MacCarthy (), also spelled Macarthy, McCarthy or McCarty, is an Irish

clan A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societie ...

originating from

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

, an area they ruled during the Middle Ages. It was divided into several

sept A sept () is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used both in Scotland and in Ireland, where it may be translated as Irish , meaning "progeny" or "seed", and may indicate the descendants of a person ...

s (branches) of which the

MacCarthy Reagh The MacCarthy Reagh (Irish: ''Mac Cárthaigh Riabhach'') dynasty are a branch of the MacCarthy dynasty, Kings of Desmond, deriving from the Eóganacht Chaisil sept. History The Mac Cárthaigh Riabhach seated themselves as kings of Carbery in ...

, MacCarthy of Muskerry, and MacCarthy of Duhallow were the most notable.

Naming conventions

History

The origin of the MacCarthy dynasty begins with Carthach, an

Eóganacht Chaisil Eóganacht Chaisil were a branch of the Eóganachta, the ruling dynasty of Munster between the 5th and 10th centuries. They took their name from Cashel (County Tipperary) which was the capital of the early Catholic kingdom of Munster. They were de ...

king, who died in 1045 in a house fire deliberately started by one of the Lonergans (who were members of the Eóganacht's arch-enemies, the

Dál gCais The Dalcassians ( ) are a Gaels, Gaelic Irish clan, generally accepted by contemporary scholarship as being a branch of the Déisi Muman, that became very powerful in Ireland during the 10th century. Their genealogies claimed descent from Tál ...

). Carthach was a contemporary and bitter rival of High King

Brian Boru Brian Boru (; modern ; 23 April 1014) was the High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014. He ended the domination of the High King of Ireland, High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill, and is likely responsible for ending Vikings, Viking invasio ...

, and what would become known as the McCarthy Clan was pushed out of its traditional homelands in the

Golden Vale The Golden Vale () is the historic name given to an area of rolling pastureland in the province of Munster in southwestern Ireland. The area covers parts of three counties: Cork, Limerick and Tipperary. Considered the best land in Ireland ...

of Tipperary by the expansion of the O'Brien sept in the middle of the twelfth century. Carthach's son was known as Muireadhach mac Carthaigh (meaning "Muireadhach, son of Carthach"). Such ephemeral patronymics were common at the time. However, when Muireadhach died in 1092 his sons Tadhg and Cormac adopted ''Mac Carthaigh'' as an actual surname. Following the treaty of Glanmire in 1118, dividing the kingdom of

into Desmond and Thomond, this Tadhg became the first king of Desmond, comprising parts of the modern counties of Cork and Kerry. For almost five centuries they dominated much of Munster, with four major branches: those led by the MacCarthy Mór (Great MacCarthy), nominal head of all the MacCarthys, who ruled over much of south Kerry, the Duhallow MacCarthys, who controlled north-west Cork;

or Riabhach ('grey') based in the Barony of Carbery in south-west Cork; and MacCarthy Muskerry, on the Cork / Kerry border. Each of these families continued resistance to Norman and English encroachment up to the seventeenth century when, like virtually all the Gaelic aristocracy, they lost almost everything. An exception was

Macroom Macroom (; ) is a market town in County Cork, Ireland, located in the valley of the River Sullane, halfway between Cork (city), Cork city and Killarney. Its population has grown and receded over the centuries as it went through periods of war, ...

Castle, which passed to the White family of

Bantry House Bantry House is a historic house with gardens in Bantry, County Cork, Ireland. Originally built in the early 18th century, it has been owned and occupied by the White family (formerly Earls of Bantry) since the mid-18th century. Opened to the ...

, descendants of Cormac Láidir Mac Cárthaigh. This was burnt in 1922 and is part of the local golf club today. The Muskerry McCarthys' historical seat is Blarney Castle in County Cork. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone was given as a gift to Cormac MacCarthy, King of Desmond, from king

Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (), was King of Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329. Robert led Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against Kingdom of Eng ...

of Scotland, who presented the 'magical' stone in gratitude for his assistance in the

battle of Bannockburn The Battle of Bannockburn ( or ) was fought on 23–24 June 1314, between the army of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and the army of King Edward II of England, during the First War of Scottish Independence. It was a decisive victory for Ro ...

in 1314. The third castle built on the site (the castle which stands to this day) was built by another McCarthy descendant, Dermot McCarthy, in 1446. Dermot was known for his eloquence, hence the Blarney Stone's reputation for imparting the gift of the gab upon those who kiss it. The number of references to the MacCarthys in the annals, especially the "

Annals of Innisfallen The ''Annals of Inisfallen'' () are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. Overview There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between 433 and 1450. The manuscript is thought to have been compiled in 1092, as the chronic ...

