History

Ancient

The Uí Laoghaire clan, today associated with the Uibh Laoghaire parish in

County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns a ...

, is considered by scholars to have originated in the early Middle Ages on the south-west coast, in the area of Ros Ó gCairbre (

Rosscarbery Rosscarbery () is a village and census town in County Cork, Ireland. The village is on a shallow estuary, which opens onto Rosscarbery Bay. Rosscarbery is in the Cork South-West (Dáil Éireann) constituency, which has three seats. History The ...

), of which the O'Leary were hereditary lords. The Annals of Innisfallen (Dublin copy) records St. Fachtna's (

Saint Fachanan Saint Fachanan (also known as Fachtna), about whom very little is known with certainty, is linked by a strong early tradition with Kilfenora, where he founded a church or monastery in the sixth century. He is venerated as the first Bishop of Kilf ...

) death in 600 AD as occurring in "O'Laeghaire of Ross i.e. Corca Laidhe-I-Laeghaire Ruis". The clan traces its lineage to Lugaid Mac Con, an ancient

King of Tara The term Kingship of Tara () was a title of authority in ancient Ireland - the title is closely associated with the archaeological complex at the Hill of Tara. The position was considered to be of eminent authority in medieval Irish literature ...

and

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and later sometimes assigned an ...

, and descendant of

Dáire Doimthech Dáire Doimthech (Dáire "poor house"), alias Dáire Sírchréchtach ("the ever-wounded"), son of Sithbolg, was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland, and one of the eponymous ancestors of the proto-historical Dáirine and historical ...

. In the 12th century the O'Leary's were recognised hereditary wardens of St Fachtna's monastery and seat of higher learning, the

School of Ross The School of Ross was a monastic institution located in what is now called Rosscarbery, County Cork, Ireland, but formerly ''Ross-Ailithir'' (Ross of the Pilgrims), from the large number of monks and students who flocked to its halls from all ov ...

. In more recent times (since 1300 AD), the clan, of the

Corcu Loígde The Corcu Loígde (Corcu Lóegde, Corco Luigde, Corca Laoighdhe, Laidhe), meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centred in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of Mun ...

, was pushed north and settled in an area south of Macroom around

Inchigeelagh Inchigeelagh () is a small village, townland and civil parish in County Cork, Ireland. The village is just outside a Gaeltacht area. Inchigeelagh is part of the Dáil constituency of Cork North-West. The River Lee passes through the village. ...

on the River Lee called Uibh Laoghaire (or Uibh Laoire in modern Irish – the 'gh' is silent in the old Irish). The Corcu Loígde were the rulers of

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following t ...

, and of territories beyond the province, before the rise of the Eóganachta in the 7th century. The port of Dún Laoghaire, near Dublin is not associated with the O'Leary sept(s), rather it is named for Lóegaire mac Néill, a 5th-century High King of Ireland. The book of Lecan (A.D. 1397-A.D. 1418) details the early status of O'Leary as a Corco Laide ''taisach duchusa'' (hereditary chieftain) in the tuath of Ross (Ruis), with associated families:

Tuath Ruis .i. Tuath in Dolaich, o Loch in Bricin co Faid Ruis -, o Thraig Long co Sid na Fear (i) Find. O Leagaire a taisach duchusa. Is iad so an oclaid duchusa .i. O Ruaidri -, O Lonan -, O Laidid -, O Torpa -, O hUrmoltaich -, O Mirin -, O Meic Dairic -, O Tuaraide -, O Trena -, O hUainidi -, O Cerdin

The name also occurs in the Cineal Laoghaire branch of the Eoghanacht dynasty which later came to dominate Munster. With the unrelated Corco Laidhe and Eoghanacht branches of O'Learys settling in north-west Cork and nearby Kerry respectively, the tracing of lineage is complex.

Modern

Although almost nothing is known of their activities for several centuries, the O'Learys reappear as a still titled family in the 16th century, and relatively wealthy, although they were subject to the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, from whom they received the White Wand (a symbol of authority).Ó Murchadha, p. 208 They were the only other freeholders in Muskerry besides the O'Mahonys, and had built several castles in their territories, of which Carrignacurra is now the only one still standing. The celebrated Irish language writer Peadar Ua Laoghaire was a descendant of the Carrignacurra branch of the family. Auliffe O'Leary joined the side of Hugh Ó Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone in the

Nine Years' War The Nine Years' War (1688–1697), often called the War of the Grand Alliance or the War of the League of Augsburg, was a conflict between Kingdom of France, France and a European coalition which mainly included the Holy Roman Empire (led by t ...

