Book of Ryans - Page 4
Mythological Progeny
The earliest fictional Celtic descendants of the Ryans were the Milesians which claimed their origins to Scythia, a region in southwest Europe. According to tradition the Scythians traced their origins to Noah's son Japeth and his son Fenius who by Celtic fantasy was among those who built the tower of Babel. A descendent of this fanciful lineage was a Scythian noble named Niall, who lived at the time of Moses, was banished from the country and forced to live in Egypt. There he became a great general and warrior to Pharaoh Nectonebus. Pharaoh, realizing Niall's ability, gave him the chief command of his army, so that he could engage in war with Ethiopia. He quelled the Ethopian hostility against Egypt, and as a reward was given Scota, pharaoh's daughter, as his wife.
Niall and his family became acquainted with the Isrealites living in captivity in Egypt. His association with the Egyptians slaves was well known and a source of irritation in Egyptian royal circles. After Pharaoh Nectonebus was killed in the Red Sea, he became an outcast in Egypt. His Egyptian friends had deserted him, and the only group of people who continued to accept him were the Isrealites. He helped them escape the wrath of the Egyptians, and Moses, through his generosity, cured his son’s deadly affliction resulting from a snake bite. Moses provided another gift by foretelling him that, "One day you will live in a far-off western isle where no snake or reptile can live." [1] The descendents of Niall remained in the Egyptian province after Pharaoh Nectonebus drowned in the Red Sea. Their fictional lives, as recorded in the 'Lebor Gabala', showed Gaedhal's grandson, Sru, returning to Scythia on four ships, but upon arriving found themselves unwelcomed by their relatives and other inhabitants of the Scythian frontier. These confrontations festered for several years until Sru's peoples embarked for Egypt once again to settle the fertile valleys of the Nile River.
Milesius, or Milesius Espaine meaning Soldier of Spain, is introduced by the 'Lebor Gabala' after Sru's descendents made an attempt to settle in Spain. As Milesius became older, he desired to visit his relatives in Scythia, and after arriving in Scythia was greeted by its king who gave his daughter in marriage to Milesius. The Scythian king was so impressed with his military skills that he made Milesius his military commander, and tradition holds that he returned victorious from many battles against Scythia's enemies. These conquests troubled the Scythian king because Milesius was becoming quite popular among his subjects, and this adoration directed towards his military commander became viewed as a threat to his rule. Milesius learned of the plot to have him murdered, and quickly packed his belongings and fled to Egypt. In Egypt his military prowess was recognized by Pharaoh, and the Egyptian ruler made him commander of the Egyptians armies. After many successful military adventures, Pharaoh rewarded his resourceful commander by giving Scota, his daughter, in marriage; but hearing of turmoil in Scythia he returned to bring order to the ancient Celtic land. He left Egypt with his wife and two children, and on his way to Spain he landed at Irene, Greece, where his third son Ir was born. This voyage appeared to have taken several years as another son, Colpa, was born before reaching Spain. In Spain two more sons, Aranann and Heremon, were born to Scota and Milesius.
Milesius settled and ruled over his Spanish community 30 years which Gaelic tradition describes as a time of profound peace; however, a continuous drought induced a great famine, and Milesius called an assembly of all his chiefs and princes to decide what actions were needed to confront this pestilence. They met at Braganza and agreed to abandon their settlement in Spain and journey across the English channel at the encouragement by Caicer, their Druid. Milesius died before hearing of the island discovered by Ith and his uncles, moreover, he was unaware that his children had conquered the Tuatha De Danann, the island people which originally came from northern Europe. Milesius' offspring began the process of transporting their colony in Spain to this snake-free island, and in time the island would be renamed as Hibernici, or Hibernia.
The Line of Heremon
Heremon was the seventh son of Milesius, and was one of three sons whom yielded offspring according to the ancient annalists. From him were descended the Kings, Nobility, and Gentry of the kingdoms of Leinster, Meath, Dalriada <original appellation for Scotland>, Orgiall, and Ossory; and of England, from the reign of King Henry II to the present time. Heremon with his brother Heber were joint Monarchs of Ireland, beginning their reign some 1000 years before Christ. After Heber was slain, Heremon reigned for 14 years as oral tradition alleges; and when Heremon died, three of his sons, Muime, Luigne, and Laighean ruled between them another three years.
