King of Munster – O'Keeffe Clan

King of Munster

1. Felim, BC 52-AD 10*, King of Munster (3, 4, 5), BC 12-AD 10, Fidheic Caoch (4), Fideceach (5), The Blind. His son Finneen:

2. FINNEEN, BC 21-AD 10* Prince of Munster (3, 4, 5), Feig (4), Fiac (5). Fine (5), son of Fidheic Caoch (4); married Crufe (5), Crube (5), Grube (5), Beartha (5), daughter of Goirtnaid (4), Garnia (5), Gortnia (5), King of Southern Britain, Finneen and Felim were killed with other Irish nobles AD 10 by Cairbre, an Irish dictator (1, 4). Finnenn’s wife, being pregnant, escaped to Alba (Scotland); their child was born there (1, 3, 4, 5). Finneen’s son:

3. CARBY, AD 10*-AD 71*, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5). AD 31-AD71, Corb Olom (1, 4, 5), Deirgtheine, the Red Fire, the Learned. Corp Ohlom (5), Cairpre Olum (5), Fobre, son of Fine, King of Mumha (1, 3, 5). Carbry’s son Dearg;

4. DEARG, AD 41-102, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5) 71-102, The Red, The Bloody (6), His son:

5. MOGHNEID, 72-143, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 102-143, The War-like (servant of Nentes; God of War)(6). His son:

6. EUGENE, 103-174, King of Muster (1, 3, 4, 5), 143-174, called Mogh Nuadhat & Eogan Mor (5), The Great, The Hospitable, The Godly (servant of Noudons, the Druid God of prophecy (6)), son of MoghNeid. Wrested most of Leinster and Connaught from Conn, King of Ireland m. (m. married) Beara (5), dau. of Eber, King of Spain (5), & grand dau. King of Castile. They had triplets (5), daus, Caimell & Gothenme & a son Aeneas (5) q.v. (Other sons were Eugene, the readheaded, a quo Rothraige and Fiachra (5)).

7. AENEAS, 134*-234*, King of Munster, 211-234, 23 years. (Oilioo Olom) (5), son of Eugene, The ear-cropped. The Blemished (While he slept one ear was bitten off by Aine, whom he had raped and whose father he had slain; Also noted for carious teeth and halitosis said to have been caused by straightening out the point of his spear with his teeth after plunging the poisoned spear thru Aine’s body) (1, 4). He was also called Cata from a female slave Cata who reared him. He m. Sadhbh (Sadb (5)), dau. of Conn, King of Ireland (1, 3, 4, 5). The eldest of 3 sons with issue:

8. EUGENE, 155*-195*, (Eoghan Mor), The Great, The Valiant, Prince of Munster, son of Aeneas (1, 3, 4), killed AD 195 before his accession in a battle with the Britons (1, 4). Had a twin sister, Inderle (5). He m. Moncha, dau. Of Dil and Grand dau. Of Da Chreaga, the Druid (1, 3, 4). Their son: (Perhaps another son, Diarmid, ancestor of St. Beacon.)

9. FICHA, 195-278, Muilleathan, King of Munster (1, 3, 4). AD 256-278, The Round Headed, The Sad Event, The Penalty. Fiach’s grandfather, the druid, told his mother that if the child were born on a certain day he would live to be king. When the baby was about to deliver a day prior, Moncha, his mother, went out into the creek and sat on a stone to hold the baby back until the following day. She died in childbirth and the round head of the future king was ascribed to this. His birth was at Ath Uiseal on the Suir. FIachaidh resided at Raith Rathfainne, now Knoc Rathfonn on the Suir. Stabbed by a leper who had been told by a priest (Druid) in North Ireland that washing himself with the blood of a King would cure him. He died of the wound. It was he who gave two cantreds of Fermoy to Mogh Ruith, a Druid, who lived in Slieve Oougher and to his descendents as a reqard for performing a miracle in a critical time during a battle. These two cantreds were Roch’s & Condon’s Country (4). Some 1600 years later in 1851 the Keeffes were concentrated in Duhallow and around Glenworth and Killgullane but not in Roche’s Country, nor in East Condons portion of ancient Fermoy. (Clan names Dugan and Cronin), Fiacha Fer Da’Liach (5) had 2 sons: (5)

