Talk:O'Leary

Is it just me?

or is this one messed-up dab page? Unschool 05:44, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

O'Leary family

A major problem with this article is that no one seems to be willing or knowledgeable enough to write a little more about the family. I've done what I can but only know them through the O'Donovans, whom the article looks like the O'Learys seem to exist for (sounds totally awkward I know but I'm extremely tired). That part I think should remain but two or three more paragraphs on the O'Learys themselves could come before it. Descent from the Corcu Loígde appears to be genuine but for most people all they think of are the O'Driscolls, whom the O'Learys are not actually a sept of it would appear. But I don't know enough about the later history of the Corcu Loígde to say anything much competent about it. They were of course more interesting when they towered over the rest of the Irish in ancient times. DinDraithou (talk) 13:04, 14 July 2010 (UTC)

I have just received an excellent source for Cork families, which I actually ordered for more information on the O'Donovans. What I was not expecting is that it contains the first scholarly "pedigree" ever done on the O'Learys, which at only 8 and 1/4 pages long is filled with an absolute wealth of valuable information. The book is written in a concise style and the O'Donovans themselves get about the same length of coverage. It is written by Diarmuid Ó Murchadha, a proper academic, and is called Family Names of County Cork, and there are two editions, from 1985 and 1996. From what I can tell the account does not change much from one to another. But I have the second edition, in which he makes reference to an article he himself had published called "Gaelic land tenure in Co. Cork", in Cork: History and Society, pp. 213 to 248. This contains "a more detailed survey of the O'Leary lands and lords". This title I do not have, but with what I have I will try to update this article when I can. It would appear the O'Learys behaved like proper aristocrats, asserting their rights as freeholders under the MacCarthys in Muskerry, where they were only family to do so other than the O'Mahonys. And at least one of their lords, Auliffe O'Leary, was a real warrior and firebrand who deserves his own article. DinDraithou (talk) 17:04, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

Let me add that the book is out of print, and there appear to be a limited number of copies left available for sale from used book sellers online. So with the hopes of other County Cork families in mind, please do not buy a copy unless you absolutely must. I'm sure there are plenty available in libraries. DinDraithou (talk) 17:20, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

Carbery

Alright family, I now have you mentioned at Carbery in what I think is the best place possible, under Barony of Carbery#Name and founding. No one doubts the O'Learys were important in the area before it turned into chaos. DinDraithou (talk) 23:13, 28 July 2010 (UTC)