The Farrells of Donegal: And Associated Families

By Sam Hanna

(O) Farrells/Ferrells and others worldwide often ponder their Irish roots.

This is currently the most comprehensive attempt to explore the origins of one of the largest branches of the Farrells/Ferrells. It includes: 1,400 years of Celtic roots in northwest Ireland, Gaelic ancestry linked to St Colum Cille (St Columba) from c.AD 655, 400-year-old associations with the Ulster Plantation, and worldwide migration.

Those wishing to explore their own Irish family history and genealogy may use the methodology adopted by the author as a template for their own research.

Almost 1,000 references are detailed, representing an invaluable resource to all those researching their Irish and Ulster roots.

The benefits of DNA testing in family history and genealogy are outlined, and the results of the Donegal Farrell/Ferrell DNA research are analysed.

Extensive genealogies of Ulster Farrells/Ferrells and associated families from the sixteenth to twenty-first centuries have been compiled, and this database will assist others research their roots in Donegal, Ulster, and Ireland.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973639176

Sam Hanna

Sam Hanna, Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal, Ireland, has a keen interest in the historical geography of Ireland. He has focused his recent research on Donegal, and in particular to the origins and genealogy of his mother's Farrell family.

Book preview

The

FARRELLS

of

DONEGAL

and Associated Families

SAM HANNA

890154.png

Copyright © 2018 Sam Hanna.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-3916-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-3918-3 (hc)

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WestBow Press rev. date: 12/06/2018

SYNOPSIS

(O) Farrells/Ferrells and others worldwide often ponder their Irish roots.

This is currently the most comprehensive attempt to explore the origins of one of the largest branches of the Farrells/Ferrells. It includes: 1,400 years of Celtic roots in northwest Ireland, Gaelic ancestry linked to St Colum Cille (St Columba) from c.AD 655, 400-year-old associations with the Ulster Plantation, and worldwide migration.

Those wishing to explore their own Irish family history and genealogy may use the methodology adopted by the author as a template for their own research.

Almost 1,000 references are detailed, representing an invaluable resource to all those researching their Irish and Ulster roots.

The benefits of DNA testing in family history and genealogy are outlined, and the results of the Donegal Farrell/Ferrell DNA research are analysed.

Extensive genealogies of Ulster Farrells/Ferrells and associated families from the sixteenth to twenty-first centuries have been compiled, and this database will assist others research their roots in Donegal, Ulster, and Ireland.

CONTENTS

Synopsis

List of Figures

List of Plates

List of Tables

List of Appendices

List of Abbreviations

Guide To Editorial Conventions

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1     Origins of the Uí Fhearghail/(O) Farrells

Chapter 2     Farrells Within the Historical Context of the

Plantation in West Ulster From C.1610

Chapter 3     Farrells of Northwest Ulster 1601-54

Chapter 4     Farrells of Tirhugh Barony and Northwest Ulster

1655-1700

Chapter 5     Farrells of Tirhugh Barony and Northwest Ulster

1701-1800

Chapter 6     Linking Seventeenth Century Farrells With their

Evolving Dynasties and Branches

Chapter 7     The Original Dynasty

Chapter 8     The Rossnowlagh Dynasty 1801-1900

Chapter 9     The Rossnowlagh Dynasty 1901-2018

Chapter 10   The Ballybulgan Dynasty

Chapter 11   The Ballintra Dynasty

Chapter 12   The Ballydermot Dynasty

Chapter 13   The Legnanornoge Dynasty

Chapter 14   The Virginia Dynasty

Chapter 15   Summary

Appendices

Endnotes

To my

Mother Kathleen

and

Cousin Eric Farrell

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 1.1   Origins of the Anghaile/Longford Ó Fearghail, and the

Cenél Conaill/Donegal Ó Firghil

Fig. 1.2   References to Farrells in counties Donegal, Derry/

Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh during the

seventeenth century

Fig. 4.1   The extent of Farrell and neighbouring families’ TCD

leases in 1658

Fig. 5.1   Map illustrating Farrell expansion from a seventeenth/

eighteenth century core nucleus to establish new dynasties

Fig. 5.2   References to Farrells in County Fermanagh (1665-

1802) – church records excluded

Fig. 6.1   Mutation History Tree for amalgamated R1b-GF4/

Farris ⁶th/Cyan group (generated by Dave Vance’s SAPP)448

Fig. 8.1   Proposed Farrell/McIlwaine family tree fragment c.1581-1855

LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1     Rentals on William Connally’s TCD manor of

Tirhugh, 1692.

By permission of The Irish Georgian Society

Plate 2     Lease for William Farrell’s Tirhugh estate, 1658.

