Legend of Maura Rua the Ghost of Lemaneagh Castle

Maura Rhue McMahon (Mary O'Brien), also known as "Red Mary", her red-haired ghost was reputed to haunt the long front avenue of Lemaneagh Castle, near the 'Druids' altar'. Here is the legend...

The most interesting group of tales is attached to Lemaneagh Castle, a fine, but bare, old mansion, with curious gardens, courtyards, fishpond, and outbuildings, between Inchiquin and Kilfenora. An inscription over a gateway kept the remembrance green of Conor O'Brien and his wife Mary McMahon, but the gateway has recently been carried off and rebuilt in a modern garden at Dromoland. The garden near the fishpond has a sort of summerhouse in one wall, with a niche on each side of the door, and tradition says that Maura Rhue (Mary O'Brien) built it for a famous blind stallion, so fierce that, when his grooms let him out, they had to spring up into the niches for safety. Conor O'Brien built the gates to shut in the people of Burren, (for a road through the enclosures leads into that extraordinary mountain wilderness), and would let no one through who did not ask leave of him and of his wife; but one of the Burren gentry gathered a band of the inhabitants, broke the gates, and forced O'Brien to promise free right of way for ever.

'Maura,'-or, as she is known in East Clare, 'Maureen' Rhue (Little Mary), or, by some English-speakers, 'Moll Roo,'-used to hang her maids by their hair from the corbels on the old peel tower, (the nucleus of the building). Others said that she cut off the breasts of her maids. I was told in 1878-81 that she married 25 husbands, all the later ones for a year and a day, after which either of the pair could divorce the other. She used to put her servants into all the houses of her temporary husband, and then suddenly divorce him and exclude him from his property. She was a MacMahon and had red hair (whence her name), and she and Conor O'Brien used to ride at the head of their troops in the wars.

Her descendants at Dromoland and elsewhere told, in 1839 and later, a curious story of her and Conor. General Ireton was attacked by Conor O'Brien, who fell mortally wounded but would not surrender. His servants brought him back, nearly dead, to his wife at Lemaneagh. 'She neither spoke nor wept,' but shouted to them from the top of the tower,- 'What do I want with dead men here?' Hearing that he was still alive she nursed him tenderly till he died. Then she put on a magnificent dress, called her coach, and set off at once to Limerick, which was besieged by Ireton. At the outposts she was stopped by a sentinel, and roared, and shouted, and cursed at him until Ireton and his officers, who were at dinner, heard the noise and came out. On their asking who was the woman, she replied,- 'I was Conor O'Brien's wife yesterday, and his widow to-day.' 'He fought us yesterday. How can you prove he is dead?' 'I'll marry any of your officers that asks me.' Captain Cooper, a brave man, at once took her at her word, and they were married, so that she saved the O'Brien property for her son, Sir Donat.

Lady Chatterton's account in 1839 tallies with that above. She says that Ireton sent five of his best men, disguised as sportsmen, to shoot Conor O'Brien, and one of them succeeded in wounding him. Mary captured and hanged the man, called her sons and advised them to surrender to the Parliament, and set off in her coach and six as described above.

At Lemaneagh it is added that one morning, after her marriage to Cooper, they quarrelled while he was shaving, and he spoke slightingly of Conor O'Brien. The affectionate relict, unable to bear any slur on the one husband she had loved, jumped out of bed and gave Cooper a kick in the stomach from which he died.

It was told that Maureen Rhue was taken by her enemies, after killing the last of her 25 husbands, and was fastened up in a hollow tree, of which the site and, I think, the alleged roots were still shown. Her red-haired ghost was reputed to haunt the long front avenue, near the 'Druids' altar'.

Thomas J. Westropp, 'Folklore of Clare'. Ennis, Clasp Press, 2000.

Dromoland Castle

Dromoland Castle is a castle, now a 5-star luxury hotel with golf course, located near Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. Its restaurant, the Earl of Thomond, was awarded a Michelin star in 1995.^[1]
The present building was completed in 1835. However the first building constructed here seems to have been a 15th or early 16th century tower house and is recorded as being erected by Thomas, the son of Shane Mac Anerheny.^[2] There were at least three houses on the site, at various times, called Dromoland. While Dromoland later became residence of eight generations of the O'Brien family, early records suggest that the area was also occupied by other local Gaelic families, such as the McInerney family during the 16th century.^[3] According to the historian James Frost, Dromoland translates as the "Hill of Litigation".

