The Surname Quinn A genealogical history of the various septs and branches of the ó Cuinn Seán E. Quinn Irish Genealogy Press 2000 Contents Chapter one Evolution of surnames in Ireland Chapter two Varieties and synonyms Chapter three Numbers and distribution Chapter four Muintir Iffernain Chapter five Muintir Giollgain Chapter six Cinel Eoghan Chapter One Evolution of Irish surnames# In early times when the population of Ireland was small scattered, one name generally sufficed to designate each individual, and one name as a rule is all that we find. A man was known as Art, or Conn or Niall and as long as there was no one else of the same name in the locality nothing more was required to complete the identification. Personal names were of course far more numerous than they are now, and surnames as we understand them were unknown. The Irish had from earliest times a well-established system of Clann names formed from the name of distinguished ancestors as: Uí Neill descendants of Niall of the Nine hostages in Meath and Ulidia; Uí Briuin descendants of his brother Brian in Connaught and Breifny; Eoghanacht descendants of Eoghann Mor; and Dal Cais descendants of Cormac Cas in Munster. The single name system, which was universal in the beginning after a time, broke down, with the growth of population, difficulties of identification arose, the single name was no longer sufficient to particularise the individual, with the result that a further distinction became necessary. From an early period we find that patronymic in use for that purpose, Irish patronymics were formed by prefixing Mac to the genitive case of the fathers name or Ua or O to that of the grandfather. The annals are full of such designations Surnames in the modern sense are the growth of the 10th. and three succeeding centuries, during that period the patronymic, which before was purely personal and changed with each generation gradually became fixed like the Clann names centuries before and began to assume the permanent and hereditary character of a family surname. The period at which this change began can only be determined approximately, out of the necessity of the time rather than as part of a settled policy or any prearranged plan. The 11th. and 12th. centuries must be assigned as the period within which the great bulk of Irish patronymics became fixed. The practice of forming surnames with Ua or O had almost certainly ceased before the coming of the Cambro-Normans, Mac surnames are generally speaking of a later date than O surnames and are not necessarily of Scottish origin. The future history of Irish surnames is scarred by the decline of Gaelic society and the English Conquest. In defiance of the Treaty of Limerick the Parliament of Ireland initiated the Penal Laws directed against the great majority of the Irish people, these had a devastating effect upon Irish culture and greatly affected the nomenclature of Irish surnames. Hence forward an O or a Mac to a persons name was no recommendation to the powers that they must have an English surname or at least an English version of their Irish surnames. Hence the almost wholesale rejection of the O and Mac during the period of slavery, ignorance and oppression through which Ireland passed during the century of the Penal Laws. To reduce one's name as much as possible to the level of English pronunciation to give it an English appearance to modify it in some way and to some degree was a condition of life for anyone who wished to better condition in life. Chapter Two Varieties and Synonymes of ó Cuinn In Ireland there is a great variation amongst surnames, Matheson# observed that the use of entirely different surnames interchangeably by the same person# prevails in Ireland to a great extent. Many variations are direct translations of Irish surnames into English or vica versa, while others are equivalents, modifications, or corruptions. In Ireland where English is in general the spoken language and Irish the native language this is to be expected. History has had a powerful effect in altering Irish surnames, this will be clear from later chapters. It is important to remember that less than a hundred years ago the majority of Irish people were illiterate. This meant that they could not spell their own names and when it came to the name being written down for some reason, it came to be given its form by a stranger. It was Government officials who wrote down people’s names, and these tended to be isolated by nationality, language, religion and politics from those whose names they would transcribe. The Anglicization of Gaelic names has given rise to much confusion. The expression of a name in a language other than the one in which it evolved is not entirely sensible. If Ireland had not been influenced so much by England, it would be the ó Cuinn that one would be writing about as gaelige. It should therefore be clear that “Quinn” is an anglicised corruption of the Gaelic surname “ó Cuinn”. Over a period of five hundred years one comes across Ua Cuinn, O'Coyne, O'Quyane, O'Quin, Quin and finally Quinn as well as other unmentionables. As Irish gradually was forced into the background the changing fashions of English spellings played havoc with Irish surnames. In the Calendar of State Papers for the period the sept is referred to as O'Quins, Quins, O'Quynnes one man is referred to as Neale O'Quyn, O'Quin, O'Quinn, O'Quyne, O'Quynn, O'Quynne, Quyn. With the submission of Hugh ó Neill in 1603 the Tudor conquest of Ireland was complete. The social and political system of Gaelic Ireland was gone; the traditional authority of the chief of the sept and the rights assured under the brehon law were replaced by the authority of the government in Dublin and the common law of England. This reflected itself in the fashion of changing Irish into English surnames, which continued all through the 17th Century until after the fall of Limerick in 1691. In defiance of the Treaty of Limerick the Parliament of Ireland initiated the Penal Laws directed against the great majority of the Irish people, these had a devastating effect upon Irish culture and greatly effected the nomenclature of Irish surnames. Hence forward an O or a Mac to a persons name was no recommendation to the powers that they must have an English surname or at least an English version of their Irish surnames. Hence the almost wholesale rejection of the O and Mac during the period of slavery, ignorance and oppression through which Ireland passed during the century of the Penal Laws. To reduce one's name as much as possible to the level of English pronunciation to give it an English appearance to modify it in some way and to some degree, was a condition of life for anyone who wished to better condition in life. In the State Papers for the mid 17th. Century the O' is dropped and the name is represented by Quin, Quiny, Quine, Quynne. Towards the end of the 17th. Century until the end of the 18th. Century, O'Quin is the most accepted form in the documents although other corruptions can still be found, though to a lesser extent than the immediately preceding period e.g. Quin, Quayne, O'Quyne. With the 19th Century the O came finally to be dropped in English, Quin# was now the most common form of the name but before the middle of the Century it had been surpassed by Quinn. From a look through Griffith's Land Valuation circa 1850's it is obvious that Quinn had surpassed Quin by at least two to one. The practise of adding the extra “n” continued right up to the turn of the Century. It is said that Protestants and the better off spell the name with one “n” and that Catholics and the less-well off spell the name with two “n”'s, if this is the case and there is some evidence that it is, then there is a historical explanation. As has already been noted the vast majority of the Irish people in the past were unable to read or write, but when a situation arose, where it was necessary for the surname to be written down, it was written down in a then modern form. On the other hand literate people were certainly not going to be told how to spell their own surname and would write it as their forebears had done with only one “n”. Ii is important if a person is tracing their ancestry to be aware of the different spellings of surnames. Matheson using information obtained from the census of 1890 was able to identify varieties in the spelling of surnames. In relation to Quinn these were: Cunnea in Carrick and Glennamaddy, Glenties, County Donegal; Cunny in Aclare, Tobercurry, County Sligo; Queen in Molahiffe, County Monaghan; Quenn in Armagh; Whin in Kilkeel, County Down Whinn in Rostrevor, Kilkeel, County Down. Changes in the spelling of the surname does not end with the adding on of an extra “n”, since the establishment of Saorstat Eireann (the Irish Free State) in 1922 many have changed their name back to the Gaelic ó Cuinn both in the North and the South. This because of both an awareness of the correct form of the surname and also because Gaelic has become more acceptable indeed more fashionable. Whilst in the past English has caused confusion in Irish surnames, at the present time Gaelic adds to the confusion. The established and historic form of the