10a. OILILL, 247-333, Fland Mor, The Large Red-Haired One, King of Munster (1, 3, 4), called Datluath (5) from whom H. Dedaich (5). 303 – 333, succeeded by his brother;

10b. OILILL, 258-353, Fland Beg (Ailill Fland Beagg (5)), The Small Red-Haired One, King of Munster (1, 3, 4), 20 years (3), 333-353. Four sons: Main Munchain, Lugaid, Fidach & Daire Cerba (5). Oilill’s grandson, Crevan*, The Great, King of Ireland, 366* – 378* (died without issue) was son of Fidach and Mongfinn (5). Oilill’s son,

11a. EUGENE, was King of Munster*, AD 353*-369*. Crevan was the most illustrious king of the Eoghanachte as he obtained victory and sway not only over Ireland but over Alba, Britain and France as well. Poisoned by his sister who hoped to make her son King.

The Donovan and Collins families are descended from Daire Cearb. Oilill’s son, Lughaidh, had apparently died before the kingship became vacant and Lughaidh’s don Corc received it. The O’Keeffe line begins with:

11b. LUGHAIDH O’KEEFFE, 308-353, son of Oilill Flann Beg, Prince of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5) had two wives, Bolgbhain Breathnach, a censorius woman, who was mother to his illustrius son Corc; his second wife Dael, daughter of Fiachaidh son of Niall, King of South Eile (Muscraige (5)), no issue. The second wife, Dael (5), tried to have an affair with her stepson, Corc. When he refused, she went to his father, Lughaidh, and, weeping, saying she had been ravished by his son. Corc was then banished to Alba (Scotland) by Lughaidh (5). He was welcomed in Alba (genealogy of Ui Cathbad Cliach joins at Lugaid (5).

12. CORC O’KEEFFE, 333 – 401, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 369 – 401, m. Moingfhionn, daughter of Fionn-Chormac, King of Alba. From Corc’s 5 sons, O’Moriarity, O’Donoghue, Mahony, Cronin of the Nohoval area, and Lennox and other families of Scotland. The kingship of Munster went to son: Nadfraoich. Corc said by Keating to have made Cashel the capitol altho the Four Masters first mention Cashel under Felim O’Keeffe in 799-845. Crevane’s foster son, Onall, King of Munster, after Corc.

13. NADFRAICH O’KEEFFE, 380 – 453*, son of Corc, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 431 – 453, 22 years (3). Red-haired, New Heather. Nadfriach had 4 sons: Aeneas, Ailill, Felim & Eugene (5). Eanna, son of Ailill, gave rise to 5 kings (3), possibly to O’Daly of Munster, altho Keating (4) lists Eanna O’Daly as a son of Aeneas & grandson of Nadfraich. From son Eugene were H. Fidchluic & H. Forann in the territory of Fer Maige (5). The eldest son of Nadfraich thru whom the line:

