The MacDermots
originate from a group of Celtic Clans who dominated Connacht in early
Christian times. In the 10th century a deal was made between two
brothers, whereby the younger, our ancestor Mulrooney, relinquished all
claims to the Kingship of Connacht in exchange for the lands of Moylurg.
The MacDermots occupied Moylurg from
then until the end of the 16th century, the exploits of their leaders
being documented by monks in the Annals of Lough Key. From then on the
dispersal of the Clan began, mostly as a result of the takeover of the
lands by planter families, rewarded by land grants for their service to
the English Crown. The diaspora reached its climax in the 19th century
at the time of the Great Hunger.
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