It is a common misconception that there is one coat of arms associated to everyone of a common surname, when, in fact, a coat of arms is property passed through direct lineage. This means that there are numerous families of O'Neill under various spellings that are related, but because they are not the direct descendants of an O'Neill that owned an armorial device do not have rights or claims to any arms themselves. The coat of arms of the O'Neills of Ulster, the branch that held the title of High Kings of Ireland, were white with a red left hand (latterly, the Red Hand of Ulster), and it is because of this prominence that the red hand (though a right hand is used today, rather than the left used by the high kings) has also become a symbol of Ireland, Ulster, Tyrone and other places associated with the family of O'Neills.
Coats of arms
O'Neill dynasty
O'Neill dynasty | Coats of arms
The high kings. A promise of land to the first man to sail or swim across the sea and touch the shores of Ireland. The red hand by itself has become a symbol of the O'Neill name, such that when other O'Neill family branches were granted or assumed a heraldic achievement, this red hand was often incorporated into the new coat of arms in some way. The red hand representa O'Neill left hand, that he cuts and throws it onto the beach before the other challengers of a race can reach the shore. This entitles him to become the first to touch land and win all of Ireland as his prize.
the wolf and the lion game of thrones episode
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Fifth episode
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can you mention any characters from this episode?
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Lord Eddard Stark, Tyrion Lannister, Catelyn Stark
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can you mention any actor from this episode?
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Finn Jones, Kate Dickie, Lino Facioli, Brendan McCormack were some of them.
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where was the episode shot?
user
The Paint Hall studio, Shane's Castle, Fort St Angelo (Maltese town of Vittoriosa).
assistant
the castle that you just mentioned, is it a real castle?
user
Yes, it is a ruined castle near Randalstown in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
assistant
when was it built?
user
1345
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by whom?
user
A member of the Clandeboy O'Neill dynasty.
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has it served as the filming location for any other works?
user
Sorry. I cannot find the answer based on the context.
assistant
what are the origins of the dynasty that you just mentioned?
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Irish Gaelic origin
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were they rulers?
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Yes, they were Kings of Cenél nEógain.
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do they have any successors in foreign nations?
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Yes, in Scotland.
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what is their family crest?
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The coat of arms were white with a red left hand  (though a right hand is used today). The red hand by itself has become a symbol of the O'Neill name.
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what does this left hand represent?
user
It is a common misconception that there is one coat of arms associated to everyone of a common surname, when, in fact, a coat of arms is property passed through direct lineage. This means that there are numerous families of O'Neill under various spellings that are related, but because they are not the direct descendants of an O'Neill that owned an armorial device do not have rights or claims to any arms themselves. The coat of arms of the O'Neills of Ulster, the branch that held the title of High Kings of Ireland, were white with a red left hand (latterly, the Red Hand of Ulster), and it is because of this prominence that the red hand (though a right hand is used today, rather than the left used by the high kings) has also become a symbol of Ireland, Ulster, Tyrone and other places associated with the family of O'Neills.
O'Neill dynasty | Coats of arms
It is a mistake to state that the Irish coat of arms system follows a feudal system wherein a coat of arms is property passed through direct lineage. This means that the right to use the arms is not restricted to a given individual, as in the English feudal system, but is open to all within the extended "sept" or "clan" of the Gaelic culture. The coat of arms of the Uí Néill (plural of Ó Néill) of Ulster were white with a red left hand cut off below the wrist, palm facing down with the fingers spread. Today, it is more common to see the right hand, palm side up and with the fingers touching rather than the left, as the coat of arms was changed under British rule.
O'Neill (surname) | Coats of arms
It has also become a symbol of Ireland, Ulster, Tyrone, and other places associated with the ruling family of Uí Néills. The symbol is frequently used by Protestant inhabitants since the 1920s in Northern Ireland. As other related family branches and clans loyal to the O'Neills were often granted or assumed a heraldic achievement, this red hand has been incorporated into the new coat of arms to the point of being a cliché.
O'Neill (surname) | Coats of arms
The red hand by itself has become a symbol of the O'Neill name, such that when other O'Neill family branches were granted or assumed a heraldic achievement, this red hand was often incorporated into the new coat of arms in some way. The red hand is explained by several legends, with a common theme but of a promise of land to the first man to sail or swim across the sea and touch the shores of Ireland. Many contenders arrive, including a man named O'Neill, who begins to fall behind the others. O'Neill cuts off his left hand and throws it onto the beach before the other challengers can reach the shore, becoming the first to touch land and win all of Ireland as his prize.
O'Neill dynasty | Coats of arms
The form in common use is an open right (dexter) hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm facing forward. Coats of arms used by those whose surnames are of Uí Néill descent – Ó Donnghaile, Ó Catháin, Mac Aodha, Ó Dálaigh, Ó Maéilsheachlainn and Ó Ceatharnaigh, to name just a few – all feature the Red Hand in some form. On the Ó Néill and Donnelly coat of arms featuring the Red Hand, the motto is "Lámh Dhearg Éireann" (Red Hand of Ireland). The arms of the chiefs of the Scottish Clan MacNeil (of Barra) contain the Red Hand; the clan has traditionally claimed descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Red Hand of Ulster | Modern usage
The O'Neill coat of arms presents the name of the hall, and the year of its founding, along with two Latin quotes. On the lower left, the words “Mobilium turba Quiritium” come from Horace (65BC – 8BC), the leading Roman poet of his time, and are literally translated as “a crowd of inconsistent citizens,” but are thought to be the origin of the word “mob.” O’Neill Hall’s nickname on campus is “The Mob.” On the lower right side are the words “Fratres in Unum,” which translates from Latin as “Brothers as One.” The name “O’Neill” literally means “champion,” and the red hand on the upper left side of the shield is a symbol of the O’Neill family motto, “the red hand of Ireland in defiance,” sometimes given as “the red hand of Ireland forever.” The Coat of Arms contains the Red hand of Ulster, part of the crest of the O'Neill family who donated the dorm.
O'Neill Hall (University of Notre Dame) | Coat of arms
An early Irish heraldic use in Ireland of the open right hand can be seen in the seal of Aodh Reamhar Ó Néill, king of the Irish of Ulster, 1344–1364.
Red Hand of Ulster | Historical background
The exclusive rights to the use of the Red Hand symbol has proved a matter of debate over the centuries, primarily whether it belonged to the O'Neills ("Uí Néill") or the Magennises ("Méig Aonghasa"). The O'Neills became the chief dynasty of the Cenél nEógain of the Northern Uí Néill and later the kings of Ulster, whilst the Magennises were the ruling dynasty of the Uí Eachach Cobo, the chief dynasty of the Cruthin of Ulaid, and also head of the Clanna Rudraige. A 16th-century poem noted disagreement between the ""Síol Rúraí"" (an alias for Clanna Rudraige) and the Northern Uí Néill.