By permission of The Board of Trinity College Dublin

Plate 3     Lease for Glazy and Thomas ffarrell, and Andrew

McGilwain’s Tirhugh estate, 1658. By permission of

The Board of Trinity College Dublin

Plate 4     Land allocated for the erection of St John’s Church,

Rossnowlagh, 1830. By permission of The Board of

Trinity College Dublin

Plate 5     Indenture between TCD, Andrew Knox and the parish

of Drumhome concerning the transfer of land for the

erection of St John’s Church, Rossnowlagh, 1830. By

permission of The Board of Trinity College Dublin

Plate 6     Abraham Farrell (1792-1876) and wife, Jane, née

Clarke (1795-1864). Ballybulgan dynasty. c.1862

(Barry Farrell)

Plate 7     John Joseph Farrell-Crowley (1848-1911) and wife,

Anne, née Ward (1852-1911). Ballybulgan dynasty:

CHICAGO BRANCH. 1872 (Kathleen Villano Beazley)

Plate 8     Francis Joseph Crowley (1886-1960), wife, Mary

Marcella, née Sullivan (1888-1925), and daughter,

Marcella Marie (1919-82). Ballybulgan dynasty:

CHICAGO BRANCH. c.1920 (Kathleen Villano Beazley)

Plate 9     Sergt William Edward Crowley (1921-44), US Army

Air Corps. Ballybulgan dynasty: CHICAGO BRANCH.

c.1944 (Sharon Farrell-Crowley Connor)

Plate 10   Samuel Farrell (1830-1913). Ballybulgan dynasty:

CANADA III BRANCH. c.1905 (Grant Nuttall)

Plate 11   John (Johnny) Griffith Farrell (1891-1962) at

Cavangarden. Ballybulgan dynasty: BALLYBULGAN

HOME BRANCH, CARRICKBREENY SUB-BRANCH.

c.1960 (Daphne Elliott)

Plate 12   Thomas Johnston Farrell (1865–1952). Original

dynasty: LACKAN BRANCH, DRUMINARDAGH SUB-

BRANCH. c.1940 (John Kirkpatrick)

Plate 13   Allen Ferrell (1889-1946) and daughter, Henrietta

Lyons (1918-91) at Landville, Logan County, West

Virginia. Virginia dynasty. 1938 (Connie Chancellor)

Plate 14   John Farrell (1877/8-1952). Original dynasty:

LACKAN BRANCH, LEGHAWNY SUB-BRANCH.

c.1945 (Jean McCleery)

Plate 15   Albert Edward Farrell (1923-2003). Ballintra dynasty:

LIVERPOOL BRANCH. 1943 (Graham Farrell)

Plate 16   Farrell farmhouse (old schoolhouse to right) at

Leghawny, Donegal, including John Farrell (as in Plate

14). c.1910 (Jean McCleery)

Plate 17   Farrell farmhouse at Barnyboy, Rossnowlagh. c.1933

Plate 18   Farrell public house and shop (bottom left) at

Bridgetown, including Richard Farrell and son,

William John (left). Rossnowlagh dynasty:

BRIDGETOWN BRANCH. c.1907

Plate 19   William Farrell (1851-post 1911) and wife, Isabella,

née Brown (1859-post 1911). Legnanornoge dynasty:

THE DERRIES BRANCH. c.1910 (Eileen Arnold)

Plate 20   Joseph Farrell (1887-1982). Legnanornoge dynasty:

THE DERRIES BRANCH, DROMORE SUB-BRANCH.

c.1910 (Eileen Arnold)

Plate 21   William John Farrell (1881-1963) and wife, Edith,

née Clarke (1890-1979). Legnanornoge dynasty: THE

DERRIES BRANCH, DRUMQUIN SUB-BRANCH. c.1955

(Phyllis Fitzsimons)

Plate 22   Thomas Johnston Farrell (1865-1939) and wife, Maria

Alice, née Mahood (1863-1938). Original dynasty:

LACKAN BRANCH, LEGHAWNY SUB-BRANCH, LAGHY

FAMILY GROUP. c.1937 (Jackie Farrell)

Plate 23   Farrell shop at Laghy, including Thomas Johnston

Farrell (as in Plate 22). c.1925 (Jackie Farrell)

Plate 24   Robert John Farrell (1866-1915). Rossnowlagh

dynasty: DUBLIN BRANCH. c.1890 (Eric Farrell)

Plate 25   Maurice Benjamin Farrell (1899-1956) and wife,

Mary (Maisie), née Pepper (1899-1969). Rossnowlagh

dynasty: DUBLIN BRANCH, COOTEHILL SUB-

BRANCH. c.1929 (Eric Farrell)

Plate 26   William John Farrell (1901-56), Loyal Sons of

County Donegal LOL 1301. Rossnowlagh dynasty:

BRIDGETOWN BRANCH, BELFAST SUB-BRANCH. c.1953

Plate 27   Elizabeth Jane (Lillie) Farrell, née Harron (1903-57)

and son, Alexander Richard (1928-98). Rossnowlagh

dynasty: BRIDGETOWN BRANCH, BELFAST SUB-

BRANCH. c.1928 (Sam Farrell)

Plate 28   Richard Farrell (1871-1941). Rossnowlagh dynasty:

BRIDGETOWN BRANCH c.1910 (Sam Farrell)