History

In 1551 Dromoland was listed in the will of Murrough O'Brien. He was first Tanist and in 1543 had been granted the title of first Earl of Thomond by Henry VIII. Murrough bequeathed Leamaneh Castle to his third son Donough MacMurrough O'Brien. He also gave him the castle and lands at Dromoland. In 1582 Donough was hanged in Limerick on charges of rebellion. The government decided that all his property would be forfeited to the Queen. Sir George Cusack, the sheriff, took possession of Dromoland. Some years later, Turlough O'Brien killed Cusack and various O'Briens attempted to re-possess Dromoland. The fourth Earl of Thomond claimed to have sole ownership and tried to exclude Donough's son, Conor MacDonough O'Brien. The outcome of this dispute is unclear.
In 1604 when Conor O'Brien died he left Dromoland to his son, Donough MacConor O'Brien. Donough, whose mother was Slany O'Brien, was then only about eight years old. A legal battle ensued between the fourth Earl and Slany O'Brien. The dispute was settled by arbitration in 1613. The Earl, by now Lord Thomond, became owner of Dromoland on payment of Ј132.13.4. in compensation to Slany O'Brien. When Donough was older, he refused to abide by the settlement. By 1614 a William Starkey was leasing Dromoland from Lord Thomond. By 1628 Lord Thomond was dead and Donough continued the dispute through the Court of Wards and Liveries in Dublin. In 1629 Donough was granted entry "on all the manors, lands and tenements of his late father" on payment of a fine. However, Dromoland was not listed among the many properties named, and it rested with the Earls of Thomond for another fifty years. The fifth Earl did transfer two other properties to Donough as compensation.

Robert Starkey, son of William, was in residence at Dromoland when the rebellion of 1641 began. It seems that he either fled the area or sublet the property. In 1642 Col. Conor O'Brien of Leamaneh, son of Donough and husband of Maire Rua (daugher of Torlach Rua MacMahon, Lord of Clonderlaw) , seized the castle along with a Captain McInerhenny, the leaders of the Irish force, who surprised the guards through help of Starkey's assistant Moran. Conor was killed in battle in 1651. His eldest son Donough, born to Conor and Maire Rua in 1642, was heir to Leamaneh Castle and to the family claim on Dromoland. In addition, Donough inherited large landholdings from his half-brother, William O'Neylan (O'Neillan) (1635–78) of Dysert, to whose father Daniel, Marie Rua had been married from 1634 until his untimely death in 1639.
Robert Starkey resumed the lease and in 1666 Dromoland was sub-leased to Colonel Daniel O'Brien from Carrigaholt Castle. Three years later, it was assigned to Thomas Walcott of Moyhill. Finally, in 1684 the freehold was assigned to Donough O'Brien. At this time Dromoland was a modest house. The original tower house seems to have been added onto during Starkey's time, before Donough moved in from Leamaneh.
Through the years visitors to Dromoland have written various descriptions of it. Sir Donough, 1st Baronet, died in 1717. During his time at Dromoland, it was described as "a handsome Grecian Building." Donough's son Lucius also died in 1717 so Edward, son of Lucius, became 2nd Baronet. This first Sir Edward O'Brien decorated the house with pictures and carvings. He also had designs drawn up for a new house. Thomas Roberts and John Aheron both submitted drawings to him for a house and garden at Dromoland. John Aheron appears to have been the architect responsible for the final design. He also designed the Gazebo on Turret Hill, across the road from the main entrance gateway. It was probably built for observing the training of horses. Dromoland was expanded to a ten-bay, 2 ¹⁄₂-storey house. A two-story quadrangle was completed in 1736. Edward died in 1765.
In 1795 an issue of the Gentleman's Magazine gave the following description of Dromoland:

"the noble and beautiful seat of Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart., in the county of Clare, situated on a hill gently rising from a lake of twenty four acres in the middle of woods. Three beautiful hills rise above it, commanding fine prospects of the great rivers Fergus and Shannon at their junction, being each of them a league wide."

Sir Lucius O'Brien was the eldest son of the first Sir Edward. Lucius was the 3rd Baronet. He died in 1794. His son, the second Sir Edward, was the 4th Baronet. Edward decided to rebuild the castle. In 1821, it was the birthplace of Edward's brother Robert's son, George O'Brien (painter). Work began around 1822 and cost about Ј50,000 to complete. The Pain brothers submitted some classical designs but Edward O'Brien chose their neo-gothic designs, influenced by John Nash. James and George Richard Pain had been pupils of Nash in England. The building was completed in 1835. Samuel Lewis writing in 1837 described Dromoland as:

"a superb edifice in the castellated style, lately erected on the site of the ancient mansion, and surrounded by an extensive and richly wooded demesne, in which great improvements have recently been made".

Edward was married to Charlotte Smith and her inherited wealth was probably essential in covering construction costs of their new mansion. Edward and Charlotte were parents of William Smith O'Brien, the leader of the Young Irelander rebellion of 1848. Sir Edward died in 1837. His eldest son Lucius was 5th Baronet and 13th Baron Inchiquin.
Burke's Visitation of Seats (1855) gives the following description of Dromoland:

"It is built entirely of dark blue limestone, and in fine chiseled workmanship; the ornamental grounds and woods extend over more than 1,500 [6.1 km²] of land…from some of the eminences there are views of the Shannon and Fergus, which, at this part of the country, resembles a large inland lake with island, making Dromoland one of the most beautiful and desirable residences in Ireland."

