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Even in the annals of Ireland it would be hard indeed to find a nobler record than that of the O'Byrnes of Wicklow. Through a long line of warriors and chieftains they were eminently distinguished for devotion to the sacred cause of Faith and Country. High-souled in their patriotism, fearless and fierce in defence of their Nation's rights, proud of their race, and intensely attached to the mountain crags and exquisitely picturesque glens of their ancient patrimony, they, during centuries of wrong, persecution, plunder and perfidy, held their ground invincibly, and fought against their ruthless oppressors, with courage indomitable and fortitude heroic. Their motto Certavi et Vici was truly appropriate. The love of freedom, "bequeathed from bleeding sire to son," burned so fiercely in their hearts, that it can scarcely be considered an exaggeration to say, they contended for four hundred years unconquered. It was almost as natural to them to fight as it was to breathe, and, in a sense, as necessary; because they were perpetually assailed, and every element of force and every base subterfuge, that flendish minds could conceive, were made available to ruin and annihilate them. By nature dauntless and combative, yet merciful and humane; and by the treachery of perfidious enemies obliged to be ever watchful, it may be believed, that they almost slept with their battle-axes grasped, at all times ready to spring at the foe, repel aggression, aid their kinsmen, and jealously guard their stronghold, wooded hills and crystal watered valleys of the beauteous region which they ruled and loved. Not only do they figure prominently in the pages of Irish history, but their deeds and exploits have furnished touching themes for song and story. No persecution, however malignant, could deter them, no allurement could seduce them. Threat and overture they spurned with equal contempt; and to their eternal honour it is stated, that there was never "a king's or a queen's O'Byrne," and that they were the very last of the Irish clans to yield to the Saxon. Some writers seem to think, that they did not always receive that prompt aid from other septs which their common cause demanded; but it is not our purpose to draw contrasts, and most assuredly it is not our desire to pass, perhaps, unmerited censure. All created beings have their faults and follies, and exemption from the sins and frailties of human nature cannot be claimed for the O'Byrnes; but it can be pleaded in extenuation of their errors, that their virtues were many and their sufferings great.

Numbers of the O'Byrnes, in different generations, consecrated themselves to the service of the Church, at the altar, and in the cloister; some of them founded abbeys and generously maintained them. Their Faith was as warm in them as the burning rays of the noonday sun, and as immovable as the base of "The Golden Spears" which tower high in their beloved Wicklow; and proudly it can be proclaimed, that the mother of the great Saint Laurence O'Toole was an O'Byrne. At the present day, the descendants of the O'Byrne clan are, perhaps, more numerous than those of any other. At all events, they appear to be more concentrated, and to cling more tenaciously to the historic county of their ancestors. The saying that: "You will find a Byrne in every bush in Wicklow," can be easily understood; but it is strange and sad to think, that few of them have retained the distinctive prefix O'. No clan has a more rigid right to it. One historian alludes to the name of the O'Byrnes as "heroic;" surely, those who bear it should be proud of it, and all the O'Byrnes - those who can trace their pedigree connectedly, and those who cannot, should keep before their vision the noble example of their martyred forefathers. The old spirit of clanship should bind them firmly together in love for kith and kin and country. The past glories of our land should urge them to labour incessantly for her future greatness. Thank God, she is not now as she was in generations gone by, still she is sadly placed in many respects, and her children are bound by ties the tenderest, and obligations the most sacred, to make every effort that the precepts of religion, the principles of justice, the dictates of honour, and the chastened sympathies of exalted minds can sanction for her elevation amidst the proudest nations of the earth. Ireland is a country of beauty, fruitfulness, and holiness. The O'Byrnes of the past loved her with all the intensity of their impassioned souls. In proof of their faithfulness to God and their country, they hesitated not to pour out their blood in crimson streams. The same sacrifices are not now required from their descendants, but the latter should be guided and governed by the characteristic instincts of their great race, which would infallibly teach them, that their first and highest aspiration should be to live and die for God and Ireland. [John O'Hart]

O'Byrne is in Irish Ó Broin i.e. descendant of Bran (earlier form Broen), King of Leinster, who died in 1052. With their "cousins", the O'Tooles the O'Byrnes were driven from their original territory in the modern Co. Kildare at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion and settled in the wilder country of south Wicklow about the year 1200. There were two main branches of the O'Byrnes of which the senior soon sank into obscurity, but the junior line, which occupied the country between Rathdrum and Shillelagh, became a sept of great importance and, like their neighbours the O'Tooles in north Wicklow, were particularly noteworthy for their persistent and largely successful resistance to English aggression. They continued regularly to inaugurate chiefs of the sept up to the end of the sixteenth century. The seat of their chiefs was at Ballinacor and their territory was called Crioch Branach, the sept itself being known as Uí Broin or Branaigh. Many of these were renowned in the military history of Ireland, the most famousbeing Feagh or Fiacha MacHugh (or son of Aodh) O'Byrne (1544-1597) who, though he was prominent in rebellion and was killed in battle, is perhaps best remembered for his part in the escape of Hugh Roe O'Donnell from his prison in Dublin Castle in 1591. Feagh O'Byrne resided at Ballinacor, in Glenmalure; and was chief of that sept of the O'Byrnes called Gabhail Raighnaill. His father, Hugh, who died in 1579, was far more powerful than The O'Byrne, and possessed a large tract of territory in the county Wicklow. Upon the death of The O'Byrne, in 1580, Feagh MacHugh O'Byrne became the leader of his clan, and one of the most formidable of the Irish Chieftains. In 1580 he joined his forces to those of Lord Baltinglass, and defeated Lord Grey. After holding out in the rocky fastnesses of his principality for several years, he was, in 1595, driven up Glenmalure, and his residence at Ballinacor was occupied by an Anglo-Irish garrison. He then made terms, but seized the first opportunity of driving out the garrison, and razing the fort. He was killed in a skirmish with the forces of the Lord Deputy, in May, 1597, and his head was impaled on Dublin Castle. The family estates were confirmed to his son Felim (or Phelim), by patent of Queen Elizabeth, but he was ultimately deprived of them by the perjury and juggling of adventurers under James I.; and although in 1628 acquitted of all the charges brought against him, he was turned out upon the world a beggar. He is remembered in the old Irish rebel song "Follow me Up to Carlow" the chorus of which goes . . .