Plate 29   Richard Alexander Farrell (1905-42) and fiancée,

Margaret, née Maxwell (1901-80). Rossnowlagh

dynasty: BRIDGETOWN BRANCH, BALLYMENA SUB-

BRANCH. c.1924

Plate 30   Richard Alexander Farrell (1905-42). Rossnowlagh

dynasty: BRIDGETOWN BRANCH, BALLYMENA SUB-

BRANCH. 1942

Plate 31   Eric Farrell, Rossnowlagh dynasty: Dublin branch,

Cootehill sub-branch, Bangor family group;

and Kathleen Hanna (née Farrell), Rossnowlagh

dynasty: Bridgetown branch, Ballymena sub-branch

at Barnyboy, Rossnowlagh. 2016

Plate 32   Alexander Stewart. Rossnowlagh dynasty:

Bridgetown branch, Ballymena sub-branch. 2018 ...251

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1   Three northwestern regiments of the Laggan Army

(1641-9) and the involvement of individuals referred to

in the text

Table 5.1   Local geographic descriptors 1609 and contemporary

equivalents

Table 5.2   References to Farrells in land rentals of Drumhome

parish 1770-73

Table 5.3   Spinning Wheel Premium Entitlement List (Parishes

of Drumholme and Raphoe) 1796

Table 5.4   Farrell freeholders in County Fermanagh 1665-1802

Table 5.5   Farrells found elsewhere in seventeenth and eighteenth

centuries Ulster

Table 6.1   A classification of Tirhugh Farrells

Table 6.2   Seven testers with a confirmed/suspected Tirhugh

Farrell/Ferrell pedigree (coded for anonymity);

comparing Genetic Distance, Matching cM, Estimated

Number of Generations to MRCA, and Estimated

Birth Year of MRCA

Table 8.1   Possible year of birth for Fergie Ferrall extrapolated

from surviving records

Table 8.2   Possible pedigree of the Rossnowlagh dynasty

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1.1   References to notable sixteenth century Farrells

Appendix 1.2   Summarised chronology and activities of

seventeenth century northwest Ulster Farrells

Appendix 5.1   Townlands/‘Farmes’ of the Conolly and Hamilton

estates c.1770/3 (Trinity College lands)

Appendix 6.1   South Donegal Farrells with birth dates prior to c.1800

Appendix 6.2   Unrelated Farrells recorded during the nineteenth

century

Appendix 6.3   Tirhugh Farrells classified into dynasties and

branches, 1857

Appendix 6.4   Tirhugh and associated Farrells classified into

dynasties and branches, 1901

Appendix 6.5   Tirhugh and associated Farrells classified into

dynasties and branches, 1911

Appendix 6.6   Major landlord families of Drumhome and

Donegal parishes by townland 1857 (excluding

Commissioners of Endowed School Land, Donegal

Town and Ballintra)

Appendix 9.1   Living male descendants of Thomas and Isabella

Farrell with Farrell as surname (Bold line represents

a generation transition)

Appendix 9.2 Living female descendants of Thomas and Isabella

Farrell whose maiden name was or remains Farrell

(Bold line represents a generation transition)

Appendix 9.3   Living descendants of Thomas and Isabella

Farrell whose mother’s name is Farrell (Bold line

represents a generation transition)

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

GUIDE TO EDITORIAL CONVENTIONS

1. Spelling, capitalisation, punctuation and content adhere to the original text.

2. The loss of original text due to damage is denoted by curly brackets: {}.

3. Unknown information is represented by square brackets: [].

4. Conjectural and uncertain information is denoted by square brackets enclosing a question mark: [?].

5. James I of England (James VI of Scotland) granted a charter in March 1613 which created a new county named, ‘Londonderry’, and renamed the city of Derry, ‘Londonderry’. In cognisance of the continued sensitivity surrounding the naming of the county and renaming of the city, they are referred to as ‘Derry/Londonderry’ in the editorial content, except: when referring to the city of Derry prior to March 1613, and when following the original text.

6. A place name is also given in Irish following the English equivalent, where it aids the understanding of the topography, or otherwise, of the location.

7. Dates in the text have not been altered. In the seventeenth century, for example, the year officially began on 25 March (Old Style).

8. No attempt has been made to reconcile the spelling variations of Irish names between the different Irish sources; nor to standardise their spelling in English, modern Irish, or older forms of Irish. Spelling adheres to the original text.¹

9. To preserve the privacy of living individuals their birth dates and ages are not included in genealogies.

10. Units of measure adhere to the original text. The Ordnance Survey of Ireland from its establishment in 1824 used English statute acres and miles. One statute acre is equivalent to 1.69 Irish and 1.29 Scotch/Cunningham acres; one Irish mile is equivalent to 1.27 statute miles.

11. An informal approach has been adopted for the index. In addition, the exceptional number of Farrells with identical forenames has necessitaed a more selective approach to the compilation of the concluding index from the nineteenth century.

