Ó Duibhgeannáin

The Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin were a family of professional historians in medieval and early modern Ireland.

They originated in the kingdom of Annaly (also known as Conmaicne Maigh Rein) on the east bank of the Shannon (mostly situated in what is now Co. Longford) and later migrated into Connacht. Writing in 1921 the Irish historian, Fr. Paul Walsh stated that "The celebrated Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh ... informs us that the O Duigenans followed the profession of historiographers under the families of Clann Mhaiolruanaidh and Conmhaicne in Magh Rein, that is, with the Mac Dermotts and the MacDonoughs in the west, and with the O Farrells in the territory of Annaly."

The earliest known reference to a bearer of the surname dates to 1296, when, according to the Annals of the Four Masters "Maelpeter O'Duigennan, Archdeacon of Breifny, from Drumcliff to Kells, died." Less than thirty years later in the year 1323 (according to the same source) - "Gillapatrick O'Duigennan, Chief Historian of Conmaicne, and Lucas, his son, were slain by Conor, the son of Garvey Maguire."

These reports are interesting because none of them were taken from contemporary sources such as the Annals of Connacht or the Annals of Lough Ce. It is highly likely that they were inserted into the Four Masters - which was, in any case, a compilation of old sources - by a descendant of the family, Peregrine O'Duignan, most likely from family sources such as the now-lost Leabhar Ui Duibhgeannain.

However, the family themselves can be traced back with confidence several centuries further, ultimately to Maine of Tethba, an alleged son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. While Maine's relationship is probably fictitious, there seems to be no good reason for doubting that the O Duibhgeannain descend from the figure claimed as an ancestor by the rulers of Hy-Many.

From Annaly to Moylurg: Kilronan and Castlefore
By the 14th century, while some lines of the family remained in Annaly, the senior branches and others moved west into Moylurg where they became historians for the MacDermots. The senior line, under Ferghall Muimhneach, built the church of Kilronan in 1339 to which they became erenachs, or its lay proprietors. The Four Masters include the following references to the family, and Kilronan church:


 * 1339 - The church of Kilronan was erected by Farrell Muimhneach O'Duigenan.
 * 1340 - Philip O'Duigenan, Ollav i.e. Chief Poet of Conmaicne, died. The church of Kilronan was burned.
 * 1347 - The church of Kilronan was re-erected by Farrell O'Duigenan. Finola, daughter of Mac Fineen, and wife of Farrell O'Duigenan, died.
 * 1357 - Clement O'Duigenan, Vicar of Kilronan, died. He was called Sagart-na-Sinnach (i.e., Priest of the Foxes). Muimhneach O'Duigennan, Ollav of Conmaicne and Clann-Mulrony, Lower and Upper, died.
 * 1360 - Naevag O'Duigennan died.
 * 1362 - Cu-Connacht O Duigeannain, Vicar of Cill Ronain rested in Christ.
 * 1381 - Lasairiona, daughter of Ferghal O Duigeannain, wife of O Mithin (Meehan), of Bealach ui Mithin, died.
 * 1398 - David O Duigeannain, Coarb of the Virgin St. Lasair, chief chronicler of MacDiarmuda (MacDermott) and his great favorite, a hospitaller for all comers of Eirinn in general, a reverend attendant of a nobleman, and one that never refused anyone for anything he had until his death, died in his house and was interred in the Church of Cill Ronan.

By 1400 a secondary line had established themselves in Moylurg, at Baile Caille Foghair, or Castlefore, now in Co. Leitrim. Their ancestor was Philip na hInishe who died in Conmaicne in 1340, said to be a brother of Fearghall Muimhneach. The first member of the family mentioned as of Castlefore was Maghnus mac Melaghlin Ruadh O Duibggeannain, who died in 1452. He is apparently the same Maghnus of Castlefore was the chief compiler of the Book of Ballymote, which was commissioned by Tomaltach MacDonagh, Lord of Coran, about or after 1391.