Curse and swear Lord Kildare Fiach will do what Fiach will dare.
Now Clanwilliam have a care. Fallen is your star low.
Up with halberd out with sword. On we'll go for by the Lord,
Fiach Mac Hugh has given the word - Follow me up to Carlow.

His son Phelim O'Byrne was the victim of one of the many unscrupulously trumped-up charges which disgraced English seventeenth century administration in Ireland: the Viceroy Falkland was in turn disgraced, but notwithstanding that the O'Byrnes lost the greater part of their estates in consequence of his action. The celebrated "Leabhar Branach" or "Book of the O'Byrnes" is a collection of Gaelic poetry by some thirty-five different authors, dealing for the most part with the exploits and personalities of the O'Byrnes in the sixteenth century: it was made about 1662.

In the next century O'Byrnes were prominent in the 1798 insurrection, notably the brothers Garret O'Byrne (1774-1830) and William Byrne (1775-1799), the latter of whom was hanged; and Miles Byrne (1780-1862), who subsequently distinguished himself in France and was awarded the Legion of Honour. Other O'Byrnes have been notable in France: one branch, which was admitted to the ranks of the French nobility in 1770, was a leading family of Bordeaux before the Revolution and Garret Byrne, mentioned above, was among the distinguished exiles to that country; while in America, Irish-born Most Rev. Dr. Andrew Byrne (1802-1862), first bishop of Little Rock, is remembered as a pioneering Catholic in Indian territory. In recent times one of the best known and most popular figures in the life of the Irish capital was Alderman Alfred Byrne (1882-1956), who was ten times Lord Mayor of Dublin.

The Byrnes, who in recent generations have increasingly resumed the discarded prefix O, are very numerous in Ireland today, the name being in the seventh place in the list of commonest names. The great majority of these were born in Dublin, where Byrne is the commonest found surname, in Co. Wicklow and adjacent counties.