Dromoland has been preserved with little change since that time. The mansion is in "baronial" or "gothic revival" style. It has four linked irregular castellated turrets. A gothic porch to the north front displays the O'Brien arms. The western portion faces out to the lake, and the east towards the hill where Thomond House now stands. The large walled gardens are to the south. In 1902 the 15th Baron Inchiquin, Lucius, took the old 17th century gateway from Leamaneh and erected it at the entrance to the large walled garden. A long curving drive leads from the gateway and classical lodge, passing north of the lake and round to the front door of Dromoland Castle.
In 1962, Donough O'Brien, the sixteenth Baron Inchiquin, sold Dromoland Castle and 350 acres (1.4 km²) because of difficult financial circumstances. He built Thomond House on a hill overlooking Dromoland. He moved in to this Georgian style house in 1965 and died in 1968. The house is now occupied by the 18th Baron Inchiquin.
Dromoland Castle was bought by United States citizen, Bernard McDonough. It has since then been converted for use as a top-grade luxurious hotel.

Famous Guests

United States President George W. Bush spent the night of Friday, June 26, 2004, at Dromoland Castle to attend the EU-US Summit held at the facility. President Bush was guarded by approximately 7,000 police, military and private security forces during his 16-hour visit.^[4]
Over the years, many famous guests stayed at Dromoland Castle including Bill Clinton, Juan Carlos I of Spain Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Richard Branson, Jack Nicholson, Johnny Cash and Michael Flatley.

Source: Wikipedia

Mathgamain mac Cennétig King of Munster

Mathgamain mac Cennétig was King of Munster from around 970 to his death in 976. He is the elder brother of Brian Bóruma and the ancestor of the McMahon family of County Clare in Western Ireland (Thomond).

Mathgamain was the son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin of the Dál gCais. His father died in 951 and is called king of Tuadmumu in the report of his death, and was probably succeeded by Mathgamain's brother Lachtna, who died in 953 and is not given any distinguishing title at his death.

In 967, Mathgamain is called "king of Cashel", by the Annals of Ulster. However he is not believed to have become king of Munster until 970 or shortly after, after deposing Máel Muad mac Brain.
In 967 Mathgamain defeated Ivar of Limerick in the celebrated Battle of Sulcoit.
Mathgamain was captured in 976 by Donnubán mac Cathail, prince of Uí Fidgenti, with whom the Dál gCais were rivaling for territory, and who were currently in alliance with Ivar of Limerick. Donnubán handed him over to his most powerful ally Máel Muad mac Brain, previous king of Munster, who had Mathgamain killed.

Source: Wikipedia

Decendents of Brian Boru

 

 

Brian Boru (c. 941 – 23 April 1014, Old Irish: Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig; Middle Irish: Brian Bóruma; modern Irish: Brian Bóroimhe) was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain (McMahon), Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, making himself ruler of the south of Ireland. He is the founder of the O'Brien dynasty.

 

 

Reign of his brother, Mathgamain (McMahon)

In 964, Brian's older brother, Mathgamain, claimed control over the entire province of Munster by capturing the Rock of Cashel, capital of the ancient Eóganachta, the hereditary overlords or High Kings of Munster, but who in dynastic strife and with multiple assassinations had weakened themselves to the point they were now impotent. Earlier attacks from both the Uí Néill and Vikings were factors. This situation allowed the illegitimate (from the Eóganacht perspective) but militarized Dál Cais to attempt to seize the provincial kingship. However, Mathgamain (McMahon) was never fully recognized and was opposed throughout his career in the 960s and 970s by Máel Muad mac Brain, a semi-outsider from the Cashel perspective but still a legitimate Eóganacht claimant from far south Munster. In addition to Máel Muad, the Norse king Ivar of Limerick was a threat and may have been attempting to establish some overlordship in the province or a region of it himself, with the Cogad Gaedel re Gallaib even asserting he actually achieved this until routed by Mathgamain in the celebrated Battle of Sulcoit in 967. This victory was not decisive however and eventually there grew up a brief alliance of sorts between Mathgamain (McMahon), Máel Muad and others to drive the Norse "soldiers" or "officials" out of Munster and destroy their Limerick fortress in 972.^[7] But the two Gaelic claimants were soon back to fighting and the fortuitous capture of Mathgamain in 976 by Donnubán mac Cathail allowed him to be effortlessly dispatched or murdered by Máel Muad, who would now rule as king of Cashel for two years.

