remained in the original Clare
homeland, with branches also settling in Kerry and Roscommon.
The O’Gradys (0 Grada) were an important Dalcassian family in
County Clare. They were originally seated in the parish of Killonasoolagh, near the River
Fergus in South Clare, but after 1318 they obtained a wide territory around Tomgraney in
the north of that county, from their O’Brien kinsmen and patrons. This territory
embraced several parishes in Clare and Galway. In 1543, Donogh O’Grady, "captain
of his nation," was knighted by Henry VIII, and formally granted the lands of his
clan. After him, the heads of the O’Gradys served the English interests, and some
Anglicized their name as "Brady," though this was an alias and usually the form
"O’Grady" was resumed. A branch of the family settled in Gonnacht, while
the chief family settled in Limerick several centuries ago.
The O’Hanrahans or Harhans (0 hAnradhain) are a Dalcassian family
of County Clare. After rising to some importance in Limerick under the O’Briens, they
are chiefly associated with Clare and Limerick.
The O’Hickeys (0 hlcidhe) were a great medical family in Thomond,
and were hereditary physicians to their kinsmen the O’Brien rulers of Thomond. Their
original seat was at Ballyhickey in County Clare.
The O’Mearas or Maras (0 Meadhra) were a Dalcassian family in
Tipperary. They were chiefs of a district called Rosarguid, in the barony of Upper Or.
mond, in north-central Tipperary, and their chief, The O’Meara, had his seat at
Toomyvara (Tuaim Ui Mheadhra). The O’Mearas retained a considerable property down to
the revolution of 1690.
The O’Molonys (0 Maoldhomhnaigh) are a Dalcassian family who were
formerly chiefs in the barony of Tulla in the east of County Clare.
The O’Moroneys (0 Murruanaidh) are another family of the
Dalcassians still numerous in Thomond.
The Cineal mBaoith were one of the original Dalcassian clans from the
time of Brian Boru. Their representatives in historical times were the O’Hartagans
and the O’Lonergans. The O’Hartagans (hArtagain) are a Dalcassian sept of
Limerick, and are descended from Dunlaing O’Hartigan, one of the heroes of the battle
of Glontarf, who fought against the Vikings in 1014 (see under O’Brien, above). The
O’Lonergans (0 Longargain) are a Dalcassian sept that was originally settled in
County Clare in the earlier Middle Ages, but after 1318 they settled in Tipperary after
being driven from their original patrimony by the O’Briens and MacNamaras. The family
produced a number of great ecclesiastics during the Middle Ages.
The Clann Dealbhaoith anciently inhabited the Barony of Bunratty, in
the south of County Clare. The main stem of the clan was the ancient family of
O’Neill of Thomond, but this family is now represented by its two modern branches,
O’Nihills of Limerick (from the Norse form of O’Neill) and the Creaghs of
Bunratty. The Greaghs (Craobhach) derive their cognomen of