Ancient Genealogy - according to O'Hart

37. Heremon: son of Milesius. He and his eldest brother Heber were, jointly, the first Milesian Monarchs of Ireland; they began to reign, A.M. 3,500, or, Before Christ, 1699. After Heber was slain, B.C. 1698, Heremon reigned singly for fourteen years; during which time a certain colony called by the Irish Cruithneaigh, in English "Cruthneans" or Picts, arrived in Ireland and requested Heremon to assign them a part of the country to settle in, which he refused; but, giving them as wives the widows of the Tuatha-de-Danans, slain in battle, he sent them with a strong party of his own forces to conquer the country then called "Alba," but now Scotland; conditionally, that they and their posterity should be tributary to the Monarchs of Ireland. Heremon died, B.C. 1683, and was succeeded by three of his four sons, named Muimne, Luigne, and Laighean, who reigned jointly for three years, and were slain by their Heberian successors.
38. Irial Faidh ("faidh": Irish, a prophet): his son; was the 10th Monarch of Ireland; died B.C. 1670. This was a very learned King; could foretell things to come; and caused much of the country to be cleared of the ancient forests. He likewise built seven royal palaces, viz., Rath Ciombaoith, Rath Coincheada, Rath Mothuig, Rath Buirioch, Rath Luachat, Rath Croicne, and Rath Boachoill. He won four remarkable battles over his enemies: - Ard Inmath, at Teabtha, where Stirne, the son of Dubh, son of Fomhar, was slain; the second battle was at Teanmhuighe, against the Fomhoraice, where Eichtghe, their leader, was slain; the third was the battle of Loch Muighe, where Lugrot, the son of Moghfeibhis, was slain; and the fourth was the battle of Cuill Martho, where the four sons of Heber were defeated. Irial died in the second year after this battle, having reigned 10 years, and was buried at Magh Muagh.
39. Eithrial: his son; was the 11th Monarch; reigned 20 years; and was slain by Conmaol, the son of Heber Fionn, at the battle of Soirrean, in Leinster, B.C. 1650.
This also was a learned King, he wrote with his own hand the History of the Gaels (or Gadelians); in his reign seven large woods were cleared and much advance made in the practice of agriculture.
40. Foll-Aich: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by Conmaol, the slayer of his father, who usurped his place.
41. Tigernmas: his son; was the 13th Monarch, and reigned 77 years; according to Keating, he reigned but 50 years; he fought twenty-seven battles with the followers of the family of Heber Fionn, all which he gained. In his reign gold was mined near the Liffey, and skilfully worked by Inchadhan. This King also made a law that each grade of society should be known by the number of colours in its wearing apparel: - the clothes of a slave should be of one colour; those of a soldier of two; the dress of a commanding officer to be of three colours; a gentleman's dress, who kept a table for the free entertainment of strangers, to be of four colours; five colours to be allowed to the nobility (the chiefs); and the King, Queen, and Royal Family, as well as the Druids, historians, and other learned men to wear six colours.
This King died, B.C. 1543, on the Eve of 1st of November, with two-thirds of the people of Ireland, at Magh Sleaght (or Field of Adoration), in the county of Leitrim, as he was adoring the Sun-God, Crom Cruach (a quo Macroom).
Historians say this Monarch was the first who introduced image worship in Ireland.
42. Enboath: his son. It was in this prince's lifetime that the Kingdom was divided in two parts by a line drawn from Drogheda to Limerick.
43. Smiomghall: his son; in his lifetime the Picts in Scotland were forced to abide by their oath, and pay homage to the Irish Monarch; seven large woods were also cut down.
44. Fiacha Labhrainn: his son; was the 18th Monarch; reigned 24 years; slew Eochaidh Faobharglas, of the line of Heber, at the battle of Carman. During his reign all the inhabitants of Scotland were brought in subjection to the Irish Monarchy, and the conquest was secured by his son the 20th Monarch. Fiacha at length (B.C. 1448) fell in the battle of Bealgadain, by the hands of Eochaidh Mumho, the son of Moefeibhis, of the race of Heber Fionn.
45. Aongus Olmucach: his son; was the 20th Monarch; in his reign the Picts again refused to pay the tribute imposed on them 250 years before, by Heremon, but this Monarch went with a strong army into Alba and in thirty pitched battles overcame them and forced them to pay the required tribute.
Aongus was at length slain by Eana, in the battle of Carman, B.C. 1409.
46. Main: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by Eadna, of the line of Heber Fionn. In his time silver shields were given as rewards for bravery to the Irish militia.
47. Rotheachtach: his son; was the 22nd Monarch; slain, B.C. 1357, by Sedne (or Seadhna), of the Line of Ir.
48. Dein: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by his father's slayer, and his son. In his time gentlemen and noblemen first wore gold chains round their necks, as a sign of their birth; and golden helmets were given to brave soldiers,
49. Siorna "Saoghalach" (long-oevus): his son; was the 34th Monarch; he obtained the name "Saoghalach" on account of his extraordinary long life; slain, B.C 1030, at Aillin, by Rotheachta, of the line of Heber Fionn, who usurped the Monarchy, thereby excluding from the throne -
50. Olioll Aolcheoin: son of Siorna Saoghalach.
51. Gialchadh: his son; was the 37th Monarch; killed by Art Imleach, of the Line of Heber Fionn, at Moighe Muadh, B.C. 1013.
52. Nuadhas Fionnfail: his son; was the 39th Monarch; slain by Breasrioghacta, his successor, B.C. 961.
53. Aedan Glas: his son. In his time the coast was infested with pirates; and there occurred a dreadful plague (Apthach) which swept away most of the inhabitants.
54. Simeon Breac: his son; was the 44th Monarch; he inhumanly caused his predecessor to be torn asunder; but, after a reign of six years, he met with a like death, by order of Duach Fionn, son to the murdered King, B.C. 903.
55. Muredach Bolgach: his son; was the 46th Monarch; killed by Eadhna Dearg, B.C. 892; he had two sons - Duach Teamhrach, and Fiacha.
56. Fiacha Tolgrach: son of Muredach; was the 55th Monarch. His brother Duach had two sons, Eochaidh Framhuine and Conang Beag-eaglach, who were the 51st and 53rd Monarchs of Ireland.
Fiacha's life was ended by the sword of Oilioll Fionn, of the Line of Heber Fionn, B.C. 795.
57. Duach Ladhrach: his son; was the 59th Monarch; killed by Lughaidh Laighe, son of Oilioll Fionn, B.C. 737.
58. Eochaidh Buadhach: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by his father's slayer. In his time the kingdom was twice visited with a plague.
59. Ugaine Mór: his son. This Ugaine (or Hugony) the Great was the 66th Monarch of Ireland. Was called Mór on account of his extensive dominions, - being sovereign of all the Islands of Western Europe. Was married to Cæsair, daughter to the King of France, and by her had issue - twenty-two sons and three daughters. In order to prevent these children encroaching on each other he divided the Kingdom into twenty-five portions, allotting to each his (or her) distinct inheritance. By means of this division the taxes of the country were collected during the succeeding 300 years. All the sons died without issue except two, viz: - Laeghaire Lorc, ancestor of all the Leinster Heremonians; and Cobthach Caolbhreagh, from whom the Heremonians of Leath Cuinn, viz., Meath, Ulster, and Conacht derive their pedigree.
Ugaine was at length, B.C. 593, slain by Badhbhchadh, who failed to secure the fruits of his murder - the Irish Throne, as he was executed by order of Laeghaire Lorc, the murdered Monarch's son, who became the 68th Monarch.
60. Laeghaire Lorc, the 68th Monarch of Ireland: son of Ugaine Mór; began to reign, B.C. 593.
61. Olioll Aine: his son.
62. Labhradh Longseach: his son.
63. Olioll Bracan: his son.
64. Æneas Ollamh: his son; the 73rd Monarch.
