Amongst the ancient lineages of Ireland, the story of the O’Byrne family is one of the most interesting and coherent. Although a traditional genealogy would seek to carry the story back into Biblical times, the genuine tribal origins can be traced back through 1,600 years, to an origin in Ossory. In those heroic times, when it was still known as Ui Faelain, the tribe provided no fewer than eleven kings of Leinster. After many centuries in present-day Kildare, the tribe moved eastwards to the Wicklow Mountains, where it retained its Celtic identity and harassed the English settlers of 'the Pale' long after most other tribes had been suppressed. As late as 1578, Dunlang was inaugurated as 'the O'Byrne' in the age-old manner, and it was not until April 1601 that Phelim O'Byrne submitted to the new order.
Even then, although there was no longer any coherent clan as such, individual members of the family rose to prominence at home and abroad. Hugh O'Byrne was amongst those prominent in the Kilkenny Convention, and 1798 will be forever associated with the memory of Garrett Byrne of Ballymanus, his brother Billy Byrne (hanged at Wicklow), Miles Byrne of Monaseed and William Byrne (hanged at Dublin). Elsewhere, descendants have risen to prominence in politics and law, in education, architecture, literature and all the arts.
As yet, no comprehensive and authoritative history of this ancient clan has been published, and it is hoped that this concise and carefully researched introduction to the story will prove to be of interest and value.
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