Red Hand of Ulster | Dispute over ownership
These legends seem to originate (or to have been written down) in the 17th century, centuries after the red hand device was first used by O'Neill families.
O'Neill dynasty | Coats of arms
The inescutcheon featured a red, open hand, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm facing forward. This is known as the 'Red Hand of Ulster' (), which is usually shown as a right hand, but is sometimes a left hand, such as in the coats of arms of baronets.
Coat of arms of Ulster | Red hand
The Red Hand of Ulster () is an Irish symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster. It is an open hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm facing forward. It is usually shown as a right hand, but is sometimes a left hand, such as in the coats of arms of baronets.
Red Hand of Ulster | Introduction
Legend has it that the move from Grace is also represented in the O'Neill mascot, the Angry Mob. Supposedly some students were angry about their relocation, and consequently they held a series of bonfires in protest. When the time came to choose a mascot for O'Neill, residents decided to carry on the memory of their former dorm by naming themselves the Angry Mob. Another symbol of O'Neill is the severed bloody hand. This has been a prominent part of O'Neill family heritage since the 14th century. The new O'Neill crest, which you can see in the top left corner, shows the bloody hand.
O'Neill Hall (University of Notre Dame) | History
A left (sinister) Red Hand is an option for baronets to add to their arms to indicate their rank. The College of Arms formally allowed this in 1835, ruling that the baronets of England, Ireland, Great Britain or the United Kingdom may "bear either a canton in their coat of arms, or in an escutcheon, at their pleasure, the arms of Ulster (to wit) a Hand Gules or a Bloody Hand in a Field Argent." It is blazoned as follows: "A hand sinister couped at the wrist extended in pale gules". King James I of England established the hereditary Order of Baronets in England on 22 May 1611, in the words of Collins (1741): "for the plantation and protection of the whole Kingdom of Ireland, but more especially for the defence and security of the Province of Ulster, and therefore for their distinction those of this order and their descendants may bear (the Red Hand of Ulster) in their coats of arms either in a canton or an escutcheon at their election".
Red Hand of Ulster | Baronets
Those involved in the bardic dispute of 1689 claimed that the Red Hand symbol came from a legendary ancestor who put his bloodstained hand on a banner after victory in battle: Historian Francis J. Bigger notes the use of a right hand by the O'Neills around 1335, and surmises that it may have been for them a symbol signifying divine assistance and strength, whilst also suggesting that the ancient Phoenicians may have brought the symbol to Ireland. In medieval Irish literature, several real and legendary kings were given the byname 'red hand' or 'red handed' to signify that they were great warriors.
Red Hand of Ulster | Possible origins
Many other families have used the Red Hand to highlight an Ulster ancestry. The head of the Guinness family, the Earl of Iveagh, has three Red Hands on his arms granted as recently as 1891. The Red Hand is present on a number of Ulster counties crests such as Antrim, Cavan, Londonderry, Monaghan and Tyrone. It was later included in the now abolished Government of Northern Ireland flag. It is also used by many other official and non-official organisations throughout the province of Ulster and the rest of Ireland.
Red Hand of Ulster | Modern usage
Bigger as representing the old-world figurative expression of signifying strength and power, and such hand symbols can be found in ancient civilisations including amongst others the Assyrians, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Chaldeans and Phoenicians. It is also used by Jews, Muslims, and can be found in use in Palestine and Morocco. Aboriginal Australians revered the hands of their deceased chieftains. Another historian, F. J. Elworthy, according to Bigger, conclusively proved the ancient character and widespread usage of the symbol amongst early pagan civilisations. According to Charles Vallancey in 1788, a red hand pointing upwards was the armorial symbol of the kings of Ireland, and that it was still in use by the O'Brien family, whose motto was "Lamh laidir an uachdar", meaning "the strong hand up" or "the strong hand will prevail".
Red Hand of Ulster | Similar symbols
Hands feature prominently in Dermot O'Connor's 18th-century publication "Blazons and Irish Heraldic Terminology", with the Ó Fearghail sept bearing the motto "Lámh dhearg air chlogad lúptha".
Red Hand of Ulster | Similar symbols
A dispute, dated to 1689, arose between several Irish poets about whose claim to the Red Hand was the most legitimate. Further poetic quatrains in the dispute were written by Mac an Baird, Ó Donnghaile, as well as by Mac an Bhaird's son Eoghain. The Mac an Bhairds appear to deride Ó Donnghaile as not having come from a hereditary bardic family and that he is of very low rank without honour, as well as hinting at his family's genealogical link to the O'Neills. Writing in 1908, the then head of the O'Neill clan says of the Red Hand: "History teaches us that already in pagan days it was adopted by the O'Neills from the Macgennis, who were princes in the north of Ireland region inhabited by them".
Red Hand of Ulster | Dispute over ownership
In the left hand is carried a large shield bearing the arms of the Cantwell family. It is believed to represent Thomas de Cantwell (d. 1319), a Cambro-Norman adventurer who became Lord of Kilfane. The stone effigy is thought to originally have been a sarcophagus slab which has since been set upright against an inner wall of the church. The statue represents an example of the high standard achieved by Irish sculptural workshops in the Pale prior to a cultural and economic decline marked by the Bruce invasion and the arrival of Black Death.
Cantwell Fada | Introduction
Such baronets may also display the Red Hand of Ulster on its own as a badge, suspended by a ribbon below the shield of arms. Baronets of Nova Scotia, unlike other baronets, do not use the Red Hand of Ulster, but have their own badge showing the Royal Arms of Scotland on a shield over the Saltire of St Andrew. The left-hand version has also been used by the Irish National Foresters, the Irish Citizen Army and the Federated Workers' Union of Ireland.
Red Hand of Ulster | Baronets
The coat of arms of Ulster consists of an inescutcheon Argent displaying a red hand, upon the coat of arms of the House of Burke. It consists of the arms of the de Burgh dynasty, Earls of Ulster, combined with the Red Hand of Ulster, representing the medieval Irish over-kingdom of Ulaid, which the earldom of Ulster encompassed. The combination of them is blazoned "Or, on a Cross Gules, an inescutcheon Argent, charged with a dexter hand erect aupaumee and couped at the wrist Gules". It has since then become the Gaelic coat of arms for the province of Ulster.