, from the very inception of it, and took the field with William Bourke (

Clanricarde Clanricarde (; ), also known as Mac William Uachtar (Upper Mac William) or the Galway Burkes, were a fully Gaelicised branch of the Hiberno-Norman House of Burgh who were important landowners in Ireland from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Te ...

) and others. For this the chiefs of the O'Learys were eventually attained, and their lands parceled out, but because of the remoteness of their territory it was never carried out, and they remained safe there until the Cromwellian confiscations decades later.

Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty Sir Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty (1594–1665), was an Irish magnate, soldier, and politician. He succeeded as 2nd Viscount Muskerry in 1641. He rebelled against the government, demanding religious freedom as a Catholic and defendin ...

did however appear to do his best to allow them to stay on their lands through leasing. The family became much more scattered during the later

Williamite War in Ireland The Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691; ga, Cogadh an Dá Rí, "war of the two kings"), was a conflict between Jacobite supporters of deposed monarch James II and Williamite supporters of his successor, William III. It is also called th ...

. As an example of their wealth and capacity in the mid-16th century, an early O'Leary of Carrignacurra is purported to be the fosterer of Donnel na g croiceann, or Donnel of the Hides, ancestor of the modern O'Donovans of Clan Cahaill. His daughter Ellen married Donnell. Their issue was Donnell II O'Donovan. The last O'Leary lord of the Old Gaelic order was Donal MacArt O'Leary (1575–1657).Donal MacArt O'Leary
by Peter O'Leary

People

Military

Art Ó Laoghaire Art Ó Laoghaire (IPA:ˈaɾˠt̪ˠoːˈl̪ˠiːəɾʲə, also Airt Ó Laoghaire or Art O'Leary, born 1746, died 4 May 1773), a Roman Catholic member of the Gaelic nobility of Ireland, was a Captain in the Hungarian Hussars Regiment of the army o ...

(d 1773), Austro-Hungarian army officer ** His wife

Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill (also known as Eileen O'Connell, ) was a member of the Irish gentry and a poet. She was the main composer of ''Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire'', a traditional lament in Irish described (in its written form) as the greate ...

, composed "

Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire or the ''Lament for Art Ó Laoghaire'' is an Irish keen composed in the main by his wife Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill, a member of the Gaelic gentry of County Kerry in the 18th century. It has been described as the gr ...

" *

Daniel Florencio O'Leary Daniel Florence O'Leary ( ga, Dónall Fínín Ó Laoghaire; 14 February 1801 – 24 February 1854) was a military general and aide-de-camp under Simón Bolívar. Life O'Leary was born in Cork, Ireland; his father was Jeremiah O'Leary, a but ...

(1802–1854), military general under Simon Bolivar *

Michael John O'Leary Major (United Kingdom), Major Michael John O'Leary Victoria Cross, VC (29 September 1890 – 2 August 1961) was an Irish soldier and police officer who was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry in the ...

(1890–1961), Irish-Canadian recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previousl ...

* William O'Leary (British Army officer), Deputy Commander Field Army (British Army)

Religion

Arthur O'Leary (preacher) Father Arthur O'Leary, O.F.M.Cap (1729 – 8 January 1802) was an Irish Capuchin preacher and polemical writer. Life O'Leary was born at Fanlobbus, County Cork, Ireland. He was educated with the Capuchins of Saint Malo, where he was ordained ...

(1729–1802), Irish Franciscan and polemical writer * Francis O'Leary MBE (1931–2000), founded the St Joseph's Hospice Association * Henry Joseph O'Leary (1879–1938), Bishop of Charlottetown and Archbishop of Edmonton * Louis James O'Leary (1877–1930), 6th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown

Poetry and literature

* John O'Leary (Fenian) (1830–1907), Irish poet who was imprisoned in England * Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire (1774–1849), Irish poet * Peadar Ua Laoghaire (1839–1920), Irish writer in Irish and Catholic priest * P. I. O'Leary (1888–1944), Australian poet and journaliat

Politics and law

* Brendan O'Leary, Irish political scientist * Clement O'Leary, Canadian member of Parliament *

Cornelius O'Leary Cornelius O'Leary (30 September 1927 – 7 September 2006) was an Irish historian and political scientist. O'Leary was born in Limerick but was raised in Cork, where he attended University College Cork, gaining a first-class honours degree in hi ...