But the Dál Cais remained a powerful force and Brian quickly proved to be as fine a commander of armies as his brother. After first dispatching the already much weakened Ivar in 977, he challenged Máel Muad in 978 and defeated him in the fateful Battle of Belach Lechta, after which all the Eóganachta were no longer viable at the provincial level and Brian and the Dál Cais now enjoyed the overlordship, although not the traditional kingship of the province, which was based on lineage.

Either soon before or soon after his victory over Máel Muad, Brian routed Donnubán and the remainder of the Norse army in the Battle of Cathair Cuan, there probably slaying the last of Ivar's sons and successor Aralt. He then allowed some of the Norse to remain in their settlement, but they were wealthy and now central to trade in the region, with a fleet of great value.

Cian, the son of his brother Mathgamain's sworn enemy Máel Muad, later became a faithful ally of Brian and served under him in a number of campaigns.



McMahon Census 1901 Ireland

This is the 1901 Census from County Clare, Ireland. Our Grandfather, Thomas McMahon was 16 years old at the time.

MacMahon baronets, of Clondirrala (1628)

Sir Tiege MacMahon, 1st Baronet (died c. 1650)

Sir Turlough MacMahon, 2nd Baronet (died c. 1680)

James Frost's 1893 "History and Topography of the County of Clare" mentions that in August 1585 Sir John Perrott, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, required the principal gentry of Thomond to sign an Indenture which, among other things, abolished all Irish titles. Among the signatories was Teige MacMahon of Clonderalaw, chief of his name in Corcabaskin East. Teige MacMahon was allowed to hold his castle and lands of Clonderalaw free from Crown rent "and from all demands of the Earl of Thomond".

Under the English policy of "surrender and regrant" an English title was often given to replace a surrendered Irish title. Frost says that Teige died in 1594 and was succeeded by his son, Turlogh Roe MacMahon. Frost refers to an Inquisition held in Ennis in August 1630 which found that Turlogh Roe died on 9 June 1629, leaving his eldest son, Sir Teige MacMahon, Baronet, as his heir.^[1]
Sir Teige's son, Sir Turlogh, might still have been alive as late as 1684.

The Inchiquin Papers Collection,^[2] mentions a lease made on 1 May 1683 by Donough O'Brien (later 1st Baronet of Dromoland) to "his cousin Therlogh alias Turlough McMahon (of Ballinacraggy) of three part of the lands of Lack and Coolsuppeen, and seven acres in Breaghva West, parish of Kilchreest, barony of Clonderlaw, for 3 lives at £20 yearly. Sir Turlogh's aunt, Mary Rua MacMahon, was the mother of Sir Donogh O'Brien, Baronet of Dromoland. The Inchiquin Papers Collection also refers to an Assignment by Therlagh [alias Turlogh] MacMahon to Donough O'Brien [later 1st Bart. of Leamaneh] of an annuity or yearly rentcharge of £24 out of the lands of Ballyvohane (268 acres), parish of Kildisert, barony of Clonderlaw. This is dated 24 July 1684.^[3]
References:

1. ^ James Frost's 1893 "History and Topography of the County of Clare"
2. ^ Inchiquin Papers Collection (List No. 143 MS 45,119 /2 1683. P111)
3. ^ Inchiquin Papers Collection (List No. 143 MS 45,148 /1 1684. 1 membrane. P. 131.)

1. James Frost's 1893 "History and Topography of the County of Clare" 2. Inchiquin Papers Collection (List No. 143 MS 45,119 /2 1683. P111.) 3. Inchiquin Papers Collection (List No. 143 MS 45,148 /1 1684. 1 membrane. P. 131.)

Source: Wikipedia

Ardo Castle

This house had a long history being mentioned as far back as the "Civil Survey 1654-56". At that time the property consisted of 280 acres and was valued at £23. The history of the house begins in the 17th century. It passed through the FitzGeralds and Prendergasts eventually coming into the possession of the Coghlan family in 1718. The Coghlan family occupied it in the 18th and 19th century. The Coghlans were descendants from an ancient Irish family, Ó'Cochlain. There are many early 18th century references to the Coghlans in relation to trade with Bristol, Waterford and Newfoundland. In the 19th century Ardo was occupied by the Lawlor family who added further towers to the building. The next owner was Sir Joseph Neale McKenna who is buried along side his wife in a mausoleum by the entrance gate. Ardo House was at its best during the years 1860-1900. By the end of the 19th century Ardo was passed to Marshal McMahon, first President of the Third French Republic. It was later sold but remained unoccupied and eventually the roof collapsed and so fell into ruin in 1920's.

