History

Ancient

The Uí Laoghaire clan, today associated with the Uibh Laoghaire parish in

County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns are ...

, is considered by scholars to have originated in the early Middle Ages on the south-west coast, in the area of Ros Ó gCairbre (

Rosscarbery Rosscarbery () is a village and census town in County Cork, Ireland. The village is on a shallow estuary, which opens onto Rosscarbery Bay. Rosscarbery is in the Cork South-West (Dáil Éireann) constituency, which has three seats. History The ...

), of which the O'Leary were hereditary lords. The Annals of Innisfallen (Dublin copy) records St. Fachtna's (

Saint Fachanan Saint Fachanan (also known as Fachtna), about whom very little is known with certainty, is linked by a strong early tradition with Kilfenora, where he founded a church or monastery in the sixth century. He is venerated as the first Bishop of Kilf ...

) death in 600 AD as occurring in "O'Laeghaire of Ross i.e. Corca Laidhe-I-Laeghaire Ruis". The clan traces its lineage to

Lugaid Mac Con Lugaid Mac Con, often known simply as Mac Con, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He belonged to the Corcu Loígde, and thus to the Dáirine. His father was Macnia mac Lugdach, and his mothe ...

, an ancient

King of Tara The term Kingship of Tara () was a title of authority in ancient Ireland - the title is closely associated with the archaeological complex at the Hill of Tara. The position was considered to be of eminent authority in medieval Irish literature a ...

and

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and later sometimes assigned ana ...

, and descendant of

Dáire Doimthech Dáire Doimthech (Dáire "poor house"), alias Dáire Sírchréchtach ("the ever-wounded"), son of Sithbolg, was a legendary King of Tara and High King of Ireland, and one of the eponymous ancestors of the proto-historical Dáirine and historical ...

. In the 12th century the O'Leary's were recognised hereditary wardens of St Fachtna's monastery and seat of higher learning, the

School of Ross The School of Ross was a monastic institution located in what is now called Rosscarbery, County Cork, Ireland, but formerly ''Ross-Ailithir'' (Ross of the Pilgrims), from the large number of monks and students who flocked to its halls from all ov ...

. In more recent times (since 1300 AD), the clan, of the

Corcu Loígde The Corcu Loígde (Corcu Lóegde, Corco Luigde, Corca Laoighdhe, Laidhe), meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centred in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of Mun ...

, was pushed north and settled in an area south of

Macroom Macroom (; ga, Maigh Chromtha) is a market town in County Cork, Ireland, located in the valley of the River Sullane, halfway between Cork city and Killarney. Its population has grown and receded over the centuries as it went through periods of ...

around

Inchigeelagh Inchigeelagh () is a small village, townland and civil parish in County Cork, Ireland. The village is just outside a Gaeltacht area. Inchigeelagh is part of the Dáil constituency of Cork North-West. The River Lee passes through the village. T ...

on the

River Lee The River Lee (Irish: ''An Laoi'') is a river in Ireland. It rises in the Shehy Mountains on the western border of County Cork and flows eastwards through Cork, where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's ...

called Uibh Laoghaire (or Uibh Laoire in modern Irish – the 'gh' is silent in the old Irish). The Corcu Loígde were the rulers of

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...

, and of territories beyond the province, before the rise of the

Eóganachta The Eóganachta or Eoghanachta () were an Irish dynasty centred on Cashel which dominated southern Ireland (namely the Kingdom of Munster) from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of Desmond, an ...

in the 7th century. The port of Dún Laoghaire, near Dublin is not associated with the O'Leary sept(s), rather it is named for Lóegaire mac Néill, a 5th-century High King of Ireland. The book of Lecan (A.D. 1397-A.D. 1418) details the early status of O'Leary as a Corco Laide ''taisach duchusa'' (hereditary chieftain) in the tuath of Ross (Ruis), with associated families:

Tuath Ruis .i. Tuath in Dolaich, o Loch in Bricin co Faid Ruis -, o Thraig Long co Sid na Fear (i) Find. O Leagaire a taisach duchusa. Is iad so an oclaid duchusa .i. O Ruaidri -, O Lonan -, O Laidid -, O Torpa -, O hUrmoltaich -, O Mirin -, O Meic Dairic -, O Tuaraide -, O Trena -, O hUainidi -, O Cerdin

The name also occurs in the Cineal Laoghaire branch of the Eoghanacht dynasty which later came to dominate Munster. With the unrelated Corco Laidhe and Eoghanacht branches of O'Learys settling in north-west Cork and nearby Kerry respectively, the tracing of lineage is complex.

