- O'Byrne family
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The O'Byrne family (Irish: Ó Broin) is an Irish clann that descend from Bran mac Máelmórda, King of Leinster, of the Uí Faelain of the Uí Dúnlainge. During the Norman invasion of Ireland they lost their ancestral lands around Kildare and settled in south Wicklow in the late 12th century.[1]
The seat of the junior sept of the Ó Broin (Uí Broin or Branaigh) was at Ballinacor and controlled the surrounding lands, known as Crioch Branach.[1]
During the Desmond Rebellions, the chief Hugh O'Byrne gave support to the Earl of Desmond, and died during the second rebellion.[1] His son Fiach McHugh O'Byrne took over the cheiftainship and together with the Pale lord James Eustace, 3rd Viscount Baltinglass, continued hostilities to the English administration. A large English force under the Lord Deputy of Ireland Earl Grey de Wilton was sent to subdue them, only to be ambushed and defeated at the battle of Glenmalure on 25 August 1580, losing over 800 dead. Fiach also helped in the escape of Hugh Roe O'Donnell from Dublin Castle in 1591 and Hugh Roe stayed with O'Byrne at Ballinacor, Glenmalure.
In 1595, Ballinacor was occupied by an Anglo-Irish garrison, with Fiach later expelling the garrison, and destroying the fort.[1] Fiach was killed in a skirmish with the forces of the Lord Deputy of Ireland at Fananerin on 8 May 1597. He was drawn and quartered and his head was sent to Dublin Castle and placed on a spike. The head was later pickled and sent to England.
Felim McFiach O'Byrne, Fiach's son, was confirmed in his fathers lands by patent of Queen Elizabeth after submitting to her authority, however these were lost under patent of King James I.[1] He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for County Wicklow in 1613 and died in 1630.
The O'Byrnes have long been close to their kinsmen the O'Toole family.
Contents
Heraldry
- Arms: Gules a chevron between three dexter hands couped at the wrist Argent.
- Crest: A mermaid with comb and mirror proper.
- Motto: Latin:certavi et vici (I have fought and I conquered).
See also
Notes
Further reading
- Daniel Byrne-Rothwell, "The Byrnes and the O'Byrnes", (House of Lochar, 2010).
Categories:- Irish families
- Ancient Irish dynasties
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