, Irish historian and political scientist *

Denis O'Leary Denis O'Leary (January 22, 1863 – September 27, 1943) was an American educator, lawyer, and politician who served as Queens County district attorney and for one year as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York, fro ...

(1863–1943), New York politician *

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (; born 8 February 1989) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork South-Central constituency since the 2016 general election. Ó Laoghaire is from Togher, Cork. He attended Unive ...

(born 1989)

Teachta Dála A Teachta Dála ( , ; plural ), abbreviated as TD (plural ''TDanna'' in Irish, TDs in English), is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament). It is the equivalent of terms such as ''Member of Parl ...

for

Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( , ; en, " eOurselves") is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active throughout both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Gr ...

* Grattan O'Leary (1888–1976), Canadian journalist and Senator * Hazel R. O'Leary (born 1937), former United States Secretary of Energy * Henry O'Leary, Irish-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick *

Humphrey O'Leary Sir Humphrey Francis O'Leary (12 February 1886 – 16 October 1953) was the seventh Chief Justice of New Zealand, from 1946 to 1953. Early life and family Born in Redwoodtown in the Wairau Valley, Marlborough, in 1886, his father, an Irish i ...

(1886–1953), 7th Chief Justice of New Zealand *

James A. O'Leary James Aloysius O'Leary (April 23, 1889 – March 16, 1944) was an American lawyer and businessman who served five terms as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1935 to 1944. Early life and caree ...

, member of the United States House of Representatives from New York *

Jean O'Leary Jean O'Leary (March 4, 1948 – June 4, 2005) was an American lesbian and gay rights activist. She was the founder of Lesbian Feminist Liberation, one of the first lesbian activist groups in the women's movement, and an early member and co-dir ...

, American gay and lesbian rights activist, politician, and former nun * John O'Leary (ambassador) (1947–2005), mayor of Portland, Maine, and United States ambassador to Chile *

John O'Leary (Kerry politician) John O'Leary (3 May 1933 – 5 October 2015) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment from 1978 to 1979. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kerry South constituency from 1 ...

(born 1933), former Irish Fianna Fáil party politician and TD for Kerry South *

John O'Leary (Wexford politician) John O'Leary (1 September 1894 – 21 June 1959) was an Irish Labour Party politician who served in the Oireachtas for nearly twenty years, first as Teachta Dála (TD) for Wexford and then as a Senator. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as ...

(1894–1959), former Irish Labour party politician and TD for Wexford *

Joseph V. O'Leary Joseph Vincent O'Leary (December 13, 1890 – December 29, 1964) was an American politician who served as New York State Comptroller. Life He was born on December 13, 1890, in New York City. In 1938, he ran on the American Labor ticket f ...

, NYS Comptroller 1941–1942 and founding member of the Liberal Party of New York *

Kevin O'Leary (judge) Kevin Fredrick O'Leary QC (19 February 1920 – 3 August 2015) was the second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. He was appointed to that position on 12 September 1985 after James Muirhead had acted in the pos ...

(born 1920), 2nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory * Michael O'Leary (politician) (1936–2006), former leader of the Irish Labour Party * Seán O'Leary (Irish politician) (born 1941), former Irish senator * William O'Leary (Irish politician) (died 1955), Irish Fianna Fáil politician and TD for Kerry

Journalism and activism

* Émile-Dostaler O'Leary (1908–1965), Canadian journalist and writer * Grattan O'Leary (1888–1976), Canadian journalist and Senator * Jeremiah O'Leary, American journalist *

John O'Leary (journalist) John O'Leary is a British journalist, formerly editor of the '' Times Higher Education Supplement'' and previously Education Editor of ''The Times''. He is also the author of the ''Times Good University Guide'' since 2005. At Sheffield Univers ...

, editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement *

Olivia O'Leary Olivia O'Leary (born 1949) is an Irish journalist, writer and current affairs presenter. Education Educated at St Leo's College, Carlow and at University College Dublin (UCD), she worked with the ''Nationalist'' and ''Leinster Times'' in Car ...