", is very great. Carthach was the son of Saoirbhreathach, a Gaelic name which is anglicised as Justin, and in the latter form has been in continuous use among many branches of the McCarthys for centuries. Another male forename similarly associated with them is Finghin, anglice Fineen, but for some centuries past, the name Florence (colloquially Flurry) has been used as its English form. From the thirteenth century, when Fineen MacCarthy decisively defeated the Geraldines in 1261, down to the present day, Fineen or Florence MacCarthys and Justin MacCarthys have been very prominent among the many distinguished men of the name in Irish military, political and cultural history. Until the dissolution of the kingdom in 1596, the crown was vested in the hereditary possession of the Mac Carthy Mór (by the law of

tanistry Tanistry is a Gaelic system for passing on titles and lands. In this system the Tanist (; ; ) is the office of heir-apparent, or second-in-command, among the (royal) Gaelic patrilineal dynasties of Ireland, Scotland and Mann, to succeed to ...

Branches

MacCarthy of Muskerry

The MacCarthy dynasty of Muskerry is a

tacksman A tacksman (, meaning "supporting man"; most common Scots spelling: ''takisman'') was a landholder of intermediate legal and social status in Scottish Highland society. Tenant and landlord Although a tacksman generally paid a yearly rent for th ...

branch of the

MacCarthy dynasty MacCarthy (), also spelled Macarthy, McCarthy or McCarty, is an Irish Irish clans, clan originating from Kingdom of Munster, Munster, an area they ruled during the Middle Ages. It was divided into several septs (branches) of which the MacCarthy ...

, the Kings of Desmond. It was founded by Dermot MacCarthy, 1st Lord of Muskerry, second son of Cormac MacCarthy Mor, King of Desmond. Donough MacCarthy, 4th Earl of Clancarty fought in the

Williamite War in Ireland The Williamite War in Ireland took place from March 1689 to October 1691. Fought between Jacobitism, Jacobite supporters of James II of England, James II and those of his successor, William III of England, William III, it resulted in a Williamit ...

for

James II of England James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Monarchy of Ireland, Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II of England, Charles II, on 6 February 1 ...

against

William III of England William III (William Henry; ; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of County of Holland, Holland, County of Zeeland, Zeeland, Lordship of Utrecht, Utrec ...

. He was attainted at the defeat in 1691 and the MacCarthys of Muskerry lost the noble titles of Earl of Clancarty, Viscount Muskerry, and Baron Blarney. In 1694, the family lost all noble titles and peerage in Ireland.

MacCarthy Reagh

The MacCarthy Reagh dynasty are a branch of the MacCarthy dynasty. The MacCarthy Reagh seated themselves as kings of Carbery in what is now southwestern County Cork including Rosscarbery in the 13th century. Their descendants would expand their territories considerably and forge a small, wealthy kingdom distinct and independent from the larger Kingdom of Desmond, as well as largely independent from the Earldom of Desmond and from England, which would last into the early-mid 17th century. The dynasty became very successful during the 14th to 16th centuries, accumulating great wealth and possessing a great army.

Septs

Eleven septs of the illustrious McCarthy family in Kerry are given in Kings History of County Kerry * (1) Sliocht Owen of Coshmaing * (2) Sliocht Cormaic of Dunguile * (3) Sliocht Fineen Duff of Ardeanaght * (4) Sliocht Clan Donell Finn * (5) Sliocht nInghean Riddery * (6) Sliocht Donell Brick * (7) Sliocht Nedeen * (8) Sliocht Clan Teige Kittagh * (9) Sliocht Clan Dermod *(10) Sliocht Clan Donell Roe *(11) Sliocht MacFineen The MacCarthys are closely related to a number of other Munster families. These include the

O'Sullivan O'Sullivan may refer to: People * O'Sullivan family, a gaelic Irish clan * O'Sullivan (surname), a family name * Sullivan (surname), a variation of the O'Sullivan family name Places * O'Sullivan Dam, Washington, United States * O'Sullivan Army He ...

s, O'Callaghans,

O'Keeffe O'Keeffe () is an Irish Gaelic clan based most prominently in what is today County Cork, particularly around Fermoy and Duhallow. The name comes from ''caomh'', meaning "kind", "gentle", "noble" Some reformed spellings present it as ''Ó Cu� ...

