O'Corcoran family genealogy

THIS family derives its origin from Amruadh, who is No. 94 on the "O'Carroll Ely" pedigree; and were in Irish called O'Corcrain ("corcra:" Irish, red), which has been anglicised O'Corcoran, Corcoran, and Coghrane. They were formerly chiefs of Munster Corcrain, a district in the county of Tipperary, co-extensive with the parish of Killenaule, in the barony of Slieveardagh; of the district of Clare Ruaine, in North Tipperary; and also of the territory lying around Cleenish, in the barony of Clan-Awly, county of Fermanagh. Several members of the house of Cleenish gave superiors to the famous abbey of Daimhinis (or Devenish), on Lough Erne.

In 1001. Cahalan O'Corcoran, abbot of Devenish, died.

In 1040. O'Corcoran, abbot of Iniscaltra, "the most celebrated ecclesiastic of Western Europe, both for religion and learning," died at Lismore, and was interred in the church of St. Carthagh.

In 1045. Cathasagh O'Corcoran, coarb of Glen-Uissin, in Hy-Bairche, the territory of the Mac Gormans, in the county of Carlow, died.

In 1095. The bishop O'Corcoran, successor of St. Brennan, of Clonfert, died.

In 1055. Fiacha O'Corcoran, died.

In 1163. Maolisa O'Corcoran, successor of St. Comghaile, died.

In 1487. Brian O'Corcoran, Vicar of Cleenish, died.

The O'Corcorans sank into obscurity at the period of the Anglo-Norman Invasion, and several branches of the sept removed into the counties of Cork, Kilkenny, and Waterford. In Kilkenny they obtained a settlement from the FitzWalters (or Butlers), who were in possession of their ancient patrimony. And a senior branch of these settlers was represented by the late Most Rev. Michael Corcoran, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, in the commencement of this century; and by the Corcorans of Enniscorthy, in co. Wexford.

The co. Cork branch of the family settled in Carbery, and are now (1887) represented by Jeremiah (Dan) O'Corcoran, of Bengowe, Parish of Murragh, who has a son, the Rev. Daniel O'Corcoran, a Catholic clergyman in the city of Cork.