Coat of arms of Ulster | Introduction
At some point the Red Hand motif was appended to the de Burgh cross, the result eventually coming to represent the entire province.
Coat of arms of Ulster | History
The arms of Leinster ("Vert, a Harp Or, stringed Argent") are believed to have likely evolved from the arms of Ireland itself with a change of tincture. Similarly, Munster's arms ("Azure, three antique crowns Or") are thought to have been derived from those of the former Lordship of Ireland, or from the short-lived dukedom of Ireland created for Robert de Vere in 1386. The crowns now usually depicted as "antique" or "eastern": a gold rim with eight sharp, triangular rays, of which five are seen. The arms of Ulster are the arms of the de Burgh, Earls of Ulster, combined with the red hand seal of the O'Neills.
Coat of arms of Ireland | Arms and Flag of the Four Provinces
O'Hart records two arms for members of the family. One in what is today County Mayo (the senior branch) and the other in Sligo. Princes of Hy-Fiachra (Mayo) Princes of Hy-Fiachra (Sligo)
O'Dowd | Arms
These two dynasties and symbols are inseparably linked to Ulster. The combination of them is blazoned "Or, on a Cross Gules, an inescutcheon Argent, charged with a dexter hand erect aupaumee and couped at the wrist Gules".
Coat of arms of Ireland | Arms and Flag of the Four Provinces
The Dextera Dei, or "Right Hand of God", is a symbol that appears on only three high crosses in Ireland: the Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice; the Cross of King Flann (also known as the Cross of the Scriptures) at Clonmacnoise; and the Cross in the Street of Kells. The former two have the full hand with fingers extended similar to the Red Hand. The form and position of the Kells Dextera Dei is of a pattern usually found on the Continent, whereas that used at Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise appears to unique within Christendom. The Dextera Dei is suggested by Francis J.
Red Hand of Ulster | Similar symbols
In 1961, John F. Kennedy was presented with a grant of arms for all the descendants of Patrick Kennedy (1823–1858) from the Chief Herald of Ireland. The design of the arms (three gold closed helmets on a black field) strongly alludes to symbols in the coats of arms of the O'Kennedys of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Desmond, from whom the family is believed to be descended. The crest is an armored hand holding four arrows between two olive branches, elements taken from the coat of arms of the United States of America and also symbolic of Kennedy and his brothers.
Kennedy family | Heraldry
Mide or Meath, a medieval Irish province, is sometimes represented by a coat of arms comprising a monarch "in majesty": that is, seated on a throne on a field of azure (blue). The arms of Mide appear alongside those of the four modern provinces on a 1651 map of Galway. The arms reflect the fact that Tara, the seat of the High King of Ireland, was in Mide. This symbolism is derived from iconography rather than classical heraldry; mediaeval royal seals portrayed a majesty on the obverse and the arms of the sovereign on the reverse. The sceptre, here shown to have six oval nodules, represented power, and the outstretched right hand justice; both of these were royal prerogatives.
Coat of arms of Meath | Introduction
One prominent exception to this trend was the Daly family of Dunsandle, which became part of the Protestant Ascendancy though its members often espoused the extension of Catholic rights. Generations of this family served as mayors of, and MPs for, Galway, they were also raised to the peerage as Barons of Dunsandle. The Dunsandle Dalys claimed descent from Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh and incorporated the Red Hand of Ulster into their coat of arms to record their ancient Uí Néill connections. Ultimately, the Dalys of Dunsandle retained their wealth and political prominence, but at the cost of losing the faith and culture their ancestors long upheld.
Ó Dálaigh | Later history of the sept
Sir Neil O'Neill (; 1658–1690), 2nd Baronet of Shane's Castle, Killyleagh, County Antrim, was an Irish army officer. O'Neill's portrait from 1680 by John Michael Wright is historically significant because it is the only surviving contemporary presentation of the traditional costume of an Irish chieftain. At his feet is the armour of a Japanese samurai as a symbol of victory over oppression of Catholics; next to him is an Irish wolfhound as a symbol of Ireland.
Sir Neil O'Neill, 2nd Baronet | Introduction
All of this was granted under Letters Patent issued by the English College of Heralds. Later, the Ulster and Norroy King of Arms granted him the undifferenced arms as the head of the House of O'Neill. Upon that Letters Patent, Pope Leo XIII, the King of Spain, and the King of Portugal all recognized Jorge O'Neill as the Prince of Clanaboy, Tyrone, Ulster, as the Count of Tyrone, and the Head of the Royal House of O'Neill and all of its septs. It was from this grant that the Chief Herald of Ireland recognized the family as the Princes of Clannaboy in 1945.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neill Descendants in France, Spain, and Portugal
After the defeat of the Jacobite forces, the family was "attainted" as Irish rebels in 1693, and Brian "Og" left with the Army of King James II and went into exile in France. The eventual heir, Owen McHugh O'Neill, completely dropped any association with the O'Neill name, and just took McShane as a surname due to the Irish Penal Laws, in an attempt to hold his father's small estate. After the fall of the O'Neill kingship, many MacShanes followed their cousins into military service in Spain and France and even served in the Irish regiments with their family and former enemies, the descendants of Hugh Rua O'Neill, the 2nd Earl.
O'Neill dynasty | MacShane O'Neills
The Dowdall family coat of arms depicts three red birds on a red and white background. White was meant to represent pureness and at harmony, whilst the red was meant to be suffering that Catholics endured.
Dowdall | Coat of arms
Since 1929 such baronets may also display the Red Hand of Ulster on its own as a badge, suspended by a ribbon below the shield of arms.
Baronet | Red Hand of Ulster
In 1896 Jorge O'Neill of Portugal submitted his genealogy to the Somerset Herald in London. Five years later, Sir Henry Farnham Burke, KCVO, CB, FSA, Somerset Herald stated in 1900 that "the only Pedigree at present on record in either of the Offices of Arms showing a lineal male descent from the House of O'Neill, Monarchs of Ireland, Kings of Ulster, and Princes of Tyrone and Claneboy, is the one registered in the fifty-ninth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lady Victoria, in favor of His Excellency Jorge O'Neill of Lisbon". He then recognized him as the Representative of the House of O'Neill and as the Representative of the Earldom created in 1542 for his kinsman Conn Baccagh O'Neill.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neill Descendants in France, Spain, and Portugal
Most recently the Parliament in Dublin reversed the legal attainments against O'Neill chiefs dating back to 1569. Three of the ancient O'Neill dynasties or principalities, are still represented by direct descendants of the once independent kings, the O'Neills of Clannaboy, the Fews, and the McShane O'Neills of Tyrone. The chiefships pass under the elective derbfine system of Irish Brehon law, but many incumbents were also granted further titles that are inherited under primogeniture by various Roman Catholic kingdoms in Europe and by the British crown who today possess and use titles in Ireland, Spain, France, Scotland, Portugal, England, Australia, South Africa and the Americas.