65. Breassal: his son.
66. Fergus Fortamhail, the 80th Monarch: his son; slain B.C. 384.
67. Felim Fortuin: his son.
68. Crimthann Coscrach: his son; the 85th Monarch.
69. Mogh-Art: his son.
70. Art: his son.
71. Allod (by some called Olioll): his son.
72. Nuadh Falaid: his son.
73. Fearach Foghlas: his son.
74. Olioll Glas: his son.
75. Fiacha Fobrug: his son.
76. Breassal Breac: his son. Had two sons - 1. Lughaidh, 2. Conla, between whom he divided his country, viz. - to his eldest son Lughaidh [Luy], who was ancestor of the Kings, nobility, and gentry of Leinster, he gave all the territories on the north side of the river Bearbha (now the "Barrow"), from Wicklow to Drogheda; and to his son Conla, who was ancestor of the Kings, nobility, and gentry of Ossory, he gave the south part, from the said river to the sea.
77. Luy: son of Breassal Breac.
78. Sedna: his son; built the royal city of Rath Alinne.
79. Nuadhas Neacht: his son; the 96th Monarch.
80. Fergus Fairgé: his son; had a brother named Baoisgne, who was the father of Cubhall [Coole], who was the father of Fionn, commonly called "Finn MacCoole," the illustrious general in the third century of the ancient Irish Militia known as the Fiana Eirionn, or "Fenians of Ireland."
81. Ros: son of Fergus Fairgé.
82. Fionn Filé ("filé:" Irish, a poet): his son.
83. Conchobhar Abhraoidhruaidh: his son; the 99th Monarch of Ireland.
84. Mogh Corb: his son.
85. Cu-Corb: his son; King of Leinster.
86. Niadh [nia] Corb: his son.
87. Cormac Gealtach: his son. Had a brother named Ceathramhadh.
88. Felim Fiorurglas: his son.
89. Cathair Mór, Monarch of Ireland: son of Felim Fiorurglas. Had amongst other children: 1. Ros Failgeach, from whom descended the O'Connor (Faley); 2. Daire, ancestor of O'Gorman; 3. Comthanan, ancestor of Duff, of Leinster; 4. Curigh, who was slain by Fionn MacCumhal (Finn MacCoole); 5. a daughter, Landabaria, who, according to the Ogygia, p. 315, was the third wife of the (110th) Irish Monarch Conn Ceadcathach (or Conn of the Hundred Battles), who succeeded Cathair Mór in the Monarchy; 6. Fiacha Baicheda.
Curigh, No. 4 here mentioned, who was slain by Fionn MacCumhal, had a son named Slectaire; and a daughter named Uchdelbh (or Uchdamhuil), who was wife of Fionn Fothart, a son of Conn of the Hundred Battles. This Slectaire, son of Curigh, had a daughter Corcraine, who was the mother of Diarmid Ua Duibhne, and of Oscar, son of Oissin.
90. Fiacha Baicheda: youngest son of Cathair Mór; died 220.
91. Breasal Bealach ("bealach:" Irish, large-lipped): his son; a quo O'Bealaigh, anglicised Bailey, Bailie, Baily, Bayly, and Bewley. Was the second Christian King of Leinster.
92. Enna Niadh: his son. Had a brother Labhradh.
93. Dunlong: son of Enna Niadh. This Dunlong slew the Royal maidens at the Claenfert of Tara: in revenge of which twelve Leinster Princes were slain, and the Boromha tribute exacted. He had eight sons; and a brother named Brian Leth-dearg a quo Ui Briuin Cualan (or O'Brien of Cualan). Some of the children of this Dunlong were: - 1. Olioll (or Ailall); 2. Maonach, a quo O'Mooney of Cualan; 3. Dubhtach; 4. Fergus, from whom descended Justus, the Deacon, and his brother Daire.
94. Muireadach: son of Dunlong.
95. Alioll (or Olioll), the fifth Christian King of Leinster: his son. Baptized at Naas by St. Patrick, A.D. 460; was at the battle of Ocha, where Olioll Molt, the 129th Monarch, was slain; died 526. Had: 1. Cairbre; 2. Cormac; 3. Felim, who was baptized by St. Patrick at Naas; 4. Mugan.
96. Cormac: second son of Olioll. Was King of Leinster for nine years; abdicated A.D. 515, and died a monk at Bangor, 567. Had: 1. Cairbre Dubh, King of Leinster, who died in 546; 2. Felim, from whom descended Cormac, of Tullac; 3. Iolladon, priest of Desert Iolladoin (now "Castledillon"), who had St. Criotan (11th May), of Magh Credan and Acadfinnech (on the river Dodder), and of Crevagh Cruagh, co. Dublin.
97. Cairbre Dubh: eldest son of Cormac. Had: 1. Mainchin, a quo Ui Mainchin (between Cineal Nucha and the river Liffey); 2. Cillen Mór, a quo Ui Nemri; 3. Cillen Beg, a quo Siol Aedha; 4. Colman, King of Leinster for thirty years, who died 576; 5. St. Coman, bishop (8th March); 6. St. Sedealbh (10th Nov.); and 7. St. Cumaine (8th March); these last two were called "daughters of ardent charity" (29th March) at Domnach-Inghen Baithe (now "Donabate"), in the county Dublin.
98. Colman (or Columan): the fourth son of Cairbre Dubh. Had: 1. Faolan; 2. Cobhthach, a quo "Rathcoffey" in the county Kildare; 3. Felim, 13th Christian King of Leinster; 4. Ronan, the 11th King of Leinster; on the resignation of Aedh Dubh; 5. Aedh Dubh, King of Leinster, who in 591 retired to Kildare, where he died a bishop, in 638; 6. Aedh Fionn, from whom descended Aengus (or Æneas), abbot of Kildare; 7. Crimthan Cualan, 12th Christian King of Leinster, from whom descended Dalthach of St. Kevin's, slain at Ath Goan (now "Kilgowan"), in Iachtir Liffé, A.D. 628; 8. Molumba, who had Maelandfidh, who had Aedhroin, who had Dunmaduind, who had Berchan. Colman died 676.
99. Faolan: eldest son of Columan; was King of Leinster; educated by St. Kevin at Glendalough; died 663.
100. Conall: son of Faolan.
101. Bran Muit ("muit:" Irish, dumb): his son; 14th Christian King of Leinster; died 689. Had four sons: 1. Moroch (or Murchadh) Mór; 2. Congal, who defeated the men of Cualan at Inisbreoghan, in 727; 3. Faolan, died 733; 4. Iomcadh.
102. Moroch Mór: eldest son of Bran Muit; was the 16th King of Leinster. Had three sons: - 1. Muireadach; 2. Doncha, the 17th King of Leinster, slain A.D. 727, and a quo Ui Donchada or O'Donoghue of Cualan; 3. Faolan, the 18th King of Leinster, who died 734, and a quo Ui Faolain or O'Felan of Cualan.
103. Faolan, the 18th Christian King of Leinster: son of Morogh.
104. Rory: his son; the 23rd King whose brother Bran was the 28th King.
105. Diarmaid: his son; had a brother Roderick who was the 29th King.
106. Muregan (or Morogh): his son, the 35th King; whose son Donal was the 37th King; and son Cearbhall, the 38th King.
107. Maolmordha: his son; married Joan, daughter of O'Neill, Prince of Ulster.
108. Bran Fionn ("bran:" Irish, impetuous as a mountain torrent; "fionn," fair-haired): his son; the 42nd King; a quo O'Brain; married the daughter of O'Sullivan Beara.
109. Morogh, the 45th King: his son; married the daughter of O'Mahony of Carbery.
110. Maolmordha: his son; the 51st King; had a brother Faolan.
111. Bran, the 54th King; son of Maolmordha; taken prisoner in battle by the Danes of Dublin, who put out his eyes, and afterwards put him to death.
112. Donoch na Soigheadh ("soighead" or "saighead:" Irish, a dart, an arrow; Lat. "sagit-ta"): his son; was the first of the family who assumed this surname.
113. Donoch Mór: his son.
114. Donal na Scath ("scath:" Irish, a shadow): his son.
115. Dunlang Dubhchlarana ("dubhchlarana:" Irish, a small, dark person): his son.
116. Olioll an Fiobhbha ("fiobhbha:" Irish, a wood: his son; had a brother named Angar.
117. Moroch Mór: his son.
118. Donoch: his son. Had two brothers - 1. Melachlin; 2. Dalbh, a quo Gabhail Dailbh.
119. Ranal: son of Donoch; a quo Gabhail Raighnaill; had a brother named Lorcan.
120. Philip: son of Ranal.
121. Lorcan: his son.
122. Ranal: his son.
123. Connor: his son.
124. Donal Glas: his son.
125. Hugh: his son.
126. Shane (or John): his son.
127. Redmond: his son.
128. John: his son.
129. Hugh: his son; died 1579.
130. Fiacha (or Feagh): his son. Defeated Lord Grey de Wilton, at Glendalough, in 1580; and in 1597 was killed by the English soldiers, under Sir W. Russell. Had a brother John, who commanded a military contingent from Wicklow, in aid of the O'Neill, Prince of Tyrone, against the English army in Ireland, temp. Queen Elizabeth; two other brothers - 1. Connell, 2. Charles, both of whom were slain in battle; and a sister Esibel. Was twice married: first wife was a Miss O'Byrne; second wife, Rose, daughter of Luke O'Toole of Fercoulen and Castlepevir. Had three sons and two daughters: the sons were -

