacht, died 773.Donn Cothaid was a King of Connacht from the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe branch of the Connachta. He was the great-grandson of Dúnchad Muirisci mac Tipraite...
, who traced his descent back to the semi-legendary Niall Noígíallach (died c. 450?), via his son, Fiachu mac Néill
Fiachu mac Néill
Fiachu mac Néill was a king of Uisnech in Mide of the Ui Neill dynasty. He was the son of the high king Niall Noígíallach. According to the king list in the Book of Leinster, he succeeded his brother Conall Cremthainne as king of Uisnech.According to the Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick, Saint...
(fl. 507-514). This made Caomhán a member of the Uí Fiachrach
Uí Fiachrach
The Uí Fiachrach were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the coicead or fifth of Connacht at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. They claimed descent from Fiachrae, an older half-brother of Niall Noigiallach or Niall of the Nine Hostages...
dynasty
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
who produced a number of Kings of Connacht
Kings of Connacht
The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the cóiced of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being named after The Connachta.The old name for the province was Cóiced Ol nEchmacht . Ptolemy's map of c. 150 AD...
.
Division of land
According to Dubhaltach Mac FhirbhisighDubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius was an Irish scribe, translator, historian and genealogist...
(263.8), "Caomhán was older than Dubhda and Caomhán thought that the kingship (of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe were a branch of the Ui Fiachrach dynasty of the Connachta. They were centered in the Moy River valley of Co. Mayo. The Uí Fiachrach Muaide territory at its widest reach included the baronies of Erris and Tirawley in Co. Mayo, and the barony of Tireragh in Co. Sligo...
was his; but God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
did not will that there should be kings of his progeny
Progeny
Progeny can refer to:*A genetic descendant or offspring*An academic progeny Other uses*Progeny Linux Systems*Progeny - an episode of the television series Stargate Atlantis...
; and they made an arrangement about the kingship, i.e. that Caomhán's representative should have a choice of territory as his patrimony and (the right to be at) the shoulder of the king of Ui Fhiachrach always, [the possession of] his steed
Steed
Steed is a working animal used as a mount . Steed may also refer to:-Surname:*Jake Steed , American actor*Joel Steed , American football player*Maggie Steed , British actress...
s and accoutrements when he is inaugurated, and [the right to] proceed around him three times after his inauguration; and the territory that he chose was from Tuaim Dhá Bhodhar to Gleóir. The steed, accoutrements, and the clothes of Ó Caomháin are to be give to Mac Fir Bhisigh on the day that Mac Fir Bhisigh calls Ó Dubhda by the name of lord."
Descendants
Mac Fhirbhisigh, at 264.1 (pp. 598–99) states that he had a son, Cathal, and at 264.2 (pp. 598–99) gives the following genealogy:"Dáibhídh and Domhnall sons of Aodh s. Dáibhídh s. Tomás s. Giolla na Naomh s. Domhnall s. Dáibhídh s. Diarmuid s. Tomás s. Domhnall s. Tomás s. Giolla na Naomh s. Diarmuid s. Domhnall s. Cathal s. Giolla na Naomh. s. Diarmuid s. Cathal s. Caomhán, fom whom are Uí Chaomháin, s. Connmhach s. Donn Cathaigh, etc."
This is followed by two further genealogies:
"Tomaltach, Maghnus, Donnchadh, Aodh Fionn, and Seaán, the five sons of Dáibhídh, son of that Aodh."
"Tomás Óg, Tomaltach, Niall, and Cathal Riabhach:those are the offspring of Tomás Mór s. Dáibhídh s. Giolla na Naomh Mór."
