Ó Laoghaire

Rev Patrick Woulfe

1923

Ó LAOGHAIRE—I—O'Leary, Leary, &c.; 'descendant of Laoghaire' (calf-keeper); the name of a family of Corca Laoighdhe, who were originally chiefs of the country lying around Rosscarberry, in West Cork, but removed from there about the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion and settled in the parish of Inchigeelagh, where they became lords, under the MacCarthys, of the country between Macroom and Inchigeelagh. The head of the family resided at Carrignacurra, about a mile to the east of the village of Inchigeelagh. In 1642, Connor O'Leary of Carrignacurra, Auliff O'Leary of Cunnowley, and fourteen others of the name were attainted. The O'Learys are now very numerous throughout Munster.

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