1. Phelim
2. Raymond, a J.P. for Wicklow; living in 1625; buried at Killevany Castle, shown on the Ordnance Map as "Raymond's Castle."
3. Tirloch, who, attempting to betray his father, was by him delivered to the English, and executed in Dublin.
One of the daughters was married to Rory Oge O'Moore; the other to Walter Reagh Fitzgerald.

131. Phelim: eldest son of Fiacha. Submitted to Queen Elizabeth, in 1600, who granted him lands in the co. Wicklow. Will is in the Probate Office, Dublin; it is dated from Clonmore, 1632. He was M.P. for Wicklow in 1613; in prison in Dublin, 1628; and died at Clonmore, in 1632. Married Winifred married Toole, and had nine sons and one daughter: the sons were -

1. Brian, who was committed to Dublin Castle, 1625; was at Meeting of the Confederate Catholics in Kilkenny in 1641; and is mentioned in Cromwell's Denunciation, 1652.
2. William, ancestor of Brain, in England.
3. Hugh, a Colonel of the Confederate Catholics, 1641; proclaimed a "Rebel," same year; living in 1652.
4. Gerald (or Garrett), living in 1604.
5. James, living in 1603.
6. Tirloch, living in 1628, had three sons and one daughter: the sons were - Henry, Gregory, and Hugh; the daughter was Mary, married (according to the De La Ponce MSS.) to Owen O'Rourke.
7. Feagh, alias Luke.
8. Cahir (slain at Aughrim, co. Wicklow, 1657), who had Hugh, who had Charles, who was living about 1697, and is mentioned in the Leabhar Brannagh.
9. Colla.
The daughter married John Wolverton, and died in Connaught.

132. Brian: eldest son of Phelim. Had two sons - 1. John, who was a Colonel of the Confederate Catholics, in 1641; 2. Hugh.
133. Hugh: second son of Brian.
134. William: his son.
135. John: his son.
136. Lawrence: his son; migrated to America, in 1818.
137. Brian (2): his son.
138. Lawrence Byrne, of Pikeville, near Baltimore, Maryland, United States, America: his son; living in 1877.
139. Richard MacSherry Byrne: his son. Had two brothers - 1. Charles, 2. Bernard; and two sisters - 1. Anna, 2. Eliza: all living in 1877.

Another Branch
DUMHLAN DUBHCLUASACH, a younger brother of Donal na Scath, who is No. 114 above was the ancestor of this branch of that family.
114. Dumhlan Dubhcluasach ("dubh:" Irish, prodigious; "cluas," the ear): son of Donoch Mór O'Byrne; married daughter of MacMurrough Kavanagh, and had:
115. Ughdar, who married the daughter of Magenis, and had:
116. Feagh na Fhiagh, who married daughter of O'Brennan, and had six sons, all of whom had issue.
117. Dumhlan: the eldest son of Feagh na Fhiagh; married daughter of O'Dunn, and had:
118. Donoch, who married daughter of O'Connor Faley, and had:
119. Gerald, who married daughter of O'Brien, of Ara, and had:
120. Moroch, who married Ann, daughter of O'Brennan, of Iveagh, and had:
121. Philip, who married Joanne, daughter of O'Dempsy, and had:
122. Brian Ruadh, who married daughter of Morgan Kavanagh, and had:
123. Donoch, who married daughter of O'Toole, and had:
124. Bryan, who married daughter of O'Moore, and had:
125. Teige Mór, who married Mary Kavanagh, and had:
126. Garrett, who married daughter of O'Byrne, of Killiman, and had:
127. Teige Oge, who married daughter of O'Byrne, of Ballinakill, and had two sons: 1. Brian, 2 Donoch (or Denis).
128. Brian O'Byrne: the son of Teige Oge; married Catherine, daughter of Kavanagh, of Gorahill, and had three sons and a daughter:

I. Teige (or Thady), of whom presently.
II. Brian, who married Margaret, daughter of O'Byrne, of Rodran, and had a daughter Margery, who died unm.
III. Morough, who was killed in battle.
I. The daughter married a son of O'Byrne, of Rodran.

