The Hoolahan Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 179. Plate 8.)

THE Hoolahan family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Ir. The founder of the family was Conal Kearnach, the warrior, son of Amergin, fourth in degree from Rory O’More, the chieftain who gave his name to his tribe in Ulster, B. C. 87.

The ancient name was Huallachain and signifies “Loud Noise.” It was taken from Hullachain, a chief of the sept. The possessions of the sept were located in the present Counties of Cork, Galway, and Leitrim. The O’Hoolaghans, sometimes Anglicized O’Coolaghan and MacCoolaghan, were Chiefs of Siol Anmchadha, a name derived from a descendant of Colla da Crioch. This territory comprised the present barony of Longford, in the County of Galway, and the parish of Lusmagh on the Leinster side of the River Shannon, in Kings County.

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