Ó Séaghdha

Rev Patrick Woulfe

1923

Ó SÉAGHDHA—I—O'Shea, O'Shee, Shea, Shee, &c.; 'descendant of Séaghdha' (stately, majestic, courteous; also learned, scientific, ingenious); the name of a family of Corca Dhuibhne in West Kerry who until about the period of the Anglo-Norman invasion were lords of Ui Rathach, now the barony of Iveragh. A branch of the family settled, about the beginning of the 15th century, in the city of Kilkenny, where they became wealthy and highly respectable. The name was also borne by a branch of the Ui Fiachrach in the barony of Tirawley, Co. Mayo, but this family, if still extant, is very little known. The O'Sheas are now very numerous, especially in Kerry.

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