Welcome to Genealogy_in_General (GG)

A CONDENSED HISTORY

for

COUNTY LONGFORD

{ IN THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF ANNALY }..

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Historical Background:

{ See Province of LEINSTER }

- . -

FORMATION of COUNTY LONGFORD

Annaly was formed into the county Longford, by the lord deputy Sir Henry Sidney (under the Reign of Elizabeth...).

THE EARLY YEARS in LEINSTER

ANNALY, or  ( LONGFORD ) -- ANGHAILE or "Annaly," which was formed out of the ancient territory of Teffia, comprised the whole of the county Longford, and was the principality of O'Farrell. His chief residence was the town of  "Longford," anciently called Longphort-Ui-Fhearghail or the Fortress of O'Farrell. This territory was divided into Upper and Lower Annaly: the former comprising that part of Longford south of Granard, and a part of the county Westmeath, was possessed by O'Farrell O'Buidhe (or O'Farrell the Yellow); the latter, or that portion north of Granard, was possessed by O'Farrell Ban (or O'Farrell the Fair). The O'Farrells were dispossessed of this territory by the Tuites and the Delameres, who came over with Hugh de Lacy in the twelfth century.

The following were among the ancient clans in the county Longford:

  • O'Farrells, princes of Annaly, (ps: the O'Farrells maintained their sovereignty till the reign of Elizabeth...)
  • O'Cuinn or O'Quinn, who had his castle at Rathcline. (ps: There was also a powerful family of the O'Quinns in the county Clare (see "Thomond"), distinct from this family in Annaly).
  • MacGilligan.
  • Muintir (or people of) Megiollgain (Magillan or Magellan) were located in the territory of Muintir Eoluis, in the northern portion of the county Longford; and their chief was O'Quinn,
  • O'Mulfinny or MulFeeney, whose district was called Corcard.
  • MacCormack.
  • MacCorgabhan.
  • O'Daly.
  • O'Slaman or O'Slevin.
  • O'Skolly or O'Skelly.

MAJOR LANDHOLDERS in LONGFORD

THE following have been denoted as MAJOR LANDHOLDERS in Longford since the reign of King James the First:

  • Aungier, earls of Longford; afterwards Fleming; and next Pakenham.

  • Lane, earls of Lanesborough, and next Butler.

  • Gore were earls of Annaly.

  • The family of Forbes are now earls of Granard.

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