PREFACE

Sam Hanna’s book on the (O) Farrells/Ferrells spans an incredible 1,400 years, set in the context of the political, social and economic landscape of Ireland. To explain the origin of the Donegal O’Farrells, he goes back to the Early Christian era c.655, and identifies an eponymous ancestor among the Cenél Conaill called Firghil who was related to Colum Cille. To dispel any doubt about the antiquity of the name, he cites references in manuscripts such as the ‘Annals of the Four Masters’ in 1087, the ‘Annals of Connaught’ in 1014 and the ‘Book of Fenagh’ in c.950.

The main focus of the book is on the Farrells in the post-Plantation period, in particular in the barony of Tirhugh in southeast Donegal from c.1626/7. It was in this region that the family came to prominence, securing land leases and forming marriage alliances. As leaseholders on the Hamilton and Conolly estates around Ballyshannon and Donegal Town, they acquired some status by the eighteenth century; they were not only ‘strong farmers’ but they had all the trappings of gentry, playing prominent roles in the church, land management and business.

The book is more than a history of one family. In a lucid and flowing style, Sam Hanna charts the social and political history of west Ulster, including the barony of Tirhugh, incorporating the Rising of 1641, the bitter antagonism between Orangemen and Ribbonmen, the impact of emigration and the relationship between landlords and tenants. He has employed the traditional tools of the genealogist and historian – wills, maps, leases, army lists, hearth money rolls, and church records. Using a comprehensive range of tables, maps and flow charts, he has identified significant Farrells in other parts of Ulster, which he has included in a database, thus providing the groundwork for further study.

The author has also presented new methods of research using modern technology. His use of DNA evidence has opened up challenging avenues for genealogists across the globe, thus creating an international dimension, far beyond Tirhugh. As the study of family history has expanded into a popular growth industry of the digital era, this monumental study will provide a welcome template for genealogists everywhere. As a classical piece of research and a model of historical analysis and methodology, there is no doubt that Sam Hanna’s book stands as the ‘gold standard’ in relation to the study of family history. He has raised the bar in the demanding discipline of family research and historians are universally grateful to him for his magnificent achievement.

Dr Seán Beattie, Editor, Donegal Annual

Culdaff, Co. Donegal, Ireland

January 2018

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research derives from a desire that my mother and other family members expressed to learn more about their Farrell origins. I am very grateful to her, my aunts Peggy, Eileen and Sandra, uncle Billy, and my late father, Samuel, for their subsequent encouragement. Particular thanks are due to: cousin Eric Farrell, and his wife, Joan, who have been the source of much assistance; Sharon Farrell-Crowley Connor, who generously shared the results of her research; and Daniel McKee, for preparing the book for publication – maps, photographs, tables, figures, and formatting.

I am indebted to: Frankie Kerrigan whose proofreading and detailed understanding of Drumhome genealogy were invaluable; Seán Beattie for contributing the Preface; and Brian Meban for the cover watercolour.

I would like to thank family members who have provided information: David Farrell, Sam Farrell, Bert Farrell, Robert Farrell, Bob Farrell, Eileen Hamilton, Catherine Weaver, Rosemary Wood, Kitty Rolfe, Mary Wake, and the late Hazel Graham and Madeline Mawhinney. Likewise: Eileen Arnold, Connie Chancellor, Terry Vance, Kathleen Villano Beazley, Stephen Farrell, Jan Farrell, Graham Farrell, Jackie and Heather Farrell, George and Ivy Farrell, Joseph Farrell, Phyllis Fitzsimons, and Raymond and Myrtle Farrell, who provided information concerning the many Farrell families. Also: William Goodwin, Lyla Goodwin, Eveyln Given, Betty Farrell, Daphne Elliott, Ann Cassidy, Howard Farrell, Margaret Graham, John McMurray, Daphne Morrow, Ernest Bustard, Jean McCleery, Elizabeth Carroll, Antaine Ó Fearghail, Jim Wray, Grant Nuttall, Graham Grimes, Barry Farrell, John Kirkpatrick, Nan Leslie, Thompson Anderson, Judith Hinchliff, and the late Lettie Morrow and Ivan Diver, for the wealth of local knowledge they shared.

Thanks to The Select Vestry of Kilbarron, Rossnowlagh and Drumholm Parish for granting me access to parish records.

On the wider academic front, I gratefully acknowledge the help of: Dr Maurice Gleeson MB² – Genetic Genealogist, FTDNA Farrell Project Administrator and Education Ambassador – International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG); Dr William Roulston – Research Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation, Belfast; John Killen – former Librarian of the Linen Hall Library, Belfast; John Farrell – Chairman of the Farrell Clan, Longford; Dr Éamonn Ó Ciardha – Senior Lecturer, University of Ulster; Rev. Ian Henderson – retired Methodist minister, Donegal; Dr Harman Murtagh – President of The Military History Society of Ireland; Dr Fergus O’Ferrall, retired Lecturer, Trinity College Dublin; and the late Bob Hunter – renowned academic of the Ulster Plantation.