Marhsal MacMahon's family came from the western peninsula of County Clare, where the MacMahons were Gaelic lords of Corco-Bhaiscinn. Marshal MacMahon's family were a branch of the senior MacMahon family, the Lords of Clonderlaw, the Marshal's family being Lords of Feenish and Rinanagh. Ultimately the Marshal was descended from Mahon, the son of Muirchertach Ua Briain, King of Ireland who died in 1119 AD, who in turn was a great grandson of the famous High-King of Ireland, Brian Boru. According to Chevalier O'Gorman's research the Marshal's family were 'descended, branched off from the House of Clondirala, about the year 1490: this branch was also despoiled of its inheritance about the same time by Cromwell'. For his research into the MacMahon family O'Gorman used medieval Gaelic genealogical manuscripts preserved in Trinity College Dublin, as well as the Book of Lecan, which O'Gorman referred to as 'highly esteemed by the savans of Ireland', and which was 'deposited in the Irish library at Paris', at the time, as well as a collection of Co. Clare genealogies compiled in 1698 'by an historiographer of Thomond'.

Source: http://www.familyhistoryireland.com/genealogy-ancestry-search-services

The McMahon Surname History

This noble and distinguished Irish surname recorded in the spellings of MacMahon, McMahon, Mahon and Mahan, is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic "Mac Mathghamha", meaning "son of the Bear". Traditionally, Irish family names are taken from the heads of tribes, or from some illustrious warrior, and are usually pre-fixed by "O", grandson, male descendant of, or "Mac", denoting "son of". The septs of this name exist in Ireland. The McMahons of are descended from Mahon, son of Murtagh Mor O'Brien, King of Ireland (deceased 1119). Their territory was Corcabaskin in West Clare where the name is still most numerous. The last inaugurated Chief of the Name fell at the Battle of Kinsale in 1602. 

Source: http://heraldry.celticradio.net/search.php?id=138&branch=McPhillips

Doonbeg Castle

The history of Doonbeg Castle in County Clare, Ireland - McMahon and O'Brien Irish genealogy

This is an Irish tower castle from 16th century. It overlooks the Doonbeg River which flows into the bay of Dunmore on the Atlantic Irish coast.

The castle is about seventy feet high. A spiral staircase which leads to the top commands a great view. Two families of Country Clare are related to this tower house - the clan McMahon and the clan O'Brien.

The genealogy of clan McMahon and the O'Brein family shows that they have a common Irish ancestor - Mahon, son of Murtagh Mor who was a grandson of Brian Boru. Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, descended from Cennedig of the royal clans of Munster.

Dun Beag - the small fort

Doonbeg Castle was originally built for Daniel O'Brien, the Earl of Thomond. Turlough McMahon of West Clare took Doonbeg in 1585. Some 10 years later, 1595, O'Brien reclaimed Doonbeg...

The Annals of the Four Masters records: M1595.21
Turlough, the son of Brian, son of Donough, son of Donough Bacagh McMahon, Lord of West Corca-Bhaiscinn, a man of great fame and character throughout Ireland, considering his patrimony, for he had but one cantred, passed; and his son, Teige Caech, took his place.

Tadhg (Teige - the one eyed Lord) rebelled against the English and their supporters. The Earl of Thomond sent his brother, Henry O’Brien, to talk reason with his relative. But Teige was gone and Henry took up with his daughter. When he finally returned several weeks later there was a battle but Henry escaped. Queen Elizabeth at this time declared McMahon a rebel and granted his entire estate to Daniel O'Brien, which included Doonbeg.

In 1619 Daniel O'Brien gave Doonbeg Castle to James Comyn. The Crown took possession of it in 1688 and it was sold in 1703.

By the late 1800's the Castle of Doonbeg had fallen into disrepair, like so many other Irish castles. Several local families lived on the different floors of Doonbeg Castle until the 1930's.

"You have heard in song and story of the beauties of all lands,
Of their hills and dales and mountains,
and their rivers, lakes and strands,
But of all those wondrous places you can read of, hear and see,
There are none of them to rival Old Doonbeg by the sea."

Source: http://www.of-ireland.info/castles/doonbeg.html

1640 – Lemenagh Castle, Co. Clare

Lemenagh Castle was both a castle (1480) and fortified house (1640) and was one of the principal strongholds of the O’Brien’s. The fortified house was built by Conor O’Brien who was married to Maura Rua McMahon or Red Mary. An inscription is found over the entrance porch in the following words: “This was built in the year of our Lord 1648, by Connor O’Brien, and by Mary-ni-Mahone, wife of the said Connor.”

Often tower houses were completely incorporated into larger houses and buildings as thge need for security diminished. Here, an early seventeenth century addition was made by Maire Rua McMahon onto a late fifteenth century O’Brien tower house. Lemenagh Castle may be seen as the link in the transition from the early castles and tower houses of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and the later unfortified country houses of the landed gentry.