surname is Ó Cuinn, however modern Irish# suggests that this should be ó Coinne in Ulster and ó Coinn elsewhere and even MacCoinn in parts of Munster. The authors preference is ó Cuinn. Chapter Three Numbers and distribution of Surname It was estimated by Robert E. Matheson# that in 1890 that there were 18,200 persons in Ireland bearing the surname Quinn and that it was the 19th most common surname ( 1st. Murphy (62,600), 2nd. Kelly (55,900), 3rd. Sullivan (43,600)). The population in 1890 was estimated to be 4,717959 persons. At the present time the number of Quinn’s in the population is probably around 17,000, amongst the descendants of Irish emigrants abroad in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the Continent the bearers of the name could run into 50,000 or more. These Quinn’s are not all of the same sept# nor are they related to one another. This is not readily understood both in Ireland and abroad. The bearers of the surname are composed of eight or nine different septs or branches that are distinct and not immediately connected to one another. In Gaelic the name is O'Cuinn that is “descendants of Conn”, in the period before the general adoption of surnames Conn was a very common personal name moreso than it is to-day, so naturally there would be a large number of people who came to be descendants of a Conn. The surname is to be found in every county in Ireland. The counties in which the surname is most commonly found are Tyrone, Donegal, Antrim, Leitrim, Longford, Clare and Limerick and the cities of Galway and Dublin. It is the most common name in County Tyrone. These are the same area's in which during the 11th. and 12th. centuries the descendants of a Conn took upon themselves their forebears name and began to map out for themselves a territory in which to live. With all the turbulence of Irish history it is most significant that the Irish septs still inhabit these same areas. Distribution of surnames In the following table, will be found the surnames in Ireland represented by five entries and upwards in the birth index for 1890. The principal surnames for each registration county is listed. The surnames are listed in order of the numerical strength in which they occur. The figure after the surname is the number of entries in the birth index for 1890. Longford : Reilly 78, Farrell 36, Kiernan 24, Kelly 23, Donohoe 19, Murphy 14, Brady 13, Quinn 12, Smith 12. Armagh : Murphy 50, Hughes 47, Wilson 45, Campbell 42, O'Hare 37, Smith 31, McCann 29, Donnelly 28, Watson 28, Quinn 26, Johnston 25, Kelly 25, Thompson 23. Monaghan : Duffy 38, Connolly 36, McMahon 33, M'Kenna 32,Hughes 25, Murphy 24, McCabe 22, Martin 19, Smith 19, Keily 18, Quinn 18, Maguire 17, Murphy 17, Woods 14. Tyrone : Quinn 40, Mullan 39, Kelly 38, Donnelly 34, Gallagher 34, McKenna 33, Campbell 32, Hughes 31, Wilson 30, McLaughlin 29, O'Neill 29, Doherty 27, Smith 25, Hamilton 23. Roscommon : Kelly 68, McDermott 45, Beirne 38, Regan 35, Flanagan 32, Connor 30, McDonagh 26, Quinn 25, Murray 24, Brennan 22, Higgins 22, Towey 22, Kenny 21, Flynn 20. Distribution of surname Quinn by barony The Index is a list of surnames of all the persons given in Griffiths Poor Law Valuation and in the Tithe Appoletement Books, during the period 1824 - 60 In the case of the Primary Valuation each occurrence of a name (where the person is shown as the occupier of a house) is recorded in order to establish the number of householders in a parish or barony of a particular name. The number is illustrated by the figure G in the index. In the case of the Tithe Applotment Books only the occurrence of a name in a given parish is recorded the letter T indicating that the name occurs at least once in a parish in question. The future history of Irish surnames is scarred by the decline of Gaelic society and the English Conquest. With the submission of Hugh ó Neill in 1603 the Tudor conquest of Ireland was complete. The social and political system of Gaelic Ireland was gone; the traditional authority of the chief of the sept and the rights assured under the brehon law were replaced by the authority of the government in Dublin and the common law of England. This reflected itself in the fashion of changing Irish into English surnames, which continued all through the 17th Century until after the fall of Limerick in 1691. In defiance of the Treaty of Limerick the Parliament of Ireland initiated the Penal Laws directed against the great majority of the Irish people, these had a devastating effect upon Irish culture and greatly effected the nomenclature of Irish surnames. Hence forward an O or a Mac to a persons name was no recommendation to the powers that they must have an English surname or at least an English version of their Irish surnames. Hence the almost wholesale rejection of the O and Mac during the period of slavery, ignorance and oppression through which Ireland passed during the century of the Penal Laws. To reduce one's name as much as possible to the level of English pronunciation to give it an English appearance to modify it in some way and to some degree, was a condition of life for anyone who wished to better condition in life. Distribution of surname Quinn by barony The Index is a list of surnames of all the persons given in Griffiths Poor Law Valuation and in the Tithe Appoletement Books, during the period 1824 - 60 In the case of the Primary Valuation each occurrence of a name (where the person is shown as the occupier of a house) is recorded in order to establish the number of householders in a parish or barony of a particular name. The number is illustrated by the figure G in the index. In the case of the Tithe Applotment Books only the occurrence of a name in a given parish is recorded the letter T indicating that the name occurs at least once in a parish in question. Chapter Four ó Cuinn sept of Muintir Ifferain This Sept of of the ó Quinn's were of the Tribe of Ir son of Milesius, they were descendants of Cas who was ancestor of the Dalcassians Septs of Munster. They originally inhabited Thomond, which comprised the present Countries of Clare and Limerick, they later spread as far south as the Tipperary Waterford border. Iffernain was the ancestor of the ó Quinn's, Muintir Iffernain directly translated from the Irish means "The People of Hell". ó Heerin in his Topographical poems written in the fifteenth century mentions the ó Quinn's " The honest hearted ó Quin, is Lord of Muintir Iffernain, the fruitful estate of the comely youth, lies around Coradh-Finne of Festivities" Muintir Iffernain was co-extensive with the Parish of Kilnaboy (Killinaboy) in the Barony of inchiquin and derived its name from a ford on the small river which connects Lough Tadena with Lough Inchiquin, the townland of Conhad formerly part of Kilnaboy had a pillar stone standing on it which was exactly the height of Teige ó Quinn from which circumstances both Teige and the townland took their name, the former being called Teige a Comhfhaid (Teige of equal length) and the stone itself got the name Comhfad which transferred itself to the townland. Killinaboy got it's name from the Church of the daughter of Boath Bactius (Cill INGHINE Baoith) most of which is no older than the fourteenth century except the west gable which is possibly older than the eleventh century, it was battered down by Cromwell but rebuilt by ó Brien of Inchiquin. It is also said that there is a secular low archway of cut stone in the north wall at the ground near the east gable which tradition says was the entrance to the family sepulchral vault of the ó Quinn's which was inside but of which no vestige remains. The following is quoted from ó Donovan writing in the 1830's this might be taken as an explanation as to how the Lake Inchiquin got its name and also such legends were often made up to explain happenings the reasons for which had been forgotten. " Tradition has it that Conor ó Quinn of Inchiquin had one day observed a beautiful lady on the southern brink of the lake, at a place called Dunan Ui-Cuinn in the act of coming her hair and been smitten with her beauty, he made his way around from his own side of the lake to where he saw her, but when he arrived there she had disappeared. He went back disappointed and watched the next day for her reappearance which happened at the same time as the day before, on which he made his way around toward her but when he approached the place, she was again vanished from his view. He then resolved not to be foiled a third time, and taking his station the morning behind a clump of trees near the spot where she had appeared. He had not long to wait before she appeared he saw her coming up out of the lake and throwing of a dark hood that covered her upper part. She commenced immediately coming her hair ó Quinn taking advantage of her long flowing hair covering her eyes for a moment made a spring and caught her in his arms, without even saying your servant madam or any other decent introduction. Upon which she turned about at him laughing asked him what he wanted with her, he said to make her his wife; she at once agreed and giving him her hand to keep went over to his castle with him where they lived happily for three