The list of kings after Heremon's death suggests fleeting tenures for early kings of Hibernici. According to unwritten convention, few reigned more than five years, and some prevailed for as little as a few hours. The next notable monarch that ruled after Heremon was Tigernamas. Tigernmas, son of Foll-Aicch, became the 13th Monarch of Ireland, and reportedly reigned for a period of seventy-seven years. Celtic tradition fantasized that he and two-thirds of the people of Ireland died one night at Magh Sleaght. While the literal translation of the ancient stories are suspect, it is clear that some great calamity occurred which was carried down in poetic verse. Magh Sleaght translated as the Field of Adoration, a place where the ancient Gaels worshipped their false gods.
This Tiernmas was the Monarch who set up the famous idol called "Crom Cruach" <crooked heap> on the plain
This idol was worshipped up to the time of St. Patrick, by whom it was destroyed. [2]
Tigernmas introduced distinctions of rank among the descendants of Milesius by requiring them to wear certain colors. Some say that this may have been the origin of the Scottish plaid. According to Keating, one color was used in the dress of a slave; two colors assigned to a plebeian; three colors for a soldier or a young lord; four for a publican; five for the chief of a tuath; and six colors for the king and queen. [3] The monarchs to succeed Tigernman were generally unimportant as annalists spend little time describing their reign, however, 300 years before Christ there was a notable exception - Ugani Mor, would rule the Celts of Hibernici. Tradition says that the leading families of Ulster, Leinster, and Connacht trace their descent from Macha Mong Ruan's <the Red-Haired> foster son, Ugani Mor. He was the common father to the royal families of the three provinces, and according to verbal history, the name of Leinster was attributed to Ugani Mor's great grandson, Labraid Loingsech.
According to antiquity, he led his great armies into Britain, and had won several decisive battles against the indigenous tribes. After his triumphs in Britain, his ambition led him to the Continent where he also was victorious. These achievements were chronicled by the ancient seanachies as an entry noted he was, "King of Ireland and of the whole of Western Europe as far as Muir Torrian <the Mediterranean Sea>.[4] Along with these military ventures, he also sailed with a fleet into the Mediterranean, landed his forces in Africa, and battled an army in Sicily.
Ugani Mor had twenty-two sons and three daughters by Caisair, daughter of the King of Gaul. He divided his kingdom into 25 segments, and allocated these lands so that none would overlap the other. This division of land was performed so that his progeny could lay claim to their own separate kingdom, however, most of his sons died childless except for Laeghaire Lorc <progenitor of the Leinster Heremonians> and Cobtach Caol-bhreagh. The line of descent from Laighain continued uninterrupted in the South, later renamed Leinster, until the Norman invasion, and interestingly most of the Leinster aristocratic families claim heritage still later to another scion of Laeghaire, Cathair Mor, who reigned in the second century. The only major Leinster tribes whose oral histories do not link themselves with Laeghair were the O'Baiscins, O'Garchins, O'Renans, and Gilla Patricks.
Sweeter than any music, the harp
Which delighted Labhraidh Lorc the Mariner
Though sullen about his secrets was the king.
A Literary History of Ireland - Douglas Hyde, (p.408)
After Ugani Mor's death, the country went through a period of civil crisis with multiple tanists coveting the high kingship of Ireland. The logical choice to replace Ugani More as King was his son, Laegaire Lorc, but he was murdered by his brother, Cobtach, who similarly desired the kingship. Laegaire's son, Olliol Aine, was also murdered by Cobtach; yet Olliol's son, Labraid whom later received the nickname of Labraid Loingsech meaning "Laura of the Ships", was spared. He was saved because many believed he was "dumb", that is could not speak, and under Celtic tradition if someone had a "blemish", which was defined under Brehon law as any defect making someone unfit to rule, the kingship would be presented to the next most deserving individual. Labraid was sent into hiding, and tradition has it that he was raised in secret by a celebrated Harper named Craftine. He discovered the use of speech later in life, and drove Cobtach off the throne of Ireland. An ancient tale pictures him with another 'blemish' which he attempted to conceal from others. He always wore a helmet, so goes the legend, to hide his ears. He protected his secret by having his barber chosen by lot, and afterwards having the person put to death. A young boy was chosen, and his mother approached Labraid to spare her son. He was so moved that he agreed, but only if the boy swear that he would not reveal his secret. The young man's discovery of the king's secret and his inability to tell anyone led him to many sleepless nights. After many days of keeping this secret he asked a druid for help. He instructed the young many to go into the woods and tell the nearest tree his knowledge, and after doing so, he would be immediately unburdened from carrying his great secret. Several years later, a harp was made for Craftine from this tree; and when he touched its strings in the king's presence, the harp echoed the secret of Labraid's blemish: He had the ears of a horse! Everyone who heard this was aghast, and Labraid, realizing that his secret was uncovered, removed his helmet and ended this mystery forever.