Conor O’Brien who was married to Maura Rua McMahon or Red Mary, returned from battle seriously injured, but she refused him admittance on the grounds that she believed he was dead. Eventually he was allowed in but died shortly thereafter, possibly by her hand. Red Mary remarried to improve her position.

Source: http://archiseek.com/2009/lemenagh-castle-co-clare/#.UXBHe2go7lY

Patrice de Mac-Mahon, Duke of Magenta

Marshal Marie Esme Patrice Maurice de Mac-Mahon, 1st Duke of Magenta (French pronunciation: ​[patʁis də makma.ɔ̃]; 13 July 1808 – 17 October 1893), was a French general and politician with the distinction Marshal of France. He served as Chief of State of France from 1873 to 1875 and as the first president of the Third Republic, from 1875 to 1879.



President of France
Co-Prince of Andorra

Patrice de Mac-Mahon (as he was usually known before being elevated to the French nobility in his own right) was born in Sully (near Autun), in the département of Saône-et-Loire. He was the 16th of 17 children of a family already in the French nobility (his grandfather Jean-Baptiste de Mac-Mahon was named Marquis de Mac-Mahon and Marquis d'Eguilly (from his wife Charlotte Le Belin, Dame d' Eguilly) by King Louis XV, and the family in France had decidedly royalist politics).
His ancestors were part of the Dál gCais^[1] and were Lords of Corcu Baiscind^[2] in the Kingdom of Thomond (later to become County Clare) in Ireland. After losing much of their land in the Cromwellian confiscations, a branch moved to Limerick for a time before settling in France during the reign of King William III due to their support of the deposed King James II.^[3] They applied for naturalization in 1749.
Patrice de Mac-Mahon was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and at the Academy of St-Cyr, graduating in 1827.

Source: Wikipedia

MacMahon, MacMathúna

The Entombment. Panel on McMahon Tomb, Ennis Friary

This is one of the most numerous surnames in County Clare and said to be derived from the Irish word "mathganham", meaning "son of a bearlike man." Holders of this name may claim descent from Mahon, son of Murtagh Mór Ó Briain, King of Munster who was interred in St. Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe, early in the 12th century. The richly carved Romanesque doorway within the Cathedral is said to mark the entrance to his tomb. Two ruling branches of the clan became firmly established in Corcabaskin, West Clare, where their once strongholds, Carrigaholt Castle and Clonderlaw Castle, are prominent landmarks and a source of local interest today. Several McMahons took prominent roles during the course of history in Thomond, Teige Caech McMahon rose in rebellion against the English authorities and was the only local chieftain to lend support to Red Hugh Ó Donnell and participate in the last great battle of Kinsale for the survival of the Gaelic chieftains. Many other McMahons were later to distinguish themselves in far-flung fields of battle.

Art McMahon appears in King James Army List as Colonel-in-Charge of an Infantry Regiment and played a notable part in several engagements. Subsequently, many Irish officers were to achieve further honours for the Irish Brigades in the service of France.

Another member of the clan, John MacMahon (1715-1780), was created the Marquis d'Eguilly but it was his grandson Patrick Maurice MacMahon who achieved the highest distinction, being chosen to act as President of the French Republic from 1873 to 1879. Following his victory at the Battle of Magenta he was named the Duke of Magenta and later on decreed a Marshall of France. This dynasty gave four Bishops to the See of Killaloe; Dabhaidh (David) Mac Mathghamhna who died in 1317, Terence MacMahon who ruled the Diocese from 1724 to 1728, Michael Peter MacMahon O.P. from 1765 to 1807 and Patrick MacMahon from 1819 to 1836.

The most celebrated lady of the name must be Maire Ruadh MacMahon who has become the best-remembered folk figure of County Clare. Maire Ruadh was born in 1615, the daughter of Torlach Rua MacMahon of Clonderlaw and she has left a strong impression on the folk memory of the people. She lived happily for some years in Dysart Castle with her first husband Daniel Neylon and following his death married again within a year to Conor O'Brien of Leamanagh. There they built a fine new residence adjoining the old tower-house with well laid-out gardens, a fishpond and a deer park. Research by Marie MacNeill, the noted folklorist, has shown that the mistress of Leamanagh was far from being the inhuman figure we were led to believe.



The magnificent tomb erected in the chancel of the old Friary in Ennis is a another reminder of the family's high standing in times past. One of the most creative panels on their tomb depicts the figure of a graceful lady wearing a medieval head dress and holding a book and is said to represent Lady Moira MacMahon, "who caused this tomb to be erected in 1470."

source: Clare County Library http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/macmahon_family.htm
 

Carrigaholt Castle

Located on the Loophead Peninsula in West Clare, Carrigaholt is a pretty little seaside village on the Shannon Estuary.
Offering a safe haven for water enthusiasts, the village offers visitors the opportunity to go sea angling or fish off the pier, enjoy a close encounter with some gorgeous local residents – about 120 bottlenose dolphins, or enjoy the Carrigaholt Oyster Festival (typically held over the May Bank Holiday weekend).