years. In the meantime the ó Brien's of Leineneagh and the other chiefs of the country proposed to hold a tournament and race a Comhad, upon which ó Quinn's wife begged him when he would go to the assembly neither to invite or reject the invitation of anybody at the assembly to a feast. He promised to comply with her request, but forgot to promise for he invited ó Brien who came with all his retinue to dine with him that evening. The lady had a plentiful and sumptuous ready which when she served up she left the company to enjoy and taking her hand rushed out and plunged in the Lake and was never seen afterwards. ó Brien had the good fortune to win the formers patrimony and obliging him to quit his castle allowed him to build a place a little to the north west now called by some de Clare's ruins by others ó Quinn's." According to An Leabhair Muineach the following is the pedigree of the ó Cuinn of Cloinne Iffearnain. Cas Aonghusa Cinn Aitinn Conaill Colmain Geimhdhealaigh Uilin Cuirc IFFEARNAIN Faolchadha Coinliogain Sidoa Donnchadha CUINN Neill Feidhliochaid Cuirc Donnehadha Giolla Donnchadha Thomas Domhnaill Thomas The first mention of an ó Cuinn in Thomond in the Annals is Niall ó Cuinn who was killed at the battle of Clontarf on 1014 he was a special body guard to Brian Boru, in the parish of Rath there is a town called Cuirt Bhoch Neill which is said to be called after this Neill. But was a member of the Muintir Iffernain or had they come into existence at all by this stage that had the name. Our first specific mention therefore is in 1170 Diarmuid Ua Cuinn chief of Clann Iffernain was slain by the Cinel Aedha of Echighe ( Shaughnessys and their correlatives) from the Barnoy of Kiltartan in Co. Galway. In 1188 Edwina daughter of ó Cuinn who was Queen of Munster died, that the Sept were intermarrying with royal patronages is an indication of the power which they wielded in this period. In 1197 according to the Annals of Inishfallen Conchobor Ruad Ua Brien turned against his brother Donnchad Cairpreach and brought foreigners into Thomond, they plundered both Church and Lay people including Cu Meda, Mac Con Mor, Conchobar Ua Cuinn. The ó Quinn's became a very powerful clan in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries founded and endowed monastic houses but were eventually driven out of Clare and were almost destroyed by the ó Briens in the fourteenth century when that family became supreme in Thomond after the Battle of Dysert ó Dea in 1318 where they through the English out of Thomond having got rid of the Normans forever. They pushed all the remaining Gaelic septs southwards and eastwards into Limerick and Tipperary. There is no further mention of the Sept in the Annals but a manuscript believed to be written in the fifteenth century and later incorporated in the Book of Lismore states that Tuath ó Cuscroidh in the extreme northeast of the Rochr territory was divided into the Liagan Uancah out of which are the Hi Ithfearnain and Loch arda ó Cillin out of which are the Hi Cuind (the church of this tuath was Ahacross). It is curious to find the Quinns and the Heffernans to whom they had close ties still together so far from Muintir Iffernain, the later distribution of the sept bears it out that such a movement must have taken place during this period. Nothing further is mentioned of this sept of the ó Cuinn's in the Annals, so this period we must rely on the English sources. On June 15 during the Desmond Rebellion a motoricial instrument certifying the public submission of James Earl of Desmond was signed by the archbishop of Cashel and John Quinn Bishop of Limerick, he was from Kilmalock and would seem was loyal to King Henry VIII of England when St. Leger introduced the new service book and was one of the five that supported the suppression of the monasteries in 1540. Blindness forced his retirement he was a member of a family of Quinn's that have a long history to the English cause in Ireland, this family were descendants of the chiefs of the Quinn's although they often claimed so the sept must have held land in the Barony of Inchiquin till a very late period for from the Inchiquin Manuscripts for the first of May 1644 we have "Acknowledgement by Conor Clanchy of having given to Conor ó Brien of Limerick esq. his full interest and title in Roghanbey, Roghanosmore, Teascagh and Cagganridge and all other lands descended unto me by way of purchase or otherwise from the sept of the Quinn's and from their father" The Civil Survey gives a James ó Quinn as a Proprietor in 1640 in the Barony of Arra and Owney in south Tipperary. In the Census of Ireland 1659 their is a wide distribution of Quinn's in western Munster with 10 in the Barony of Inchiquin, 19 in the Baronies of Arra and Owney and also 10 in the Barony of Decies in County Waterford. The lists of fortified properties in this period also reflect this distribution. Chapter Five ó Cuinn sept of Muintir Giollgain This Sept of the O'Cuinn's were of the Tribe of Ir, son of Milesius (according to the synthetic historians). They were descendants of Conmac who gave his name to Conmacne a powerful kingdom part of the overkingdom of North Leinster. He lived in the first or second Centuries B.C. They were of the same stock as Anghaile who lived in the ninth Century a powerful prince who gave his name to that part of Conmacne from Drumrany in Westmeath to Mohill in Leitrim including the whole of County Longford. After the submission of the Kings of Ireland to Henry II in 1176 the title Kings of Conmacne was changed to Lords of Annaly. The ó Cuinn were vassels of the O'Farrell who were Lords of Annaly and who had their Fortress at Longphort. The Pedigree of the ó Cuinn Croman Eimhin GIOLLAGAN Segannon Gormgal CONN Searragh Aodh ó Cuinn First assumed name Donagh c. 1170 Teige Sitric slain 1181 Amhailgadh slew Rory O'Farrell in 1200 Gormgal taken prisoner 1199, founded abbey 1205 Dermod died 1255 Giolla-na-Naomh died 1265 Gormgal Cuchonacht died 1341 Cathal died 1355 Cairbre Feidlim died 1414 Giollaghan was the eponymous ancestor and gave his name to the Sept and the Territory which they occupied. Giolla means Minister, Servant, Page. The O'Cuinn's were Chiefs of the Country denominated Muintir Giollgain, But where was Muintir Giollgain? This is a matter of dispute, some authorities say Armagh, Moydow and Schrule and others Ratchline in the South. But it can be ascertained that in the earlier period they were a powerful Sept and occupied the area around Rathline and had a Fortress there, in the Fifteenth Century they would seem to have moved north and their power declined. Muintir Giollgain if at first denominated the name of their territory was certainly later more important as the Sept's tribe name. The Annals contain more references to the O'Cuinn's of Muintir Giollaghan than any other Sept of the O'Cuinn's. The first reference that can be taken as referring to the O'Cuinn's in Annaly is in 1050, they are not yet referred to as the Muintir Giollaghan, there is mention of a Fegartach who was probably Chief. In 1071 (M) it is recorded that Finnachta son of Eigneachan Ua Cuinn and Donn son of Fogartach UaCuinn (above mentioned) were killed most treacherously by the Connaughtmen. Many members of this Sept or of the Muintir Iffernain or of smaller families of the name concentrated on pursuits other than warfare. In 1079 (M) is recorded the death of Maelchiarain who was reputed to be the glory of Cluan Mac Noise in his time. In 1095 (M) Augustin Chief Brehon (Judge) of Leinster died of the pestilence, In 1079 (M) Maelcor UaCuinn died. In 1103 (M) Cormac described as prosperous and affulent died. In 1134 (M) Cormac Ua Cuinn lost two sons from natural causes, Ceileachair in September and Maelclarain at Christmas. In 1140 Fogartach was Chief when Annaly was dragged into the wars of Tighearnan O'Rourke Lord of Brefny, by this time Annaly had become separated from Meath and more under Connaught and Brefiny influence. In 1156 (M) Tighearnan UaRuairc was defeated in battle by Diarmuid MacMurchadha King of Leinster at the Battle of Cuasan at Lis Luigdhi in Laeghaire many were slain including Fegartach Ua Cuinn who was on the side of O'Rourke. In 1168 (M) Dubhchabhlaigh daughter of the Chief of the ó Cuinn and wife of MacCarrghamhra died at Druim creaigh (Drumeree, a townland in the Parish of Killcunny, Barony of Devlin) after the victory of Atha an chomair (Devlin, County Westmeath) over the people of Lune (Co. Meath). When Diarmuid MacMurchadha brought over Cambro-Normans to help him in his fight against O'Connor and O'Rourke, the O'Cuinn's helped O'Rourke in 1171 (M) when an army of Breifne and Airghialla was lead by Tighearnan UaRuairc to Atha Cliath they made battle with Myles DeCogan and his Knights in which the men of Brefiny and Annaly were defeated many were slain including the grandson of Diarmuid Ua Cuinn. In 1172 Hugh De Lacy and dissident, O'Rourkes slew O'Rourke near Athboy, De Lacy was granted Meath by King Henry and divided it into 18 Baronies as far as Granard. Donnell O'Farrell Lord of Annaly was also slain by the English and the sons of Aonadh O'Rourke and the English plundered the inhabitants of Annaly and Muintir