Librarians and archivists have been most helpful, in particular: the staff of The Manuscripts and Archives Research Library, Trinity College Dublin; The McClay Library, Queen’s University Belfast; The Methodist Historical Society of Ireland, Belfast; The National Library of Ireland; The National Archives of Ireland; The Valuation Office, Dublin; The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland; Ballymena Central and Donegal County Libraries; An Garda Síochána Museum and Archives, Dublin; County Donegal Historical Society Museum, Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh; and Ballyshannon and District Museum, Ballyshannon.

Thanks to my wife, Margaret, for her patience and support over the many years that it has taken to complete this research; my children, Cathleen, Patricia and Owen, and brother, Richard, who have often regretted asking me a question about Farrell history!

Dr Sam Hanna

Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal, Ireland

April 2018

INTRODUCTION

This study celebrates c.1,400 years of Ó Fearghail/(O) Farrell history in the area which has evolved into contemporary County Donegal. It explores their earliest origins in the Cenél Conaill kingdom of northwest Ireland c.655, and focuses on the evolution of Farrell dynasties following the seventeenth century Plantation in west Ulster from 1610.

Chapter one seeks to trace the evolution of the Uí Fhearghail/(O) Farrells in two of their earliest points of origin – contemporary Longford and Donegal, from the end of the first millennium to the early modern era. The origin of the Farrells in southeast Donegal – closely associated with the seventeenth century Plantation – is proposed.

The second chapter places the seventeenth century Plantation of Ulster into historical context, with a particular focus on the area relevant to Farrell involvement – Donegal, west Tyrone and the city of Derry/Londonderry. The following two chapters present a database of Donegal Farrells for the same period, and outline their participation in contemporary events.

Chapter five endeavours to collate west Ulster Farrell records for the eighteenth century, and proposes the original nucleus in the barony of Tirhugh from which the Farrells subsequently expanded. It attempts to understand the decline of Farrell fortunes – although numerically successful, from an extended family with considerable position and influence in the seventeenth century, to that of mostly undertenants by the end of the eighteenth.

The following chapter proposes a classification of Tirhugh Farrells and outlines their evolution during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A comprehensive database of eighteenth century Tirhugh Farrells is presented. The ensuing detailed discussion of the use of DNA testing to investigate Farrell origins is complemented by a comprehensive analysis of the results.

Subsequent chapters feature the early genealogical details of each of the Tirhugh Farrell dynasties – Original, Rossnowlagh, Ballybulgan, Legnanornoge, Ballintra, Ballydermot and Virginia. Many descendants are traced from the eighteenth century to the present day, with insights given into the lives of some individuals. In addition, some of the salient aspects of southeast Donegal’s political, social, and physical landscapes during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are featured. The final chapter summarises the main findings of the work and makes suggestions for further research.

Opinions expressed regarding the interpretation of the primary research are entirely the author’s own. However, information relating to the historical, political, social, and physical contexts has been drawn from a range of reputable sources that have been fully referenced. This material should not be taken as expressing the author’s views, but rather reflecting the academic content of the sources.

Finally, the author would like to emphasise that such a volume of research will inevitably contain mistakes and omissions, and apologises for these in advance. He acknowledges that many of its conclusions will be developed and superseded by future investigation. In addition, the author would be delighted to hear from Farrells, or indeed anyone else, who may have further contributions to make to the body of knowledge presented. He invites readers to make contact with him at [e-mail].

CHAPTER 1

ORIGINS OF THE UÍ FHEARGHAIL/(O) FARRELLS

Background

The Farrells and those of related surname in Donegal today are not a homogeneous group. They reflect a range of origins, from local seventh century ancestors to those who migrated from elsewhere in Ireland within the last generation. This study primarily concerns the Farrells who became domiciled in southeast Donegal – or the barony of Tirhugh – from possibly c.1626/7. However, to explore their origin requires a wider understanding of the evolution of the Farrell surname.

This first chapter explores the separate origins of the most numerous and renowned Farrell branch – the Farrells in the environs of contemporary Longford; and the Farrells of northwest Ulster. A database of seventeenth century northwest Ulster Farrells is compiled and used to inform a debate into the origins of the surname in southeast Donegal. Four hypotheses are advanced concerning the origins of these southeast Donegal Farrells, and the evidence base for each is assessed.

The Farrell Surname

An Irish surname, such as Farrell, famous nationally and originating in one area, is frequently of a different derivation than the same or similar surname found in another. This fact has profound implications for the present study that attempts to trace the origins of the Donegal Farrells.

Elementary research into the origins of the Farrell surname inevitably leads to superficial heraldic sources, and dubious genealogies extending back to ‘Adam’. These invariably state that Farrells hail from the region of Ireland once known as the Kingdom of Anghaile – which since 1570 approximates to contemporary County Longford. It is of course true that this region boasts an ancient and illustrious Farrell heritage; but, even the most cursory additional research indicates that the facts concerning Farrell ancestry are much more complex.