14. AENEAS O’KEEFFE, 411 – 489*, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 453* – 489*, 36 years (3), son of Nadfraich (1, 3, 4, 5). Patrick was welcomed to Cashel and Aeneas was baptized by him about 454 having his foot peierced with the crozier (1, 4). Munster christianized at 3 pence per convert. Aeneas set a royal tax to support the Christian Church payable each 3rd year. Half Aeneas childern went into the service of the Church. South Munster occupied by the Keeffes and other Eoghanachts extended to the Suir on the East, to Tipperary & Kilfinane on the North, to the ocean on the South, and thru Slieve Lougher to a line from the head of Kenmare bay to the Shannon on the West. Aeneas gave Mag Feimhean (East Iffa & Offa, Middle third & a part of Clonmel Barony) to the Deise (distant relative who became hereditary gallowglasses & servants to the Kings of Cashel; their land almost surrounded it.) Aeneas (Aonghus) m. Eithne, daughter of Crevane, King of Leinster, & of Congain, his wife. Eithne was reared by the Deise in Munster and was called singular (Ilathach) because of their having fed her flesh of human infants to make her grow more rapidly. They were told by a priest (Druid) that she would marry a king and that they would receive title to lands as a reward for rearing her (4). (Corc, grandfather to Aeneas & other babies were said to have had their ears cropped by the Deise when infants, the flesh being fed to other children to make them grow healthy.) Aeneas and his wife slain in the battle of Ceall Osnadh, (Col Carlow) in AD 489 (1, 4). Three sons left dynasties, namely Felim for whom the (3, 4) Sullivans & McCarthys, Eanna from whom the O’Dalys of Munster, & the eldest son:

15. EUGENE O’KEEFFE, 442 – 523*, the Fairhaired, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 489* – 523*, 34 years (1), 30 years (3), his eldest son:

16. CREVAN O’KEEFFE, 473 – 543*, of the Strean (Suir). King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 523* – 543*, 20 years (1, 3), and son of Eugene (1, 3). At Crevan Cenel Hugh Croin, Cenel Hugh Echrais, Cenel Cathal, & Cinel Fiachrach meet (5); Crevan’s sons Carbry & Fergus became Kings of Munster, The eldest:

17a. CARBRY O’KEEFFE, 504 – 573*, of Cromghlaise in Magh Feimhean, on the Suir, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 543* – 573*, 30 years (3). Hugh O’Sullivan, the dark-haired, King of Munster, 574* – 577 (2, 4) was 2nd cousin to Carbry. Carbry O’Keeffe gave Clavin Ulama to St. Colman for a church (Cloyne Td Imolkilly, Barony Co. Cork) (4). Won the Battle of Feimhein AD 572* (1). Son of Hugh, the Red, & Felim became Kings of Munster.

17b. FERGUS O’KEEFFE, 507 – 580, the Scandal, King of Munster (1, 3, 4, 5), 577* – 580* & brother of Carbry died in AD 580 (1). There were lands of Cenel Fergusa Scannail in the territory of Corco Mc Druad & Iola Glenene. They gave cows and their supplement to Gamraige Arda, Six were deputies under Patrick (5).

18 a. FELIM O’KEEFFE, 535 – 586, King of Munster, 580 – 586, son of Carbry (3) died 586 (1, 2). Felim son of Tigernach (1, 2), King of Munster (1, 2, 3).

18b. HUGH O’KEEFFE, 538 – 592, King of Munster (4), 587 – 592, son of Carbry (2, 3, 4, 1). The Red-haired and Vigilant (3, 4).

19. CATHAL O’KEEFFE, 569 – 621*, King of Munster, 600 – 621, son of Hugh (2, 3, 4) reigned 20 years (3) (died AD 620 (1)). Called Ceann Geagain or Gooseneck (4).

20. CONN O’KEEFFE, 600* – 664*, King of Munster (1, 2, 3, 4), 660* – 664*, reigned 3 years (3), son of Cathal (1, 2, 3, 4). The Motherless Hero (1, 2, 3, 4) born 600 (1, 2), died 664 (1, 2), reigned 3 years (3) followed Maenach (3) O’Sullivan as King. (Maenach died 661 (1, 2)). Conn O’Keeffe had sons Finneen and Ailill, Kings of Munster:

21 a. FINNEEN O’KEEFFE, 635 – 694*, King of Munster (1, 2, 3, 4), 680-694, son of Conn (3), (son of Cathal (4)), reigned 14 years (3) died 694 (1), 695 (2). His son Cathal, K M, 29 years. Succeeded by his brother Ailill:

21b. AILLIL O’KEEFFE, 634 – 699*, King of Munster (1, 2), 694 – 699*, died 699 (1), 700 (2). Succeeded Finneen who d. 695 q.v. Succeeded by nephew Cathal q.v. Aillil was son of Conn (1, 2).

