Introduction

It is recorded that the original clan Ciardha later disappeared from history. That I cannot believe, suggesting no persons with suitable DNA alive, being almost an impossibility. It is however likely that clan members in troubled times, holding onto family traditions, were sensibly keeping a low profile living in less populated parts of south western Ireland out of harm’s way.

When much of Ireland was taken over by the Anglo-Normans clan members change the spelling of their surname from Gaelic Ciardha to Irish/English Ceary, or English, Kearey. That did not change the pronunciation of the name but helpful to achieve neighbourliness, a home, job, and to feed the children.

“Surnames did not come into use until the 12th century, at a time when the English language established itself,” according to Mallory.

Fortunately Medieval Ireland by Michael Richter is a valuable source of information regarding dynasties which eclipsed the previous tribal kingship groups of the clan, (derbfine, tarfine, indfine) – fixing the community. Previously the clan, or sub-clan lived within a mound-surrounded settlement. The society acted and performed in the most basic fashion of life, their homes, lifestyle and community structure, no different than any other groups of peoples throughout the world. It is the influx of other people’s advanced behaviour which generates change and advancement.

After Christianity had been recognised and adopted the settlement included a church. There were neither towns nor village in ancient Ireland, watermills were introduced into Ireland in seventh century. Family surnames names became common from the eleventh century, this determined the political and cultural landscape of Ireland into the Middle-Ages.

The course of Irish history changed again as the ruling bodies asserted themselves forcing out the original population by a system of tithes, rents and taxes. This continued by design, greed and ignorance throughout the following centuries; the monied classes and landed gentry disregarded the working peasantry, who had a right to life and expectation. Strife and sorrow became the result, caused by ignorance and selfishness. A lack of farsightedness reigned which gave nobody any permanent satisfaction.

In 1166 Mac Murrough ousted by Rory O’Connor, who was now the high-king, sought support from Henry 11 which ultimately led to Ireland becoming divided into Anglo-Norman and Irish areas. It took over fifty years to establish a near English administration. Towards the end of the twelfth century into the thirteenth it appeared that the Irish and English would be able to get along although the period shows ancient Irish society had not given up its cultural identity but remained quite different. This difference has never changed, the clans, particularly those of the original inhabitants has always been more important.

The behaviour of the ruling classes continued to be transitory – unable to devise a social system that is fair to all and lasting. It seems that some individuals have to assert themselves and in the case of Ireland in the Dark-Ages: killing, robbery, slavery, and rape persisted, the object being to brag, frighten, amass power - steal land and cattle.

As previously explained the surnames Keary, Kearey, and its variant, Ceary, are the Anglicisation’s of the ancient Irish family name Ó Ciardha. A onetime minor kingship, acknowledged clan, known in central and southwestern, Ireland – with a Gaelic name still in use today. This is not to pass-over, devalue or dismiss other derivations of the name for there are many of equal or higher standing. Past generations of the greater family have not only changed the spelling of their name but their country; all to escape servitude, bondage and suppression, caused by stronger clans, bad general-ship, the influx of settlers and just plain theft. Whilst writing I have stumbled over the: O’Conor, O’Kelly, O’Kerry (Irish Ciarrai or Ciarraighe) O’Kenny, and O’Cleirigh families, and others, connected with the people of Ciar.

Researching my DNA was an important first step: the deoxyribonucleic is an acid and polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains, the coil forming a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the: development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of our organisms including many viruses, carrying one of the four major types of macromolecules essential for life.

The object was to find the race of people who first settled in Ireland. They would be communicating, using their language of Celtic/Gaelic. The presence of Early Mesolithic sites at Lough Boora in Co. Offaly and also along the Blackwater in Co. Cork indicates that Ireland could have been colonized not just from the north-east but also from the south.  The Origins of the Irish by J. P. Mallory p49. The language probably during the Neolithic Indo-European of c. 3000 BC originated among the earliest farming communities in southwestern Europe. P299.

My maternal DNA H5a and paternal Haplogroup H-P96 showed my ancestors to be one of the earliest Stone Age People – later, early farmers in the Neolithic period in Western Eurasia, in this case Ireland, to make the first sortie into Ireland, introducing a good start to my quest.

It would seem to be clear that there were at least three migration streams the latest being Ukraine constituting 80% of the Irish population with R1b male DNA.