Giollgain. The O'Cuinn's spent much of their time feuding with the O'Farrell's and amongst themselves. From this period onwards the Sept is referred to as the ó Cuinn of Muintir Giollgain, in this period it became important to distinguish them from the other Sept's who were now numerous. Amlainn chief of the Muintir Giollgain died in 1174 and was succeeded by Sitric who in 1181 was slain by Aodh O'Farrell. In 1196 (M) the sons of Sitric had their revenge and slew Aodh most treacherously who had been expelled by his people. But the attention of the O'Cuinn's was diverted towards the Foreigners in the next few years In 1199 (LC) Gormghal ó Cuinn chief of Muinter Gillgain was taken prisoner by the English and his people were reduced to great distress from want of food and clothing after being plundered. (But Gormgall was freed and must have restored his people's wealth, for in 1205 he founded a monastery at Abbeyderg which was about two miles from the village of Kenagh it was known as the Red Monastery). From the west also came trouble Aodh O'Cuinn and the sons of Aodh na-namus and more of Conmacne were slain by the mercenaries of Connaught. In 1200 (LC) a great depression was lead by Cathal Crobhderg and the Connaughtmen to the west of Meath, on their way back they came safely past the Brurghin where they separated but the English of Westmeath had followed them and Amhlaidh O'Cuinn of the Muinter Gillgain slew Ruaidhri O'Thaithbhertaigh King of the West of Connaught, this would indicate that there was no qualms on the part of the O'Cuinn's as to who they sided in order to be revenged upon their enemies. When the external threat recided the Sept began to fight among itself, in 1234 Dermod the Chief was slain in a domestic feud. The ó Farrell's at this time were also fighting amongst themselves. In 1231 (M) Duvtowragh daughter of ó Cuinn and wife of ó Flathartach died. The Lord of Annaly in 1232 being burned by some of his kinsmen on an island but the ó Farrells were reunited under the strong leadership of Giolla-na-Naomh. In 1255 (M) he inflicted a severe defeat on the ó Cuinn's thus destroying any aspirations they might have had to the Lordship of Annaly, Dermod Chief of Muintir Gioblgain, Auliffe his son with many other important men were slain and afterwards their territory was pillaged, the battle took place at Tanaddhan, Moighe Treagha (Moytra Barony in Co. Longford) at Fanney Hoogan about three miles from Newtownforbes and less than a mile from the town of Longford. But in 1262 the ó Farrells themselves were thrown into disorder when the English sponsored a rival claimant to their Chieftainship by the end of it is recorded that many evils, depredations, aggressions, splashiness and slaughters had been committed. In 1265 Giolla-na-Naomh Chief of Muintir Giollgain died. In 1278 (M) Bishop of Clonmacnoise died. An incident occurred at this time although we cannot be certain about the exact date but it ought to be mentioned, a feud broke out between the McCormacks of Baael-na-Cormack and the ó Cuinns who at this time lived in Ratchline and were a powerful Sept. The McCormack's expected the ó Farrell Buidhe of Longford to help them but in this they were disappointed. The McCormacks accepted their fate and retired to the hill beside the present graveyard of Ballymaccormack where they took up their positions immediately behind the church. The ó Cuinn's had encamped at Killashee, they now took the offensive attacked the McCormacks and defeated them. They sacked and burned the church at Ballymaccormack and having fired the haggards and homes of their enemies they retired to their own country in Ratchline, this episode casts much light on Irish society in those times. Annaly was never greatly influenced by the Normans English settlements only grew up in Western Meath. The later half of the 13th century saw a regrouping of the Irish against the English and Annaly was not unaffected by this, the early 1300's saw the Bruce Invasion, Meath was invaded in 1315. In 1316 a Battle was fought at Athenry where the English of West Connaught defeated the Irish whose forces included men of Annaly, two years later Edward Bruce was killed by the English whose death was welcomed amongst the Irish as he was the cause of much suffering English influences after this retreated to the Pale. In the 1320's there was much confusion in Annaly with a feud amongst the ó Farrells. In 1330 Lochsendy was annexed to Trim. 1341 (M) Cuconnaught ó Cuinn Chief of Muintir Gillagan (Ardagh, Moydow and Shrule) died In 1355 (M) the ó Cuinn's were again interfered with by the ó Farrells (sections) of them at least). Cathal ó Cuinn chief of Muintir Giollgain and five others of his Sept were slain by the Clann Shane and the Clann Hugh (Barony of Longford adjoining the district of Magh Treagh) this must have blew over without retaliation from the ó Cuinn's all that is heard next is that Cairpre chief of Muintir Giollgain died in 1362. Shortly after this the English of Meath were back againn in 1373 Annaly was invaded by them, these wars were not ones of conquest but more along the lines of the Irish cattle raiding and the descendants of the English settlers cannot be properly described as English as they were now more Irish than the Irish themselves. Nevertheless in 1376 a mini war ensued, a general muster of the English of Meath, Ulster and Leinster proceeded into Annaly and treacherous depredations were committed by them. Afterwards ó Farrell with all his forces this would have included the ó Cuinn's who would have united against the common enemy, invaded by turn the English of Ulster, Leinster and Meath this is a classic tail of the Irish cattle raids. The defences of Annaly were strengthened in the following year when a castle was erected by John ó Farrell at Lis and Abhlu. In 1381 (M) Owen ó Cuinn chief of Muintir Giollgain died. In 1393 the English of Meath and Barony of Devlin slew the newly inaugurated chief of the ó Farrells and at the same time the ó Neill extended his influences into Annaly. In 1405 CuChonnacht chief of Muintir Giollgain died and was succeeded by Feidlim who was on his death In 1414 (C) Feidhlim ó Cuinn champion of all Ireland for joviality and good fellowship and chieftain for nine years of the Muinter Gillgain died at the end of the first month of spring in his own house at Brenad, after a victory of repentance, and was buried at Abbeyderg. In 1403 the ó Cuinn's along with the ó Farrell submitted to Owen ó Neill. From this time onwards the ó Cuinn's must have faded into insignificance as there is no further mention of them specifically in the Annals. In 1445 the feuding amongst the ó Farrells came to a head when they divided in two and Annaly was destroyed until peace was declared between them. In 1452 the ó Farrells had to submit to the Earl of Ormond and in the 1490's it is again recorded that they were feuding. This threatened the independence of Annaly and the ó Farrell Boy in the South and West became anglicised and the ó Farrel Bane remained Gaelic occupying the North and East and were later to support ó Neill. ó Cuinn by this time had moved to these parts. Annaly was invaded by Brian ó Rourke of Brefiny in the same year under the Composition of Connaught Annaly was shired by Elizabeth and formed into the County Longford. In 1589 we learn from the English State Papers that Fergus ó Farrell had sent a harp with Richard O'Quinn a priest as a token to the Spanish ambassador who had been received by O'Rourke . This was considered a treasonable act and reported to London in this period the ó Cuinn's would have been no more than a minor Sept the fact that an ó Cuinn was a messenger of the ó Farrells was an example of this. After the Nine Years War (1594 - 1603), the defeat of ó Neill, ó Donnell and the Gaelic Lords of Ireland went into its final decline. At first Longford was not interfered with indeed the ó Farrells and their kinder Septs were regarded favourably by King James and Chichester the Lord Depudy. In 1611 through The Statute of Absentees it was noted that most of the land in County Longford had passed to the King, but any immediate plans were royally opposed. Four years later Chichester had changed his mind for some reason and the Longford Septs were relegated to the status of mere Irish and through the authenticity of the royal title plans were drawn up for a Plantation in 1620 one quarter of the Irish land was taken and planted. The rest of the land was distributed amongst the Gaelic Septs. There was a very small assignment to the Quinn's - Brian 115 acres, John 60 acres, Robert and Phelen 100 acres, the vast majority of the ó Cuinn's Sept would have remained on the land of their ancestors as labourers working for the new owners, or for their kinsman who now accepted their land under English Law. With the Rising of 1641 the Septs of Longford rose in support of the North and in the Confederate wars which followed the Castle at Ratchline which had been destroyed by a Parliamentary army, this destruction of the Castle was symbolic in that the one time powerfully organized Sept of the ó Cuinns was gone forever. Under the Cromwellian Settlement Longford was taken for the 1649 arrears in 1654. In 