MEMOIR OF THE O'BRIEN'S
**
THE ORIGIN AND THE HISTORY OF
OF THE O'BRIEN CLAN
Publisher; Martin Breen . http://www.martinbreen.com/
This major work on the history of the O'Brien family was first published in 1860. It tells the story of the Royal O'Briens through fifteen hundred years of history. The book is now extremely rare as only a limited number of copies were originally printed. Many libraries do not possess a copy of the book.
The year 2002 was the 1000th anniversary of the inauguration of Brian Boru, the ancestor of all the O'Briens, as High King of Ireland in the year 1002. It was also the year in which the O'Briens, world-wide, met in Thomond for their International Clan Gathering. It was a good time to have the book republished and presented once again to the public. There are some additions and enhancements to the new volume. The present head of the O'Brien Clan, Conor O'Brien, Lord Inchiquin, has written an introduction, and Morgan Llywelyn, historical writer, novelist and author of " Lion of Ireland", - The story of Brian Boru, wrote the foreword to the new publication. This edition also includes portraits of many famous people from the Clan such as the O'Briens of Dromoland and Lemenagh, and photographs of many of the O'Brien foundations, such as Ennis Abbey, Holycross Abbey, Dromoland Castle and many more , It has taken over 140 years to have this valuable record of the O'Brien family history republished.
Historical Memoir of the O'Briens - A Synopsis
This book deals with a family whose name appears so often in the Annals of Ireland as Kings, Warriors and Nobles. In the book their history is traced from the 2nd century A.D. to the end of the nineteenth century. The author follows their line of descent from Milesians who came to Ireland from central Europe during the Bronze Age, about 2500 to 1200 BC. The descendants of Milesius ruled Ireland and Cormac Cas, a lineal descendant, ruled over Munster. From Cormac Cas came theDalcassians whose descendants were the O'Briens, the MacNamaras, the O'Deas and the O'Quins. The author then moves on to Niall of the Nine Hostages whose ancestors filled the throne of Ireland from the commencement of the fifth century to the dispossession of Malachy II by Brian Boru in 1002. The intervening period, the coming of Christianity to the arrival of the Danes is also dealt with. This event was to be celebrated in Ireland in 2002, by the O'Briens who organized a Clan gathering of O'Briens from all over the world. Also to commemorate this event a stamp depicting Brian Boru and his inauguration as High King of Ireland in 1002 was issued in July of that year. The book was first published in 1860 and has long been out of print and unavailable to the reading public. The author, JohnO'Donoghue, Barrister-at-Law, was born in Co. Kerry in 1812. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and called to the Bar in 1837. He was a contributor to the Freeman's Journal from 1838 and was editor of that newspaper from 1871. He wrote several works, but the best known is his " Historical Memoir of the O'Briens ". He died in Dublin in 1893. The book was republished by local historian, Martin Breen, following on the success of the MacNamara history of 1896 which he republished in 1999, giving access once again to the histories of the two of Co. Clare's most historic families. To enhance the vale of this edition the O'Brien portraits from the halls of Dromoland Castle, and many O'Brien foundations have been added in full colour.
The book then deals with the continual warfare which existed between Brian and the Danes during the next decade or so, cuminating with the battle of Clontarf in 1014. This was Brian's hour of greatest triumph, but he was cut down by a band of retreating Vikings after the great battle. His body was carried to Armagh and laid in state for 12 days before being buried. The following centuries were married by internecine disputes and power struggles between Brian's sons and their descendants. Enemies of the O'Briens from the other provinces took this opportunity and there were many invasions into Thomond. Brian's Palace at Kincora and the town and the church at Killaloe were destroyed. Much of the great building campaign of King Brian, and his achieved unity of Ireland under one Monarch were set to naught. The next period was one of foreign passage was eased due to the constant factions between the Irish Princes and when Harry II arrived in Ireland in 1172 the Irish Princes offered his submission and fealty. The book gives a good insight into what was happening in Ireland during these centuries and deals with the effects of this in Clare and on the O'Brien chiefs. At this period Donnchad Cairbreach O'Brien moved to Ennis from Limerick and established his residence in that town at Clonroad. He also built the Franciscan Abbey in Ennis during his period. There was constant fighting between the O'Brien's and the English at this time, so much so that King John came to visit and Donnchad Cairbreach was granted the Kingdom of Thomond to himself and his heirs, though all the claims by his brothers were excluded. The last clause was to be the cause of much bloodshed in the following years between various factions of the O'Briens. The building of Bunratty Castle comes next and then the period of the Norman Conflict which ended in an Irish victory with the battle of Dysert O'Dea in 1318. The next period deals with the succession of the various O'Briens as Kings of Thomond and notes Teige O'Brien who built and lived in the castle of Inchequin. We are also told of the O'Briens march to the north to aid O'Neill in the wars in Ulster and the subsequent death of Teige O'Brien in an engagement therein. The period deals with the rivalries of the Houses of Ormond and Kildare and how it affected the O'Briens of Thomond.The submission of Murrough the Tanist to Henry VIII in 1543 and the creation of the titles of Earl of Thomond and Baron of Inchequin brought about great changes in the succession rights to the O'Briens. This meant the ending of the old Brehon system which was endured for centuries and was naturally the cause of much civil warfare among the O'Briens. The English system of government was introduced into Ireland and a Lord Deputy was appointed. This is dealt with both in the context of Ireland and in Co. Clare. Land was granted to the English and many castles were taken over. This eventually led to the civil war of 1641 and the arrival of Cromwell and his generals Ireton and Ludlow. The fall of Conor O'Brien of Lemeneagh, husband of Maire Rua, in 1652 and its effect of the O'Brien household is dealt with and also the creation of his son, Donough as 1st Baronet of Lemeneagh and Dromoland. The Cromwellian wars devastated the whole country during the following period. We can also read about how the affairs in Europe were evolving at this time. After the Cromwellian period many of the O'Briens were restored to their lands, viz. The Dromoland and Ennistymon O'Briens and also Sir Daniel O'Brien of Carrigaholt, 1st Viscount Clare. We can read of the accession of King James II and the alarm of the Irish Protestants, the Battle of Kinsale, the flight of the " Wild Geese ", and the forfeitures of some of the O'Brien estates. This section also deals with the connection of the O'Briens with the English Royal Family through the marriage of Lucius O'Brien to Catherine Keightley, who was first cousin of Queen Mary and Queen Anne. Following on from this period the connection between Ireland and the continent during the wars in Europe and the services of the Irish Brigades within the ranks of the European armies is recorded. Among them were many O'Briens including Lord Clare, Daniel O'Brien, who commanded three regiments of Clare's Dragoons. In the last chapters the careers of some of the Dromoland O'Briens is followed before arriving at the time of the Penal Laws and the religious persecutions which ensued. Also dealt with in detail is the question of the union of Ireland with England, their Parliaments and the part played by theDromoland O'Briens such as Sir Lucius O'Brien as M.Ps for Co. Clare. There are extensive notes, appendices and genealogical tables dealing with all chapters of the book. The inclusion of the colour section, showing the Dromoland O'Briens, brings the history up to date.
For more details on the book visit:
or contact the publisher at: mbreen.ennis@eircom.net