129. Thady: eldest son of Brian; married Mary, daughter of Dermod O'Byrne, of Dunganstown, and had two sons and a daughter:

I. Charles, of whom presently.
II. Thady, from whom descended the O'Byrnes, of Killboy.
I. Honor, who died unm.

130. Charles: the son of Thady; whose estates were confiscated under the Cromwellian Settlement; married Grizel, daughter of O'Byrne, of Ballinacarbeg, and had three sons and a dau.

I. Hugh, who removed to Dublin, and afterwards returned to the co. Wicklow, where he purchased landed property, and resided in Ballinacarbeg up to his death. This Hugh was twice married: his first wife was Catherine, great grand-daughter of Richard Archbold, Constable of Dublin Castle, temp. Henry VII., by whom he had two sons and four daus.:
I. George (d. 27th Dec., 1697), who married Amey, daughter of James Bell, Esq., Surgeon-General of Ireland, and had two sons and two daughters: 1. Gregory, who married Mary, daughter of Richard Butler, brewer of Dublin, by whom he left no surviving issue; 2. William, who died s. p.; and 3. Elizabeth, who was heiress to her brother, and who died unm. in 1732.
II. Charles: the second son of Hugh; had (besides a daughter who married Bartholomew Hadsor), an only son Emanuel, who, being educated in France, became a Friar of the Order of St. Francis, and had in "Confirmation" taken the name of "Francis." "Father Francis," generally known as "Father Huson," died at Cornel's Court, Cabinteely, on the 30th August, 1743; having bequeathed to his cousin all his rights, title and interest in the Ballinacarbeg estate.
Hugh's four daus. were:
I. Catherine.
II. Ann.
III. Marian.
IV. Margaret.
II. John, of Ballinclough, in the co. Wicklow: second son of Charles; married Cecilia, daughter of Garrett O'Byrne, of Cualanarle, and left three daughters:
I. Mary, who married John Byrne, a brewer, of Dublin.
II. Elinor, who married Dudley Keoghe, of Ballinclough.
III. Catherine, who married James Byrne.
III. Daniel, of whom presently.
I. Sarah, the daughter of Charles, married Turlogh Byrne.

131. Daniel Byrne: third son of Charles; married Anne, daughter of Richard Taylor, Esq., of the family of Swords, and had four sons and two daus.:

I. Gregory, who inherited the Lordships of Sheen and Timogue, and in 1671 was created a Baronet.
II. John, of whom presently.
III. Walter, a Captain in the Army of King James II.; died at St. Germain's; married Dorcas Crosby, and had a son who went to sea, and a dau.
IV. Joseph, a Merchant in Dublin, who was also a Captain in the Army of King James II., and was killed at the battle of Aughrim. This Joseph left two daus.: the elder married to a Mr. Gibson, of London; and the younger, Elinor, married twice, but died without issue.
The two daus. of Daniel Byrne were:
I. Mary, whose first husband was John Walsh, Esq., of Old Connaught, by whom she had two sons:
I. Edward.
II. John.
Her second husband was Sir Luke Dowdall, Bart., by whom she had three sons and two daus.:
III. Sir Daniel Dowdall, second Bart., who took Orders in the Church of Rome.
IV. James Dowdall, who died unm.
V. ____ Dowdall, who married Margaret Allen, of St. Wolstans, near Celbridge.
One of the daughters of Sir Luke Dowdall, married Amon Clark, Esq., the other daughter married Ulick Wall, Esq., of Colland House.
II. Margaret: second daughter of Daniel Byrne; married Terence Dunn, Esq., of Brittas, in the Queen's County, and had three sons:
I. Daniel Dunn, who married a daughter of Colonel Nugent, brother of Thomas, then Earl of Westmeath, and had surviving issue, two daus.: 1. Alice, who married Richard Plunket, Esq., of Dunshaughlin; 2. Mary, who married James Hussey, Esq., of Westown, in the county of Kildare.
II. Barnaby Dunn, who married Miss Molloy, of the King's County, and left two surviving daus.
III. Edward Dunn, who married the sister of Thomas Wyse, Esq., of Waterford.

132. John, of Cabinteely: second son of Daniel; inherited from his father the town and lands of Kilboy, Ballard, and other estates in the co. Wicklow, and was High Sheriff for that county. Studied in England and was called to the Irish Bar; m., in 1678, Mary, daughter of Walter Chevers, Esq., of Monkstown, and had two sons and a dau.:

I. Walter, who inherited from his father, married Clara, daughter of Christopher Mapas, Esq., of Roachestown, but left no issue:
II. John, of whom presently.
I. Alice, who died young.

133. John, Barrister-at-Law: second son of John; succeeded his brother Walter in the family estates; died suddenly in 1681, and left two sons:

I. Walter (died January, 1731), of Cabinteely, who married Clara, daughter of Christopher Mapas, Esq., of Roachestown; but dying without issue was succeeded by his brother John.
II. John.