The military and political dominance which the Farrells established in their lordship of Anghaile between the early medieval period and the sixteenth century has bequeathed an impressive legacy; including a significant concentration of Farrells in the region today and a well-documented history and genealogy. This confers the mantle of ‘senior Farrell branch’ on the Anghaile/Longford Farrells. Consequently, ‘O’ Farrell of Annaly – Ó Fearghail Anghaile’ is registered with ‘Clans of Ireland’, has established a clan organising committee, and nominates a clan chieftain.³

However, accepting this branch’s seniority does not mean that it can claim ancestry from the one and only ‘true’ eponymous Farrell ancestor; nor can it claim to be the branch with the earliest eponymous Farrell ancestor. There are a number of Farrell branches and Farrell surname variants with unique and equally legitimate ancestries; some evolving independently from their own eponymous Farrell ancestor, some evolving phonetically to Farrell, and others with completely different origins.

The northwest Ulster Farrells – and their descendants in Ireland and throughout the world, are themselves far from homogeneous, and exhibit in microcosm the national variations characterised above. Consequently, in an attempt to understand the origins of the more recent early seventeenth century Tirhugh Farrells of southeast Donegal, it is important to briefly explore those of the Anghaile/Longford and native Donegal Farrells.

Ireland was one of the earliest countries to evolve hereditary surnames and these were widely in use by the eleventh century. The Farrell surname, in its most linguistically authentic form, represents the anglicisation of the Irish family name, ‘Ó Fearghail’, meaning descendant of Fearghal (Uí Fhearghail – descendants of Fearghal). This is a personal name composed of the Irish elements, ‘fear’ – meaning ‘man’, and ‘gal’ – meaning ‘valour’; making, ‘man of valour’. However, ‘(O) Farrell’ is not the only anglicised version of the surname in use, and there is a multiplicity of variants.⁴ For example, the surname ‘Ó Firghil/Ó Frighil’, originating in Donegal, has the same root as Farrell but manifested itself from the early seventeenth century as variants of (O) Friel.⁵

Irish surnames assumed approximately the forms ordinarily in use today during the seventeenth century, but it was not until the nineteenth century – or even later in some cases – that uniformity in the spelling began to be observed. Names had often been written phonetically, (mis) translated into English, abbreviated, absorbed by similar sounding better known names, or otherwise distorted in earlier centuries,⁶ and the Farrell surname, and variants, were no exception.

For example, it has been proposed that the anglicised surname ‘Gorrell’ found in Fermanagh has its origins in the Irish, ‘Mac Fhearghail’. The five Gorrells listed in 1796 lived at Roscor, on the boundary of Fermanagh and Tyrone in Magheracross parish, close to the area known as Baile Ua Bhferghail in c.1600.⁷

In addition, ‘(O) Farrelly (Ó Faircheallaigh/Ó Fearghaile)’ is sometimes used as a variant of the Farrell surname, etymologically the same – from ‘Ó Fearghail’ – but unrelated. It originated in the Kingdom of Bréifne – particularly Cavan and west Leitrim.⁸

The resulting evolution and lack of standardisation illustrate the difficulties that frequently arise when attempting to trace the activities and relationships of individuals and families for genealogical or other purposes. In the absence of authentic pedigrees or family lore prior to the early eighteenth century, there is no certainty that any surname retained its integrity and had not morphed significantly in the preceding centuries.

DNA testing, however, is now becoming an increasingly powerful tool in genealogy.⁹ It can help elucidate some of the most intractable problems and deeper secrets masked by issues such as the temporal morphing of surnames and non-paternity events. This will be explored in later chapters.

In the text of this study, ‘(O) Farrell’ will be used as the standard post-fifteenth century English translation of ‘Ó Fearghail’, but an exact transcription of the surname will be used when sourced in historical references. The original Irish form, ‘Ó Fearghail’ – or in Donegal – ‘Ó Firghil/Ó Frighil’, will be used for references prior to 1500.

Mythology and Early History of Anghaile/Longford Farrells

Data included in the ‘Annála Connacht’ (‘Annals of Connacht’) has been used to calculate that one of the first to bear the Ó Fearghail name was Senlaech Ó Fearghail in c.1014.¹⁰ This date is contemporaneous with the Battle of Clontarf when Brian Bόramha (Brian Boru), the aspiring high king of Ireland, defeated the forces of the king of Leinster and the Vikings of Dublin.¹¹ Certain texts suggest that some Uí Fhearghail participated in the battle alongside Bόramha; however, other sources state that this is an unsubstantiated claim that bears the evidence of fabrication.¹² This leaves the first tangible historical reference to an Ó Fearghail as 1087 in the ‘Annála Ríoghachta Éireann’ (‘Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland’, also known as, ‘Annals of the Four Masters’). In that year Cú Sléibhe Ó Fearghail and his sons were mentioned as being allied to the Uí Ruairc (O’Rourkes) of the Kingdom of Bréifne (Breffny).¹³

The pedigree of the Uí Fheargail taoisigh (lords) of Anghaile detailed in the ‘Annála Connacht’ proposes that the eponymous ancestor, Fearghal, from whom the Uí Fhearghail derived their name – would have lived c.950, and that his great-grandfather, Anghal, lived c.850.¹⁴ Anghal is important as he gave his name to the greater family group, the Muinntear Anghaile, from whom the Uí Fhearghail eventually emerged to become the ruling family in the eleventh century.¹⁵

The Muinntear Anghaile had become the pre-eminent family group of the Conmaicne Réin tribe whose original homeland was coexistent with the baronies of Leitrim, Mohill and part of Carrigallen – Cloone parish – in south County Leitrim; and the parish of Kilronan in north County Roscommon¹⁶ (Fig. 1.1).

