MacBrody family genealogy
THE MacBruaideaghea family, anglicised MacBruodin, MacBrodin, and MacBrody, derive their descent and sirname from Bruadeagha, son of Aongus Cinathrach (clan Arach), the fifth son of Cas, who is No. 91 on the "O'Brien, Kings of Thomond" pedigree. The MacBrodys were one of the most learned families of Munster, and they became in very early times hereditary historians to several of the dominant tribes of Thomond, by whom they were rewarded with large grants of land in that principality.
Among the many distinguished writers produced by this family, may be mentioned Cormac MacBrody, whose approbation of the Annals of Donegal, the Four Masters procured in 1636; and Anthony MacBrodin, a Franciscan friar, Jubilate Lecturer on Divinity in the Irish College at Prague, and author of the celebrated work entitled, Passio Martyrum Hiberniae, and other works on Theology.
The Book of the MacBruodins (or MacBrodys), in which was chronicled events, which occurred between the years 1588 and 1602 (See Appendix), was compiled by Maolin Oge MacBrody, in the last mentioned year. It was used in the compilation of the Four Masters, and considered a most trust-worthy record.
In A.D. 1563, Dermod MacBrody, son of Conor, son of Dermod, son of John, chief professor of Ibrackan, in Clare, died, and he was succeeded by his kinsman, Maolin MacBrody.
In 1582, Maolin, who was the son of Conor, son of Dermod, son of John, professor in History to the O'Briens, died, and his brother Giolla-Bride, succeeded him in the professorship.
In 1427, Dermod, son of Maolin, died. This Maolin was chief professor of Poetry and History to the O'Quins of Cinel-Fermaic, in the barony of Inchiquin, co. Clare; and he was succeeded, at his death, by his son, Dermod, above mentioned. Maolin, son of Dermod, died 1438; and John, son of Maolin, in 1518.
In 1531, Conor, son of Dermod, son of John, son of Maolin, son of Dermod, son of Dermod, son of Maolin, son of Dermod, Chief Historian and Bard to the O'Quins, died.
In 1570, Donal MacBrody, a very learned man, flourished; he was author of a poem consisting of forty-two verses or stanzas, of four lines each, which he wrote for James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald of Desmond.
In 1602, Maolin Oge MacBrody, son of Maolin, son of Conor, son of John, died on the 31st of December. He was an excellent Historian and epic poet, the compiler of the "Book of the MacBrodys," and author of the poems, commencing, "Give ear to me, O Inis an Laogh;" "Know me O MacCoghlan;" "Let us make a visit to the children of Cais;" "Strangers here are Cahir's race;" "From four the Gadelians have sprung;" and also the following verse or stanza, composed on the occasion of the restoration of his property which had been seized on by the forces of Hugh Ruadh O'Donnell, Prince of Tirconnell, in 1599:—
"It was destined that in revenge for Oileach,
O Hugh Roe, as foretold by the prophet,
That your forces would come to Magh Adhair;
In the north the needy seeks assistance."
This was the Maolin MacBrody, who assisted in making the Irish translation of the New Testament, published by Ussher, in Dublin, in 1602.
The celebrated "Contention of the Bards" (about 1604) was carried out by one Teige MacBrody of Clare, and Lughaidh O'Clery of Donegal.
The last record we have of this family is in 1642, when Conor MacBrody, of Letter-Maolin, son of Maolin Oge, above mentioned, died.