Papers by Robert O’Halloran
Studia Hibernica (no.50), 2024
Presented here is a transcription and translation of a late sixteenth-century poem by ollamh Maoi... more Presented here is a transcription and translation of a late sixteenth-century poem by ollamh Maoilín Óg Mac Bruaideadha on the historical migration of the Clann Ghormáin from Leinster to Thomond, where they settled in Ibrickan under new overlords, the Uí Bhriain. From these beginnings, Clann Ghormáin advanced themselves to a prominent position in the lordship of Thomond, which lasted until the loss of their estates in the mid-seventeenth century. An analysis of the seanchas-genealogy elements of the poem by Maoilín Óg alongside evidence contained in contemporary administrative records reveals the landholdings, proprietorial status and familial relationships of this important Gaelic Irish lineage.
The Other Clare, vol. 48, 2024
This paper is an examination of MS G 990 from the Inchiquin Papers held in the National Library o... more This paper is an examination of MS G 990 from the Inchiquin Papers held in the National Library of Ireland. It considers the genealogical and ancillary information about Catholic gentry families in eighteenth century Co. Clare including the O'Hallorans, MacMahons, Creaghs and O'Briens. Several stanzas of Irish language poetry are also considered.
Studia Hibernica, 2023
A poem on the life of St Breacán sheds light on the use of literary devices to advance proprietor... more A poem on the life of St Breacán sheds light on the use of literary devices to advance proprietorial interests in the late medieval diocese of Killaloe. The poem enumerates land grants and dues that, taken together, represent a charter of rights owed to the saint and his coarb (comharba). Previous analysis of the poem indicates that it was produced at Clare Abbey under the auspices of Clann Chraith (the McGrath lineage), who were the hereditary abbots during the 15th century. An assessment of the available evidence not only adds weight to this proposal but also reveals the probable impetus behind the poem: a need to bolster allegiances and revenues owed to Clare Abbey by neighbouring ecclesiastical sites in the face of waning influence. A comparative analysis of a poem on the rights of St Molaise of Devenish, Co. Fermanagh, will show that the use of hagiographic poetry as a tool of policy was not unique to Thomond and was in use in other late medieval Gaelic Irish lordships. 1
The Other Clare, 2022
This study considers the landholding and status of the O'Halloran lineage in late medieval Thomon... more This study considers the landholding and status of the O'Halloran lineage in late medieval Thomond. It focuses on their position as client-vassals to their powerful kinsmen, the McNamaras. Consideration is also given to the O'Hallorans' primary landholding at Fahy, a boundary zone location on the north-east fringe of Thomond.
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Papers by Robert O’Halloran