1656 amongst the forfeited properties are a Quin from Lisdrinagh in the Barony of Ardagh and Edmund and John Quin in the Barony of Schrule. In the Census of Ireland 1659 there are 13 Quinns recorded in Shrowell and 4 in the Barony of Longford. Under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation in the first years of the reign of Charles I a few Quinns were rewarded for their fidelity to the crown during the fight against the parliament by the restoration of their lands to them. With the Jacobite Wars 1685 - 88 and the defeat of the Irish there was again deposition of the land owning Quinn's. The eighteenth century was dominated by the penal legislation against the Irish People; and it was not until the early nineteenth century that the people began to recover from their harshness only to suffer under the Great Famine. From an examination of Griffiths Land Valuation c. 1850's the Quinn's are spread throughout Longford, with a strong concentration in the Barony of Longford and also in southern Leitrim. The pattern of distribution of the Quinns has remained relatively unchanged since then, like most Gaelic Septs the Cuinns remained in or around the area which had been occupied by their ancestors as far back as the twelfth century. The confusion of Irish History, the spoilation that was wrecked in the Country is adequately reflected in the story of the ó Cuinn of Muintir Giollgain. O'CUINN SEPTS OF THE CINEL EOGHAN The Ui Neill septs were of the Tribe of Heremon son of Milesious, of the three sons of Niall that went into the North West Ulster the descendants of Eoghann were the most influential in Irish History. At first the Cinel Eoghann merely occupied the rugged Inishowen peninsula with its capital at Aileach but in time they expanded Eastwards and Southwards. In the time of Tirechan their territory comprised the Raphoe district, the plain to the East of the Foyle Estuary, the valley of the Faughan and Bodoney in Co. Tyrone. In the 6th and 7th Centuries they extended rapidly and encroached steadlty lands in Derry and Tyrone held by the Airgialla people this was reinforced by the Battle of Leth Cam in 827 after this victory the Cinel Eoghann began to dominate Armagh the ancient capital of Ulster. As a result of hostility from the Cinel Conaill the overkings of the Cinel Eoghann exercised no effective authority over Donegal with the exception of Inchowen and the Lagan Valley to the south of it. By the begining of the 10th Century they ruled over a much extended kingdom which included Derry, Tyrone, Northern Fermanagh (Barony of Magheraboy and Long) in addition they exercised suzerainty over the remaining Airgialla Kingdom in Armagh, Louth, Monaghan, and Southern Fermanagh. At the time of the Norman Invasion the most important native stage in the North was that of the Cinel Eoghann extending form Malin Head to the Blackwater near Armagh. In the 12th and 13th Centuries the Kingship of the Cinel Eoghann was being disputed between the families of McLaughlin - who had held it most of the preceeding Century and a half - and O'Neill, things were finally decided by an O'Neill victory in 1241 and this was followed by the total dissappearance of the McLaughlin's as a political force. The replacement of the McLaughlin's by the O'Neill's led to a permanent shift in the location of power within Tir Eoghann, for while the power of the McLaughlin's seemed to have centered on the Strabane area, that of the O'Neills was based in the South-East of Tyrone in the Region where in the 15th and 16th centuries their chief Castle at Dungannon was to be situated. This shift opened the way for the penetration of Inishowen and the North-West by their neighbours of Tirconnell. It is into this brief resume of the expansion of the Cinel Eoghann that the emergence of their various sept's must be seen. In Tyrone to-day and the outlying areas that were part of ancient Tir Eoghann, their are more Quinn's than in any other part of Ireland and possibely the World, indeed it is the most common name in County Tyrone. While it can be said that all these Quinn's are decendant of the clann Eoghann, they are not all of the same Sept. There are at least three distinct Septs of the Northern Quinn's, now to try and identify these: * The most numerous sept was that which inhabited the Barony of Loughlinsholin during the 16th and 17th centuries. * In this same period there was also a Sept of the Quinn's in the Barony of Strabane who seem to be descendants of the O'cuinn's of Magh Iotha mentioned in the topographical poems of the 13th century. *Also in Elizabethan times among the chief Septs that inhabited North Clannaboy were a Sept of the O'Quinn's. There are also possibility other Septs contributing to the confusion of the name in this area. * There is some evidence to suggest that the O'Coinne of Ulidia inhabithing an area in county Down had their name anglicised as Quinn rather than Kenny, some suggest that these later moved westwards. QUINN SEPT OF LOUGHINSHOLIN The earliest reference in the Annals to the tir Eoghann Quinn's is in 1219 Murtogh O'Flynn Lord of Hy Tuirte (in Co. Antrim) and Congalagh O'Cuinn Chief of Moy Lughad and of all Siol Cathasaigh (according to the book of Lecan and Ballymote Siol Cathasaigh lay in Keenagh of Glengiven in County Derry) and tower of valor, hopitality and renown of the North of Ireland was slain by the English on the same day. It would appear that he was the ancestor of the Loughinsholin Sept and also of Sept in Clannaboy. His death at the hands of the English of Ulidia reflects an ambition of the Ui Neill sept's inhabiting southern County Derry to cross the Bann and conquer De Courcey's territory. This they achieved in the 14th century. The Loughinsholin Sept occupied a powerful position in respect of the O'Neill's, not only were they the hereditary physicans along with the O'Mellons, but they also appear to have been the foster parents of the sons of the O'Neill's. But where was this territory they occupied? Loughinsholin as defined by the Goverment in 1591 comprised of Glenconkeyne, Killetra and Clandonnell and other districts, the inhabitants O'Neill's, McShane's, O'Hagan's, Mulhollands, O'Quinn's, Clandonnell (Gallowglasses) were at O'Neill's absolute command. Out of Killetra alone it was estimated he could muster at least 200 able men well armed at 24 hours notice. Glenconkeyne and Killentra then the most inaccessible corner of the mountains and bogs in Ulster formed the main O'Neill stronghold for cattle and other possessions in the time of danger and ultimate refuge for Ulster rebels. Not only were the O'Quinn's a warlike people they were also good farmers and possessed good land and many cattle, which were the measure of wealth in Gaelic Ireland. An indication of the importance of the O'Quinn in Tyrone in the late 16th century can be had from the English State papers for the period, they were particularly active during the nine years war.It is obvious that O'Neill would not have created the impact he did without the support of his chief Septs. Perrot writing in the 1590's says that O'Neill would not allow an English man to be his Sherrif but appointed a Kern of his own Cahill O'Quinn. There were often demands from the English goverment for pledges from O'Neill for his good conduct and more often than not they asked for one of O'Quinn's specifically as pledges. It was important for O'Neill to identify his Septs with his actions, on the 19th May 1590 O'Neill excuted Hugh Govelaugh (Aedh Geimhlech) O'Neill in the presence of his brother, Art O'Hagan, Murrough O'Quinn and 100 others of the chief men of Tyrone, this was considered an ursurption of the royal authority and was quickly reported to London. On May 28th 1593 O'Neill reproached John Bermingham as her magesty's servant and made remarks about his red coat at his house in Castle Rowe near the Bann side in the presence of O'Cahan, O'Quinn, O'Hagan and others. In the events leading to the war the O'Quinn's were always at O'Neill's side. On April 23 1594 the chief men in the spoiling of Connor Roe Maguire in Fermanagh were Hugh M'Gilduffaquin and Patrick O'Quinn (might these have been the western septs). With the start of the war the Quinn's were actively involved. On 18th February 1595 among the gentlemen of the rebels whose bodies remained at Dundalk were Cahil Carrogh O'Quin, On May 29th May 1596 240 beeves were taken from Niall O'Quinn by Phelim O'Hanlons sons. In 1597 and 1598 the English were demanding the O'Quinn's Pledges. On October 2nd 1600 Coln O'Quinn was killed and his horse slain. On November 8th 1600 the English scored a minor triumh when Niall O'Quinn whom they described as chief favorite unto tyrone was talen prisoner while drunk. On 23rd May 1601 Mountgoy requested that Niall O'Quinn be sent to him in Dundalk. Here he might have been turned over to O'Neill for pledges, for the next we here is on 8th August 1601 the Lord Deputy writing Sir George Carey "I am glad you remembered to send Niall O'Quinn's Pledges ( Cormacks McBaron's sons). On the following day these pledges were excuted and that is all we hear of Neall O'Quinn. The O'Quinn's suffered as well at the hands of the Royal Navy, Sir Author