, Irish journalist * P. I. O'Leary (1888–1944), Australian poet and journalist. * Walter-Patrice O'Leary (1910–1989), Canadian journalist, political activist and trade unionist

Arts and entertainment

Arthur O'Leary (composer) Arthur O'Leary (15 March 1834 – 11 March 1919) was an Irish composer, pianist and teacher. Biography O'Leary was born in Tralee, County Kerry, both his father (also named Arthur) and uncle Daniel having been talented musicians, too. Arthur Se ...

(1834–1919), Irish composer and pianist *

Dermot O'Leary Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary Jr. (born 24 May 1973) is an English broadcaster who currently works for ITV and BBC Radio 2. His radio career began when he worked as a disc jockey at Essex Radio, but he is best known for being the presenter of ' ...

(born 1973), English television and radio presenter * Fletcher O'Leary, Australian child actor *

Jane O'Leary Jane O'Leary (born 13 October 1946) is an American-born Irish musician and composer who has been living in Ireland since 1972. Biography Jane O'Leary (née Strong) was born in Hartford, Connecticut. She graduated ''summa com laude'' from Vassa ...

(born 1946), American-Irish avantgarde composer *

Karen O'Leary Karen O'Leary is a New Zealand schoolteacher, comedian and actress. She played Officer O'Leary in ''Wellington Paranormal'', which ran for four seasons from 2018-2022. Biography O'Leary grew up in Miramar, Wellington and attended Wellington ...

New Zealand comedian and television and film actress *

Mary O'Leary (producer) Seven-time Daytime Emmy winner Mary O'Leary is an American television producer, and the former producer of the daytime television dramas ''Guiding Light'', ''Another World'', ''One Life to Live'', ''General Hospital'' and ''The Young & The Restles ...

, American television producer * Matt O'Leary, American actor * Michael O'Leary (actor) (born 1958), in American soap opera ''Guiding Light'' *

Patrick O'Leary (writer) Patrick O'Leary (Saginaw, Michigan, September 13, 1952) is an American science fiction and fantasy author and ad copy writer. Life and work O'Leary's literary works have been recognized and highlighted at Michigan State University in their Mic ...

(born 1952), American science fiction writer *

Tim O'Leary Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera '' Brookside'', played by Philip Olivier. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 22 May 1996. Tim remained on-screen until the fin ...

, fictional character in the British soap opera ''Brookside'' *

Ursula O'Leary Ursula O'Leary (Birmingham, 10 March 1926 – 17 May 1993) was an English stage, radio and television actressDeaths, The Times, 19 May 1993 She graduated in stage management from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in 1948 and her stag ...

, English actress *

William O'Leary (actor) William O'Leary (born October 19, 1957) is an American actor. He is best known for Marty Taylor on '' Home Improvement'' (1994–1999). Early life He was born in Chicago, Illinois and started acting at the age of 7. He graduated from Highlan ...

, American actor

Sport

Amanda O'Leary Amanda Moore O'Leary (born 1967), née Amanda Moore and also known by her nickname Mandee O'Leary (and formerly, Mandee Moore), is an American college lacrosse coach and former player. O'Leary was an All-American lacrosse midfielder for the Te ...

, American lacrosse coach * Bob O'Leary, American soccer player *

Charley O'Leary Charles Timothy O'Leary (October 15, 1875 – January 6, 1941) was an American professional baseball shortstop who played eleven seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1904–1912), St. Louis Cardinals (1913), and St. Louis Browns (1934) of Major Lea ...

(1882–1941), American baseball player * Clare O'Leary, first Irish woman to climb Mount Everest * Clare O'Leary (cricketer) * Dan O'Leary, American baseball player * Daren O'Leary, English rugby union player * David O'Leary, English-born Irish football (soccer) manager formerly of Aston Villa *

George O'Leary George Joseph O'Leary (born August 17, 1946) is a former American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1994 to 2001 and the UCF Knights from 2004 to 201 ...

(born 1946), American college football coach *

John O'Leary (Gaelic footballer) John O'Leary (born 1961) is a Dublin-born Gaelic footballer who played for the O'Dwyers club and at senior level for the Dublin county team. He is an area manager for Permanent TSB and in 2007 was a candidate for Fianna Fáil in the constitu ...