O'Neill dynasty | Today
In 1763, the arms were allowed by the Ulster King of Arms to Thomas O'Gorman (fourth in descent from Mahon O'Gorman) and to Thomas O'Gorman (fourth in descent from Denis O'Gorman, brother of Cahir O'Gorman).
MacGorman | Symbols
The coat of arms shows an oval red shield with a six-pointed gold star in the upper right corner and a man with a helmet in the lower left corner.
Stockfleth family | Coat of Arms
As an homage to the legacy of the historic kings of West Breifne, the county's coat of arms features the defaced crest of the O'Rourke clan.
Brian O'Rourke | Legacy
Baronets of England, Ireland, Great Britain or the United Kingdom ("i.e." all except baronets of Nova Scotia) can display the Red Hand of Ulster (sinister (left) hand version) as a heraldic badge, being the arms of the ancient kings of Ulster. This badge (or augmentation of honour) is blazoned as follows: "Argent a Hand sinister couped at the wrist extended in pale Gules". King James I of England established the hereditary Order of Baronets in England on 22 May 1611, in the words of "Collins' Peerage" (1741): "for the plantation and protection of the whole Kingdom of Ireland, but more especially for the defence and security of the Province of Ulster, and therefore for their distinction those of this order and their descendants may bear the badge (Red Hand of Ulster) in their coats of arms either in canton or an escutcheon at their election".
Baronet | Red Hand of Ulster
The O'Higgins family are armigerous in the Kingdom of Ireland, the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (Jacobite) and in the Kingdom of Spain. The earliest known coat of arms was recorded in 1724 by Sir John Higgins Bt of Montoge with Sir James Terry, Athlone Herald in the Court of James II at St. Germaine. Sir John Higgins's branch of the family moved to Limerick after they lost their lands at Monteige in Sligo and eventually relocated in France and later in Spain where John Higgins was knighted and became personal physician to the King of Spain. The descent of the Arms of Shean Duff O'Higgins, Baron of Ballynary were recorded in the Office of Ulster King of Arms in 1788 having existed for at least the previous 200 years.
O'Higgins family | Arms
Today the ancient O'Neills flourish in Ireland, Europe, and the New World. Clan organizations and meetings are held regularly, and the family organization is recognized by every possible Irish historical governing body. The O'Neills are represented, and are the current Presidents of, the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains. They are members of the Clans of Ireland, and hold status with the Councils of each County in Ulster. And before the Irish Republic's government stopped recognizing Chiefs, they were one of the original chiefly families recognized in 1945 by the Chief Herald of Ireland. They still maintain good relations with the government in Dublin and have hosted the President in Ulster twice.
O'Neill dynasty | Today
The town's coat of arms still has an ermine boar representing the O'Hanlons supporting a shield with the De Verdon coat of arms. 1246. The O’Hanlons move south from Oneilland. Murrough O’Hanlon is described as “Lord of Orier.” Orier included most of modern-day eastern Co. Armagh, stretching well into Louth, and over the Cooley mountains to the shore of Carlingford Lough.
Ó hAnluain | End of The Kingdom of Airghialla
By the end of the 17th century, the Earl's line failed in exile, and the "Mac Shane" line legally inherited the chiefship and title. This line is presently in remainder to the Gaelic Principality and Earldom of Tyrone, the Viscountcy of Montjuich, and various lordships around Ulster. Further, with the Oireachtas act of March 2015, which reversed the Attainder of Shane O'Neill from 1569, the family have the recognized legal rights to the historical legacy and incorporeal property of Conn Bacach O'Neill, Shane the Proud, and Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.
O'Neill dynasty | MacShane O'Neills
One is the mythical High King of Ireland, Lugaid Lámderg (Lugaid the red handed), who according to Eugene O'Curry is cited in one Irish legend as being king of the Cruthin of Ulaid during the reign of the mythical Conchobar Mac Nessa. The O'Neills believed in the Middle Ages that a messianic 'red handed' king called Aodh Eangach would come to lead them and drive the English out of Ireland. In a 1901 edition of the "All Ireland Review", a writer called "M.M." suggests that the Red Hand is named after the founder of the Clanna Rudraige, Rudraige mac Sithrigi, and that Rudraige's name may mean "red wrist".
Red Hand of Ulster | Possible origins
Though regarded as Irish sept arms now, the arms historically associated with the Gaelic O'Hanlon sept are thought to have been adopted by Sir Eochaidh O'Hanlon at the time of Surrender and Regrant under Henry Tudor. The arms may incorporate older sept icons, such as the boar, the lizard, and the earthen mound. 1: The O'Hanlon Blazon and Coat of Arms According to "Burke's General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales", the O'Hanlon/Hanlon name has four blazons registered (pages 453 & 752). The four blazons are:
Ó hAnluain | Heraldry
The O'Neill dynasty (Irish: "Ó Néill") is a lineage ultimately all of Irish Gaelic origin, that held prominent positions and titles in Ireland and elsewhere. As Kings of Cenél nEógain, they are historically the most prominent family of the Northern Uí Néill, along with the O'Donnell and O'Doherty. The O'Neill's hold that their ancestors were kings of Ailech during the Early Middle Ages, as descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Two of their progenitors were High Kings of Ireland, Niall Glúndub (from whom they take their name) and Domnall ua Néill. From 1185 until 1616, the O'Neill were sovereign kings of Tír Eógain, holding territories in the north of Ireland; particularly around modern County Tyrone, County Londonderry and County Antrim, all in modern Northern Ireland.
O'Neill dynasty | Introduction
The arms of the historic province of Ulster is a composite achievement, combining the heraldic symbols of the cross of de Burgh and the red hand motif of the Irish over-kingdom of Ulaid, which later became associated with the O'Neill's whose first use of it is dated to the mid-14th century. When Walter de Burgh, Lord of Connacht, became Earl of Ulster in 1243 the de Burgh cross became inseparably linked with the Hiberno-Norman Earldom of Ulster, which spanned over a third of the north of Ireland. The seal of his son Richard, for example, appended to a deed dated 1282, shows the heraldic cross in triplicate together with what may well be a portrait head of the Earl himself.
