Project News
The most significant recent news of interest to members of this Project came as a result of my own 37 Marker Y-DNA test (updated to 67 Markers + SNPs) revealed my R1b1b2 Haplotype sub-group as "Irish Type-III" a rather uncommon cluster found in a few families in the southwest of Ireland, particularly the area known as Thomond, or north Munster.
I subsequently determined that most of those surnames are identical to those found on my own pedigree, either as direct ancestors or related by marriage.
Further I found that the residences of families associated with my own from the 16th to 19th Centuries in west Clare are all within walking distance of one another, primarily within the Barony of Moyarta. The surnames include: O'BRIEN, CASEY, MacMAHON, MACNAMARA, CROWE, and BUTLER. The latter is a Norman surname introduced to Ireland in 1170 but there are historical reasons why a branch in Clare matches the "Irish Type-III" haplotype.
The descent of the O'CAHAN "Warrior Clan" is well documented as factual recorded history since its first appearance in the Annals of Ulster in 1138. I claim such a descent based on the only known documented and connected pedigree via an O'CAHAN (later Kean/Keane) who came from Ulster and settled in Co. Clare, Ireland about 1520. Based on that pedigree, confirmed by my own research spanning 30 years, supplemented by Y-DNA results, I am the current Chief of Clan O'Cahan (i.e., the "Warrior Clan IN Ulster", NOT "OF Ulster").
Of course, with a pedigree declaring descent from the chiefly line of the warrior dynasty my genealogical record had included the pre - 1138 now-discredited UiNEILL connection, traditionally as its senior cadet branch. My own Y-DNA type (See YSearch code YF4GY and FTDNA #10420)is thus far found in a group of families in Southwest Ireland and thus is NOT known to be of Ulster origin. In fact. it is closely allied genetically to families of Dalcassian lineage, i.e. the DalgCas tribal grouping from which descended High King Brian 'Boru' (killed 1014 at Clontarf). The O'Brien Royal House is headed today by Conor O'Brien, The O'Brien, 18th Baron Inchiquin, 10th Baronet of Leamaneh.
Based upon the results of the upgrade of my Y-DNA markers to 67, plus SNP testing, I conclude that my haplotype has been properly identified and is well within the parameters of other "Irish Type-III" testees. I also suspect that this type will shortly be found to represent the Dalcassian modal value.
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Some Q & A -:
I have received a number of questions over a period of time, some of which already have been answered on my old web site. I have however decided to answer them again in a single forum for the benefit of newcomers to this Project.
1. Do you support the claim to the chief of the name made by female claimants?
Absolutely not! There is no precedent in Irish Brehon/Successional law to support a succession to a chiefship by a female or through a female.
2. What is the oldest relic of 'Catháin' Y-DNA? Is there such a thing?
I'm not sure whether a physical "relic" such as a contemporary genealogy, book, weapon, portrait, etc. or a genetic "relic" is meant by this question. There are no ancient physical relics in my possession. I do possess the basic undifferenced Armorial Bearings of Clan O'Cahan IN Ulster - "Gules Three Salmon naiant in pale Argent" - confirmed by IGO in 1976, then with a difference. This is legally heritable property.
My Y-DNA Haplotype has been dubbed "Irish Type-III" and corresponds with a growing (yet still relatively small) group of Y-DNA testees with roots in Thomond. These include families such as CASEY, O'BRIEN, CROWE (McEnchruadh), MacMAHION, MACNAMARA, McGRATH, HOGAN, and one Anglo-Norman bearing the BUTLER surname - for the latter there are documented historical reasons why there was a surname change, most likely due to a marriage settlement upon marriage of an O'BRIEN male to a BUTLER heiress. There are very recent reports of a couple of FITZGERALDs having "Irish Type-III" Y-DNA patterns. My initial reaction is a 'Non Paternal Event' (NPE), perhaps a marriage settlement requiring change of surname, as may be the case with the Norman BUTLER example. Gaelic Irish families of "Irish Type-III" are generally believed to be Dalcassian, thus of the same tribe as Brian 'Boru'.
I should point out that not all of the many O'BRIENs tested are "Irish Type-III". Thus we are seeing multiple origins pointing to followers, adoptees, and other NPEs assuming the O'BRIEN surname. The conclusion must be that the non-Type-III people are not of the Dalcassian lineage. This is exactly what's being found among O'NEILLs and O'KANEs, etc. in Ulster and among KEANEs everywhere.