Modern

Although almost nothing is known of their activities for several centuries, the O'Learys reappear as a still titled family in the 16th century, and relatively wealthy, although they were subject to the

MacCarthy of Muskerry The MacCarthy dynasty of Muskerry is a tacksman branch of the MacCarthy Mor dynasty, the Kings of Desmond. Origins and advancement The MacCarthy of Muskerry are a cadet branch of the MacCarthy Mor d ...

dynasty, from whom they received the

White Wand White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

(a symbol of authority).Ó Murchadha, p. 208 They were the only other freeholders in Muskerry besides the

O'Mahony O'Mahony (Old Irish: ''Ó Mathghamhna''; Modern Irish: ''Ó Mathúna'') is the original name of the clan, with breakaway clans also spelled O'Mahoney, or simply Mahony, Mahaney and Mahoney, without the prefix. Brodceann O'Mahony was the eldest of t ...

s, and had built several castles in their territories, of which Carrignacurra is now the only one still standing. The celebrated Irish language writer

Peadar Ua Laoghaire Father Peadar Ua Laoghaire or Peadar Ó Laoghaire (, first name locally ; 30 April 1839 – 21 March 1920), also anglicized as Peter O'Leary, was an Irish writer and Catholic priest, who is regarded today as one of the founders of modern literatu ...

was a descendant of the Carrignacurra branch of the family. Auliffe O'Leary joined the side of

Hugh Ó Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone Hugh O'Neill (Irish: ''Aodh Mór Ó Néill''; literally ''Hugh The Great O'Neill''; – 20 July 1616), was an Irish Gaelic lord, Earl of Tyrone (known as the Great Earl) and was later created ''The Ó Néill Mór'', Chief of the Name. O'Neill ...

in the

Nine Years' War The Nine Years' War (1688–1697), often called the War of the Grand Alliance or the War of the League of Augsburg, was a conflict between France and a European coalition which mainly included the Holy Roman Empire (led by the Habsburg monarch ...

, from the very inception of it, and took the field with William Bourke (

Clanricarde Clanricarde (; ), also known as Mac William Uachtar (Upper Mac William) or the Galway Burkes, were a fully Gaelicised branch of the Hiberno-Norman House of Burgh who were important landowners in Ireland from the 13th to the 20th centuries. Ter ...

) and others. For this the chiefs of the O'Learys were eventually attained, and their lands parceled out, but because of the remoteness of their territory it was never carried out, and they remained safe there until the Cromwellian confiscations decades later.

Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty Sir Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty (1594–1665), was an Irish magnate, soldier, and politician. He succeeded as 2nd Viscount Muskerry in 1641. He rebelled against the government, demanding religious freedom as a Catholic and defendin ...

did however appear to do his best to allow them to stay on their lands through leasing. The family became much more scattered during the later

Williamite War in Ireland The Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691; ga, Cogadh an Dá Rí, "war of the two kings"), was a conflict between Jacobite supporters of deposed monarch James II and Williamite supporters of his successor, William III. It is also called th ...

. As an example of their wealth and capacity in the mid-16th century, an early O'Leary of Carrignacurra is purported to be the fosterer of Donnel na g croiceann, or Donnel of the Hides, ancestor of the modern O'Donovans of Clan Cahaill. His daughter Ellen married Donnell. Their issue was

Donnell II O'Donovan Donal II O'Donovan ( ga, Domhnall Ó Donnabháin), The O'Donovan of Clann Cathail, Lord of Clancahill (died 1639), was the son of Ellen O'Leary, daughter of O'Leary of Carrignacurra, and Donal of the Skins, The O'Donovan of Clann Cathail. He is ...

. The last O'Leary lord of the Old Gaelic order was Donal MacArt O'Leary (1575–1657).Donal MacArt O'Leary
by Peter O'Leary

People

Military

Art Ó Laoghaire Art Ó Laoghaire (IPA:ˈaɾˠt̪ˠoːˈl̪ˠiːəɾʲə, also Airt Ó Laoghaire or Art O'Leary, born 1746, died 4 May 1773), a Roman Catholic member of the Gaelic nobility of Ireland, was a Captain in the Hungarian Hussars Regiment of the army o ...

(d 1773), Austro-Hungarian army officer ** His wife

Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill (also known as Eileen O'Connell, ) was a member of the Irish gentry and a poet. She was the main composer of ''Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire'', a traditional lament in Irish described (in its written form) as the greate ...

, composed "

Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire or the ''Lament for Art Ó Laoghaire'' is an Irish keen composed in the main by his wife Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill, a member of the Gaelic gentry of County Kerry in the 18th century. It has been described as the gr ...