Coat of arms of Ulster | History
Further, O'Neills hold five existing House of Lords Peerages in Ulster, Scotland, and England, and even married into the Swedish Royal family in 2010, represented by Christopher O'Neill and his children, HRH Leonore, Duchess of Gotland, and HRH Prince Nicolas of Sweden, Duke of Ångermanland. Overseas branches flourish, such as in South Africa where descendants are referred to as Nels, mainly due to the influence of the Afrikaner people of the country. The family maintains a loose confederation with its sept princes and chiefs centered in Ireland, meeting annually. This Chief's group met in 2007 to commemorate and retrace the Flight of the Earls, in 2010 outside Paris to announce a new, global clan organization that has the goal of constructing an O'Neill museum in Ulster as a central repository for all the family artifacts spread across the world.
O'Neill dynasty | Today
Two other members of the O'Neill family have been elevated to the peerage. Hugh O'Neill, 1st Baron Rathcavan, was the youngest son of the second Baron O'Neill, while Terence O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of the Maine, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, was the youngest brother of the third Baron. The family seat is Shane's Castle, near Randalstown, County Antrim where they are involved in the commercial cattle business.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neills of Shane's Castle
The latter two were both nephews of Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall, and grandsons of Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester (see the Marquess of Donegall for more information). Lord O'Neill was succeeded by his eldest son, the second Baron. He sat as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Antrim. His eldest son and heir apparent, the Hon. Arthur O'Neill, represented Antrim Mid in the House of Commons as a Conservative from 1910 until 1914, when he was killed in action during the First World War, the first MP to die in the conflict. The second Baron was therefore succeeded by his grandson, Shane O'Neill, 3rd Baron O'Neill (the son of the Hon.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neills of Shane's Castle
However, in 1896 Jorge O'Neill of Portugal submitted his genealogy to the Somerset Herald in London. Five years later, Sir Henry Farnham Burke, KCVO, CB, FSA, Somerset Herald stated in 1900 that "the only Pedigree at present on record in either of the Offices of Arms showing a lineal male descent from the House of O'Neill, Monarchs of Ireland, Kings of Ulster, and Princes of Tyrone and Claneboy, is the one registered in the fifty-ninth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lady Victoria, in favor of His Excellency Jorge O'Neill of Lisbon". He then recognised him as the Representative of the House of O'Neill and as the Representative of the Earldom created in 1542 for his kinsman Conn Baccagh O'Neill.
Chief of the Name | Gaelic Irish titles
Bold indicates a supposed High King of Ireland.
Uí Néill | Uí Néill family tree
The white saltire on a black field is widely recognized as a standard feature in all Fitzpatrick arms, along with the lion and dragon crest. Different chiefs in the arms generally follow either three or black torteaux on a white chief, or the "French augmentation" of three fleur-de-lis or, on a chief azure - a gift from Henri II upon the 2nd Baron Upper Ossory while he served as ambassador for Edward VI. The Fitzpatrick (Mac Giolla Phádraig) Latin motto – "Fortis sub Forte Fatiscet" – can be interpreted as "The strong will yield to the strong." A second motto in Irish, ""Ceart láidir abú"" translates loosely to "Right and Mighty Forever", or more narrowly as "Correct, Strong, to Victory!" Two tartans are registered for the surname Fitzpatrick; labeled #766 and #1813 with the Scottish Tartan Registry.
Mac Giolla Phádraig dynasty | Arms, Mottoes, and Tartans
This is another branch of the Tyrone O'Neills which started in the mid 15th century. The name translates to "of the sept of Art". Eoghan Mór O'Neill (Owen the Great), King of Tír Eoghan (Tyrone) from 1432 to 1456 had four sons who each started independent lines. His eldest, Henry, was King of Tyrone from 1455 to 1489 and was the grandfather of Conn Bacach. Aodh, his second son started the line of the Fews. Art, his third son, was King of Tyrone 1509–1514. This branch of the family held its lands in western Tyrone and was typically at a distance from those O'Neills centered on the traditional capitol of Dungannon.
O'Neill dynasty | Slight-Arte O'Neills
The gold background features a red cross comes from the coat of arms of the Burkes, a Hiberno-Norman noble family.
Coat of arms of Ulster | Cross
The clan motto is "Fortuna Favet Fortibus", or "Fortune Favours the Brave" which may have been inspired by the same line in Virgil's Aeneid. The Ó Flaithbertaigh coat of arms depicts "two red lizards or dragons rampant combatant, supporting a red dexter hand, couped at the wrists, in base a black boat with eight oars". The two red lizards or dragons are often confused with the lions of the English heraldic tradition. Often a grey or green salamander is depicted on a black or grey helmet above the coat of arms. However, there is little known of Irish heraldic tradition as compared to that of the English although Irish use of distinctive flags and banners in battle is recorded in Irish annals such as the "Annals of the Four Masters".
Ó Flaithbheartaigh | Motto and Coat of Arms
The Red Hand is rooted in Gaelic culture and, although its origin and meaning is unknown, it is believed to date back to pagan times. The Red Hand is first documented in surviving records in the 13th-century, where it was used by the Hiberno-Norman de Burgh earls of Ulster. It was Walter de Burgh who became first Earl of Ulster in 1243 who combined the de Burgh cross with the Red Hand to create a flag that represented the Earldom of Ulster and later became the modern Flag of Ulster. It was afterwards adopted by the O'Neills ("Uí Néill") when they assumed the ancient kingship of Ulster ("Ulaid"), inventing the title "Rex Ultonie" (king of Ulster) for themselves in 1317 and then claiming it unopposed from 1345 onwards.
Red Hand of Ulster | Historical background
The grandson of Jorge and present Prince of Clanaboy, Hugo, has not pressed his senior claim to the entire House of O'Neill out of respect for his O'Neill chief cousins and their own histories.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neill Descendants in France, Spain, and Portugal
The arms and flag were designed in Dublin Castle by Major Sir Nevile Wilkinson, Ulster King of Arms, in 1923–1924. The flag is based on the flag of the traditional province of Ulster, including a Red Hand of Ulster in the centre, and the red de Burgh cross (though some claim this is the Saint George's Cross). It has the addition of a crown to represent the monarchy of the United Kingdom. Rather than a shield, the Red Hand is inside a six pointed star, representing the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. It is blazoned: ""Argent a cross gules, overall on a six pointed star of the field ensigned by an Imperial crown proper a dexter hand couped at the wrist of the second"".
