Later centuries Corcu Loígde

carbery in tudor times

by late 16th century 2 prosperous families remaining Ó heidirsceoil princes, several castles in , around baltimore, including dunasead castle, , o learys, had built several castles south of macroom.

the Ó heidirsceoil s , baltimore

the history of Ó heidirsceoil clan , seaside village of baltimore inextricably linked. first historical mention of Ó heidirsceoil (anglicised o driscoll) clan occurs in annals of inisfallen death in 1103 of conchobar ua hetersceóil king of corcu loígde recorded. surname o driscoll anglicised form of gaelic Ó heidirsceóil has meaning of diplomat or interpreter. (eidir between + scéal story , news ).

the originator of name thought have lived in 9th century. prominent in village today restored castle of dunasead (castle of jewels) Ó heidirsceoil stronghold built around 1600 fortified house sir fineen Ó heidirsceoil, knight of queen elizabeth i. power of corcu loígde alias dáirine kings of munster, tara, , large part of ireland faded in dark ages, empire broken up, center of political power shifted south wild country of west cork, or ross carbery known in local history, , o driscoll clan has been prominent throughout history.

baltimore strategic harbour town on roaringwater bay located west of kinsale , east of mizen head. baltimore harbor protected 2 offshore islands cape clear west , sherkin island. during medieval period height of Ó heidirsceoil s influence, had fortresses on these islands near lough ine salt water lake on nearby coast east of baltimore. Ó heidirsceoil heritage territorially associated these lands around baltimore, , oral legend has if seafarer land on islands of sherkin or clear or mainland of west carbery, Ó heidirsceoil require payment of dockage fee. Ó heidirsceoil s historically seafaring clan had 100 sailing vessels in fleet used in both fishing , policing local waters. Ó heidirsceoil s in era known trade extensively france, portugal , spain. merchant ships whether foreign or neighbouring towns such waterford when sailed Ó heidirsceoil waters considered fair game.

sir fineen remembered locally of rogue since political expedience opened local lands english planters , in doing saved homelands falling local invasion local o mahony, o leary , maccarthy clans, of english fleet harboured. sir fineen himself driven in dotage live on small island in lough ine recluse , oral history claims grew rabbit s floppy ears. said have died in england or spain on mission queen elizabeth death preceded own. heirs may have survived in baltimore , abroad never again political chiefs in historical era.

several years after sir fineen s demise, village of baltimore suffered catastrophic defeat recorded in annals of kinsale, when sacked in 1631 algerian mercenaries led dungarvan man john hackett later hanged crime of revenge. legend has hackett s boat seized algerians , refused guide them kinsale instead led barbary coast pirates baltimore claiming riches possibly because of historical dispute between waterford , Ó heidirsceoils. ironically, of 107 captives taken baltimore turks part english planters, made galley slaves or harem girls , 2 of whom ever returned ireland.

the Ó heidirsceoil s appear have survived sack of baltimore quite either in offshore islands or clinging highlands of hill overlooking baltimore s cove pirates landed, or retreating surrounding hollows or upstream town of skibbereen. current time Ó heidirsceoil s claim ownership of hill in baltimore many lots , farms in islands on nearby river ilen , many other properties in west cork.

the o learys


auliffe o leary – joined side of hugh o neill, 2nd earl of tyrone in 9 years war
art Ó laoghaire – immortalised widow eibhlín dubh ní chonaill in caoineadh airt uí laoghaire
peadar ua laoghaire – celebrated irish language writer , descendant of lords of carrignacurra