" *

Daniel Florencio O'Leary Daniel Florence O'Leary ( ga, Dónall Fínín Ó Laoghaire; 14 February 1801 – 24 February 1854) was a military general and aide-de-camp under Simón Bolívar. Life O'Leary was born in Cork, Ireland; his father was Jeremiah O'Leary, a b ...

(1802–1854), military general under Simon Bolivar *

Michael John O'Leary Major (United Kingdom), Major Michael John O'Leary Victoria Cross, VC (29 September 1890 – 2 August 1961) was an Irish soldier and police officer who was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry in the ...

(1890–1961), Irish-Canadian recipient of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...

William O'Leary (British Army officer) Major General William O'Leary QVRM TD DL VR is retired senior British Army Reserve officer who served as Deputy Commander Field Army. Military career After serving for seven years as a soldier, O'Leary was commissioned as a reserve officer i ...

, Deputy Commander Field Army (British Army)

Religion

* Arthur O'Leary (preacher) (1729–1802), Irish Franciscan and polemical writer * Francis O'Leary MBE (1931–2000), founded the St Joseph's Hospice Association *

Henry Joseph O'Leary Henry Joseph O'Leary (March 13, 1879 – March 5, 1938) was a Canadian cleric, the fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown, and later the second Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, Archdiocese of Edmont ...

(1879–1938), Bishop of Charlottetown and Archbishop of Edmonton *

Louis James O'Leary Louis James O'Leary (August 17, 1877 – July 8, 1930) was the sixth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown, (which comprises the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island) who also happened to be the older brother of his predeces ...

(1877–1930), 6th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown

Poetry and literature

John O'Leary (Fenian) John O'Leary (23 July 1830 – 16 March 1907Alan O'Day, O'Leary, John (1830–1907), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, May 2006) was an Irish separatist and a leading Fenian. He studie ...

(1830–1907), Irish poet who was imprisoned in England *

Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire Máire Bhuí Ní Laoghaire (1774–c.1848) was an Irish poet. Ní Laoghaire was born in Túirín na nÉan in Uibh Laoghaire (Iveleary), near Ballingeary, County Cork. She was from a family of five sons and three daughters who lived on her fat ...

(1774–1849), Irish poet *

(1839–1920), Irish writer in Irish and Catholic priest * P. I. O'Leary (1888–1944), Australian poet and journaliat

Politics and law

Brendan O'Leary Brendan O'Leary (born 19 March 1958) is an Irish political scientist, who is Lauder Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He was formerly a professor at the London School of Economics. In 2009–10 he was the seco ...

, Irish political scientist * Clement O'Leary, Canadian member of Parliament * Cornelius O'Leary, Irish historian and political scientist * Denis O'Leary (1863–1943), New York politician *

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (; born 8 February 1989) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork South-Central constituency since the 2016 general election. Ó Laoghaire is from Togher, Cork. He attended Unive ...

(born 1989)

Teachta Dála A Teachta Dála ( , ; plural ), abbreviated as TD (plural ''TDanna'' in Irish, TDs in English), is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament). It is the equivalent of terms such as ''Member of Parli ...

for

Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( , ; en, " eOurselves") is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active throughout both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Gri ...

* Grattan O'Leary (1888–1976), Canadian journalist and Senator *

Hazel R. O'Leary Hazel Reid O'Leary (born May 17, 1937) is an American lawyer, politician and university administrator who served as the 7th United States secretary of energy from 1993 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, O'Leary was the first woman and fi ...

(born 1937), former

United States Secretary of Energy The United States secretary of energy is the head of the United States Department of Energy, a member of the Cabinet of the United States, and fifteenth in the United States presidential line of succession, presidential line of succession. The po ...

Henry O'Leary Henry O'Leary (May 13, 1832 – November 7, 1897) was an Irish-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Kent County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1873 to 1878. He was born in Castled ...

, Irish-born businessman and political figure in New Brunswick *

Humphrey O'Leary Sir Humphrey Francis O'Leary (12 February 1886 – 16 October 1953) was the seventh Chief Justice of New Zealand, from 1946 to 1953. Early life and family Born in Redwoodtown in the Wairau Valley, Marlborough, in 1886, his father, an Irish i ...

(1886–1953), 7th Chief Justice of New Zealand *

James A. O'Leary James Aloysius O'Leary (April 23, 1889 – March 16, 1944) was an American lawyer and businessman who served five terms as a Democratic Party (United States), Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state), ...

, member of the United States House of Representatives from New York *

Jean O'Leary Jean O'Leary (March 4, 1948 – June 4, 2005) was an American lesbian and gay rights activist. She was the founder of Lesbian Feminist Liberation, one of the first lesbian activist groups in the women's movement, and an early member and co-dir ...