Kieran O'Leary Kieran O'Leary (born 28 July 1987) is an Irish Gaelic footballer. He plays at U21 and senior levels with the Dr Crokes club team and the Kerry county team. With Dr. Crokes he reached the 2007 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship fin ...

, Irish Gaelic footballer * Kristian O'Leary, Welsh football (soccer) player *

Mike O'Leary Mike O'Leary is an American curler. He is a and a 1966 United States men's curling champion. Teams References External links * Full text of "Sports Illustrated 1966-04-04" (web archive)(page 43, "DOWNFALL OF A STONE-THROWER") Living ...

, American curler *

Noel O'Leary Noel O'Leary (born 5 May 1982) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a left wing-back for the Cork senior team. Born in Kilnamartyra, County Cork, O Leary arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up ...

, Irish footballer *

Peter O'Leary (referee) Peter O'Leary (born 3 March 1972) is a New Zealand former Association football referee, previously of Wellington but now is residing and working in Hamilton. He operated in the Australian A-League and the New Zealand Football Championship, and hi ...

, New Zealand football (soccer) referee *

Pierce O'Leary Pierce O'Leary (born 5 November 1959) is an Irish former professional footballer. Pierce is the brother of former Arsenal star and fellow Irish international David O'Leary. Playing career Born in Dublin, O'Leary signed for Shamrock Rovers i ...

, Irish footballer *

Ryan O'Leary Ryan O'Leary (born 24 August 1987) a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a defender. O'Leary is the son of former Republic of Ireland international footballer Pierce O'Leary and the nephew of David O'Leary. Club career O'Lea ...

, Scottish footballer *

Seánie O'Leary Seán O'Leary (25 February 1952 – 1 December 2021) was an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-forward at senior level for the Cork county team. Career Born in Youghal, County Cork, Munster, O'Leary first played competitive hurling wh ...

(born 1954), Irish hurler * Stephen O'Leary, English-born Irish footballer * Tomás O'Leary (born 1983), Irish rugby union player * Troy O'Leary (born 1969), American baseball player

Other

* Brian O'Leary, American "scientist-astronaut" *

Catherine O'Leary Catherine "Cate" O'Leary (née Donegan; March 1827 – July 3, 1895) was an Irish immigrant living in Chicago, Illinois, who became famous when it was alleged that an accident involving her cow had started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Born Ca ...

(1827–1895), owner of the property in which it was alleged the Great Chicago Fire started * Ciarán O'Leary, Irish professional poker player practicing in the USA *

Daniel O'Leary (mobster) Daniel J. "Danny" O'Leary (January 30, 1900 - August 15, 1928) was an Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe *** ...

, Irish American mobster *

James Patrick O'Leary James Patrick O'Leary (1869 – January 22, 1925) was a gambling boss and saloon owner in Chicago. His parents were Patrick and Irish-born Catherine O'Leary, in whose barn the Great Chicago Fire is alleged to have begun. Biography O'Leary was ...

(c. 1860–1926), American mobster *

Kevin O'Leary (entrepreneur) Terence Thomas Kevin O'Leary (born 9 July 1954), also known as Mr. Wonderful, is a Canadian businessman, entrepreneur, and television personality. From 2004 to 2014, he appeared on various Canadian television shows. These include the business n ...

, Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist *

Michael O'Leary (Ryanair) Michael Kevin O'Leary (born 20 March 1961) is an Irish businessman who is the Group CEO of Ryanair. With a net worth of around €848.6 million as of April 2018, he is one of Ireland's wealthiest businessmen. Early life Michael Kevin O'Leary w ...

, CEO of the low-cost Irish airline Ryanair

Places

Dún Laoghaire Dún Laoghaire ( , ) is a suburban coastal town in Dublin in Ireland. It is the administrative centre of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The town was built following the 1816 legislation that allowed the building of a major port to serve Dubli ...

, Dublin, Ireland – Name means "Fort of Leary". *

O'Leary, Prince Edward Island O'Leary is a town located in Prince County Prince County is located in western Prince Edward Island, Canada. The county's defining geographic feature is Malpeque Bay, a sub-basin of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which creates the narrowest porti ...

*Plaza O’Leary – major square in

Caracas Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in th ...

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

. Named for

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oleary Surnames Irish families Clíodhna