By the turn of the 10th century AD the Gaelic speaking Irish, Scots, Manx, West Country and other lesser island’s formed a common northern Celtic speaking group – a Y-chromosomal Haplogroup R – M269, Haplogroup which shares a common ancestor with a single nucleotide polymorplasm mutation.

In the future the hunt for connection, seeking the construction of a family tree, will be based on the science of genetic discoveries. Individuals may seek those connections to build their family’s history.

The Mesolithic People came later followed by the Bronze Age introducing the Celts in 500 BC. Later one such group inhabited Kildare, believed descended from Chathair Mór, son of Feidlimid Fiorurghlas, High King of Ireland who reigned for three years - later killed by Conn Cetchathach.

The introduction of Christianity to Ireland eventually brought about fewer minor wars, limited: slavery, theft, homelessness and rape, cementing family and clan bonding. To ensure a definitive recorded date I have given Christianity introduced into Ireland, in the Fourth year of the reign of Laoghaire, King of all Ireland.

Tomas Cardinal Fiaich, in ‘The Beginnings of Christianity’, chapter 4, page 41, gives, ‘Irish Christians sufficiently numerous by 432 to justify the appointment of a bishop by Rome.’ Ciarán mac Ainmirech of Clonmacnoise one of Ireland’s monastic founders in the sixth century belonged to the Cenél Connaill, from which abbot Colum Cille originated.

It is recorded that the origins of the family name ‘Ciardha’ are believed to be the wish of the Irish Saint ‘Ciar’ in about 620 AD, when Fiachra son of Ciaran died, its Gaelic origin as black or sable, perhaps derived from black hair or dark complexion rather than the Scottish Pict’s description of a people who painted themselves. The family becoming part of the Cenél nÉogain ruled by Muirchertach mac Muirelaig son of Éochaid mac Domnaill, king of Cenél nEogain  a large group of families descended from Eoghan, brother of St. Columba, elder son of Niall Noigiallach of the Nine Hostages, (nine clans owing allegiance to the fifth-century monarch who founded The Northern Ui Néill dynasty).

The Irish had five Gaelic kingdoms in the fifth to eleventh centuries: Ulster, Leinster, Munster, Connaught and Meath each with a High King. In that time Cairpre Gabra was not a powerful tuath but were ‘descendants of Coirpre’ the eldest son of Niall occupying land in the middle of Ireland which bordered with Meath ruled by the Southern Ui Neill centred on Granard, today’s Longford, an area at that time bearing the first Christian centres in Ireland.

By the twelth century they were beaten by Conmhaicne tribes and absorbed into the larger Annaly kingdom given shelter by O’Farrell’s fortress, the O’Ciardha (Keary), descendants of Niall becoming established as lords of Carbury about the same time as the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Margaret Dobbs ‘The Territory and People of Tethba’ 1941 7th Series, Vol 11, No.3.

The following shows clearly that king Ciardha of Carbury was a tribal chief of a group of clans or families which included Cerry, Celly, Cenny, Ceary, Ciarie, Ciarrai, Cary, and others, all related to Coirpre eldest son of Niall, based around Carbury, before and during the first century, well before the castle built. Giving a list of surnames maybe confusing in that family second names were not used until the late 11/12th century, individuals were referred to by common every day expressions, impressions and objects. Later, biblical, Greek/Roman names, began to be used.

During this period in history: Aethelred II ‘The Unready’ King of the English 978-1013 reigned. Edmond Ironside King of the English 1016. Henry 1 King of France 1031-1060.  1031 The Ommiad Caliphate of Spain dissolved. In 1034 Malcolm of the Scots dies. Canute King of England 1016-1035. King Harold Harefoot dies 1040, a period which includes, according to ‘The Annals’, king O’Ciardha.

The Annals of Tigernach.

(also, Annals of Ireland, 807 B.C. to A. D. 1178).

by

 The Abbot of Clonmacnoise.

The work, transcribed 1870-1885, named Revue Celtique by Professeur H. D’Arbois de Jubainville au College de France, printed in Paris 1895, edited by Whitley Stokes 1830-1909. Consists of a number of  written works. I give two instances, to give proof and method.

1. Page 290. MaelRuanaid Ua Ciardha, ri Cairpri, do marbad do Gallaib Atha cliath isin bliadain sin .i. do mac Turnin 7 do mac Aedha Hui Ferghail 7 Cellach Ua Findallan ri Delbna moire leo beous tria mebail .