Irish historical manuscripts compiled and penned by various O Duibhgeannain which have survived their turbulent times include:


 * Annala Loch Ce (The Annals of Loch Ce).
 * Leabhair O Duibhgeannain Cill Ronan, a source book used for the Four Masters.
 * The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, better known as the Annals of the Four Masters.
 * Suibhne Gelt (The Frenzy of Sweeney).
 * Catha Magh Rath (The Battle of Magh Rath).

Peregrine and Daibhidh
The two most significant O Duibhgeannains during the final years of Gaelic Ireland were Cu Coigriche mac Tuathal O Duibhgeannain of Castlefore (fl.1627-1636), and Daibhidh mac Matthew Glas O Duibhgeann of Kilronan (fl.1651-1696).

Cu Coigriche, thought to have being born about or after 1590, was ordained a Franciscan monk and changed his name to Peregrine O'Duignan. Nothing is known of his life until he became engaged in the massive project known to history as the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland (better known by its nickname, the Annals of the Four Masters. The annals are known by this name because, under the leadership of Brother Michael O'Clery (Michael O Cleirigh), Peregrine, Cu Choigriche (Peregrine) O Cleirigh and Fearfeasa O Maoilchonaire, these four men compiled and wrote in a few short years (c.1627-1636) one of the largest collections of mythical, historical and cultural lore - spanning the years 2242 AM to 1616 AD.

Nothing certain is known of Peregrine after August 1636; possibly he returned to Louvain, as did O Cleirigh. However, there exists a slight possibility that he remained in Ireland, as a copy of the annals was in the town of Galway, and used as a source by none other than Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. MacFhirbhisigh explicitly states using it in 1649 though typiclly he gives us no clues as to how he obtained it. It may not be coincidental that a kinsman of O Duibhgeannain, Daibhidh O Duibhghennain living and working in the Galway region from as early as 1651.

Daibhidh mac Matthew Glas O Duibgeannain, or Daibhidh Bacach ("lame David") as he sometimes called himself, was an active scribe, compiler, poet between the years 1651 and 1696. In the earliest of his known works, Royal Irish Academy Ms. 24.P.9., he writes on page 238: "sguirim go ttrasada ar Loch Mesg dam a ttigh Thaidgh Oig Ui Fhlaibhertaigh 1 die Aprilis 1651, Dauid Duigenan qui scripsit/I stop now, and I on Loch Mask in the house of Tadhg Og O Flaherty, April 1st, 1651, David Duigenan who wrote this." A later entry specifies the place as Oilean Ruadh, or Red Island.

Over the course of his life he penned such works as "Suibhne Gelt/The Frenzy of Sweeney", "The Adventures of the Two Idiot Saints", "The Battle of Magh Rath", and "The Banquet of Dun na Gedh.". He is believed to have lived his final years in Shancough, Tirerrill, Co. Sligo, where he died in 1696.

Duigenans
Patrick Duigenan; Michael V. Duigenan (historian); John Albert Duigenan (artist).

Duignans
W. H. Duignan; Sean Duignan (journalist, political aide); Patricia Rose Duignan (production staff "Star Wars:A New Hope"); Michael Duignan (GAA hurler and manager); Peter Duignan (author); Clare Duignan (Head of Production, RTÉ); Eoin Duignan (musician); Michael Duignan (Vice Chairman, Irish Horse Board); Jonathan Duignan (migration review tribunal lawyer, Australia); Michael Duignan (New Zealand filmmaker); Michael Duignan (American actor); Campbell Duignan (New Zealand trade unionist); Katherine Duignan (writer); Noel Duignan (Canadian politician); Kevin Patrick Duignan (Vice President for Institutional Advancement, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY)

Deignan

 * Philip Deignan (professional and Olympic cyclist)
 * Sinéad Deignan (journalist, historian, manager of the ArCH Medieval Manuscripts Project, Department of History, UCC);

Dignans

 * Danny Dignan (British television producer)
 * John Dignan (Bishop of Clonfert)
 * R. H. Dignan (Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie)
 * Peter Dignan (Mayor of Auckland)
 * Peter Dignan (New Zealand Olympic rower)
 * James Dignan (New Zealand artist and writer)
 * James Dignan (British jurist).