Visitors should take a walk along the coastline and take in some of the spectacular seas-carved wonders including the sea-arch Bridge of Ross, caves, cliffs and chasms.
The area also has a well-earned reputation as a perfect spot to bird watch and you might also get the opportunity to spot some grey seals that have made the stony beaches and caves their home.

Rebellions and sieges form part of the rich and colourful history of the Carrigaholt Castle. Built circa 1480, the castle witnessed everything from pirating of ships on course for Limerick and battles between the Earl of Thomond and Teigue McMahon.
The tower house is well preserved and sits overlooking the Shannon Estuary.

Source: http://www.mydestination.com/countyclare/regionalinfo/6181164/loophead-peninsula
 

Máire ní Mahon (Red Mary)

About Máire ní Mahon

Maire Rua Red Mary (1615 - 1686) was the Chatelaine of Lemeneagh. She was born in 1615/1616 in Clonderlaw County Clare, Ireland; probably died at Dromoland Castle, near Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare [fn1]; and may be buried at Coad church in Kilnaboy parish, County Clare, Ireland.

Parents: Torlach Rua MacMahon, Lord of Clonderlaw and Mary O'Brien, daughter of the third Earl of Thomond.

Married:

1. Daniel Neylon of Dysert O'Dea in north Clare; 4 children
2. Around Oct 1639 to Conor O'Brien of Leamaneh (1617-1651) son of Donogh O'Brien & Honora Wingfield; 8 children [fn2][fn3]
3. in 1653 to Cornet John Cooper, a Cromwellian soldier [fn4][fn5][fn6]; 1 or two children.

Children of Daniel Neylon and Maire MacMahon:

1. William
2. Daniel
3. Michael
4. unknown son died in infancy

Children of Conor O'Brien and Maire Neylon:

1. Donough (or Donat) O'Brien, 1st. Baronet Leamaneh+ d. 1676 m. Lucia Hamilton
2. Teige
3. Turlough
4. Murrough
5. Honora
6. Mary
7. unknown daughter # 1 - may have died of the plague ca 1651
8. unknown daughter # 2 - may have died of the plague ca 1651

Children of John Cooper and Maire O'Brien:

1. Harry (or Henry)
2. daughter?

Maire Rua "Red Mary"

Conor O'Brien's wife was red haired Maire Rua. (Maire ni Mahon - daughter of Turlough MacMahon). She is said to have gone with her husband on raids against English settlers. Conor O'Brien was killed in 1651 while fighting against Cromwell's loyalists. Maire then married a Cromwellian soldier to preserve her son's inheritance. She was indicted for murdering this husband, John Cooper, but was acquitted.
There are many tales about the formidable Maire Rua. It is said that she hung her disobedient men servants by the necks and her maids by the hair from the castle's corbels and used to accompany her husband on raids upon English settlers. When Conor was mortally wounded in a skirmish with Ludlow's army in 1651, she is said to have refused to open the gates to receive her stricken husband, declaring "We need no dead men here", but having found that he was still alive nursed him until his death a few hours later.
It was her son, Sir Donat O'Brien, who improved the property. In addition to work on the gardens, a canal was added and the carriage drive lined with trees. In 1705 Sir Donat left Lemaneagh Castle for Dromoland, ancient stronghold of the O'Breins. He took with him a fine stone fireplace and the impressive gate which now rests in the garden of Dromoland. After he left Lemaneagh Castle fell into ruins.
Of the many stories that surround the property, one is of a particular area near the fish pond. Inset into an entrance to a walled garden are 2 niches. Legend has it that they were built for a blind stallion belonging to Maire Rua. He was supposed to be so wild that when let free in the yard, his grooms had to jump up into the niches to keep from being trampled.
It was told that Maureen Rhue was taken by her enemies, after killing the last of her 25 husbands, and was fastened up in a hollow tree, of which the site and, I think, the alleged roots were still shown. Her red-haired ghost was reputed to haunt the long front avenue, near the 'Druids' altar' when I was a child.

Links

• Lemaneagh Castle, County Clare
• Lemaneagh Castle
• Dromoland Castle
• Maire Rua (1615 - 1686)

Source: http://www.geni.com/people/M%C3%A1ire-R%C3%BAa-Red-Mary-O-Brien/6000000012083000637

Marshal Marie Esme Patrice Maurice de Mac-Mahon

Marshal Marie Esme Patrice Maurice de Mac-Mahon, 1st Duke of Magenta (French pronunciation: ​[patʁis də makma.ɔ̃]; 13 July 1808 – 17 October 1893), was a French general and politician with the distinction Marshal of France. He served as Chief of State of France from 1873 to 1875 and as the first president of the Third Republic, from 1875 to 1879.

