Finding Your Family History in Co. Cork This is the illustrated, book that focuses exclusively on families of County Cork. Part of the Irish Families Project, it includes: Catholic and Protestant; native Irish; settler families from England, Scotland, and Wales; County Map; Coats of Arms; and more.. Information contained here-in dates from the earliest times to the modern era. Expands Upon Earlier Information The Master Volume in the Irish Families series is 'The Book of Irish Families, great & small'. It covers thousands of families from all of Ireland. 'Families of Co. Cork' greatly expands upon the coverage given in that book and adds several hundred new families. In this way both books compliment each other. 'Families of Co. Cork' is the 4th volume in the series, which covers every county in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was published by the Irish Genealogical Foundation and edited by Michael C. O'Laughlin. An outline of the history of the county as it relates to Irish families, and to Irish research, is included, along with an exhaustive enumeration of thousands of Cork families, sure to help any family researcher. Expanded Information When needed, sources are given for further research. Family castles, dates of occupation and locations are given. Ordinary Cork people, from the 17th to the 19th century are included too. The following is taken from the introduction to this book, and helps set the stage for the family history that follows in the bulk of this work. " The Vikings settled here centuries before the Norman invasion, and are credited with establishing the city of Cork. Their settlement did not lead to the great upheaval that the Norman invasion eventually caused. The Skiddys, Coppingers and Cotters were a few of the 'Viking' families that settled here at an early date, and remained in relative peace. (see surname entries of those families in text of this book). The Norman Invasion Robert Fitz-Stephen and Miles (Milo) de Cogan were granted the entire kingdom of Cork in 1177 by King Henry II. (This did not include however the city and land belonging to the Ostmen, also called Danes or Vikings.) Cork lands could only be taken slowly at first by the Normans. Many Anglo-Norman families and their retainers (undertakers) had to be settled here for that purpose over time. Large tracts of land were held by many of these families subsequently, including the Carews, De Courcys, Fitzgeralds and Barretts. Sir Richard Boyle, who became the Earl of Cork, helped with the plantation of many English here. They were 'settled' in direct opposition to the old Gaelic families native to the land, who stood to lose their homes, lands, and power. Many battles were fought and much blood shed on both sides of the line, which at times became blurred. Castles were numerous and often necessary to protect life and limb. " Families with major entries in this book include: Mc Auliffe; Barry; Callaghan; Mac Carthy; Coppinger; Mac Cotter; Courcy deCourcey; O Crowley; O Daly; O Donovan; O Driscoll; Herlihy; Hyde; O Keeffe, O'Keefe; Lane; O'Leary; Long; O' Mahoney; Nagle; Reardon; Regane; Roach; Sheehan; O' Sullivan; Sweeney; Twomey and Walsh, Welsh....and so on..... There are too many name to display here!

This comprehensive reference includes over 550 entries with the origin, geographical distribution, and historical anecdotes for each name.

Profiles fifty-six Irish surnames from Ahearne to Walsh, discussing the meaning, origin, and history of each name. Includes illustrations of each family's shield.

Ireland was one of the earliest countries to evolve a system of hereditary surnames. More than 4,000 Gaelic, Norman and Anglo-Irish surnames are listed in this book, giving a wealth of information on the background and location of Irish families. Edward MacLysaght was a leading authority on Irish names and family history. He served as Chief Herald and Genealogical Officer of the Irish Office of Arms. He was also Keeper of Manuscripts of the National Library of Ireland and was Chairman of the Manuscripts Commission. This book, which was first published in 1957 and now is in its sixth edition, is being reprinted for the fourth time and remains the definitive record of Irish surnames, their genealogy and their origins.

This extremely well-researched history of a County Cork sept traces its origins from Cellachan of Cashel, the tenth-century king of Munster, down to modern times. As the English extended their rule over Ireland in the 16th century, more abundant historical data presents a detailed picture of the territory occupied by the sept and the activities of its chieftains. Steady encroachment by English adventurers and speculators, however, imposed severe pressure on the Gaelic way of life. As a consequence of the rebellion of 1641 and the subsequent conquest by Oliver Cromwell, O Callaghan lands were confiscated and the chieftain and his family were transplanted to County Clare. The Confiscated lands were allotted toCromwell's soldiers as a reward for their service. Although some O Callaghans retained their estates by conforming to the Established Church, the majority, who remained on the land as tenants of English landlords, adhered to the Catholic Church. At the end of the 17th century the departure of many Irish soldiers for the continent, where they achieved renown in the service of the kings of France and Spain, deprived the common people of Ireland of their natural leaders. The Penal Laws of the 18th century throttled the Catholic people and condemned many to a life of servitude and poverty. In the early 19th century Catholic Emancipation relieved some of that burden, and the struggle over the land later in the century resulted in the Land Acts that put an end to landlordism and gave tenants a full right of ownership. The restoration of their dignity paved the way to future prosperity. Despite hundreds of years of penury and subjection, the native resilience and intelligence of the O Callaghans has enabled many proud bearers of the name to achieve distinction in nearly every area of human endeavor.