I have no close match YET to any KEANEs in Clare or Thomond, though my line was there from 1520 to the late 18th C. I do have a recent testee (KEAN) who appears to be of "Irish Type-III" Haplogroup, though of a GD suggesting a more distant origin than my own MRCA - very possibly a pre-surname family allied with Brian 'Boru', later assuming the surname KEAN, an anglicized version of "Ó Cathain."
I also have noted a CAIN of "Irish Type-III" whose ancestor came to the USA probably in the late 18th-early 19th Century, contemporary with the large Irish influx from Ulster, especially Co. Antrim. This would be an example of a surviving remnant of the "Warrior Clan" from Ulster, and further confirming the basic accuracy of the O'Lunnin MS pedigree and my own research.
These findings are consistent with my extensive pedigree of that time period which includes all collateral lines that could be discovered, and shows again a pattern of near extinction of the O'CAHANs in Clare due to their participation in every military action against the English from shortly after their return from Ulster, about 1520,
through the 18th C. In these activities they were usually in support of the O'Brien Princes of Thomond and their near relatives. They also married into those lines, as well as the MacMAHON chiefly family, the hereditary inaugurators of the O'BRIEN Chiefs. Curiously, one important role of the O'CAHAN Chiefs in Ulster was as hereditary co-Inaugurator (along with O'HAGAN) of the O'Neill Kings at Tullyhog, a Dalcassian Kingdom for a short time.
While I'm inclined to believe that King Brian was the "warrior" who founded the Ó Catháin line, this is not proven. He could be any of
King Brian's many close relatives, some of whom are not known to us, but I think it would have been presumptuous at an early date for a follower or collateral relative to choose CATHAIN as a surname if he were a lesser warrior and not a direct descendant. The fact that the Ó Catháin Chiefs were accepted as royal princes in Ulster also suggests that. In any event, LATER descendants of his 'derbhfine' as well as military followers probably would have chosen the same surname, including even conquered groups in Ulster who came under O'Neill control via the O'Cahans.
Thus, to answer this question directly, my own Y-DNA Haplotype is close to the Dalcassian Y-DNA "relic". I am a Genetic distance(GD) of only 5 from a CASEY, and I have a "CAHASEY" in my direct male line, said to be the progenitor of the Thomond CASEYs. I am also a GD of 5 to the Modal Haplotype for "Irish Type-III", which is included within the wider Haplotype R1b1c*. I have tested 67 markers with Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) and some other definitive SNP Markers with Ethnic Ancestry (EA). So for the actual "relic", the modal would be subject to some possible change as genetic technology evolves. As for age, my GD of 5 corresponds on a phylogenic tree (Wright-2007) to exactly 1000 AD, though the margin of error is uncertain at this time and could be +/- 100 years or so either way.
3. Are the Annals of Ulster (AU) corroborated by other texts?
The AU are corroborated by other Annals in many instances, but not always. The 'Annals of The Four Masters' (AFM) support many of the entries. Earlier entries prior to about the 11th Century may be suspect, not only due to deliberate falsification (for which the O'Neills and DalgCas were notorious - see Bryan Lacey -2006)) but also due to similar given names appearing in unrelated tribal groups at a time when surnames were not in use. DNA has certainly established that not all O'Neills are the "ruling" O'Neills. The traditionally-claimed Ó Catháin "warrior clan" descent from the latter is equally unlikely.
4. Are there texts for the southern Keane septs?
There are pedigrees such as those compiled by John O'Hart in the late 19th C. which may be unreliable and certainly are undocumented in many cases. He traveled Ireland gathering written and verbal information from members of many noteworthy families. I always include a caution when citing him, but in the case of the O'Cahans/Keanes of west Clare (the "warrior clan"), he was quite accurate as far as he went. I was able to document just about all of it with primary and secondary sources. Except for my own, there are no texts relating exclusively to southern Irish Keanes, but much good information can be gleaned from local histories. A very good source, if one has lots of time to wade through it, for west Cork and east Kerry families (the Slieve Lougher area, which figures in the 19th C. parts of my research) is the 20 volume work by Albert E, Casey, M.D., "O'Kief Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher & the Upper Blackwater". It contains 4 million records of all types and may be found in many larger city libraries in the US, and of course in Ireland and England. The LDS Church (Mormon) Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, has all volumes on microfilm, as well as the Index volume, and they can be viewed at local branch libraries. Bring your magnifying glass!