22. CATHAL O’KEEFFE, 670 – 741*, King of Munster (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9), 712 – 741, son of Finneen (1, 2, 3, 4, 7), reigned 29 years (3, 8), died 737 (1), 741 (2), 742 (9). Plunders Magh Breagh 717 (1), 720 (2), wins Battle of Bealach-Ele against Leinster 730 (1, 2). Obtains hostages from Leinster 733 (1); escapes trap 734 (2); is central figure in Rabelaistic story in old Irish mss. “Leabhar Breac”. See Fraser’s Magazine, Sept. 1873, for translation (2); Aodh Ollan, King of Ireland & Cathal son of Fioghaine (Finneen). King of Munster met at Tir Daghlas in West Munster and imposed Patrick’s rule and law and tribute on Ireland (4). Cathal’s son Airtri:

23. ARTHUR O’KEEFFE, 725 – 806*, King of Munster, son of Cathal (4, 2, 7, 8). Airtri (Art the High King) ordained King, 786 (2), reigned 20 years (3, 8); the Norwegians came to Ireland first in the reign of Hugh, King of Ireland (4, 7), 793 – 817, and when Airtri was King Munster (4, 7), they first landed in Munster in 795 (7) and were repulsed by the Eoghanacht Loch Lein (4, 7) in the 10th year before the natural death of Airtri (7). Tuathal (3, 8), son of Airtri (8), said to be King of Munster (3, 8), son of Airtri (8), said to be King of Munster (3, 8) 13 years (8), 14 years (3), and died a natural death (8), but marked doubtful (8) and omitted as King (7). (Dugan, some 300 years after the Book of Leinster Mss. was written, lists Tuathal as son of Dungal (3 instead of Aitri) at a time when McCarthy had replaced O’Keeffe in Munster.) Airtri called tyrant by Keating, Bk. III, p. 159 (4). Tuathal means tyrant (6), and Annals of Innisfallen make death of Airtri 820 (9).

24. ARTHUR O’KEEFFE, 760 – 820*, The Tyrant (Tuathal (3, 8)), King of Munster (3, 8), 806 – 820*, son of Airtri (3), reigned 13 years (8), 14 years (3), died a natural death (8). Airtri, King of Munster, died 820 (9). Succeeded by Felim O’Keeffe, 820 – 847, as King of Munster. Accession 819 (1), 820 (2). The death of Auther in 820 ended a 832 years father to son dynasty in Munster and after the death of his cousin Felim in 847 was followed by a century of turmoil with the Scandanavians capturing Cashel, destroying the Irish Nobles and the leaders of the Deise. Probably most of the Keeffe males died in the holocaust since mathematically only one or two could have adopted the surname in 900, whereas many Sullivans and McCarthys must have survived. Thereafter the Keeffes were Kings of the two Fermoys and Lords of Glanworth and remained a relatively small tribe.

25. GORMAN O’KEEFFE, 795 – 839, Prince of Munster, son of Arthur (3), possibly died before end of Felim’s reign as King of Munster, 847, Caicher. Lord of Fermoy, was killed AD 843 (1), Gorman had a son Finneen (3).

26. FINNEEN O’KEEFFE, 830 – 901* (King of Munster (3), 885-909). The kingship of Finneen is not confirmed by others (4, 7, 8), tho not denied. Finneen McCarthy, called Gooseheaded, was King of Munster, 901-907*, for 6 years (3, 8), and died 907 (8). He was said to have been preceded on the throne of Munster for 16 years (3) by Finneen O’Keeffe, son of Gorman (3). During a part of this century Glanworth in Fermoy seems to have been the capital of Munster while the Scandanavians possessed Cashel. Munster records are confused during this period. Glanworth was hereditary Keeffe property. The people of Fermoy under Foenteran, son of Drognean in the year 869 burned the camp of Amlaibk who had plundered Lismore (7). Finneen’s son:

27. KEEFFE O’KEEFFE, 865 – 937, King of Fermoy (3, 4), son of Finneen (3, 4) was the first to adopt the surname O’Keeffe (4), the name meaning gentle, noble, lovable (6). Was perhaps a senior councilor of Munster, as a meeting was held at Glanworth, the seat of the two Fermoys AD 934 to decide on the kingship. Callaghan was chosen King (4). Dughan, King of Fermoy, slain AD 905 in the Battle of Bealoch Mughna (4).