Ulster Banner | Origin
https://www.flickr.com/photos/markymark5/1886932359/ (the Arms of Éamon de Valera, from Dublin Castle) https://www.flickr.com/photos/markymark5/1887777916/ (the Arms of Patrick Hillery, from Dublin Castle) https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixie_bebe/2541193444/ (the Arms of Mary Robinson, from Dublin Castle)
List of personal coats of arms of Presidents of Ireland | References
The lion bears a flag with the Irish harp and the Irish elk bears a flag with the arms of the De Burgh family (described above). The supporters were blazoned as follows:
Coat of arms of Northern Ireland | Introduction
The lineage he established remained senior among the O'Neill's, becoming semi-independent with a distinct territory. Having helped the Anglo-Normans barons in a rebellion against their fellow Norman lord, the Earl of Ulster, the family was granted land outside the North, in Ulster within what is now south County Antrim. That was the official establishment of the Lordship of Cloinne Aodha Buidhe, or the O'Neills of Clandeboye, though the English retained lordship over the much-reduced Earldom of Ulster. The family fought on both sides of the wars that racked Ireland from the 1530s to 1690s, whose end result was a significant loss of territory and influence due to political alliances and an influx of new families flowing in from Scotland and England.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neills of Clanaboy
The family no longer owns the Lairdship of Craignish (see below). The coat of arms of Dugall Campbell of Craignish (below) is described in Nisbet's "A System of Heraldry" as 'gyronny of eight or and sable, the shield hanging from the mast of a lymphad sable'. The coat of arms left is the suggested arms of the current incumbent - the Ducal Crown is awarded because the holder is a Clan Chieftain, but it is tinctured blue because the original estates are no longer in possession of the Chieftain. The Chief of the Clan is also Chief of Clan MacInnes, and Chief of the Name MacIsaac, MacKissock and MacKessack.
Campbell of Craignish | Introduction
Hugh was elected as their chief, and that O'Neill branch has since forth taken on the "MacShane" surname as an honorific for their loyalty to Shane O'Neill and to his battling sons. Hugh McShane O'Neill reigned as chief until 1622 and his sons and grandsons served as the chieftains of the family and were active in the wars and politics of Ulster, Ireland, and Spain for the next two centuries. Some of Shane's surviving son's were given sizable land after the flight of the earls that had previously belonged to Hugh O'Neill. Henry was given land in Orior, Con was given the estate of Clabbye, and Brian was given land in Clinawly, Fermanagh.
O'Neill dynasty | MacShane O'Neills
The coat of arms of Connacht displays a dimidiated (divided in half from top to bottom) eagle and armed hand. The arms are recorded as such on a map of Galway dated 1651, now in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. These arms approximate rather closely to those of the "Schottenkloster" or Irish monastery founded in Regensburg, Bavaria in the 11th century. The arms of Connacht is blazoned "Party Per Pale Argent and Azure, in the first an eagle dimidiated and displayed Sable in the second issuant from the partition an arm embowed and vested, the hand holding a sword erect, all Argent".
Coat of arms of Connacht | Introduction
The Order's insignia was designed by heraldic artist Tim O'Neill of Dublin who has worked on a number of commissions for the Government of Ireland and the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland. The insignia is the same for male and female inductees and is worn on the left side of the chest. It is a gold medal under an azure blue ribbon on a gold bar. The obverse of the medal is styled after the Book of Kells and shows a Chieftain passing a light to two younger figures representing the handing on of Irish culture and heritage.
Order of Clans of Ireland | Insignia
Refer to Clan MacInnes Association page for an explanation of how this occurred: http://macinnes.org/crests/WhatHappenedTB.html In 1960, a branch of the clan (whose ancestors were from Skye) matriculated arms from which was adopted the second crest and motto, arms of a Right Arm in Proper Tartan Holding a Bow, with the motto: GHIFT DHE AGUS AN RIGH, ["By the grace of God and king"]. This crest was adopted for use by the Council of Chiefs. Since there was no Clan Chief, the arms were lodged with Lord Lyon King of Arms. This crest pertains to MacInneses of Skye - being that of the extended arm of an archer that relates "Sliochd Neill a’ bhogha", (The Line of Neil of the Bow), whose kin from the mid 16th century were hereditary bowman to Clan McKinnon of Strath.
Clan MacInnes | Crests
Their eldest son, João O'Neill (Shane O'Neill), was born in Richhill Village in the parish of Kilmore, Tyrone, and died in Santos o Velho, Lisbon, on 21 January 1788. He left France with his brothers and established their noble line permanently under in the Kingdom of Portugal. He was the titular head of the Clanaboy O'Neill dynasty, whose family have been in Portugal ever since. The current head of the Clanaboy O'Neill dynasty, a descendant of João, is Portuguese nobleman Hugo Ricciardi O'Neill, the son of Jorge Maria O'Neill; the family has been remarkable in the modern history of Portugal.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neill Descendants in France, Spain, and Portugal
It was created in 1868 for the musical composer The Reverend William O'Neill. Born William Chichester, he succeeded to the estates of his cousin John Bruce Richard O'Neill, 3rd Viscount O'Neill, in 1855 (on whose death the viscountcy and barony of O'Neill became extinct) and assumed by Royal licence the surname of O'Neill in lieu of Chichester in order to inherit the lands of his cousin, despite not being descended in the male line from an O'Neill, daughter of Henry O'Neill of Shane's Castle. Lord O'Neill was the patrilineal great-great-great-grandson of John Chichester, younger brother of Arthur Chichester, 2nd Earl of Donegall.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neills of Shane's Castle
Upon the escutcheon, which is charged with his badge of Ulster as a Baronet, is placed a helmet befitting his degree, with a Mantling gules and argent; and for his Crest, upon a wreath of the colours, a thresher proper, his hat and coat per pale argent and gules, his breeches and stockings of the third and second, holding in both hands a flail or, uplifted over a garb on the dexter side, and over the crest upon an escroll the Motto, "Now Thus"; and below the arms the Motto "Gripe Griffin, Hold Fast"."
De Trafford baronets | Coat of arms
Henry O'Neill of this line was King of Ulster from 1325 to 1344; Art O'Neill from 1509 to 1514.
Branches of the Cenél nEógain | Clann Aodha Bhuidhe
The Ó h-Anluain (anglicised as O'Hanlon) family was an agnatic extended family comprising one of a string of dynasts along the Ulster-Leinster border. Depending on the advantage to the sept, the named leader—The O'Hanlon—supported either the Earl of Tyrone or authorities within the English Pale. During the 15th century, ties were close with the famed Earls of Kildare. Frequently, members of the sept would be on either side of a rebellion. Some would be outlawed; others pardoned; some ending up on the winning side. The heart of "O'Hanlon's Countrie" was centered on south central Ulster, much of it being in what is now the Republic of Ireland.