Privileges and territory
At 270.1-2, Leabhar na nGenealachLeabhar na nGenealach
Leabhar na nGenealach is a massive genealogical collection written mainly in the years 1649 to 1650, at the college-house of St. Nicholas's church, Galway, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. He continued to add material until at least 1666, five years before he was murdered in 1671...
gives an account of the privileges of Clann Chaomháin. At 271.21 (pp. 614–615), Mac Fhirbhisigh lists the patrimony
Patrimony
Patrimony may refer to:* Property or other legal entitlements inherited from , one's father, especially if it has been handed down through generations in the same family, birthright...
of Ó Caomháin in Carra, County Mayo
Carra, County Mayo
Carra is one of the nine baronies of County Mayo in Ireland, located in the mid-south area of the county. It is sometimes known as Burriscarra and on the map of Mayo baronies below it is the portion shown in grey in the south of the county....
as "the seven townlands of Ros Laogh, from Cluain Lis (or Leasa) Néilín to Béal Átha na Lúb, and from Béal Átha na gCarr to Muileann Toirmáin, which were obtained by Caomhán s. Connmhach from Dubhda, his brother, and by Aodh Ó Caomháin from Aodh s. Ceallach, gs. {grandson of} Dubhda, king of Uí Fhiachrach; ... and it has been the native and inherent property of Uí Chamoháin ever since, as are many other territories besides."
At 274.10 (pp. 620–621), Mac Fhirbhisgh states The territory of Ó Caomháin is from Tuaim Dhá Bhodhar to Gleóir, and its native families are Mac Caoilleacháin, from An Carn and Ó Coitil from Baile Uí Choitil." At 274.19 and into 275.1, he goes on to state that "The chief sea of Ó Caomháin is Saidhin Uisce tar Abhainn, which is called Inis Screabhainn; although Clann Néill" (a branch of the O'Dowd
O'Dowd
O'Dowd is an uncommon Irish surname. Many modern variants of the O'Dowd surname exist. The prefix has been widely retained, O'Dowd being more usual than Dowd. Other modern variants are Dawdy, Dowdy, O'Dowda and Dowds, with Doody and Duddy, found around Killarney, where a branch of the Connacht...
s) "is considered to have conquered that territory, it is not through native right that they took it but by force following the killing of Dáibhidh Ó Caomháin and Domhnall Ó Caomháin, whereupon Clann Néill were in the chieftaincy for a period, and Niall [g]s. Niall was killed by Muircheartach Fionn Ó Caomháin in revenge for [the loss of] his land." At 276.11 Inis Screabhainn, noted as both the foregoing and Soighean Uise tar Abhainn, is called "The chief homsestead of Ó Caomháin."
275.17 states "Ó Loingsigh and Ó Caomháin of An Cuirreach from Muine na bhFiadh (or Muine Dhiadh is its name today."
High Medieval era
Following the Anglo-IrishAnglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish was a term used primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries to identify a privileged social class in Ireland, whose members were the descendants and successors of the Protestant Ascendancy, mostly belonging to the Church of Ireland, which was the established church of Ireland until...
invasion and settlement of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
in the middle decades of the 12th-century, families such as the Clann Chaomháin lost their territories, been exiled or becoming tenents-at-will under the new lords. King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
Sén-Brian Ó Dubhda
Sén-Brian Ó Dubhda
-Overview:In a section of Leabhar na nGenealach, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh writes of the fate of the hereditary proprietors of Ui Fiachrach....
of Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe
Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe were a branch of the Ui Fiachrach dynasty of the Connachta. They were centered in the Moy River valley of Co. Mayo. The Uí Fiachrach Muaide territory at its widest reach included the baronies of Erris and Tirawley in Co. Mayo, and the barony of Tireragh in Co. Sligo...
(died 1354) regained much of these territories but mostly allotted them to his own followers.
Annalistic references
Caomhán himself does not appear in the annals, and few of his descendants feature in the extant Irish annalsIrish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
. The Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
contains a references under the year 1294, stating that Dermot O'Caomhain died.
A more fulsome entry, sub anno, 1306, occurs in the same annal:
A great depredation was committed by the Clann-Murtough O'Conor in the territory of Carbury. David O'Caomhain, Chief of that tract of country extending from Tuaim-da-Bhodar to Gleóir, a rich and affluent brughaidh farmer, Donough Mac Buidheachain, and many others, were slain on this predatory incursion.
External links
- http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/
- http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&Surname=Keevan&UserID=