Patrice de Mac-Mahon (as he was usually known before being elevated to the French nobility in his own right) was born in Sully (near Autun), in the département of Saône-et-Loire. He was the 16th of 17 children of a family already in the French nobility (his grandfather Jean-Baptiste de Mac-Mahon was named Marquis de Mac-Mahon and Marquis d'Eguilly (from his wife Charlotte Le Belin, Dame d' Eguilly) by King Louis XV, and the family in France had decidedly royalist politics).
His ancestors were part of the Dál gCais^[1] and were Lords of Corcu Baiscind^[2] in the Kingdom of Thomond (later to become County Clare) in Ireland. After losing much of their land in the Cromwellian confiscations, a branch moved to Limerick for a time before settling in France during the reign of King William III due to their support of the deposed King James II.^[3] They applied for naturalization in 1749.
Patrice de Mac-Mahon was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and at the Academy of St-Cyr, graduating in 1827.

Source: Wikipedia

Carrigaholt Castle

Carrigaholt Castle was built in about 1480 by the McMahons, chiefs of the Corcabascin Peninsula. It stands at the end of a fishing pier overlooking the Shannon Estuary and the harbour. This is a tall, well-preserved five storey tower house. It has a fiery and colourful history which would fill volumes.
The castle was occupied by Teige Caech "the short sighted" McMahon in September 1588 when seven ships of the Spanish Armada anchored at Carrigaholt. Although aid was refused by the McMahons (who are descendants of Mathgamain mac Cennétig), the castle was nonetheless unsuccessfully besieged shortly afterwards by Sir Conyers Clifford (Governor of Connaught). The following year the renegade fourth Earl of Thomond (Donagh O'Brien) captured it after a four-day siege and, in breach of the surrender terms, hanged all the defenders. Ownership then passed to the Earl's brother Donal O'Brien, who was responsible for inserting many of the castle's windows as well as the fireplace on the fifth floor, which bears the date 1603. Donal's grandson was the celebrated third Viscount Clare who resided at Carrigaholt and raised a regiment of horses known as the "Yellow Dragoons" for the House of Stuart King James II of England's armies. After the forfeiture of his extensive 230 km² (57,000-acre) estate by the Williamites, the castle was acquired by the Burton family.^{[citation needed]}
The castle today is under the care of the Office of Public Works. All that remains is a shell of its former nobility. The Burton Family were the last inhabitants and left it in the late 19th century.

Source: Wikipedia

Mathgamain mac Cennétig

Mathgamain mac Cennétig was King of Munster from around 970 to his death in 976. He is the elder brother of Brian Bóruma and the ancestor of the McMahon family of County Clare in Western Ireland (Thomond). Mathgamain was the son of Cennétig mac Lorcáin of the Dál gCais. His father died in 951 and is called king of Tuadmumu in the report of his death, and was probably succeeded by Mathgamain's brother Lachtna, who died in 953 and is not given any distinguishing title at his death. In 967, Mathgamain is called "king of Cashel", by the Annals of Ulster. However he is not believed to have become king of Munster until 970 or shortly after, after deposing Máel Muad mac Brain. In 967 Mathgamain defeated Ivar of Limerick in the celebrated Battle of Sulcoit. Mathgamain was captured in 976 by Donnubán mac Cathail, prince of Uí Fidgenti, with whom the Dál gCais were rivaling for territory, and who were currently in alliance with Ivar of Limerick. Donnubán handed him over to his most powerful ally Máel Muad mac Brain, previous king of Munster, who had Mathgamain killed.

Source: Wikipedia

Crest and Motto

The motto of the Thomond sept of the McMahons is "Sic Nos Sic Sacra Tuemur" which means "Thus We Defend Our Sacred Rights."

Source: Wikipedia

The MacMahon's of Thomond

The MacMahon's of Thomond originated in the province of Munster, in County Clare and descends from the founder of the O'Brien dynasty, Brian Boru, through his son Teige, d. 1023, his son Turlough, d. 1086, his son Murtagh More, d. 1119, and his son Mahone 'a quo MacMahons of Corcabaskin' d. 1129.[3] They became lords of the Corca Bhaschind or Corcavaskin area of south-west Clare which comprised the baronies of Moyarta and Clonderlaw, displacing the local O'Donnells and O'Baiscinn.

The McMahon's where involved in countless wars in Ireland, even after the British conquest. The McMahons are noted for having owned, Carrigaholt Castle, Leamaneh Castle and Knappogue Castle. The McMahon family have been involved in British interests ever since, in both military campaigns in Ireland and across the empire and in business. The descendants of the MacMahon's (now spelled McMahon) are noted businessmen, mainly involved in retail and real estate as well as still being politically active.

 

Source: Wikipedia