Ó hAnluain | Introduction
The fist symbol can occasionally be used by competing political movements. In contrast to the above examples, a right white fist, also known as the Aryan fist or the White Power fist is a logo generally associated with white nationalism. Loyalists in Northern Ireland occasionally use a red clenched fist on murals depicting the Red Hand of Ulster. However, this is considered rare; the red hand is usually depicted with a flat palm. Irish Republicans, on the other hand, have used the raised fist as a symbol of resistance against British rule. The Gonzo fist emblem, characterized by two thumbs and four fingers holding a peyote button, was originally used in Hunter S.
Raised fist | Logo
The O'Higgins family claims descent from the Southern branch of Uí Néill. Famous descendants include Niall's great-great-grandson Saint Columba, Saint Máel Ruba, the Kings of Ailech, the Kings of Tir Eogain, and the Kings of Tír Conaill. The Scottish Clan Ewen of Otter, Gilchrist; Clan Lamont; the MacSorleys of Monydrain, (of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg a branch of Clan Donald); Clan Maclachlan; Clan MacNeil of Barra, and the MacSweens all claim a descent from an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty, Ánrothán Ua Néill/Anrothan O'Neill, son of Áed, son of Flaithbertach Ua Néill, King of Ailech and Cenél nEógain, who left Ireland for Kintyre in the 11th century and died 1036.
Niall of the Nine Hostages | Family and descendants
Hand was born in Clyduff, King's County (now County Offaly), Ireland, on 31 December 1744, and was baptised in Shinrone. His father was John Hand. Among his immediate neighbours were the Kearney family, ancestors of U.S. President Barack Obama. He was a descendant of either the families of Mag Fhlaithimh (of south Ulaidh and Mide) or Ó Flaithimhín (of the Síol Muireadaigh) who, through mistranslation ("Flaithimh"/"Flaithimhín" into "Láimhín"; "laimh" = "hand"), became Lavin or Hand. Hand earned a medical certificate from Trinity College, Dublin. In 1767, Hand enlisted as a Surgeon's Mate in the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot.
Edward Hand | Early life and career
They were given an army of more than 2000 Scots to return to Ulster to attempt to retake their father's estate and title. When they invaded the brothers took the English and the O'Neill chiefs by surprise and created a large sphere of control in eastern Ulster, allied with the MacDonald's of Antrim. In an attempt to characterize them, the English began to refer to the group of brothers as "the Mac-Shanes" which in Gaelic meant "the sons of Shane". For seven years they battled Sir Turlough O'Neill, the recognized O'Neill Mor at the time, and the rising Baron Dungannon and eventually Earl of Tyrone, Hugh Rua O'Neill.
O'Neill dynasty | MacShane O'Neills
Brian's son Edmond was granted control of Lisdawericke, Megin, Cnoghan, Tollohiny Dirrilghta, Knockmcgallcrum & Gortnesillagh. Henry's son Cormocke (Cormac) was given land. This spread the clan throughout the province and lessened their influence. Brian, son of Hugh, the Chief of the McShane O'Neills led the clan in the 1642 Rising, the Irish Confederate Wars, and fought against Oliver Cromwell's Army through the death of his 2nd cousin Owen Roe O'Neill in 1649 and the victory of Cromwell in 1653. Brian remained in Spanish exile until 1666. Two decades later, his son the new Chief, Brian Og (the Younger) led the clan in service of the O'Neill regiments supporting King James II.
O'Neill dynasty | MacShane O'Neills
John Bruce Richard O'Neill, 3rd Viscount O'Neill (30 December 1780 – 12 February 1855) was an Irish Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1802 to 1841 and then in the House of Lords. O'Neill was the son of John, Viscount O'Neill and his wife Henrietta Frances Boyle. In 1802 O'Neill was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Antrim. He held the seat until 1841 when he inherited the title Viscount O'Neill from his brother Charles O'Neill, 1st Earl O'Neill.
John O'Neill, 3rd Viscount O'Neill | Introduction
The upper half is red, and the lower half has three white peaks with a blue band of waves. On the left is a silver bishop's staff, and on the right a gold St. John's cross.
Oberthulba | Coat of arms
Possibly the oldest Irish instance of the use of the harp device on a green field was the flag of Eoghan Ruadh Ó Néill (Owen Roe O'Neill). Owen Roe, nephew of Aodh (Hugh O'Neill), had entered the Spanish service after his uncle's defeat at Kinsale in 1601. Owen rose to prominence in the Spanish army, and in 1642 returned to Ireland to assist the Irish Confederation in the war that broke out the previous year. It is recorded that his ship, the St Francis, as she lay at anchor at Dunkirk, flew from her mast top "the Irish harp in a green field, in a flag".
Coat of arms of Leinster | History
The main family estate was at Upper Clandeboye in County Down, and they also held lands at Backweston, near Celbridge, County Kildare.
Sir Brian O'Neill, 2nd Baronet | Family
and were later recorded in the same year with the Cronista Rey de Armas in Madrid eventually descending to Thomas O'Higgins of Cheshire.
O'Higgins family | Arms
The top left and bottom right segments depict an oak tree with acorns, signifying strength, continuous growth (in mind/wisdom), and fertility. The bottom left segment is divided once more and is of a five-point star which represents a noble person/divine quality form above. The other half of that segment is half of a fleur-de-lis which represents purity and light (and may also represent that the bearer had a connection with France).
Booysen | Coat of arms
Arms have been granted or registered by at least ten separate O'Donovan individuals, in addition to the arms claimed by various septs of the O'Donovans. The armorial bearings, although distinct from each other, share a number of similar elements. The mottos associated with the various arms include:
O'Donovan family | Arms and mottos
The O'Donnell dynasty ( or "Ó Domhnaill," "Ó Doṁnaill" "or Ua Domaill;" derived from the Irish name Domhnall, which means "descendant of Dónal") were the dominant Irish clan of the kingdom of Tyrconnell, Ulster, in medieval and early-modern Ireland.
O'Donnell dynasty | Introduction
Today they are known as the McShane-O'Neills, or the anglicized version- Johnson.
Gaelic nobility of Ireland | O'Neill claimants
If it is assumed that the arms of the "Schottenkloster" were similarly conceded to the other royal benefactors noted in the necrology, then an explanation of the origins of the arms of the province of Connacht begins to emerge because the final entry in the necrology refers to Ruaidhrí Ó Conchobhair, King of Connacht and last High King of Ireland.
