Ó Flaithbheartaigh facts for kids
| O'Flaherty |
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Quick facts for kids  |
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| Country: | Kingdom of Connacht | ||
| Parent House: | Connachta (Uí Briúin Seóla) | ||
| Titles: | * King of Connacht
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| Founder: | Flaithbheartach mac Eimhin | ||
| Final Ruler: | Domnell Crone Ó Flaithbheartaigh | ||
| Cadet Branches: | McDonough | ||
The O'Flaherty clan is an old Irish family. They are mostly from what is now County Galway in Ireland. The family name started in the 10th century. It comes from their founder, Flaithbheartach mac Eimhin.
The O'Flahertys are related to the Connachta family line. They were once kings of areas like Maigh Seóla and Muintir Murchada. They were also relatives of other important families like the Ó Conchubhair and Mac Diarmada. In the 11th century, they lost land and moved further west. This new area was called Iar Connacht, which is now known as Connemara. They ruled this land until the 16th century.
The name O'Flaherty can be spelled in many ways in English. Some common spellings include Flaherty, Fluharty, Faherty, and Lahiff.
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Understanding the O'Flaherty Name
The Gaelic-Irish surname is "Ua Flaithbertach" in older texts. Today, it's usually spelled Ó Flatharta in Modern Irish.
The name means "bright ruler" or "bright prince." The word flaith originally meant prince in Irish. The "O" or Ó part comes from "Ua." This means "grandson" or "descendant" of a main clan member. This "O" prefix is often written with an apostrophe in English, like O'.
The O'Flahertys first lived in Maigh Seóla. This area is east of Lough Corrib in the kingdom of Connacht. Connacht is the western part of Ireland.
The Ó Flaithbertaighs are part of the Muintir Murchada family group. This group is named after Murchadh mac Maenach. He was a king who died in 891. The main family of this group became known as Ó Flaithbheartaigh (O'Flaherty) from the 11th century onwards.
Early Kings of Maigh Seóla
The Uí Briúin Seóla was a major part of the powerful Uí Briúin family. This family became very strong in Connacht by the 8th century. Urchadh mac Murchadh, a King of Maigh Seóla, lived in the 10th century. His daughter, Bé Binn inion Urchadh, became a princess. She married Cennétig mac Lorcáin and had a son named Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig. This son became a famous High King of Ireland, known as Brian Boru. Brian Boru helped unite Ireland under one native king.
Bé Binn's brother, Donnchadh mac Urchadh, became King of Maigh Seóla after their father. The Ó Flaithbertaigh family line can be traced back to Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin. He was a King of Connacht and half-brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
The First O'Flahertys with the Name
In Connacht, the first person to use the O'Flaherty name was Muireadhach ua Flaithbheartach. He was king of Maigh Seóla and died in 1034. He had three sons. From two of his sons, Ruaidhrí and Donagh, came the O'Flahertys of East and West Connemara.
Moving West: Exiled by Other Kings
In 1061, Rúaidhri Ua Flaithbheartaigh, who was King of Iar Connacht, died in battle. He was fighting against Aedh Ua Conchobhair. The O'Flaherty king was beheaded, and his head was taken to Cruachain in Connacht.
After this, the O'Flaherty family was forced to move into Iar Connacht. The Kings of Connacht took over their original homeland.
Later, Aedh Ua Flaithbheartaigh, another King of Iar Connacht, was killed in 1079. He was killed by Ruaidrí na Saide Buide, also known as Roderic O'Connor. In 1092, Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbheartaigh (Flaherty O'Flaherty) became King of Iar Connacht. He became King of Connacht by blinding King Ruaidrí. Flaithbertaigh was killed by Ruaidrí's sons in 1098.
Lords of Iar Connacht
The next King of Iar Connacht, Muireadhach Ua Flaithbheartaigh, who died in 1121, and his family stayed loyal to the O'Connor kings.
By the end of the 1200s, the O'Flaherty clan leaders became Lords of Iar Connacht. This land stretched from the west side of Lough Corrib to the Atlantic Ocean. In the 1230s, the Hiberno-Normans arrived and took over Galway. Irish people were not allowed inside the city walls.
In the 1500s, the O'Flahertys built a strong tower house called Aughnanure Castle. This castle was even shown on an Irish stamp. Today, it's a National Monument and a popular place for tourists to visit.
Motto and Coat of Arms
The O'Flaherty clan's motto is Fortuna Favet Fortibus. This means "Fortune Favours the Brave" in English. This saying might have come from an old Roman poem.
The O'Flaherty coat of arms shows two red lizards or dragons. They are standing up and facing each other. They support a red hand that is cut off at the wrist. Below them, there is a black boat with eight oars. The lizards or dragons are sometimes mistaken for lions. Often, a grey or green salamander is shown above the coat of arms on a helmet.
Famous O'Flahertys
Many people from the O'Flaherty family have become well-known. Here are a few:
- Muireadhach ua Flaithbheartach: An early King of Maigh Seóla, who died in 1034.
- Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbheartaigh: He was King of Connacht and died in 1098.
- Roderick O'Flaherty: A famous author and historian who lived until 1720.
- Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde: A very famous Irish writer and poet, known for his plays and stories.
- Liam O'Flaherty (Liam Ó Flaithearta): A well-known novelist and short story writer.
- Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty: He was known as The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican. He helped many people escape during World War II.
- Michael O'Flaherty: A human rights lawyer and director of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency.
- Joe Flaherty: An American actor.
- Robert J. Flaherty: A film director, known for his early documentary films.
See also
- Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada
- Mayors of Galway
- Toombeola
- Ó Laithbheartaigh
- Justice Flaherty (disambiguation)