I know of no good sources for Galway Keanes, but more Y-DNA testing in this area is needed. Some short pedigrees might be gleaned from local history journals, articles, etc.
5. Are there name lists of Chiefs on-line?
Yes, but you're most likely to only find lists of the 21 or so previously recognized by the Chief Herald. Such lists cite much misinformation concerning the improper IGO "recognition", by primogeniture, of these Chiefs. Most of them have not changed much since the list I assisted Mr. C. Eugene Swezey, a local Massachusetts educator, in compiling back in the early 1970s. You also can find that list in Burke's "Irish Family Records" - American Ed. (1972). There are a number of completely valid Chiefships held by persons who wisely have not sought approval from the Chief Herald, including the two O'Neills. You should find the lists easily with a Google search. Keep in mind though, that in 1972 tanistic succession seemed to be practically unknown to the Chiefs who were then totally unorganized. Assuming "implied 'derbhfine' concurrence" and solid pedigrees, I would not question the validity of any of those 21 Chiefships, nor any of the others who have privately complied fully with the requirements of tanistic succession as anciently required under Brehon Law.
You will find in my articles the concepts of "private application of tanistry" and "implied 'derbfhine' concurrence" during times when Irish chiefships were unpopular in Ireland under English rule. Chiefly families naturally selected eldest sons as successors, so that the chiefly title and the entailed property (such as may have survived) would descend together. This would in fact be a valid tanistic nomination so long as the family did not formally subscribe to primogeniture as regards the chiefship.
5. How is derbhfine membership determined?
The traditional 'derbfhine' includes all male-line descendants of a common great-grandfather, i.e., extending to 2nd cousins. Anciently it's said to have been composed of nine of the worthiest and most capable men, physically and mentally fit, without serious blemish or injury. Each was considered "king material" ('righdamna') and they were empowered to select a new chief or king in the absence of a tanistic nomination by the lately deceased chief. There is much misunderstanding about this process. If there was a "tanistic nomination", the duty of the 'derbhfhine' was to acclaim the new chief as nominated by his predecessor. Under no circumstances was the entire clan convened to "elect" a new chief. Only in extreme cases of unsuitability could the 'derbfhine' intervene to remove a regnant chief. I can't offhand recall such a circumstance but it must have occurred, especially in cases of incompetence, serious disease, criminality, or combat injury which precluded making a tanistic nomination (i.e., brain damage).
6. Are there skills requirements for chiefship? Prohibitions, such as blemishes?
Yes. Suitability is probably next in importance to a connected and credible pedigree. Furthermore, as head of an important historical family he must be an honorable, dedicated person willing and able to undertake tasks of chiefship - which even in this day and age can be demanding, I can assure you! In ancient times honorable behavior obviously was set aside by some, as seen from the bloody O'Cahan succession feuds of the early 16th Century. Those who sided with the English in return for promised English titles or privileges ("surrender & re-grant") did not hesitate to murder their own close kin, usually 'derbfhine' members who stood in the way of their ambitions. Violence was a way of life in every Irish clan for as long as history records. Leadership qualities, military skills and the ability to communicate and inspire followers would have been high on the agenda. This is the likely reason for excluding those having seriously disfiguring "blemishes" or defects. A case of acne was not enough, though some try to claim such! Today criminality would of course exclude someone, and in many cases in olden times as well. Fratricide and regicide was a disqualification when Irish clans were operating within their own cultural standards, unswayed by foreign domination. A Bloskey O'Cahan killed his chief and his line was forever barred from the chiefship and had to assume a new name -: McCloskey (the C replacing the B for pronunciation).
7. Is there property involved? Do the noble Keanes have property? Castles?
I'm afraid not. In Ulster my line was nearly extinct by the late 1500s. Within a century they were considered trespassers within their own royal domains. There is a story (which I had posted on my earlier website) about Madam O'Cahan (widow of Sir Donnell 'Ballagh' O'Cahan, the last regularly inaugurated Chief, who died in the Tower of London in 1628) as an elderly woman taking refuge from the elements in the ruins of her late husband's castle, burning sticks to keep warm. One of the military strongholds of the O'Cahans was Dungiven (Glengiven) Castle, a strategic location in south Derry near the Antrim border. This was in the territory of the O'CEINs (an unrelated Ciannachta tribe, which the O'Cahans conquered relatively peacefully ca. 1130). I do understand that I retain fishing rights in the Rivers Bann, Foyle and Roe in Ulster! I haven’t yet tested it though.