O'Donoghue Donoghue or O'Donoghue is an anglicised form of the Irish language surname Ó Donnchadha or Ó Donnchú. Etymology The name means "descendant of Donnchadh", a personal name composed of the elements ''donn'' "brown-haired an and ''cath'' "batt ...

s, and

O'Donovan The O'Donovan family is an ancient Irish nobility, Irish noble family. Their patronymic surname derives from Irish ''Ó Donnabháin'', meaning the grandsons or descendants of Donnubán, referring to the 10th century ruler of the Uí Fidgenti, ...

s. An early sept of the MacCarthys themselves are the MacAuliffes. Rulers of the

Kingdom of Desmond The Kingdom of Desmond () was a historic kingdom in southwestern Ireland. It was founded in 1118 by Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh, King of Munster when the Treaty of Glanmire formally divided the Kingdom of Munster into Desmond and Thomond (, "North ...

, the McCarthy stood among the greatest Irish dynasties of the last millennium.

Notable members

* Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, 9th Lord of Muskerry, Irish chieftain, 1411–1494 * Cormac Oge Laidir MacCarthy, 10th Lord of Muskerry, Irish noble, d. 1536 * Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy, great-grandson of Cormac MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry, d. 1616 * Cormac (Charles) MacCarthy, 1st Viscount Muskerry and Baron of Blarney, son of Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy, d. 1641 * Florence MacCarthy, Irish prince, 1563–1640 * Donagh MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry and

Earl of Clancarty Earl of Clancarty is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. History The title was created for the first time in 1658 in favour of Donough MacCarty, 2nd Viscount Muskerry, of the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty. He had ...

, son of Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy, d. 1665 * Charles MacCarthy, soldier in French and later English service, d. 1665 * Justin MacCarthy, Viscount Mountcashel, younger son of Donough MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry, d. 1694 * Donough MacCarthy, 4th Earl of Clancarty, grandson of Donough MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry, 1670–1734 * Nicholas Tuite MacCarthy, renowned Jesuit Preacher, 1769–1833 * Charles MacCarthy, Irish-born soldier who served in the French, Dutch and British armies, 1764–1824 * Robert MacCarty, Viscount Muskerry, Irish Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator, 1685–1769 * Cormac Mac Cárthaigh, d.1138 * Donal Gott MacCarthy, 1247–1252 * Fínghin, 1252–1261

References

Bibliography

* Burke, Bernard and Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, ''Burke's Irish Family Records, or Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland''. London: Burke's Peerage Ltd. 5th edition, 1976. * Byrne, Francis J., ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''. Four Courts Press. 2nd edition, 2001. * Cronnelly, Richard F.
Irish Family History
''Part II: A History of the Clan Eoghan, or Eoghanachts''. Dublin. 1864. * D'Alton, John
Illustrations, Historical and Genealogical, of King James's Irish Army List, 1689
2 vols. London: J.R. Smith. 2nd edition, 1861. * * O'Donovan, John (ed. and tr.), Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters, from the Earliest Period to the Year 1616. 7 vols. Royal Irish Academy. Dublin. 1848–51. 2nd edition, 1856. * O'Hart, John
Irish Pedigrees
Dublin. 5th edition, 1892. * Ó hInnse, Séamus (ed. and tr.) and Florence MacCarthy,

Mac Carthaigh's Book ''Mac Carthaigh’s Book'' is a collection of annals of the period AD 1114 in Ireland, 1114–1437 in Ireland, 1437 inclusive. It was compiled from earlier material by Florence MacCarthy, Fínghin Mac Carthaigh Mór (c. 1560–1640) an Irish noble ...

, o
Miscellaneous Irish Annals (A.D. 1114–1437)

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) () is a statutory independent research institute in Dublin, Ireland. It was established, under the Institute For Advanced Studies Act 1940, by the government of the then Taoiseach, Éamon de Vale ...

. 1947. * O'Keeffe, Eugene (ed. and tr.), ''Eoganacht Genealogies from the Book of Munster''. Cork. 1703. (availabl
here
* McCarthy (Glas), Daniel, ''A Historical Pedigree of the Sliochd Feidhlimidh the MacCarthys of Glean-nacroim, from Carthach, twenty-fourth in descent from Oilioll Olum'', (1880; W. Pollard) *O'Brien, Michael J, ''The McCarthys in Early American History'', (1921; New York, Dodd, Mead & Company) *McCarthy, Samuel Trant, ''The MacCarthys of Munster: The Story of a Great Irish Sept'', (1922: The Dundalgan Press)