The Kirwan Family

The Kirwan Family

Arms. Argent, a chevron, between three shelldrakes, sable, beaked and legged, gules. Crest. A shelldrake close, sable, beaked and legged. gules. Motto. J' aim mon Dieu, mon Roi et mon Pais.

The Kirwan family are of ancient Irish origin. They deduce their descent from Maoldhbharon, son of Febhrann, son of Finglian, who was the father of Corovane, or Ciorobane, from whom the families of Cregg, Blindwell, Ballyhasna, Silane and Ballygaddy are lineally descended.

In the commencement of the eleventh century this family were the hereditary proprietors of a comprehensive district in the province of Ulster (situate convenient to the Town of Londonderry) and continued in the possession and actual seizen of same until they were expelled by the followers of John D'Coursey in A.D. 1217 or thereabouts.

They were then obliged to fly for protection to Connought, and soon after settled at a place then called Doonagh na Ballinmore (now generally forgotten) or Dunbally (where they erected a strong castle), which is situate within a few miles of the once famous town of Dunmore.

Tradition relates that they were from their arrival seized of a considerable portion of the surrounding country, and that large tracts passed away from them by intermarriages to several other Irish families, namely the OKellys, OConnors, OHallorans, OMaddens, OFlaherties, &c.

But be this as it may, there is at present a portion of land situate near the town of Dunmore which still claims the name of Forín ní Ciorovane, which is in itself most corroborative proof that this family were the ancient owners.

As the family became numerous, the younger branches settled in other parts of the extensive inheritance of the family, to wit, Lavally, Ballyhasna, Ballygary, Loughcarrow, Ballymanagh, Ballynadangan, all situate in the Barony of Dunmore.

In consequence of a quarrel that took place between the senior Branch of this family and the De Berminghams of Dunmore, or Athenry, OKelly of Athlegue and several other Irish and Anglo-Norman families, this family were obliged to surrender the greater part of their inheritance to the De Berminghams. The senior member of the family, William O Ciorovane, was then obliged to go to reside in Galway where he became one of the priniciple, influential men then in Galway.

Thomas Reigh OCiorobane, his eldest son, who was mayor of Galway in 1534 and died in 1543 b, was the father of Thomas Oge OCiorobane, alderman of Galway, who died in 1542, leaving Andrew Bane OCiorobane of Galway as his heir, and Stephen OCiorobane, his second son, who is the ancestor of the CastleHacket Kirwans.

Andrew Bane OCiorobane was married to Anastasia ffrench of Galway, by whom he had Patrick More O Ciorobane, alderman of Galway, who died in AD 1608 and was interred in the Church of St Nicholas. With his wife, Jane Browne, he had: Andrew, his eldest son, who was alderman of Galway and a man of great wealth ( his will is dated 20th August 1639, and he is buried in St. Nicholass). Andrew's daughter, Julianna, married Stephen Ffont. Their son Francis was married to Maria Athy of Galway, daughter of John Athy; William Oge OCiorovane, was Andrew's second son; Thomas Oge OCiorovane, his third son; and Edward, called Eman Ar Airgid (Edward of the silver), his fourth son.

He was Mayor of Galway in 1643 when Galway was surrendered to Sir Charles Coote. He is the immediate ancestor of Dalgan; he died 22nd June 1662. Robert Keigh Kirovan, his fifth son, died 23rd December 1635 and is buried in St Nicholas's Church, leaving Mary, daughter of Nicholas Martin of Galway, his wife and Nicholas, Richard, Robuck, Kearud, Joan and Agnes Kirovan, his children him surviving.

Cregg Castle

Cregg Castle was built by Clement Kirwan in 1648 on the site of Mulnagreany, a medieval fortress. When work was being carried out on the Castle some years ago, signs of an underground structure were found in the basement, notably a slit window (the narrow windows from which you could fire an arrow) and the remains of the circular stone stairwell.