Origin of the Surname The Byrne surname is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic “Ó Broin,” which belongs to a prominent clan that traces its lineage back to ancient Irish royalty. Etymology and Meaning The surname Byrne is derived from the Gaelic “Ó Broin,” which means “descendant of Bran.” The name Bran, in the...
The Old Church in Dunlewey, Ireland, is a mysterious and captivating relic of a bygone era. This tiny church, perched on the edge of the dramatic and windswept Dunlewey Lake, has withstood the test of time and the elements for over 150 years. The church was originally built as a memorial to James Russell, a wealthy hop merchant and local landlord who died in 1848 and...
Hidden away in the rolling hills of County Donegal, Ireland, lies the Beltany Stone Circle, a remarkable and little-known archaeological site just outside the village of Raphoe. Comprising of 64 stones arranged in a circular pattern, the Beltany Stone Circle is one of the largest stone circles in Ireland and remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The origins of...
Nestled in the rolling hills of County Clare, near Ballyvaughan, lies the abandoned ruins of Corcomroe Abbey. Founded in in 1190, this once-grand abbey is now a forgotten piece of history, known only to the few who take the time to seek it out. Corcomroe Name The abbey takes its name from Corco Mrua (meaning “seed” or “kernel” of Muaidhe)...
In the depths of the Atlantic Ocean lies the remnants of the SS Laurentic, a British passenger liner that was repurposed as a military transport ship during World War I. This ship is a testament to both the ingenuity of naval engineering and the tragedy of war, and remains one of the most fascinating shipwrecks off the coast of Ireland. The SS Laurentic was...
Tucked away off the coast of County Donegal in Ireland lies the rugged and windswept isle of Tory Island. This remote speck of land, just three miles long and one mile wide, has been the home of a tight-knit community for centuries and is steeped in myth, legend, and history. The earliest known inhabitants of the island were a clan of seafaring people known as the...
Tory Island, located off the northwest coast of County Donegal, Ireland, is home to a unique and mysterious symbol carved into the rugged landscape: the Tau Cross. The origins of the cross are uncertain, but it is believed to date back to the early Christian period, possibly as early as the 7th century. The cross takes its name from the Greek letter...
The Healy surname originates from Ireland and is particularly associated with the province of Connacht in the west of the country. Etymology and Meaning The surname Healy is derived from the Gaelic name “Ó hÉilidhe,” meaning “descendant of the claimant”. It refers to an ancestor who was a claimant or contender for tribal leadership. Earliest...
The surname Brady finds its origins in Ireland, descending from the Gaelic “Ó Brádaigh”, a patronymic form of the personal name “Brádach”. Etymology and Meaning The personal name Brádach, from which Brady derives, means “spirited” or “thieving”. Thus, the surname Brady translates to “descendant of the spirited...
The surname O’Shea has its roots in Ireland, emerging from the Gaelic form “O Seaghdha,” which translates to “descendant of Seaghdha.” Etymology and Meaning The given name Seaghdha, which serves as the basis for the surname O’Shea, is interpreted as “hawk-like” or “fine,” indicating a person of admirable or...