In Clare my forebears did possess quite a lot of land but it was leased from the MacDonnell family. The Co. Clare MacDonnells "of Kilkee", a Protestant family, were a branch of the Baronets of Moye, Co. Antrim, related to both the O'Cahans and to 2nd Viscount Clare a/k/a Lord Clare (O'Brien). As Lord Clare's agent, they held all his leases after he was attainted for forming the Regiment of Clare and fighting on the side of James II. The O'Cahans (as they still were named then) were very much involved in all the rebellions. Several went into exile with Lord Clare after Aughrim and were killed fighting for France (Ramillies & Fontenoy). One descendant (my ancestor), in order to get some of the leases back about 1720, had to conform to the Protestant faith and anglicize his surname (thus I am today a KEANE, though the religious conversion only lasted about two generations). His descendant and heir left Ireland about 1800 to become a lace merchant in London, which I believe he financed by selling and/or leasing his property to a Protestant Keane cousin. He prospered in his business, though apparently doing a little dealing in contraband with his son, my great-great-grandfather in west Cork, and his brother, a disaffected Customs Officer (known locally as Ó Catháin), who had remained in Clare. What little money was left to them is probably what got my great-grandfather's family through the Famine years.
8. How are the southern and northern Keanes related?
Remember, there are multiple separate origins proven by DNA of people bearing the same name in Ulster (not usually Keane there, but O'Kane, etc.). The Dalcassian Ó Catháins are NOT related to those bearing variations of the surname today in Ulster. The Ó Catháin eponym, who MAY have been a descendant of Brian 'Boru', founded the "warrior clan" in Ulster, remaining there following Brian's death. At that point in time it could not have been a large clan in the usual sense, but rather a band of professional soldiers led possibly by only one Dalcassian officer appointed under the terms of Brian 'Boru's alliance with King Mael Sechnaill II (who d. 1022). Whoever he was (I have some ideas), his line remained in Ulster for perhaps 400-500 years as mercenary soldiers, the hereditary leader and Chief of which held princely rank under the O'Neills. This alone proves he was of royal origin to begin with. Between 1520 and 1706, I have documented on-going contact between the few O'Cahans ("Warrior Clan") remaining in Ulster and the Clare O'Cahans. They were of the same family, which is why Daniel O'Cahan either fled or was transported by the English to Clare ca. 1520 during the height of the succession feuds in Ulster. Daniel was a member of the chiefly 'derbhfhine' which was on the verge of being wiped out. He married Honora MacMahon, daughter of Tiege, The MacMahon, hereditary inaugurator of the O'Brien Chiefs and Princes. They knew exactly who he was. Equality of rank is evident and required at such a high level of Gaelic nobility.
9. If the southern are more numerous, is the northern paucity a result of lost wars? Is the northern nobility greater than the southern? Is this because of the successes of the O'Neill in later Medieval history, as the Dalcassians declined post-Boru?
I may not exactly understand this question. I have not yet found a single well-documented O'Kane, etc, from Ulster who matches the "Irish Type-III" Y-DNA pattern, though recently a CAIN of uncertain Irish origin has tested as "Irish Type-III". Nor have I found a well-documented Keane in Clare or anywhere else who matches it!
There are however several KEANE families of separate origins in Clare who likewise do not match one another. A couple show a likely Viking male-line pattern (but not 'matches'). I'm speculating these may have had ancestors who served in Brian 'Boru's army or navy and later assumed the surname. Again, the lack of matches is consistent with the documented pedigree information demonstrating near extinction of my line due mainly to military deaths over many centuries.
As stated, recent Type-III testees include the following:
"... I do have a recent testee (KEAN) who appears to be "Irish Type-III" Haplogroup, though of a GD suggesting a more distant origin than my own MRCA - very possibly a pre-surname family allied with Brian 'Boru' and which later assumed the surname KEAN, an anglicized version of "Ó Cathain." I do not know the last-known Irish county of origin of this family.
"I also have noted a CAIN (GD of 4) of "Irish Type-III" whose ancestor came to the USA probably in the late 18th-early 19th Century, contemporary with the large influx from Ulster, especially Co. Antrim. This would be an example of a surviving remnant of the "Warrior Clan" from Ulster, and further confirming the basic accuracy of the O'Lunnin MS pedigree and my own research."