28. DONOUGH O’KEEFFE, 900 – 954, King of the two Fermoys (4), son of Keeffe (3, 4), chosen Commander-in-Chief of the Munster Army by Kennedy (4) (who reminded him that 11 of his ancestors to Aeneas had been Kings of Munster (4)). Under Donough the Army marched victorius thru Munster, Leinster and Ulster and liberated Callaghan and Donn Cuan, son of Kennedy, who had been held hostages by the Scandanavians with the connivance of Donough, King of Ireland (4). In AD 942 the inhabitants of Fermoy slay Finn, son of Matan, Lord of Corca-Laighdhe (1) (Carbery, Bantry and Bear).

29. HUGH O’KEEFFE, 935 – 995, son of Donogh (3), Prince of the two Fermoys (4).

30. DANIEL O’KEEFFE, 970 – 1030. son of Hugh (3). AD 1013, Geibheannach, grandson of Dubhagan (O’Cronin or O’Dugan), Lord of Feara-Maighe killed (with many other local chieftains) at Cluain-tarbh (near Dublin) against the Danes (1).

31. FINNEEN O’KEEFFE, 1005 – 1065, son of Daniel (3), AD 1063 death of Kelly O’Keeffe recorded (1). Finneen’s son:

32. HUGH O’KEEFFE, 1040 – 1100, son of Finneen (3).

33. FINNEEN O’KEEFFE, 1075 – 1135*, son of Hugh (3). Lord of Glanworth*, killed in Battle of Cluain-caein-Modinnty (in Barony of Middlethird near Cashel) of Desmond against Thomund. AD 1135 (1), called King of Glanworth (Annals of Loch Ce, I. 135).

34. MANUS O’KEEFFE, 1119 – 1170, son of Finneen (3), AD 1161 Hugh O’Keeffe, Lord of Fermoy (1) slain.

35. EUGENE (FHINN) O’KEEFFE, 1145 – 1205, son of Manus (3), Lord of Fermoy.

36. CORNELIUS O’KEEFFE, 1180 – 1240, son of Eugene (3), Lord of O’Kief.

37. ARTHUR O’KEEFFE, 1215 – 1275, son of Cornelius (3), Lord of O’Kief.

38. DANIEL O’KEEFFE, 1250 – 1310. DANIEL O’KEEFFE, son of Arthur (3), Lord of O’Kief.

39. MANUS O’KEEFFE, 1285 – 1345, son of Daniel (3). In 1336 Daniel O’Keeffe, son of Daniel (and brother of Manus) accepts the Kings peace and gave security for good behaviour of himself and of his retainers (John O’Alton, King James Army List, Vol. II, p. 644-5). Manus had a son:

40. DANIEL O’KEEFFE, 1320 – 1380, son of Manus (3).

41. ARTHUR O’KEEFFE, 1355 – 1402*, son of Daniel (3). Arthur O’Keeffe slain in a battle between the Barretts and McCarthys, AD 1402 (Ref: Annals of Loch Co., II. 103), Sons Art Oge (3) and Eugene (1).

42. EUGENE O’KEEFFE, 1393 – 1453, Lord of O’Kief, son of Arthur. Had son Art (1). In 1583 the Four Masters list the death of Art, son of Daniel, son Art, son of Eugene (1). Art has a grown son Art Oge at the time (1), Art Oge O’Keeffe is said to have had a son Manus & grandson Daniel (3).