Following the slaying of Cobtach and his thirty princes at Dinn, Labraid ruled supreme in Ireland. Labraid Loingsech, a renowned military strategist, is considered to be the father of the chieftains of Leinster of which the Ryans claim descent. Even the kingdom of Leinster, home of the Ryan ancestors, has its name rooted around the legacy of Labraid as John O'Hart described:
Leinster in early times was called Gaillian or Coigeadh Gaillian, from its being possessed by the tribe of Firvolgians called Fir Gaillian, signifying spear men; but it afterwards got the name of Laighean <Laen> from the following circumstance: A few centuries before the Christian era, an Irish prince, named Labhra Loingseach or Laura of the Ships, having been banished to Gaul, became commander of the forces to the king of that country; and afterwards led an army of Gauls to Ireland for the recovery of the crown. He landed at a place called Lough Garman, and proceeded to Dinrigh, and ancient fortress of the kings of Leinster, and there put to death the Monarch Conthach; and then became himself the Ardrigh of Ireland. The Gaulish troops brought over by Laura were armed with green broad-headed spears, called Laighin, which were introduced amongst all the forces of the province; hence it got its name of Coigeadh Laighean, or the province of the spears; and from Laighean or Laen came the name Laen-Tir, which has been anglicised "Leinster" or territory of the spears. [5]
The O'Mulrian King Line
The origin of the O'Mulryan surname has historically been a great mystery, and this resulted in producing several genealogical variations to explain the sept's roots. While early genealogists traced their beginnings to County Carlow, a re-examination of the Gaelic archives began to produce versions which distanced the O'Mulryans of Munster from the O'Ryans of Leinster. Among the more notable members to elicit these claims was Dr. John Donavan who insinuated that these two branches were not related and had clearly distinct lineages. In his `Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland', he believed that the O'Ryans of Carlow traced their descent to Drona, fourth in descent to Cathair Mor while the O'Mulryans of "Owney on O'Mulryan" descended from "Fergus, son of Eoghan Goild, son of Nathi, son of Crimthann, son of Enna Ceinnsealach, son of Labhraidh, son of Breasel Bealach, son of Fiacha Baiceadha, son of Cathaeir Mor."[6] He felt that the descent to Cathair Mor <A deity king> was the only common attachment between these two septs. In support of his two family hypothesis, although not a strong argument when one understands the evolution of surnames in Ireland, he wrote:
"The Ryans of this race are to be distinguished from the O'Mulryans of the county of Tipperary, who almost invariably reject O and Mul, and write the same simply Ryan. "[7]
This simple argument along with Donovan's standing among Irish historians led many to accept his theory of the O'Riains lineage. Other historians also supported Donovan's speculation by noting that the prefix Maol <or Mul> which meant bald or tonsured was never referenced to the O'Ryans of Idrone, but it appeared almost universally to the O'Mulryans <O'Maoilriains> of Owney and the nearby adjacent territories. The term `maol', in Gaelic, meant eminence or peak <bald, a hornless cow, a bald or bare hill <meel>>. In early Irish Christianity, the monastics and clergy shaved the peak of their heads; and consequently were referred to as "bald". For example, the spiritual reform movement known as Celi De in the 8th century had as its principle leader Ruiain, or better known as Maolruain, or 'bald' Ruain. The monastics throughout most of Europe shaved the tops of their heads while the monks in Ireland shaved the front, or peak. Maol or Mal also means prince or chief in Gaelic which became fashionable for many regional kings to use. Because so much of Irish history was never recorded and the genealogies of the ancient families were either incorrect or manufactured, the acceptance of separate lineages for the Ryans of Leinster and Munster were quickly accepted by the 19th century historians.