The present-day families in Ulster who bear variations of the O'Cahan surname are thus far found to be unrelated to the "Warrior Clan". They are much more anciently embedded in the region where they are of indigenous origin, and thus much more numerous today. Probably the largest group are the likely Ciannachta from the Dungiven area whose ancestors probably were settled there about 500 AD by the UiNeill dynasty of Donegal. Some show Y-DNA patterns of UiNeill types, others of the so-called Northwest Irish type.
There is no difference between 'northern nobility' and 'southern nobility', so far as rank is concerned. The only "difference" is the locatiion, as nobiliary rank is well defined in ancient Irish law and usage. The Dalcassian origin seems vindicated by the Annals showing UiBrien 'ri'- or Kings - of Tullyhog, the Ulster inauguration center, as early as the 1080s. These were named Conchobar and Cennetig, great-grandsons of Brian 'Boru' (Jaski, 2000, Chart p. 311).
In Ulster the same "Warrior" O'Cahans were 'ri' (kings) or 'ur-ri' (sub-kings) under the Provincial King, O'Neill (and perhaps McLaughlin at some point as well). They held sway over much of Co. Derry. Their Chiefs bore the title of "king" in the Annals. They were also known as royal princes, holding the titles previously held by the defeated Ciannachta.
10. Do many clans claim Brian 'Boru' as oldest male ancestor, by some coded name like 'Warrior'?
Not that I recall, but several may well be descended from him. There are no connected, documented pedigrees to the present except my own and, of course, the various documented branches of the royal O'Briens themselves. Thomond CASEYs claim descent from a CAHASEY (CATHUSACH), who may well be the same person of that name appearing in my direct line (18th C. O'Lunnin MS). If so, then they would be direct descendants of Brian, probably double-descendants, if I'm correct in my deductions.
11. Does Brian 'Boru's usurpation of the High Kingship, delegitimize him in your eyes?
No, not in the least, though some McCarthys would disagree with me! He was a military and political genius, adept at negotiating when appropriate and doing battle when it was not. He knew how to wield his power to achieve mutually advantageous alliances such as that with Mael-Sechnaill II. He achieved the first actual High Kingship of Ireland, which required those talents, and he didn't hesitate to employ them effectively to achieve his goals. In the final analysis, his achievements by violence differed little except in magnitude and exceptional organization from other warlike kings in Ireland or elsewhere during that era, or earlier, when power beyond one's own clan or tribal group was usually achieved and retained by sword-right.
12. What is the relationship of your own work to modern remnant Gaelic culture today?
I have been a claimant to the Chiefship since 1984 and finally a declared Chief in 2005 after conforming to all criteria necessary for succession. My direct male-line descends from within the 'derbfhines' of all O'Cahan Chiefs between 1472 and 1598, and is thoroughly supported by all classes of available evidence. It has been independently verified by one of Ireland's most respected genealogists.
Since at least 1984 I have assisted persons of Irish ancestry in tracing their roots. I have taught Irish genealogical methodology at the college level. I served as Chairman of the Irish Genealogical Research Committee of The Augustan Society and Chairman Emeritus of that Committee and was appointed Honorary Fellow of The Augustan Society. I'm also Convener of 'The Ó Catháin Society', as well as Founder and Past-President of a local genealogical society.
As an American, aware of the religious strife that decimated my forebears, I can more appreciate the concept of separation of church and state embodied in the US Constitution, wherein it is simply stated "the government shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion". This does not mean it's illegal to display Santa's sleigh or Baby Jesus on government property, or to post the Ten Commandments in a court house. It is however illegal for a government to require membership in, or subordination to, any established church or religious dogma. I oppose any attempt by any government to intrude upon the personal pre-existing natural freedoms of any citizen (well enumerated in the US Bill of Rights - the first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution ). Thus I have been consistently opposed to the intrusion of the current Irish Government in matters of chiefly succession, which rest ultimately within individual families, subject to commonsense rules established many centuries ago. I support the Salic form of tanistic succession.
I fully support the preservation of the Irish language and Irish culture and continue to advance these goals whenever opportunities arise. To the extent my knowledge and abilities allow, I'm available to assist anyone having questions on these matters.
I hope to see the peaceful reunification of Ireland within my lifetime
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