Country Ireland Current head in abeyance | ||
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Titles Kings of OsraigeKings of LeinsterPrinces of GowranKingdom of Ireland titles:Baron Upper OssoryEarl of Upper OssoryBaron GowranBaron Castletown Founder Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada, heir of Óengus Osrithe through Cerball mac Dúnlainge's son Cellach Final ruler | ||
Mac Giolla Phádraig (pronunciation) (alternately Mac Gilla Pátraic) is a native Irish dynastic surname which translates into English as "Son of the Devotee of (St.) Patrick". In the medieval period, the Mac Giolla Phádraigs were hereditary kings of Osraige; today, the name is commonly translated to "Fitzpatrick".
Contents
Name
The name "Giolla Phádraig" first appears in the annals at the end of the tenth century in connection with the Christianized Uí Ímair dynasty of Waterford, and is later found elsewhere. Likely as a consequence of the intermarriage, this surname came to be borne by the leading medieval branch of the Dál Birn lineage, the illustrious ruling dynasty of the neighbouring Osraige. This surname was adopted by the descendants of king Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada who reigned as king of Osraige from 976 to 996. Some scholars speculate a Norse influence on the name. In 1541, by the submission of Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig, then the ruling chief of Upper Ossory and lineal descendant of Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada, the name was anglicised to Fitz-Patrick, and the majority of the Mac Giolla Phádraig clan followed suit. Many members of the lineage feature prominently in Irish and English politics throughout history.
Notable members
Heritage of the Built-Environment
As would be expected, mumerous of places throughout the historic Osraige and Upper Ossory regions and elsewhere have strong associations with the activity of Clann Giolla Phádraig. These include Jerpoint Abbey in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny; Aghamacart, Aghaboe Abbey, the vicinity of St Canice's Cathedral, Gowran, Grangefertagh near Johnstown, County Kilkenny, Ballagharahin, Co. Laois, Ballaghmore Castle, Cullahill Castle, amongst other places.
Annals and genealogies
An important Ossorian genealogy for Domnall mac Donnchada mac Gilla Patric is preserved in the Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 502, tracing the medieval Mac Giolla Phádraig dynasty back to Óengus Osrithe, who supposedly flourished in the first or second century. The genealogy goes on further, tracing the pedigree back to Noah (and thus presumably to Adam), but scholars regard this as an attachment of the accounts in Genesis on the back of native tradition. Another early Ossorian genealogy is found in the Book of Leinster.
Armorial Bearings and Mottoes
The Fitzpatrick (Mac Giolla Phádraig) Latin motto – Fortis sub Forte Fatiscet – can be interpreted as "The strong will yield to the strong." A second motto in Irish, "Ceart ládir abú" translates loosely to "Right and Mighty Forever", or more narrowly as "Correct, Strong, to Victory!"
Modern Day
Since 2000, the Fitzpatrick-Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society has been at the forefront of researching and promoting the history of the name. Members from across the world have shared information and history, and biennial and triennial clan gatherings have been held in Port Laoise and Kilkenny, Ireland for participants to present their research and visit historical sites of interest to the clan.
In April 2004, a geophysical survey using ground-penetrating radar discovered what were likely the original foundations of the twelfth century cathedral of the diocese of Ossory and another very large structure which was possibly a royal Mac Giolla Phádraig palace; noting that the site bears a strong resemblance to contemporaneous structures at the Rock of Cashel.
The Mac Giolla Phádraig Way is a hiking trail named after the family connecting communities in southwest County Laois and north County Kilkenny, as part of the Slieve Bloom Way.