Supporting O'Donavan's theory were other theories which traced the O'Ryan pedigree to Olioll Ollum, the great king of Munster <Mumha> in the third century.[8] This theory suggested lineage to the Eoganauts rather than to Cathair Mor, and still another theory delineated a separate lineage for the O'Ryans of Carlow to Cormac Cas, a 2nd century Munster king, and the O'Mulryans, who ultimately ruled the kingdom of Uaithne, to Cathair Mor. The latter theory shows a close relationship with the Kennedy heritage:
Cormac Cas; Mogh Corb, son of Cormac; Fear Corb of Thomond, son of Mogh Corb; Eochad "The Red Mole" (d. 470), descendant of Fear Corb; Aodh Caemh (d. 571), son of Eochad; Cathal (d. 620), son of Aodh Caemh; Torredealbach (patriarch of the Ui Thairdelbaig, or Torredealbach), son of Cathal; Mahon, son of Torredealbach; Annlugh, son of Mahon; Corc, son of Annlugh; Lachtra of Killaloe, son of Corc; Lorcan (d. 910), son of Lachtra; and his two sons Cennetig (Kennedy) and Brion Fionn from which came the noble families of O'Briens of Wexford, O'Laighen (Lyons or Lynam), O'Lonergain, and the O'Riains of Carlow.[9]
The Ryan's heritage to Cormac Cas offers a piquant view of how the O'Riains may have entered the kingdom of Carlow, however, this presumes that they were not of Leinster origin which contradicts most prevailing evidence. The concept that the O'Riains of Carlow were related to the Kennedys, from which sprung Brian Boru, presents an interesting diversion from the conjecture that the O'Ryans of Carlow and O'Mulryans of Munster were directly related. Unfortunately this fanciful theory has difficulty explaining why at the time of Cinnetaig and Brian Boru, the O'Riains, as a family group, had already distinguished themselves as legitimate heirs to the Ui Drona. In addition, Riain's son Muirdhach was later the king of the Ui Chennselaigh, and since only a legitimate heir by birthright could become king, it suggests that the O'Riains were of Leinster origin rather than stemming from Munster roots.
Because of the centuries of conflicting theories, the Ryan lineage was at best unclear and uncertain. As more information became available and older annals were reanalyzed, it became clear that much of the confusion was caused by the Ryans themselves as they changed their lineage to match the pedigrees of the descendant's of Drone. When the progeny of the Ryans conquered Idrone, they changed their line to show linkage to Drone, or Dron, who was fourth in descent from Cathair Mor. This was done in accordance to a common practice that provided legitimacy to the previous heirs of a conquered kingdom. This practice of matching lineages to the displaced Sept most likely was exercised when the Ryans moved into northern Munster. The family may have manufactured a descent linkage to the local citizenry, and perhaps may explain why later genealogists traced their origins to either Ollioll Ollum or to Cormac Cas.
O'Donovan's theories of the ancestral relationships between the O'Ryans and O'Mulryans persisted into the 20th century, and many genealogical journals continued to support his studies. O'Donovan based his assumptions on ancient documents he translated such as the "Book of the Four Masters"; however, subsequent information clearly documents that a basis of his theory - that the use of O'Ryan as a surname was limited only to the Carlow Ryans - was a weak argument at best. Consequently, reference periodicals such as "The Book of Irish Names" (1989) began to acknowledge the similarity of lineages for both septs.
The Ryans formed their name from an old personal name which could mean either `administrator' or `water'. Descending from a 2nd-century King of Leinster, Cathaoir Mor, the clan became very numerous and separated into two main branches. The O Rains of Idrone in Carlow and the O Maoilriains who were chiefs in Owney around Tipperary and Limerick. [10]
Similarly John O'Hart, a 19th century historian, contended that the O'Ryans and O'Mulryans shared common ancestors beyond that recognized by O'Donovan and others. He believed that while they definitely traced their lineage to Cathoir Mor, both family lines had common ancestral lines well into the 10th century. His research led him to believe they shared a common ancestor almost to the time of the Norman invasion, and traced their heritage to Rien (Rian or Riain) a late 10th century monarch of Idrone. He wrote that "the O'Ryans were styled princes of Hy-Drona, and were the stock of the O'Ryans who had extensive possessions in Tipperary."[11] He was also aware of O'Donovan's 'Antiquities', a book residing at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin, but felt that he did not offer substantial proof that the O'Rians and O'Maoilriains were of separate lineage.
The diagram 'Kingship of Leinster' details the alternating High Kingships within Leinster - a kingship often referred to in the ancient annals as the Laigin. This drawing was constructed according to Laigin tradition, and those highlighted by asterisks are direct issue of Riain <Rien> whose descendants bear the name 'Ryan' today