Brian Bán Mág Tighearnán facts for kids
Brian Bán Mág Tighearnán (also known as Brian Ban McKiernan) was an important leader of the McKiernan Clan in Tullyhunco, County Cavan, Ireland. He led his clan from 1588 until he passed away on September 4, 1622.
Becoming a Clan Leader
After the death of Fergal Mág Tighearnán the Third in 1588, Brian Mág Tighearnán became the new ceann fine. This old Irish term means 'head of the family' or 'clan leader'. He lived in a castle called Croghan UaCúbhrán, which was near the modern town of Killeshandra.
In 1595, a powerful Irish leader named Hugh Roe O'Donnell started a rebellion against the English rule in Ireland. O'Donnell's army marched through the country, causing a lot of trouble for English settlements. On their way back, they camped on the lands of the Mág Tighearnán clan in Tullyhunco.
The Annals of the Four Masters, which are like historical diaries from that time, describe what happened in 1595:
The son of the Prior O'Reilly was taken prisoner by others of the army. As much of the property of the country as they wished to have was collected and gathered, and brought to them from every quarter. They then proceeded with their preys and spoils and pitched their camp that night in Teallach-Dunchadha. On the next day they sent marauding parties to the monastery of Cavan, to see whether they could get an advantage of the English who were quartered in it; but as they did not find any of the English about the town, they carried off everything of value belonging to them to which they came. They marched that night to Teallach-Eachdhach, west of Bel-atha-Chonaill; and from thence they returned home, after the victory of expedition on that occasion.
This record shows that O'Donnell's forces were very active in the area.
On June 9, 1602, Queen Elizabeth I gave Brian Mág Tighearnán a special pardon. This meant he was forgiven for fighting against the Queen's army.
The Plantation of Ulster
The Plantation of Ulster was a big plan by the English and Scottish governments to settle new people in Ulster, a province in northern Ireland. King James VI and I was in charge of this plan.
On June 4, 1611, King James gave Brian McKiernan about 400 acres of land in Tullyhunco. This land included several modern-day areas like Clontygrigny, Cornacrum, Cornahaia, Derrinlester, Dring, Drumlarah, Ardlougher and Kiltynaskellan. As part of this agreement, Brian had to build a house on his new land.
A report from autumn 1611 by George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes noted that "McKyernan removed to his proportion and is about building a house." This shows he was following the rules of the land grant. Later, on March 23, 1615, Brian Mág Tighearnán leased some of these lands to James Craig.
His Family and Passing
An official record from King Charles I of England in Cavan Town on March 14, 1630, stated that Brian McKiernan died on September 4, 1622. His lands, which included areas like Clonkeen, Clontygrigny, Cornacrum, Derrinlester, Dring, Killygorman, Kiltynaskellan, and Mullaghdoo, Cavan, then went to his closest relatives. The most likely people to inherit his lands were Cahill, son of Owen McKiernan; Brian, son of Turlough McKiernan; and Farrell, son of Phelim McKiernan. All of them were over 21 years old and married.