Dignams

 * Mark Dignam (British actor)
 * Basil Dignam (British actor)
 * Christy Dignam (Irish singer)
 * Arthur Dignam (Australian actor)

Degnans

 * John Degnan (American politician)
 * John J. Degnan (American politician)
 * Joseph R. Degnan (automotive pioneer)

Genealogy of O Duibhgeannain of Kilronan, Moylurg
Taken from MacFhirbhisigh's Book of Genealogies; faulty in places.

Maine of Tethba |    |________________________________________     |        |      |           |      |     |        |      |           |      |           Fiachna  Eanna  Creamthann  Brian  Bracan |                                |_____________                                 |            |                                 |            |                                 Breanainn    Criomhthann |                                |__________________________                                 |            |          |                                 |            |          |                                  Criomthann   Connhach   Aodh |                                ________________________|                                 |         |             |                                 |         |             |                                   Corc      Cathasach     Blathmhac |                      |                                 |                       |                                  Aodh                    Conghall |                                                        |                                                         Colla |   _____________________________________________________|_______    |        |            |          |               |          |    |        |            |          |               |          |    Conaig   Conghalach   Murchadh   Muirchertaigh   Diarmaid   Conchobair |                                                               |                                                                Breasal |                                                    ___________|                                                     |          |                                                     |          |                                                            Braighte   Gabhalach |                                                    |_________________                                                     |                 |                                                     |                 |                                                     Maol Beannachta   Fionnachta |                                                    |__________                                                     |         |                                                     |         |                                                     Tadhgan   Maol Odhair |   _________________________________________________|________________________________    |           |                   |           |          |           |            |    |           |                   |           |          |           |            |     Cearnachan  Duibhgeann   Dubhlaith   Conghall   Mughaighe   Faghartach   Madadhar |               |                Naomhtuc mac Duibhgeann |               |                Pilip na hInnise (Phillip of the Island) mac Naomhtuc O Duibhgeannain |               |                Poil an Fhiona (Paul of the Wine) mac Pilip O Duibhgeannain |               |                Lucais Ancaire (Lucas the Anchorite) mac Poil O Duibhgeannain |               |                Fearghail Mhuimhnigh (Fearghail of Munster) mac Lucais O Duibhgeannain, d.1347. |               |                Matha Ghlais mac Fearghail Mhuimhnigh O Duibhgeannain |               |                Maoileachlainn mac Matha Ghlais O Duibhgeannain |               |                Dubhthaigh Mhoir mac Maoileachlainn O Duibhgeannain, died 1511. |               |________________________________________________________                |                                                       |                 |                                                       |                Dubhthaigh Oig mac Dubhtaigh Mhoir O Duibhgeannain. Maoilsechlainn |                                                      |                |                                                       |                Duilbh mac Dubhtaigh Oig O Duibhgeannain, died 1578. Paidin |                                                      |                |                                                       |                Maolmhuire mac Duilbh O Duibhgeannain, alive 1578. Dolbh |                                                                        |                                                                        Matthew Glas |                                                                       |                                                           Daibhidh Bacach O Duibhghennain fl.1651-1696.

Last O Duibhghennain Entry in the Four Masters
"1578: O Duibhghennáin Cille Ronain (Dolbh mac Dubhthaigh) ollamh Ua n-Oilealla saoí senchaidh fer tighe aoidhedh coitchinn congairighe, fer suilbir, soingthe soagallmha d'écc, & a mhac Maol Muire do ghabhail a ionaidh."(Annala Rioghachta Éireann). ("1578: O'Duigennan of Kilronan (Dolbh, son of Duffy), Ollav of Tirerrill, a learned historian, who kept a thronged house of general hospitality; a cheerful, eloquent, and affable man, died; and his son, Mulmurry, took his place.") (Annals of the Four Masters).