Clan MacFhirbhisigh
Encyclopedia
Mac Fhirbhisigh was the surname
of a family of Irish
hereditary historians based for much of their known history at Leckan, Tireagh, Co. Sligo
. They claimed descent from Dathí
(d.418?/428?), said to be one of the last pagan Kings of Connacht
, and were thus one of the many families who sprang from the Uí Fiachrach
dynasty.
Based initially at Cong
, the family may have being erenaghs prior to becoming historians and genealogists to the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe (branch of the Uí Fiachrach based in north Connacht
) and several other patrons. While this was their main function, they also appear to have served as poets and brehons to their patrons, possibly even musicians.
Among the earliest known members of the family were Amhlaoibh Mór mac Fir Bhisigh
(died 1138), Domhnall na Sgoile Mac Fir Bhisigh (fl.c. 1250) and Gilla Isa Mac Fir Bisigh, who died in 1301.
In the late medieval era the most well known was Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh fl. 1390-1418. Fear Dorcha MacFhirbhisigh (fl.c. 1600?) was noted as well-travelled in Scotland, showing how far afield members of the clan would venture in practiseing their art.
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh (fl.c.1640-January 1671) compiled Leabhar na nGenealach
, a massive compilation of Irish genealogies, a collection of much lore that would have being lost without trace in the turbulent Irish 17th century.
The name is now rendered as Forbes
.
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"...
of a family of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
hereditary historians based for much of their known history at Leckan, Tireagh, Co. Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
. They claimed descent from Dathí
Dathí
Feradach Dathí , also known as Nath Í, son of Fiachrae, son of Eochaid Mugmedon, was a legendary king of Connacht and High King of Ireland of the 4th century or 5th century. His given name was Feradach, and he was named Dathí for the speed he put on his armour. He was said to have made foreign...
(d.418?/428?), said to be one of the last pagan 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...
, and were thus one of the many families who sprang from 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.
Based initially at Cong
Cong
Cong may refer to:*Cong , a form of jade artifact from ancient China*Cong , a Chinese surname.*Cống people, an indigenous people of about 1,700 in Vietnam*Cong, County Mayo, a village in the Republic of Ireland...
, the family may have being erenaghs prior to becoming historians and genealogists to the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe (branch of the Uí Fiachrach based in 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...
) and several other patrons. While this was their main function, they also appear to have served as poets and brehons to their patrons, possibly even musicians.
Among the earliest known members of the family were Amhlaoibh Mór mac Fir Bhisigh
Amhlaoibh Mór mac Fir Bhisigh
Amhlaoibh Mór mac Fir Bhisigh, Irish poet, cleric and historian, died 1138.-Biography:The Annals of Tigernach, sub anno, give his obituary:1138...
(died 1138), Domhnall na Sgoile Mac Fir Bhisigh (fl.c. 1250) and Gilla Isa Mac Fir Bisigh, who died in 1301.
In the late medieval era the most well known was Giolla Íosa Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh fl. 1390-1418. Fear Dorcha MacFhirbhisigh (fl.c. 1600?) was noted as well-travelled in Scotland, showing how far afield members of the clan would venture in practiseing their art.
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh (fl.c.1640-January 1671) compiled Leabhar na nGenealach
Leabhar 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...
, a massive compilation of Irish genealogies, a collection of much lore that would have being lost without trace in the turbulent Irish 17th century.
The name is now rendered as Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
.
Sources
- The Celebrated Antiquary, Nollaig Ó MuraíleNollaig Ó MuraíleNollaig Ó Muraíle is an Irish scholar. He published an acclaimed edition of Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's Leabhar na nGenealach in 2004. He was conferred with the honour of admittance to the Royal Irish Academy in 2009.-Life and career:...
, MaynoothMaynoothMaynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
, 1996. - Irish Leaders and Learning Through the Ages, Fr. Paul WalshPaul WalshPaul Anthony Walsh is a retired English footballer.Walsh was a diminutive and pacy centre forward who shot to fame in the 1980s during spells with Charlton, Luton, Liverpool and Tottenham.-Charlton Athletic:...
, 2004. (ed. Nollaig Ó Muraíle).