Coat of arms of Connacht | History
All of this was granted under Letters Patent issued by the English College of Heralds. Later, the Ulster and Norroy King of Arms granted him the undifferenced arms as the head of the House of O'Neill. Upon that Letters Patent, Pope Leo XIII, the King of Spain, and the King of Portugal recognised Jorge O'Neill as the Prince of Clanaboy, Tyrone, Ulster, as the Count of Tyrone, and the Head of the Royal House of O'Neill and all of its septs. The grandson of Jorge and present Prince of Clanaboy, Hugo, has not pressed his senior claim to the entire House of O'Neill out of respect for his O'Neill chief cousins and their own histories.
Chief of the Name | Gaelic Irish titles
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy was presented with a grant of arms for all the descendants of Patrick Kennedy from the Chief Herald of Ireland. The arms of the Kennedy family are black with three gold helmets depicted upon it, within a border that is divided into red and ermine segments, and strongly alludes to the symbols in the coats of arms of the O'Kennedys of Ormonde and the Fitzgeralds of Desmond from whom the family is believed to be descended. The crest is an armored hand holding four arrows between two olive branches, elements taken from the coat of arms of the United States of America and also symbolic of Kennedy and his brothers.
List of awards and honors received by Ted Kennedy | Coat of arms
The O'Neills had strong family relationships with the FitzGerald dynasty, both the Earls of Kildare and Earls of Desmond; the Earl of Pembroke via de Clare's marriage to the Irish house of Diarmuid, King of Leinster; and the MacDonnells, Bissetts, MacLeans, and Campbells. In 1171, King Henry II of England came to Ireland to remove the authority of the English lords in Ireland. He met the leading Irish kings and received the pledge of fealty from them. During the Middle Ages, the O'Neills were active politically and militarily throughout Ireland, occasionally sending nobility to fight within Ireland and in campaigns in Europe.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neills of Tyrone
St John O'Neill (6 May 1741–March 1790) represented Randalstown in the Irish House of Commons from 1771 to 1776. and was High Sheriff of Antrim in 1774. He was returned unopposed at a by-election for Randalstown occasioned by the death of his father Charles O'Neill of Shane's Castle. Randalstown was a pocket borough of his family and its other MP was his elder brother John O'Neill, later 1st Viscount O'Neill. St John O'Neill married a Miss Borrowes and they had one daughter, who died unmarried. He resided at Portglenone Castle, and donated a copper collecting-ladle to the Portglenone chapel of ease of the Church of Ireland parish of Ahoghill, and a church organ to the Catholic chapel near by at Aughnahoy.
St John O'Neill | Introduction
The coat of arms of the Geraldine earls of Desmond, blazoned "ermine a saltire gules", with the ermine a mark of cadency relative to the senior Kildare branch of the Geraldines (whose arms are more simply blazoned "argent a saltire gules"), contributed to the design of the arms granted to United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy by the Chief Herald of Ireland, as President Kennedy is believed to have descended on his mother's side from the Desmond Geraldines. The crest shows a man in armour on horseback, facing to the right. The motto appearing beneath the Desmond arms was "Shanid Abu," in English "Shanid to victory," a reference to the Desmond stronghold of Shanid Castle.
Earl of Desmond | Desmond Geraldine arms
William also started the tradition of keeping the number of billets in the upper left quarter for Nassau at 17 to symbolize the original 17 provinces of the Burgundian/Habsburg Netherlands, which he always hoped would form one united nation.
House of Orange-Nassau | Coats of Arms
The man on the left is a native Irish Gael, presumably fighting on the side of Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, High King of Ireland. The man on the right appears to be a Viking, fighting on the side of the King of Leinster, Mael Mórdha. Both men are engaged in one-on-one combat against one another.
Cluain Tarbh | Introduction
The issue of Sir Henry O'Neill, who had been granted the Edenduffcarrick estate and majority of the Clandeboye lands by conforming to English ways and converting to Anglicanism, died out in 1855. At this time, the barrister Charles Henry O'Neill of the O'Neills of the Feevah, descendant of the last tanasite of Clandeboye, Sir Henry's uncle Con Mac Brian O'Neill, became officially recognized as The O'Neill Clanaboy. "The descendants of Prince Con MacBryan O'Neill, Tanist of Clanaboy, remained loyal, under every vicissitude, to the traditions of their house, and saved little out of the general wreck of confiscation. They seemed to have preferred fulfilling the solemn pledge of their ancestor, Donald O'Neill, King of Ulster, to 'fight out as long as life should last' rather than adapt themselves to altered circumstances, as the descendants of Shane MacBryan had wisely done," according to Burke's Peerage.
O'Neill dynasty | O'Neills of Clanaboy
In 1648, he voted for such a deal, the Second Ormonde Peace, splitting with Owen Roe O'Neill, who opposed it along with most of the Ulster army. He and several other moderates such as Alexander MacDonnell and Viscount Iveagh left the Ulster army because of their dispute with the hard-liners. In the summer of that year, the Confederate armies fought among themselves over this issue, with the pro-Royalists prevailing.
Felim O'Neill of Kinard | Civil war career
Art was unable to elevate his son to the kingship, but his grandson was Sir Turlough Luineach O'Neill, The O'Neill Mor 1567–1593, the Earl of ClanConnell, and de jure King of Tyrone for a rocky period during the 1570s. On his deathbed he passed his chiefship to his cousin Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone. That family, after Sir Turlough's death, remained hostile to the Earl and often sided with the English when in conflict with the rest of the Tyrone O'Neills.
O'Neill dynasty | Slight-Arte O'Neills
Like the family of O'Neill, that of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell was of the Uí Néill, i.e. descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland at the beginning of the 5th century; the O'Neill, or Cenél nEógain, tracing their pedigree to Eógan mac Néill, and the O'Donnells, or Cenél Conaill, to Conall Gulban, both sons of Niall. Conall was baptised by St. Patrick.
O'Donnell dynasty | Origins
The "Clann Aodha Bhuidhe", or Clandeboye O'Neill, is a branch of Clann Néill, descended from Aodh Meth (Hugh the Fat), King of Ulster from 1196 to 1230; Aodh Medh's brother was Niall Ruadh (Red Niall), King of Ulster for a month after his death, and Prince of Tyrone. The eponym of the clan was Aodh Buidhe (Yellow Hugh) O'Neill (1260–83), grandson of Aodh Meth, and last King to be called King of Ailech; Aodh Buidhe was most notable for his close co-operation with the Earldom of Ulster. The Clandeboye O'Neills would later take control over most of eastern Ulster with the collapse of the Earldom of Ulster due to the invasion of Edward Bruce, whom they had opposed.
Branches of the Cenél nEógain | Clann Aodha Bhuidhe