Chinchester launched a ship on Lough Neagh and made several excursions into O'Neills territory. On May 15th 1600 he boasted " The last service was upon Patrick O'Quin one of the chief men in Tyrone dwelling within four miles of Dungannon fearing nothing, but we lighted upon him and killed him, his wife, sons, daughters, servants and followers being many and burnt all to the ground". On october 22 1601 it was reported that O'Quinn and O'Hagan earnestly asked Tyrone that they be allowed to burn Devlin in the hope of Spanish Gold. By december 1600 that O'Quinn and O'Hagan had lost their sons. In March 1601 it was reported that O'Quinn lately submitted to O'Neill a 1000 cows was this the western Sept. On the 5th February 1602 Sir Geoffrey Tenton wrote to Secretary Cecil that Art McBarron ,Tyrone's brother, the O'Quinn and several others by the name of O'Neill have made means lately to be protected by the State has refused to receive them because he knows that it is only a course suggested by O'Neill. He was most probably right and this again reflects how close were the O'Quinn's to the O’Neill War effort. With the disasterous defeat of the Irish at Kinsale 1601, the fate of O'Neill and his alklies was sealed. The treaty of Melifont in March 1603 brought an end to the war. English law began to be transplanted to Ulster. English intrigue caused the flight of the Irish chief's in 1607, the chiefs of the O'Quinn's went with O'Neill and sent his son to his brother Owen Row O' Quinn, also there were members of the Sept among the Irish soliders that emigrated to Sweden after the war. Sir Thomas Philips writeing in 1607 had some interesting reflections to make on Tyrone and the Septs inhabiting them."I have passed through some of the fastest country in Tyrone, where I did not expect to see so much corn" These comments put paid to later English assertions that the native Irish were bad cultivators of the soil. After nine years of war it did not the Septs long to regenerate their economy. The Septs were as well possessed of a certain schrewdness. When it was announced that the Bishops and Servitors could take Irish tenants, it so happened that many who got small grants but had good supplies of cattle, surrendered their grants to the Goverment and hastened away more quickly than the Goverment would have wished to rent more extensive lands from Bishops or Servitors. Prominent among these O'Quinn's and O'Hagans from the close of the war in 1602 until the escape of the Earls in 1607 these were amongst the leading Cultivtorss of the soil in thier own district. Another English contemporary had this to say regarding the relationship of the more independant Septs to the O'Neill's Dir Toby Caulfield " ..... and for the butter and other victualing provisions they were only paid by such as they termed horsemen called the O'Quynnes, Hagans, Conelands and Devlins which was rather at the discretion of the giver, who strove who should give most to gain Tyrone's favour than for any due claim he had to demand the same. Along with three other Septs the O'Quinn's were Swordbearers to the O'Neill's. With the Plantation of Ulster in 1609, a plantation which has had far reaching consequences for Irish history both in the past and to-day, because the sept had opposed the crown by the friction of English land law their land was confiscated and they were forced to settle on poorer land and to pay rent for the use of their own land now own by Englishmen and English Institutions (i.e. City of Londonn and Trintry College Dublin) from Hill's plantation papers there were 60 natives in Tyrone who got small grants generally of 60 acresa each. They were all transplanted into portions of the Barony of Dungannon which neither Undertakers or Servitors could occupy are all described as Gentlemen: O'Neill, O'Hagan, O'Quinn, O'Donnelaugh (Donnelly). The civil survey edited by R.C. Simington has a list of Properties that were forfitied in 1640. The list for Tyrone shows the Quinn sept concentrated in the Barony of Dungannoon in the Parishes of Derrylaron, Donaghmore, Carnteel and Clonfeacle. An active part was played by the Sept in the 1641 rising which was started in Ulster and began a war which was to last a decade and was only ended by the bloody campaign of Oliver Cromwell. From the very first sept was involved, among the chief concillors of Phelim ONeill the leader of the rebellion was Turlough Groome O'Quinn. All the frustration of the half of the Century of repression were unleashed by the native septs during the rebellion. On the night of the 23rd of October the rebellion broke and on of the first incidents was the taking of the Castle of Mountjoy by the sept Turlough Groome because Marshall and Governor of Mountjoy, in December he dealt a serious blow to the English of Armagh and also took the Castle of Mount stewart and burned it. At Garvagh in December the English routed by an army led by Owen O'Quinn and Neil O'Quinn defeated was again followed by plantation and confisaction. There is nothing more in the records regarding the sept by this time the sept was broken, leaderless and landless. Nevertheless the sept remained in and around the Barony of Dungannon. QUINN SEPT OF CLANNDEBOY At the time of the Norman Invasion, Ulster was granted by King Henry II of England to DeCoursey, whose descendants consolidated themselves in the counties of Antrim and Down which came to be known as Ulidia, in the 14th. century this colonies position was weakened by the Irish septs from the west and Scots from the north. Between 1364?-1379? Donnell O'Neill a great warrier waged a long and successful compaign against the Colony of Ulster the beneficiaries of this were the Clann Aodh Buidhe, they from their origional settlement in south east Derry (Glanconkeen) moved across the Bann and not only displaced the English but the gaelic O'Flinns of Ui Tuirte assisted by the McDonnells Lords of the Isles. Out of these conquests was formed an extension to TirEoghann Clanndeboy this was also populated by other septs of the Cinel Eoghann who branched out to form new septs, the O'Quin sept in Antrim would also have been descended from Congalagh O'Cuinn who was killed in 1219 by the English on an exepdition in these parts, they got seperated from their kinsfolk by the Bann and Lough Neagh as they moved southwards towards Dungannon. There is a reference in the Annals of Ulster for the year 1506 which casts some light on their activities, their alliances and on those whom they raided '' Mac Uibhilin namely Walter son of Cormac, son of Jenkins Mac Uibhilin was slain by O'Cathain namely by Thomas son of Aibhne O'Cathain and by the sons of John O'Cathain namely by Donchadh and by Domnall the Cleric, and there was slain along with him there two sons of Tuathal O'Domnall and two sons of O'Hara (of the Route in Antrim) and three sons of O'Buighellain (O'Boyle) and two sons of O'Cuinn..... and 14 men of the worthies of his people along with him " In the following years families of this sept spread themselves out and at the same time the sept consolidated themselves in alliance with the other Antrim sept particularly the Mac Donnells of the Glens who were related to the Lords of the Isles. From G. Hill's the MacDonnells of Antrim we learn that Colla's son? is stated to have been fostered by O'Quin of Carnrighe near Coleraine. From a Description of Ireland in 1598 by E. Hogan the Route is inhabited by O'Hara's and O'Quinn's who pay rent and do service to Randall Mc Donnell. The Sept like the other septs in these parts do not appear to have taken part in the Nine Years War and of course Antrim was not included in the Plantation of Ulster but from an early period around the 1550's Scottish settlers began to cross over to Antrim and these and their descendants strengthened by more settlers at the begining of the 16th. century, would have been more favourably regarded by the new Scottish King of England James II (VII). There must have been some cause for discontent for plans were drawn up for a Rising in 1615 and among the septs involved were the Quinn's but nothing came of it and the Irish bidded their time till 1641. For Oct. 23rd. 1614 it is recorded that Neil Oge O'Quin a tenant of Sir Thomas Staples near Lissan "Who was the principal actor of the rebellion in that place came unto the town of Lissan about the sunsetting with about 80 or 100 men of his command and giving out that the Spanish were coming" took over the town and garrissoned it and made the English planters prisoners leaving the Scottish free. The census of 1659 shows the sept concentrated in the Barony of Toome (6). Over the years they seem to have moved a little to the north for Griffiths Land Valuation c. 1850 shows them to be concentrated in the Barony of Upper Dunluce (23). QUINN SEPT OF MAGH ITHA O’Duggan writing in the early part of the 14th. century "The men of Noble Magh Ioth who defend the confines delightful their habits in every church- The O'Mailbreasails and O'Baoighills- and The brave O'Cuinn and O'Cionaths The general consencus seems to be that Magh Ioth is the plain (? Battle) in the Barony of Raphoe containing the Church of Donaghmore. In the locality to-day this area is referred to