(See T 1165-10) (<< In this year MaelRuanaid Ua Ciadha, king of Cairbre, was treacherously killed by the Foreigners of Dublin, namely, by the son of Turnin and by the son of Aed Hua Fergail, and also Cellach Hua Findallan, king of Delbna Mor >>).

2. Page 295. (Flann mac Donncadhs Ua MaelSechlainn do marbad O Chairpri O Ciardha (<<Fland, son of Donnchad Hua MaelSechlainn, was killed by Cairbre Hua Ciarda >>

Page 414. The men of Teffa, and the Munter Geradain, and the Cairbri Hui Ciada went on a raid into Offaly, and reached the glebe of Cell eich (leg. Cell Achaid?), where a defeat was inflicted upon them, and Hua Ciarda and the son of Mac Findbairr, chief of the  Muinter Geradain, and a great multitude, were slain.

(SeeT 1176-16) (Flann son of Donnchadh O’Maelseachnaill was killed by Cairbre O’Ciardha.

The following (literal) has been taken from ‘The Annals of Tigernach,’ written in 993 AD. Translated by Gearoid Mac Niocaill, Electronic edition compiled by Emer Purcell, Donnechadh O’ Corrain. Publication CELT Corpuss of Electronic Texts, University of Cork, Ireland. There were three parts covering mostly 489-1178 AD surviving from the 14th century MS Rawlinson B488. The point here being that they mention O’Ciardha (Keary), king of Cairpre. Carbery lies at the very southwestern point of Ireland, not so very far from the city of Cork – the second largest city in Ireland. Districts of MacCarthy of More, of Muskerry, and of Reagh surround the city hemming in Carbery to its coastline.

T 993-2.  Mael Ruanaigj-ua Ciardha, ri Cairpri do marbadh la Firu Teftha.

T 993–2. Maelruanaidha O’Ciardha, king of Cairbre, was killed by the men of Teffa.

T 1000.5 Aodh O’Ciardha was blinded by his brother ,namely Valgarg, grandson Ciarda.

T 1020-9.  Cu Luachra O’Conchobhair, king of Ciarraighe Luachra, died.

T 10024-10. Maelruanidh O’Ciardha, king of Carbery, died.

T  1029 -2   A great loss of life on Lnis Lainne in Cairbre Mor where forty persons of nobles of Cairbre were burned alive including Aodh O’ Ruaire king of Cairbre and the superior of Drunclifff.

T 1046-5.   Fearghai O’ Ciardha, king of Cairbre was killed by the men of Teffa.

T 1067-5. O’Conchobhair of Kerry, king of Carraighe.

  Luachra killed in Connacht.

T 1138.2. Mathghamhain O’ Conchobhair, king of Ciarrsighe and of Corca Dhuibhna, tanist of the king of Munster, rested.

T 1138-5. Dealbhna Mor, wherein was slain Domhnall O’ Ciardha, king of Carbury.

T 1145-9. The defeat of Dun Dubain by Murchadh O’ Maclseachlainn and by Cairbre O’Ciardha on the men of Breifna, where 300 men fell, including Searrach O’ Connachtaigh and Cathal O’Cathluain and O’Cumrain.

T 1150-1. The Giolla Claor O’Ciardha, king of Cairpre, fell by the Ui Faelain.

T 1155-5.The Giolla Got O’Ciardha, king of Cairpre, was killed by Donnchadh O’Maelseachlainn.

T 1165-10. A great war between the Meathmen and the men of Brefne, and Sitriue was killed by the Ui Ciardha and by Cairbre.

T1174-10 Mael Ruanaidh O’Ciardha king of Cairpre, was killed by the Foreigners of Dublin in that year, i.e. by the son of Turnir and by the son of Aodh O’Fearghail and also Ceallach O’Fiondallar, king of Delbna Mor.

T 1176-4 Two score of the English were killed by the son of Giolla Padraig O’Ciardha.

T 1176-13. Domnall Mac Giolla Padraig, king of Cairbre O’ Ciardha was treacherously killed by O’Maclseachlainn.

T 1176-16 Flann son of Donnchadh O’Maelseachnaill was killed by Cairbre O’Ciardha.

