Fáilte
Welcome to all who are interested in the noble sept of O’Molloy and its ancient territory of Firceall, in modern County Offaly in the midlands of Ireland.
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The O’Molloy Clan Gathering 2008
We are calling all members and friends to come together once again to celebrate our heritage and forge and renew family links. A Clan Rally has been organized for 1st to 3rd August 2008, in Tullamore, Membership of the O’Molloy Association is open to anyone with family links or interest in the O’Molloy clan or its ancient Firceall itself is comprised of the ancient baronies of Ballycowan, Ballyboy and Eglish, and extends from Durrow north of Tullamore to Eglish on the edge of Birr in an area which is some 25 miles in length by 5 miles in width. A programme of events has been set out, which will include lectures by a guest speaker, and a tour of locations of particular connection to the O’Molloy clan. The weekend activities will conclude with a Chieftain’s Banquet in The Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.
The O’Molloys are descended from the famous Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland in the fifth century. Following the battle of Druim Deirg in the year 515, the descendants of Niall established control over extensive lands including Firceall, which stretched from north of Tullamore as far south as the edge of Birr. Ownership of these lands remained with the O’Molloy’s until the first half of the seventeenth century, when the area was subjected to the plantations of James I and Cromwell. Firceall means ‘Men of the Churches’, due to the great number of ancient churches in the area such as Durrow, Drumcullen, Killyon, Kilcormac, Lynally and Rathline. Firceall was comprised of the baronies of Eglish, Ballyboy and Ballycowan. Surrounded by strong warlike septs such as the O’Carroll’s of Ely, the MacCoughlan’s of Delvin Eathra and the O’Connor’s of Offaly, the O’Molloy territory was the scene of regular conflict over the centuries with neighbour and Crown forces alike. The ruins of a number of important castles are found here, such as Broughal, Eglish, Ballindown, Dowras, Le Porte near Whigsborough, Kiltubrid, Rathmackilduffe (Rath), Ballyboy, Derrydolny, Rathline, Rathrobin, Garbally, Cully, Killooly and Pallas. The O’Molloy Clan Association was formed in November 2004 with a view to promoting the O’Molloy name and the territory of Firceall. It is hoped to achieve this through holding Clan Rallies and by developing connections in Ireland and worldwide which will gather, conserve and share relevant historical and geneaological information. Variant spellings: O’Maolmhuaidh, Molloy, O’Molloye, O’Mulloye, Mulloy, Milloy, Meloy, O’Meloy, Maloy, Malloy, Miley, Millea, O’Molwye, vO’Molley. |