as the Lagan Valley and it contains some of the best agricultural land in Ireland. The families of O'Mailbreasails and O'Baoighills (not the O'Boyles of the Clann Conaill) have been long unknown in this territory, O'Cionath have to become extint or merged with the O'Cuinn's given the likeness of the two names. The confines mentioned in the poem may mean the border with the Cinel Conaill and as the border was often changing position given the increasing power of the O'Donnell sept of Tir Conaill and the expanding O'Neill interest in the South and east there was a need for it to be defended. At an early stage the Cinel Enda descendants of the third som of Niall were over run by the Cinel Eoghann when they first began to move south into the plain of Ith. The men of Magh Iotha were probably decendants of the Clann Connor of the race of Muircheartach Mac Erca. There is no reference in the annals to the sept of the O'Cuinn's but they are apparently lumped to-gether with the other septs of Magh Itha. There is a reference in the Annals of Ulster for the year 1053, we are told that a depredation was commited by Mac Lochlainn and the men of Magh Itha on the Cinel Binnigh of Loch Drochait (northern part of the Barony of Loughlisholin). When the power of the Mac Laughlins with their defeat at Caimirghe in 1241 gave way to the O'Neills, there was a decline in the importance of the people in eastern Tir Eoghann. From the 1330's onwards Inishowen the origional territory of the Cinel Eoghann fell under the sway of the O'Doherty's of Cinel Conaill a position which was to remain unchanged till the rebellion of Sir Cahir O'Doherty in 1608. The remaining Cinel Eoghann septs consolidated themselves south of Aileach in the Lagan Valley. It is impossible to isolate the activities of this sept from the other septs in these parts, so we must take it that they were involved in the activities general trends in the area. The O'Cuinn's were probably vassals of an O'Neill sept in there parts, the septs in the west had something in common with the O'Donnells of Tir Conaill that is in order to of set the expanding power of the western septs they sided with the English (In the early 15th. century begins the existance of a sept of the O'Neills permanently hostile to the ruling O'Neill's in the east and allied with the O'Donnells, descendants of Henry Aimhreidh (Sliocht Henri) those of Owens son Art of Omagh (Sliocht Airt) who died in 1458 and those of Art Og O'Neill who died in 1519 filled this position) and remained loyal to the Crown. These septs led by the grandson of Neal Connelagh Turlough Luineach sided with Mathew and the English against Shane O'Neill known as the proud and his son Art opposed Hugh Earl of Tyrone just an fiercely, the part they played in the nine years war would have been minor being forced against the English from the East (Hugh O'Neill) and the west (Hugh O'Donnell). John Leigh who was high sheriff of Tyrone in 1608 and who kept what he called a "brief of some things which I have observed in the several Baronoies of the County of Tyrone "amongst other matters" I observed" he says "that there are certain kindred of septs of the Neales in divers parts of Tyrone, which ever did, and still do, as much in them lyeth, oppose both against Tyrone and all those of his proper sept and party- namely in the Barony of Strabane, Tirloghe Oge O'Neill son to Sir Author O'Neill's as of the Quinns and likewise of divers other septs on that side of the Slewsheese. Also in the Barony of O'Meaghe all the sept of the Neales called the Clan Arte doe deadly hate Tyrone and his septs and likewise in the Barony of Clougher are two other distinct septs of the Neales, who hate Tyrone and his septs- one of which septs are the sons of Shan O'Neale and their followers''. Nevertheless for their help to the English cause they were repaid with confiscation and plantation and the rich lands of Magh Iotha passed into planters hands, O'Donovan commented on the absence of any Irish septs here in 1839. For 1666 from King James Irish Army list we learn that ''by reason of resistance made to Sir Robert Murray Creighton in his possession of sundry Manors towns and lands in the Baronies of Bouylagh and Banagh by Owen O'Quin, Cormock O'Quin, Shane Bane O'Quin the coroner of that county were by the order of the Irish House of Commons commanded to quit Sir Robert in his possession therein. There is no mention of Quinn's for this area in the Perogative Wills or other equivalent sources throughout the 18th. century indicating that the members of the sept were all the ordinary landless people. From an examination of Griffiths Land Valuation this sept are well represented in Donegal - Tyrone though no way as numerous as the Loughlinsholin sept. They centre on the Parish of Donaghmore and the surrounding districts in the same area that the Annals describe as Magh Iotha and to-day the position remains unchanged. Chapter Other branches of the Quinn’s Dublin There was no sept of the Quinn’s in the Dublin are. However there have been families that bore the surname in Dublin for at least the past four hundred years. The story of one family pieced together from the records illustrates this. A Walter Quinn is first heard of in Edinborough in 1600, where he published a curious collection of poems entitle “Lerum Poeticum in honoram jacobi sexi serenissimi ac potentissimi Scotorum”. He seems to have had some difficulty getting his work published. He was later Preceptor (Tudor) to Prince Henry, the eldest son of King James who died in 1612 at eighteen years of age, Walter Quinn published his epitaph. The royal connection proved of some use in Ireland, in 1629 he received monastery lands in Waterford, and in 1632 received satisfaction for a debt owed to him. We hear no more of this family until the time of Walter’s grandson. Mark was a member of Dublin City Council, and in May 1655 during the Cromwellian period he along with Denish Quinn and others signed a petition against the burden of customs. In 1661/62 Mark along with others was expelled from the city council, but he obviously regained his seat for on 2nd October 1667 we are told “Alderman Quin was to-day sworn at the Exchequer Lord Mayor of Dublin having been formerly elected according to custom”. His career came to an end in 1674 when in a fit of jealousy at the conduct of his better half who it seems “was loved by Lord and Lad alike” he committed suicide by cutting his own throat with a razor. Mark’s son James was the father of the famous actor James Quin. This James Quin was illigitimised by the fact that his mother’s former husband who was reputed to be dead returned to Dublin after an absence of 28 years. James was renown for his role of Falstaff in the London theatres, he died around 1745. It has been said that this Quin family originated in Tipperary, therefore most likely a branch of the Muintir Iffernain. A study of the Census of Ireland 1659 indicates that Quinn’s were well distributed throughout the Dublin baronies : Newcastle and Upppercross 8, Nethercross 11. Balroathy 10, Castleknock 7, and also the southern Meath Barony of Duleek 9. Might the families in the north county and Meath be of the Muintir Giolgain, and the families in the south county of the Muintir Iffernain via Tipperary. The surname occurs frequently in the Prerogative Wills over the next two Centuries. These families were farmers and of the merchant classes, and no doubt their descendant are in the Dublin are today, they would not have had the reason to emigrate as families in poorer parts of Ireland. At present the bearers of the surname in Dublin have been added to considerably by the immigration from the rest of Ireland particularly during the last fifty years. In other area the surname appears at an early stage as well. It is not possible to identify these bearers with any particular sept , or to explain their origins. Wicklow In 1642 the attainders include a Richard and Loughlin Quin of Ballyhou e. In 1734 there is a will of John Quin of Bulford. For the 16th June 1735 there is a will for Margaret Quinn of Ballygardon, a spinister who was kinsman of Thomas Quin of Dublin an Apothecory. Waterford The Census f Ireland 1659 records 10 Quine’s in the Barony of Decies, and 10 Quin’s in the City of Waterford and Liberties.An extract from the Waterford Council Book states “upon reading the petition of William Quin for remitting or reducing of his fine x/- laid last session ordered that it stand” Distribution of surname Quinn by barony The Index is a list of surnames of all the persons given in Griffiths Poor Law Valuation and in the Tithe Appoletement Books, during the period 1824 - 60 In the case of the Primary Valuation each occurance of a name (where the person is shown as the occupier of a house) is recorded in order to establish the number of householders in a parish or barony of a particular name. The number is illustrated by the figure G in the index. In the case of the Tithe Applopment Books only the occurance of a name in a given parish is recorded the letter T indicating that the name occurs at least once in a parish in question. Province of Leinster Carlow Carlow Rathvilly Idrone West Idrone East Forth