Barony of clanmacowan

WELCOME TO A ROMANTIC PART OF IRELAND

In the land where ancient secrets will come to life.

The land of destiny.

An dà shealladh, the gift, the blessing and the curse.

History

Introduction

Hugh O’Connor was given this little barony by Sir John Perrot in 1584 as a deliberate political move to break O’Kelly dominance in the area. The O’Kellys were the traditional rulers of Clann Mhac nEoghain. Hugh O’Connor was placed there as a buffer lord. The O’Connor Dhunne family (a smaller branch of the O’Connors) held it for many years until Cromwell sequestered it in 1651. After Callaugh’s son Hugh died without issue in 1662, the O’Connor lands and the barony fell into the hands of the Crown and was granted to John French by King Charles II in 1677.

The French family owned the barony rights until 2003. After that, the ownership changed to another owner. Since the beginning of 2019, the barony rights belong to a family with Irish ancestors. The gift seems to have followed the ancestors which align with the old stories within the family. Now, it seems that the gift has found its way home.

If you’re searching for this little barony, you might come across the names Clonmacnowen and Clonmacnoon as well. However, the origin of all these names is still Cluain Mhac n’Eoghain (Clann Mac nEoghain). The spelling Barony of Clanmacowan comes from the French family’s historical register and description of the barony.