The Conmaicne Réin moved southwards from this area to conquer the northern part of the Kingdom of Teathba – broadly contemporary County Longford – during the eighth to the eleventh centuries.¹⁷ The first of the taoisigh of Muinntear Anghaile to adopt the Ó Fearghail surname was Braon who died about the end of the eleventh century;¹⁸ and there are accounts of their taoisigh, riogh (kings) and other notables in the annals and genealogical tracts thereafter.¹⁹ At this stage the Ó Fearghail rulers of Muinntear Anghaile and the Conmaicne were simply referred to in the annals as notabilities or by other inferior titles, as they were still subject to the kings of Bréifne (a region that approximated to the contemporary counties of Cavan, Leitrim and south Fermanagh) who were styled rí Bréifne and Conmaicne.²⁰

shFig11Ireland1.jpg

Fig. 1.1   Origins of the Anghaile/ Longford Ó Fearghail, and the Cenél Conaill /Donegal Ó Firghil²¹

The history of the Conmaicne Réin is obscure and there is no trace of their migration to their homeland in south Leitrim. However, they are known to have been part of a wider tribal grouping of Conmaicne that inhabited a continuous belt from northeast Galway to the sea at Connemara (named after the Conmaicne Mara – ‘hound-sons of the sea’).²² Evidence from ‘The Book of Fenagh’ has been used to propose that a branch of the Conmaicne, which originated in northeast Galway, migrated across the River Shannon to an area around Fenagh in County Leitrim c.500-25 – about the time of their conversion to Christianity by St Caillín.²³ Over the following two centuries they consolidated their control over southwest Leitrim.²⁴

The ‘Book of Fenagh’ gives a detailed pedigree for the Conmaicne that has them descended from Lughaidh Conmhac (‘hound-son’).²⁵ He in turn was artificially provided with a descent from Conmhac,²⁶ son of Fearghas Mac Rόigh²⁷ – the deposed king of Ulster – and Queen Méabh of Connacht.²⁸ Fearghas was a central figure in the famous mythical saga from early Irish literature called the ‘Táin Bό Cúailnge’ (‘Cattle Raid of Cooley’), which is thought to have been set in the early first century AD. He was foster-father to the mythical warrior hero Cú Chulainn who eventually saved Ulster from defeat.²⁹ This construct was created by the early genealogists to give the Conmaicne and other tribes of lesser importance a convenient Gaelic ancestor, as such pedigrees prior to the fifth century are entirely fictitious.³⁰

The Conmaicne may have been the remnants of a once powerful pre-Celtic people who had been given the nickname ‘dog-sons’ by the dominant Celts;³¹ or alternatively amongst the last body of pre-Gaelic, but Celtic invaders – the Laighin, who invaded Connacht from Leinster c.250 BC driving out the earlier Fir Bolg inhabitants.³² In their invasion story they described themselves as Gauls who invaded Leinster from Armorica – an area between the Seine and Loire rivers, including the Brittany peninsula in modern France, and conquered a considerable part of Leinster and Connacht.³³ They were probably the Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology.³⁴

The Lordship of Anghaile c.1150-c.1570

Between the eleventh and mid-twelfth century the Muinntear Anghaile – dominated now by the Uí Fhearghail – had conquered most of northern Teathba and renamed it Anghaile (Annaly) after their ancestor Anghal. The Uí Ruairc of Bréifne continued to attempt to assert their authority over Anghaile and they in turn were under the firm overlordship of the Ó Conchobhair (O’Connor) kings of Connacht.³⁵

The Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland in 1169 and in 1172 Henry II of England granted all Ó Fearghail territories to Hugh de Lacy, an Anglo-Norman from Wales. The Anglo-Norman colony in Anghaile was at its height c.1210-60, but never extended much beyond political overlordship, castles, demesne manors, and some boroughs populated by burgesses of English stock.³⁶ However, the fragmentation of Ó Ruairc power in the face of the invasion enabled the Uí Fhearghail to assert their independence from the overkingdom of Bréifne by the early thirteenth century; and by the fourteenth century their supremacy was complete. This position was continually under threat as a result of internal disputes and the continued Anglo-Norman presence. Various branches of the Uí Fhearghail shifted allegiance between the Anglo-Normans and the Uí Chonchobhair (O’Connors) during this period, in attempts to gain the upper hand in family disputes which usually related to succession rights.³⁷