Unfortunately The Annals of Tigernach in 993 AD has not been quoted in Wikipedia to mention The Giolla Got O’Ciardha, king of Cairpre, was killed by Donnchadh O’Maelseachlainn. Later, Donnchadh’s son was killed by Cairbre O’Ciardha, maintaining history between, 993 – 1176.

The old Irish root ‘ciar’ or céir ‘dark’, perhaps black or sable. Tigernach mac Cairpri (d549) an early Irish patron saint of Clones (Co Monaghan) in the Province of Ulster.

 In 1090, the Annals (gospels) reported the Book of Kells returned from Donegal, in the kingdom of Midhe ancient territories of Mide ‘the midland part’, and Brega ruled by king Finnechta Fledach. The king (or ‘toisech’ Irish for tribal chief) ruled over a people (Irish túath) responsible for the well-being of the tuath. The law tract Crith Gablach (early eight century) says ‘ri’ (cognate with Latin rex a regendo dicitur) because he rules (ridgedly).  Ireland had over a hundred kingdoms which means that the tuath was relatively small.

The tuath was divided into: nobility, freemen, scholars, lesser freeman, and serfs. Neither towns nor villages existed before the ninth century people lived together in a caisel, an enclosure of stone. Medieval Ireland by Michael Richter.

It must be remembered that the settlement social structure, those inside, were extremely primitive, crude and uncouth looking for spiritual salvation in a whole variety of made-up acts and beliefs. The only quality the people looked upto was brutality, crudity and coarseness that offered some sort of security to weaker souls.

In descent from Cairbre (MOR) meaning first or senior, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages a branch of Cenel Cairpre included Ua Chiardha (O’Keary, O’Carey) of Ui Cairpri Laigen in Carbury, County Kildare. With a location of county, Barony or Townland ‘Crioch Cairpre Droma Cliad of northern county Sligo and north-east county Letrim in the Barony of Carbury in north Sligo. Cineal (kingship) uibh Neill a’ Tuaisceart. There is some indication the Ui Neill kingdom in the area of County Kildare did not exist before the 12th century, of Ua Cairpre being driven from north-east Longford and Offaly (i.e. Cairpre Gabra) due to pressure from Ua Ruaire of Breifne and the Conmairecne expansion in the region.

‘The annals cite for Cairpre Laigin (Ua Chiardha between 954-2 – 1176-16). Ualgarg Ua Ciardha king of Cairpre killed Cetnach son of Flann king of Luige.‘

There is no doubt that the O’Ciardha were a paramount family in early Ireland; a kingship which slowly became reduced supporting the losing side, to be finally crushed by King Henry and later Cromwellian forces. Reading between the lines ‘The Annals’ give a sordid record of ancient Irish clan life – basically, killing each other, stealing another’s cattle, taking revenge, all to advance ownership, popularity and power.

As John Grenham records: ‘The history of Ireland is a great drama of war, invasion, plantation, immigration, emigration, conflict, and solidarity.’ This rather sums up Ireland and the Kearey family.

Arranged, on top of the helmet, a slightly curved wreath, a chaplet of the two coloured livery silks wound round each other. Above the wreath the Crest, a demi-panther incensed rampant guardant, (flames emanating from besides its mouth and ears) facing the viewer. A panther also represents a beautiful woman and mother who is tender and loving to her children and will defend them, even with her own life. The animal displayed with roundels of red meaning (fortitude), blue (loyalty), green (hope) holding in each front paw a blacksmith’s hammer once again making a link to past family skills. These are all armorial bearings: crest, helmet, shield, and overall design, suggested by the Herald taking regard to the life of the person I claim Irish descent from and the following generations, the scroll is the Herald Painter’s design, and the motto, suggested by myself. Over time, the Ciarraige Tribe of the Eoganacht People moved south and west towards Co. Cork and Kerry having travelled through the ages from Co. Sligo and Letrim. This movement of people shows how transient life was when pressure applied by powerful neighbours caused fear and terror.

The Ciarrage Tribes or ‘black people’ populated much of north-western Conty Roscommon believed to be the lords of Airtech – present day barony of Frenchpark. Their seat Baslic near Castlerea. Early peoples of Desmond included the Ciarraige Luacha. Domnall was the son of Muirchertach mac Neill and grandson of Niall Glundub. A member of the Cenel nEogain northern Ui Neill.