134. John, who died in 1741: the second son of John, a Merchant of Dublin; succeeded his elder brother Walter; married Marianna, younger daughter of Col. Dudley Colclough, of Mohory, in the county Wexford, and had eight sons and five daughters:

I. George, of whom presently.
II. Dudley, who married Elizabeth, daughter of James Dillon, Esq.
III. John, who was a Wine Merchant in Bordeaux, where he was the proprietor of extensive vineyards at La Hourangue et Macon. This John O'Byrne had Letters of Nobility granted to him by Louis the XVI., King of France, in 1770; and was always styled in France, and in Ireland, "The Chevalier O'Byrne of Macon LaHourange, Bordeaux." He was twice m: his first wife being Mary, daughter of Richard Gernon, Esq., of Gernonstown, in the co. Louth, by whom he had a son and successor:
I. Richard O'Byrne (d. 1803), who married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard William Stack, Esq., M.D., of Bath, England, and had two sons and three daus.: I. Robert O'Byrne, who married Martha Trougher, daughter of Joseph Clark, Esq., and had two sons: 1. William R. O'Byrne (living in 1887), late of Cabinteely, and late M.P. for the co. Wicklow; 2. Robert O'Byrne, Barrister-at-Law, London, and living in 1883. II. John O'Byrne, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas O'Brien, Esq., of Stephen's Green, Dublin, and had: 1. Mary-Louisa O'Byrne (living in 1887), the talented Authoress of "The Pale and the Septs" (Dublin: Gill & Son, 1876); "Leixlip Castle" (Dublin: Gill & Son, 1883); and other National Works, all worthy of perusal. 2. Richard-Gregory. 3. John-Jeremiah. 4. William. 5. Aileen, who died young. 6. Elizabeth, who also died young. 7. Walter. 8. Francis. 9. Clare, living in 1883. Of these children Richard, in his boyhood went to America, and was there engaged in the late Civil War, on the side of the Confederates; John and Francis went to Australia; and William went to New Orleans.
Richard O'Byrne's three daus. were:
I. Marianne, who married and had Mr. P. Stack, Registrar of the Board of Works, Dublin, and living in 1883.
II. Harriet, who married Thomas, son of the above-mentioned Thomas O'Brien, Esq., of Stephen's Green, Dublin.
III. Eliza, who married William Henry Coppinger, of the Barryscourt family, in the county Cork, and nephew of the Right Rev. William Coppinger, Bishop of Cloyne.
The Chevalier O'Byrne's second wife was Miss Laffan, daughter of ____ Laffan, Esq., of the co. Kilkenny, by whom he had four sons:
II. Thomas, who died unm.
III. Dudley, who died unm.
IV. Michael, who married Miss Cahill, and d.s.p.
V. James, who married daughter of Francis Kindillon, Esq., of the City of Dublin, and had two sons:
I. John, who married Miss Beleasis, allied to the family of the Duke of Norfolk and others of the Catholic Nobility.
II. Francis, who married the daughter of Goorge Gillow, Esq., of Clifton Hill, Lancashire, and had four children: I. James O'Byrne, of Sandridge House, Birkdale, Southport. II. Robert, who died in Melbourne. I. Anne-Maria: II. Mary-Agnes: both now dead.
IV. Francis: the fourth son of John, No. 134; died unm.
V. Walter, who died unm.
VI. Gregory, who was a Lieutenant in the Duke of Berwick's Regiment.
VII. Daniel.
VIII. Joseph, who entered the German Service.
The five daughters of John O'Byrne, No. 134, were:
I. Mary, who married Walter Blackney, Esq., of Ballycormack, in the co. Carlow.
II. Frances, who married Edward Masterson, Esq., of Castletown, in the co. Wexford.
III. Harriet, who married Anthony Lynch, Esq., a Merchant in Dublin.
IV. Marianne, who married Adam Colclough, Esq.
V. Ann, who died young.

135. George O'Byrne, of Cabinteely: eldest son of John; married Clare, second daughter of Captain Michael Nugent of Carlanstown, in the co. Westmeath, aud had three sons and one daughter:

I. Michael, of Cabinteely, who died unm.; and at whose death his brother John succeeded to the family estates.
II. Gregory, who died unm.
III. Robert, of whom presently.
The daughter was Mary, who married William Skerret, Esq., of Finvara, co. of Clare.

136. Robert O'Byrne (d. in 1798), of Cabinteely: third son of George; married Mary, daughter of Robert Devereux, Esq., of Carrignenan, in the county Wexford, and left three daus.

I. Mary-Clare, who succeeded to her father's estates; of whom presently.
II. Clarinda-Mary.
III. Georgina-Mary.

137. Miss Mary-Clare O'Byrne: eldest daughter of Robert; succeeded to her father's estate; but, dying unm. in 1810, she was succeeded by her next sister Miss Clarinda-Mary, living in 1843; and this Miss O'Byrne was, after her death, succeeded by her sister Miss Georgiana O'Byrne. This Lady also died unm., when her cousin Mr. William R. O'Byrne (living in 1887), late M.P. for the co. Wicklow, succeeded to the Cabinteely, and the other estates of the family.

A sub-branch of this family
132. Sir Gregory Byrne, Bart., of Timogue, son of 131. Daniel Byrne, was twice married: his first wife was Penelope, daughter of Colonel Calwall, of Yorkshire, in England, by whom he had (with younger children):

I. Daniel (d. v. p.), who married Miss Warren, daughter of - Warren, Esq., of Chorley, in Lancashire, and left a son:

I. John, who thus became heir to his grandfather, the said Sir Gregory; and of whom presently.
Sir Gregory's second wife was Alice Fleming, daughter of Randal, Lord Slane, and by her had (with other children) a son:
I. Henry, of Oporto, who married Catherine, daughter of James Eustace, of Yeomanstown, in the co. Kildare, and left an only child:
I. Catherine Xaveria Byrne (died July, 1779), who married George Bryan, Esq., and left a son:
I. George Bryan, Esq., of Jenkinstown, in the co. Kilkenny, who was the father of the late George Bryan, of Jenkinstown, M.P. for said county.
Sir John Byrne, of Timogue (the son of Daniel, son of Sir Gregory Byrne), became the second Baronet; he married Meriel, widow of Fleetwood Leigh, Esq., of Bank, and only daughter and heiress of Sir Francis Leicester, of Tabley, and had:
Sir Peter Byrne, of Timogue (died 1770), the third Baronet, who, under the Will of his maternal grandfather, assumed in 1774, the surname and Arms of Leicester. He married Catherine, daughter and co-heir of Sir William Fleming, Bart., of Rydale, in Westmorelandshire, England, and (with several other children) had a son and heir:
Sir John Fleming Leicester (died 1827), the fourth Baronet, who, on the 16th July, 1826, was raised to the Peerage, as "Baron de Tabley," of Tabley House, in Chestershire, England. He married in 1810, Georgiana-Maria, daughter of Colonel Cottin, and had:
Sir George Leicester, Baron de Tabley, of Tabley House; and a Baronet of Ireland; born 28th October, 1811, and living in 1883; as second Baron de Tabley, Sir George succeeded his father, on the 18th June, 1827: and in 1832, assumed by "Sign Manual," instead of his own patronymic, the surname Warren only.