In 1314 Seafraidh Ó Fearghail, Lord of Anghaile, was asked for support from Edward II of England in his war against King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. However, Ó Fearghail joined Bruce’s brother and his Irish ally Ó Conchobhair at the Battle of Athenry in 1316 against the Anglo-Norman forces of Edward II. Bruce, Ó Conchobhair, and Ó Fearghail were defeated in this battle, but the three-year war and widespread famine devastated the Anglo-Norman settlement. By 1320 the colony had collapsed and the Uí Fhearghail, despite frequent clashes with them in the future, maintained an independent chieftaincy in Anghaile that was militarily, politically, economically, and socially, Gaelic Irish.³⁸

Apart from a period under the reign of Uilliam Ó Fearghail at the end of the fifteenth century, the 1400s were beset by further division and infighting in Anghaile between the factions of the ruling Uí Fhearghail. Eventually the lordship permanently split on a roughly north south divide into two chieftaincies at the beginning of the sixteenth century; Ó Fearghail Bán in the north and east, and Ó Fearghail Buidhe in the southwest. As a result of the ongoing disunity and instability the Uí Fhearghail were weakened, and by the end of the fifteenth century the Fitzgeralds – earls of Kildare, had established overlordship of them. This entailed economic exploitation, military service and the transfer of land to the Kildares. The Uí Fhearghail were expected to accompany the Kildares on military campaigns, and for this they received their protection.³⁹

The Fitzgeralds retained close links to the English crown and despite challenging the royal authority in Ireland – often in open rebellion, held the position of Lord Deputy of Ireland at various times; a post which was the king’s representative in Ireland and head of the Irish executive under English rule. The Kildares were at the height of their ascendancy when the tenth earl rebelled against Henry VIII in 1534-5. He was defeated and as a result their estates were forfeited to the crown. Consequently, Anghaile and the O’Farrells were drawn into closer union with the Dublin administration on behalf of the crown.⁴⁰

In 1542 Henry VIII became monarch of the Kingdom of Ireland which replaced the old Lordship of Ireland which had existed since 1171, and introduced the policy of surrender and regrant. This was where clan chiefs surrendered their lands to the crown, and then had them regranted as freeholds paying rent and swearing allegiance. They were given titles and allowed to enter the Irish Parliament, so long as they undertook to renounce the Gaelic legal system and customs, and reject the jurisdiction of the Pope. They were also supposed to convert from Roman Catholicism to the new English Protestant Church. The O’Farrells were no exception to this and as part of surrender and regrant the Kingdom of Anghaile ceased to exist, and the county of Longford was created in 1570.⁴¹

Farrells Beyond Annaly and Longford during the Sixteenth and Early Seventeenth Centuries

The O’Farrells had been aligned to the Kildares for a century and were required to provide them with military service, and they in turn were required to provide troops for the crown. It is not surprising, therefore, that thirteen O’Farrell kern (foot soldiers) were among a group led by Tiege O’Farrell known as ‘The Kerne of Annalie’ – numbering twenty-six kern and seven boys. This was part of a larger contingent responding to a request in late 1543 to the Lord Justice and Council in Ireland by Henry VIII, to provide men to assist his campaigns in France and Scotland. Tiege was variously described as ‘chief of his name’ or ‘Tanist’ (heir presumptive/second in rank or dignity) of ‘Upper and Lower Annaley’, in the counties Longford, Westmeath and Leitrim. The individual O’Farrells were named as: Cayer O Ferrald/Cahir O Farrell (petty captain); Morgh; Hugh (2); Wyllm; Tvyre; Rowry; Shane and Carbry O Ferrald; Reymond O Ferrald (‘pyper’); and Edmonde (2) and Melaghlyn O Ferralde. Another six O’Farrells: Donogh O Farroll; John O Ferrall; Hugh O Farrell; Neyle O Ferrall; Hubert O Ferral; and Shane O Ferrald served in other companies of the expedition.⁴²

The contingent of approximately 1,150 men was encamped near Waterford on 7 May 1544 before being shipped to west Chester in England. Just over half were sent to London – 600 kern and 150 pages, where in June they were reviewed by Henry VIII at St James’s Park before joining the French campaign in the environs of Boulogne. They were returned home in 1546, but not before their activities had resulted in a deputation of French to Henry asking if ‘he had brought beasts or men’. The remaining kern under Captain Callough O’Byrne had been dispatched to Newcastle in England for action in the Scottish campaign. On arrival 100 were sent to the West Marches – western Anglo-Scottish border area, and the remainder were divided between the Middle and Eastern Marches. They were repatriated in 1545, ‘with suitable rewards’, and a reputation of being dreaded by the Scots and for taking no prisoners.⁴³

Notwithstanding their mercenary activities throughout the sixteenth century, the fact is inescapable that the O’Farrells – now increasingly dropping the ‘O’, had been drawn into a wider world that extended their horizons well beyond Annaly and Longford. Many Farrells moved into different trades and professions or were merchants in Dublin and beyond, and adapted to, or embraced the new English legal system and religion. Many, however, remained wedded to infighting and rebellion. Appendix 1.1 demonstrates this dichotomy by summarising records of some notable sixteenth century Farrells.

Farrells – variously spelled – began to live and work in England and Scotland in significant numbers during this period. Birth, marriage and death records