St. Mullins Upr St. Mullins Lr Dublin Quinn Balrothery East G13 T Balrothery West G5 T Nethercross G4 T Castleknock G3 T Coolock G17 T Newcastle G5 T Uppercross G24 T Dublin G2 Rathdown G29 T Quin Balrothery East Balrothery West G T Nethercross Castleknock G T Coolock Newcastle Uppercross Dublin G3 Rathdown G Kildare Quinn Carbury G4 T Ikeathy & Oughterany G2 North Salt G4 T Clane G3 T North Naas South Salt East Offaly G6 T Connell G2 T South Naas G2 T West Offaly Kilcullen G Narragh & Reban West G4 T Narragh & Reban East G T Kilkea & Moone G2 T Quin North Salt G2 T North Naas G5 T South Salt G4 South Naas G T West Offaly G7 T Kilkea & Moone G2 Kilkenny Quinn Galmoy G9 T Fassadinin G T Crannagh G5 Kilkenny City G7 Callan T Shillelogher Gowran G19 T Kells G10 T Knocktopher G2 T Ida G5 Iverk G30 T Quin Iverk G3 T Laois Quinn Tinnahinch G6 T Portnahinch G5 T Upper Woods Maryborough West G4 T Maryborough East G3 T Stradbally Clandonagh G T Clarmallagh G6 T Cullenagh G T Ballyadams Slievemargy G19 T Quin Tinnahinch G Portnahinch G T Upper Woods T Maryborough West G2 T Maryborough East G T Stradbally G Clandonagh G3 T Clarmallagh G T Cullenagh Ballyadams G6 T Slievemargy G T Longford Quinn Longford G70 T Granard G8 T Ardagh G23 T Moydow G40 T Rathcline G4 T Shrule G T Quin Ardagh G3 T Rathcline G Shrule G Louth Quinn Lower Dundalk G6 T Upper Dundalk G26 T Louth G3 T Ardee G6 T Ferrard G11 T Drogheda G4 Quin Ardee G7 T Ferrard T Drogheda G2 Offaly Quinn Kilcoursey G T Warrenstown G9 T Garrycastle G3 Ballycowan G16 T Lower Philipstown G25 T Coolestown Ballyboy G2 T Geashill G23 T Upper Philipstown G4 Eglish G Ballybritt G4 Clonlisk Quin Warrenstown G Upper Philipstown G11 Ballybritt T Clonlisk G2 T Meath Quinn Lower Kells G Morgallion G Lower Slane G2 Fore T Upper Kells G8 T Upper Slane G4 T Lower Navan G8 T Lower Duleek G2 T Lune G4 T Upper Navan Skreen G4 T Upper Duleek Upper Moyfenrath G8 T Lower Moyfenrath G7 T Lower Deece G T Rathoath G2 T Upper Deece Quin Duleek Upper T Dunboyne G3 Westmeath Quinn Fore G T Moygoish G5 T Corkaree G5 T Devlin G12 T Kilkenny West T Rathconrath G6 T Moyashel & Maheradernon G3 T Farbill G14 T Brawny G Clonlonan G2 T Moycashel G10 T Fartullagh G5 Quin Kilkenny West G T Farbill G T Clonlonan G T Fartullagh T Wexford Quinn Scarawalsh G5 T Gorey G11 T Ballaghkeen North G T Bantry G4 T Ballaghkeen South G4 T Shelmalier West G3 T Shelmalier East Shelburne G9 T Bargy G9 Forth G5 t Wicklow Quinn Talbotstown Lower G28 T Rathdown G11 T Talbotstown Upper G2 Ballinacor North G10 T Newcastle G6 T Ballinacor South G Arklow Shillelagh G T Quin Shillelagh G2 Province of Munster Clare Quinn Burren G18 T Corcomroe G25 T Inchiquin G13 T Bunratty Upper G3 T Tulla Upper G2 T Ibrickan G8 T Islands G9 T Tulla Lower G6 T Moyarta G11 T Clonderalaw G7 T Bunratty Lower G14 T Quin Burren G2 T Inchiquin G8 T Tulla Upper G T Tulla Lower G2 T Clonderalaw G T Bunratty Lower G T Cork Quinn Fermoy G5 T Condond & Clangibbon G22 T Barrymore G4 T Kinnataloon G T Cork G7 Imokilly G8 T Duhallow G11 T Orrery & Kilmore G20 T West Muskerry East Muskerry Barretts Bear Bantry G9 T East Carbery West Kinalmeaky Kinalea G2 T Kerrycurrihy G West Carberry West West Carberry East Ibane & Barryroe East Carberry East G2 Courceys G2 Kinsale G5 T Quin Fermoy Condond & Clangibbon T Barrymore Kinnataloon Cork T Imokilly Duhallow G2 Orrery & Kilmore G T West Muskerry East Muskerry Barretts Bear T Bantry East Carbery West Kinalmeaky Kinalea G4 T Kerrycurrihy West Carberry West T West Carberry East Ibane & Barryroe East Carberry East Courceys G13 T Kinsale Kerry Quinn Iraghticonnor G13 T Clanmaurice Corkaguiney G7 T Trughanacmy G5 Iveragh Dunkerron North Magunihy G Dunkerron South Glanarought G2 T Quin Corkaguiney T Trughanacmy T Limerick Quinn Limerich Borough G28 Shanid G10 T Connello Lower G14 T Kenry G4 T Pubblebrien G10 T Clanwilliam G5 T Owneybeg G4 T Coonagh G4 T Glenquin G11 T Connello Upper G7 T Coshma G11 T Smallcounty G4 T Kilmallock Coshlea G19 T Quin Limerich Borough G Shanid G Connello Lower G2 T Kenry Pubblebrien Clanwilliam T Owneybeg Coonagh T Glenquin T Connello Upper Coshma T Smallcounty Kilmallock Coshlea G Tipperary Quinn Lower Ormond G25 T Owney and Arra G27 T Upper Ormond G25T Ikerrin G27 T Kilnamanagh G9 T Eliogarty G24 T Kilnamanagh Lower G t Clanwilliam G37 T Middlethird G14 T Slievardagh G5 T Iffa & Offa West G9 T Iffa & Offa East G29 T Quin Upper Ormond G3 T Ikerrin G T Kilnamanagh Upper G T Eliogarty T Kilnamanagh Lower T Middlethird T Iffa & Offa West T Iffa & Offa East T Waterford Quinn Glenahirty Upperthird G10 T Kilculliheen G Coshmore & Coshbride G5 T Decies without Drum G28 T Middlethird G6 T Waterford City G17 T Gaultiere G5 T Decies within Drum G13 T Quin Upperthird G Coshmore & Coshbride G T Decies without Drum Middlethird G2 T Waterford City G Ulster Antrim Quinn Cary G4 Lower Dunluce G3 Lower Glenarm G Upper Dunluce G23 Kilconway G5 Lower Toome G4 Lower Antrim G6 Upper Glenarm G Upper Toome G11 Upper Antrim G2 Lower Belfast G4 Carrickfergus G3 Lower Massarene G3 Upper Belfast G Belfast Borough Upper Massarene G9 Quinn Cary Lower Dunluce Lower Glenarm Upper Dunluce Kilconway Lower Toome Lower Antrim G Upper Glenarm Upper Toome G4 Upper Antrim Lower Belfast Carrickfergus Lower Massarene Upper Belfast Belfast Borough Upper Massarene Armagh Quinn Oneillland West G41 T Oneillland East G8 T Tiranny G6 T Armagh G31 T Fews Lower G23 T Orior Lower G26 T Fews Upper G62 T Orior Upper G66 T Quin Oneillland West G T Oneillland East G6 T Tiranny Armagh G3 T Fews Lower G5 Orior Lower G T Fews Upper G8 T Orior Upper G T Cavan Quinn Tullyhaw G4 T Lower Loughtee G2 T Tullyhunco G2 T Upper Loughtee G3 T Tulygarvey G2 T Clankee G2 T Clanmahon G26 T Castlerahan G7 T Quin Tullyhaw G Clankee T Clanmahon G Derry Quinn Liberties of Coleraine G2 Keenaght G9 T Coleraine G9 T Liberties of Derry City of Derry G4 Tirkeeran G9 T Loughinsholin G43 T Quin Coleraine G T City of Derry G Tirkeeran G2 Loughinsholin G20 T Donegal Quinn Inishowen East G2 Kilmacrenan G6 T Inishowen West G2 Boylagh G24 T Raphoe North G13 T Raphoe South G64 T Banagh G7 T Tirhugh G41 T Quin Inishowen East T Kilmacrenan T Banagh G14 T Tirhugh G4 T Down Quinn Lower Castlereagh G15 T Lower Ards G5 T Upper Ards G18 T Upper Castlereagh G10 T Dufferin G3 T Lower Iveagh Upper G14 T Lower Iveragh Lower G6 T Kinelarty G4 T Lower Lecale G19 T Upper Iveragh Upper G17 T Upper Iveragh Lower G27 T Upper Lecale G5 T Lordship of Newery G21 Mourne G28 T Quin Lower Castlereagh G3 T Upper Castlereagh G8 T Dufferin G T Kinelarty G T Lower Lecale T Upper Iveragh Upper G5 T Upper Lecale G6 T Mourne G34 T Fermanagh Quinn Lurg G10 T Magheraboy G7 T Tirkennedy G2 Clanawley G4 T Magherastephana G T Clankelly G2 T Knockninny G5 T Coole Quin Lurg G7 T Tirkennedy G Monaghan Quinn Trough Monaghan G13 T Dartree G6 T Cremore G14 T Farney G6 T Quin Trough G10 T Monaghan T Dartree T Cremore G G2 T Tyrone Quinn Strabane Lower G37 T Strabane Upper G15 T Omagh West G14 T Omagh East G49 T Dungannon Upper G132 T Dungannon Middle G235 T Dungannon Lower G17 T Clogher G23 T Quin Strabane Lower G12 Strabane Upper G T Omagh East G6 T Dungannon Upper G4 T Dungannon Middle G8 T Province of Connaught Galway Quinn Ballinahinch G Ross G6 Dunmore G33 T Ballymoe G17 T Moycullen G2 T Clare G19 T Tiaquin G 29 T Killian G28 T Galway T Dunkellin G16 T Athenry G2 T Kilconnell G9 T Clonmacnowen Aran G Kiltartan G32 T Loughrea G6 T Leitrim G9 T Longford G12 T Quin Dunmore G2 T Ballymoe G5 T Killian T Dunkellin G T Kilconnell T Clonmacnowen G T Loughrea T Longford G6 T Leitrim Quinn Rosclogher G2 T Drumahaire G2 T Leitrim G7 T Carrigallen G18 T Mohill G21 T Quin Rosclogher T Drumahaire G Carrigallen G5 T Mayo * Quinn Erris G Tirawley G15 T Burrishoole G19 T Carra G23 T Gallen G32 T Murrisk G T Kilmaine G2 T Clanmorris G15 T Costello G26 T Quin Erris Tirawley G6 T Burrishoole G5 T Carra G6 T Gallen G4 T Murrisk G T Kilmaine G T Clanmorris Costello G T Roscommon Quinn Boyle G16 T Frenchpark G31 T Castlereagh G33 T Roscommon G21 T Ballintober North G T Ballymoe G3 T Ballintober South G17 T Athlone G15 T Moycarn Quin Frenchpark G T Ballintober North T Athlone G Sligo Quinn Carbury G14 T Tireragh G6 T Leyny G32 T Corran G3 T Tirerrill G16 T Colavin G2 T Quin Carbury T Tireragh T Leyny G T Tirerrill G T Census of Ireland 1659 Ed Seamus Pender Province of Ulster Antrim Toome Q6 E 730 I 778 Armagh Tirranney Q 5 ES 108 I 546 Upper and Lower Fews Q 7 ES 373 I 858 O Neyland Q 6 ES 1269 I 1366 Down Newry Q 10 ES 166 I 785 Derry Loughinsholin Q 7 ES 655 I 1431 Colraine Q 14 Monaghan Q 16 E 434 I 3649 Province of Munster Clare Bunratty Conny & Cunny 13 E 144 I 4204 Inchiqine Q 10 E 34 I 1961 Tipperary Iffay & Offay Q 19 E 223 I 4729 Waterford Deaces Q 10 E 129 I 3574 City of Waterford and Liberties Q 10 E 637 I 1010 Province of Leinster Dublin Newcastle & Uppercross Q8 E 1635 I3043 Neithercross Q 11 E 318 I1473 Balrothery Q 10 E 518 I 1990 Castleknock Q7 E 189 I 885 Kildare Ikeathy Q 8 E 50 I 1122 Kilkenny Gowran Q 12 E 311 I 3543 Iverke Q 20 E 99 I 1358 Kings Philipstowne Q 13 E 186 I 1007 Gershell Q 11 E 139 I 591 Longford Shrowell Q 13 E 42 I 694 Longford Q 4 E 67 I 396 Meath Duleek Q 9 E 616 I 3303