43. ARTHUR O’KEEFFE, 1425 – 1485, Lord of O’Kief, son of Eugene (1). Had son Daniel (1).

44. DANIEL O’KEEFFE, 1460 – 1525, Lord of O’Kief, son of Arthur (1). Had son Art (1).

45. ARTHUR O’KEEFFE, 1505 – 1583, Lord of O’Kief, son of Daniel (1). Had son. In 1583 the Four Masters list the death of Art, an eminent man, son of Daniel, son of Arthur, son of Eugene (1) and the installation of his son Art Oge in his place (1).

46a. ARTHUR OGE O’KEEFFE, JR. 1540-1615, Lord of O’Kief, son of Arthur (1). His son seems to have been Daniel since he was possessor of the O’Kief lands in 1615. The O’Kief’s seemed to have possessed lands in Barrymore, Ardmeighy Parish, and have been known as the O’Keeffes of Glannaprecan (3).

46b. THADY O’KEEFFE, 1540 – 1615, of Knocknagree as well as Art O’Keeffe above were listed as supporters of the Earl of Deamond in 1588 q. v. (Smith, Vol. I)

47. Daneil O’Keeffe, 1575-1630. Lord of O’Kief. The will of Daniel O’Keeffe, son of Arthur is listed, Bandonbridge Cor I, fol 199. Aug. 20, 1630 (J. Cok. Arch. & Hist. Soc.)

48. DANIEL O’KEEFFE, 1610 – 1694. Lord of O’Keif; Daniel O’Keeffe in Civil Survey of 1641 & Books of Survey & Distribution is still listed as owner of 18,000 acres in the O’Keeffe country q.v. (Estate Records, Dublin & Mss in Lambeth Palace, London, not yet examined for O’Keeffe data.)

The ancient Irish system of professional historians for each district extending far back beyond the Christian era has resulted in there being available in the 20th centruy Gaelic sagas of great interest to the modern historian. Since the O’Keeffes were the senior line of the Munster kings their genealogical tree is fairly complete. The Books consulted in the compilation of the lineage are:

1. Annual of the Four Masters, translated by John O’Donovan, 2nd Edition, 1856, Hodges, Smith & Co., Dublin.
http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005A/

2. Annuals of Ulster, translated by William M. Hessessy, 1887, Alexander Thom, & Co., Dublin.
http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100001A/index.html

3. An Leabhar Muimhneach (The Book of Munster) reprinted in Gaelic by Thady O’Donoghue, The Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin.

4. The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating translated by Patrick S. Dinneen, 1914, Irish Texts Society, London.
http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100054.html

5. Genealogical Tracts I by Turlough O’Rafferty, 1932, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin.

6. Irish English Dictionary, by Patrick S. Dinneen, 1927, Irish Texts Soiety;

7. The War of the Gaedhill with the Gaill, translated by James H. Todd, 1867, Longmans, Green, Reader & Dyer, London.

8. The Book of Leinster quoted by J. H. Todd in (7).

9. Dublin Annals of Innisfallen quoted by J. H. Todd (7).

Surnames, generally adopted in the 10th century, have been extended back to the beginning of the family line for orientation. The senior line has been chosen for each surname. Thus, Hugh O’Sullivan, the Dark Haired, rather than Hugh McCarthy since Failbe, the Red Haired and son of Hugh and the first McCarthy was a younger brother of Finneen O’Sullivan son of Hugh. If may seem an impertinence to many Irish annalists to see the O’Keeffes listed as the senior Eoghanacht line and senior to O’Sullivan and McCarthy but the first five Kings of Munster following Aeneas were in the O’Keeffe lineage, and of the first 25 Kings of Munster following Aeneas 11 were of O’Keeffe, 4 of O’Sullivan, and 2 of McCarthy lineage. In studies of British & American genealogies each generation averaged between 31-32 years., but the Keeffe lineage (from Carbry whose birth was recorded AD10 & Conn whose birth was recorded as AD 600) average between 34 & 35 years. Birth & deaths where not verified by the annalists are based on these average figures. Verified dates are “*”. Gaelic names are anglicized.