 
Another branch
RAYMOND, second son of the renowned Feagh (M'Hugh) O'Byrne, who is No. 130 on the first pedigree, who was called by the English "The Firebrand of the Mountains," and described by historians as "one of the noblest spirits of his race and age," was ancestor of this branch of the "O'Byrne" family.
Pedigree:
131. Raymond: second son of Fiacha; living in 1625. Had three sons - 1. Phelim, of Killevany; 2. Feagh, of Kilcloran, proclaimed a "Rebel," 8th Feb., 1641; 3. John, of Kiltiomon, obtained a grant of lands from King Charles I., dated 24th May, 1628.
132. John, of Kiltiomon: third son of Raymond. Had three sons - 1. Raymond, who had Hugh of Ballinacar, living in 1710; 2. Charles, of whom presently; 3. Patrick, for whom, tradition says, the Pope's Legate in 1641 stood in baptism; and is considered to be identical with Patrick Byrne of Ballygannon, who was buried at Kilcoole, 1707.
133. Charles: second son of John. Forfeited Kiltiomon (or Kiltimon) to Sir John Borlace; according to book in Landed Estates Record Office, in which he is mentioned as "Charles Byrne, J.P. (Irish Papist)."
134. Hugh: his son. M.P. in 1689. Had two sons - 1. Garrett; 2. Hugh, living in 1713.
135. Garrett Byrne, of Ballymanus: son of Hugh. Obtained from Sir Lawrence Esmond of Clonegal, Catherlough (Carlow), a grant dated 13th Jan., 1700, of the lands of Ballymanus, Mycredin, Clogheenagh, etc. Will dated 1713-14, is in Probate Office. Buried at Rosehane. Had two sons - 1. Garrett; 2. Thomas, who is mentioned in his father's Will.
136. Garrett (2), of Ballymanus: son of Garrett: mar. to Miss Colclough of Tintern. Will dated 1767. Had three sons: 1. Garrett; 2. John of Dunganstown, who married Miss Byrne of Wicklow, and from whom William Colclough O'Byrne of Ballycapple was descended; 3. Colclough, etc.
137. JOHN O'BYRNE: second son of Garrett, settled in Dunganstown, and married Miss Byrne of Wicklow. He had two sons:

I. William, who married Miss Bury and had two sons:

I. William.
II. James, who married Miss Newsome, and had one daughter, who is (in 1887) wife of Robert Caldwell, of Wicklow.
II. Garrett-Michael, of whom presently.

138. Garrett-Michael: second son of John, succeeded to part of his father's lands in Ballycapple. His wife was descended from the O'Byrnes of Kiltimon. He had one son, William Colclough, and four daughters:

I. William-Colclough, of whom presently.
I. Margaret, who married John Redmond.
II. Mary-Anne, who married Joseph Byrne, who was descended from another chief branch of the "O'Byrne" race. She had eight sons and four daughters - 1. James, 2. John, 3. Garrett Michael, 4. Patrick, 5. Joseph, 6. William-Colclough, 7. John-Kennedy, 8. William-Andrew. The four daughters are - 1. Sara, 2. Anne, 3. Bride-Anna, 4. Julia-Mary-Ellen. Of these children:

I. James, of Carlow, Contractor.
II. John, who died young.
III. Garrett-Michael, the third son of said Mary-Anne, was M.P. for the co. of Wexford more than three years. He resigned in 1883, and at present (in 1887) has the honour of representing West Wicklow - "the cradle of his race," in Parliament.
IV. Patrick, of Wicklow, who died in 1867.
V. Joseph, who died young.
VI. William-Colclough, who died young.
VII. John-Kennedy O'Byrne, the seventh son, who wrote "The O'Byrnes, Chieftains of Wicklow," and contributed many sketches and articles to the press; married Monica-Cecilia, daughter of P. Kennedy, author of several works of Irish Literature. This John assumed his wife's name before his own, and resumed the prefix O', as the rigid right of his family.
VIII. William-Andrew, of Massachusetts, America.
IX. Sarah (in Religion "Mother Mary-Chrysostom"), Rectress of the Sisters of Charity Convent, Kilkenny.
X. Anne, who married Joseph Anderson, of Dublin.
XI. Bride-Anna.
XII. Julia-Mary-Ellen, married to James J. Fowler, of London.
III. Catherine: third daughter of Garrett-Michael O'Byrne, of Ballycapple, married James Kinsella; their daughter "Mother Mary-Stanislaus," was Abbess of St. Clare's Convent, Harold's Cross, Dublin.
IV. Julia, married Abraham Manifold.

139. William-Colclough O'Byrne: son of Garrett-Michael; had four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter are (in 1887) living:

I. Garrett-Michael, of whom presently.
II. John-Joseph, of Dublin.
III. William-Colclough of Ballycapple.
I. Anna-Frances, married to J. J. Byrne, of The Rathmore family.

140. Garrett-Michael O'Byrne, Merchant, of Wicklow: son of William-Colclough O'Byrne; living in 1887.