, American gay and lesbian rights activist, politician, and former nun *

John O'Leary (ambassador) John O'Leary (January 16, 1947 – April 2, 2005) served as List of mayors of Portland, Maine, mayor of Portland, Maine, and as United States ambassador to Chile under President of the United States, President Bill Clinton. Personal life O'Lear ...

(1947–2005), mayor of Portland, Maine, and United States ambassador to Chile * John O'Leary (Kerry politician) (born 1933), former Irish Fianna Fáil party politician and TD for Kerry South *

John O'Leary (Wexford politician) John O'Leary (1 September 1894 – 21 June 1959) was an Irish Labour Party politician who served in the Oireachtas for nearly twenty years, first as Teachta Dála (TD) for Wexford and then as a Senator. He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a L ...

(1894–1959), former Irish Labour party politician and TD for Wexford * Joseph V. O'Leary, NYS Comptroller 1941–1942 and founding member of the Liberal Party of New York * Kevin O'Leary (judge) (born 1920), 2nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory *

Michael O'Leary (politician) Michael O'Leary (8 May 1936 – 11 May 2006) was an Irish judge, politician and barrister who served as a Judge of the District Court from 1997 to 2006, Tánaiste and Minister for Energy from 1981 to 1982, Leader of the Labour Party from 1981 ...

(1936–2006), former leader of the Irish Labour Party * Seán O'Leary (Irish politician) (born 1941), former Irish senator * William O'Leary (Irish politician) (died 1955), Irish Fianna Fáil politician and TD for Kerry

Journalism and activism

* Émile-Dostaler O'Leary (1908–1965), Canadian journalist and writer * Grattan O'Leary (1888–1976), Canadian journalist and Senator * Jeremiah O'Leary, American journalist *

John O'Leary (journalist) John O'Leary is a British journalist, formerly editor of the ''Times Higher Education Supplement'' and previously Education Editor of ''The Times''. He is also the author of the ''Times Good University Guide'' since 2005. At Sheffield Universi ...

, editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement *

Olivia O'Leary Olivia O'Leary (born 1949) is an Irish journalist, writer and current affairs presenter. Education Educated at St Leo's College, Carlow and at University College Dublin (UCD), she worked with the ''Nationalist'' and ''Leinster Times'' in Carlo ...

, Irish journalist * P. I. O'Leary (1888–1944), Australian poet and journalist. *

Walter-Patrice O'Leary Walter-Patrice O'Leary (3 July 1910 – 13 September 1989) was a Canadians, Canadian journalist, political activist and trade unionist. Biography O'Leary was born in Berthierville, Quebec, Berthierville, Quebec on 3 July 1910. He attended the ' ...

(1910–1989), Canadian journalist, political activist and trade unionist

Arts and entertainment

Arthur O'Leary (composer) Arthur O'Leary (15 March 1834 – 11 March 1919) was an Irish composer, pianist and teacher. Biography O'Leary was born in Tralee, County Kerry, both his father (also named Arthur) and uncle Daniel having been talented musicians, too. Arthur Se ...

(1834–1919), Irish composer and pianist *

Dermot O'Leary Seán Dermot Fintan O'Leary Jr. (born 24 May 1973) is an English broadcaster who currently works for ITV and BBC Radio 2. His radio career began when he worked as a disc jockey at Essex Radio, but he is best known for being the presenter of ''T ...

(born 1973), English television and radio presenter *

Fletcher O'Leary Fletcher O'Leary (born 10 June 1997) is an Australian actor. He is best known for playing the role of Mickey Gannon in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 19 June 2007 to 14 July 2009. Biography Fletcher O'Leary was born in Victoria, A ...

, Australian child actor * Jane O'Leary (born 1946), American-Irish avantgarde composer *

Karen O'Leary Karen O'Leary is a New Zealand schoolteacher, comedian and actress. She played Officer O'Leary in ''Wellington Paranormal'', which ran for four seasons from 2018-2022. Biography O'Leary grew up in Miramar, Wellington and attended Wellington ...

New Zealand comedian and television and film actress *

Mary O'Leary (producer) Seven-time Daytime Emmy winner Mary O'Leary is an American television producer, and the former producer of the daytime television dramas ''Guiding Light'', ''Another World'', ''One Life to Live'', ''General Hospital'' and ''The Young & The Restles ...

, American television producer *

Matt O'Leary Matthew Joseph O'Leary (born July 6, 1987) is an American actor. He made his debut in the made-for-television Disney Channel Original film ''Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire'' (2000), and would go on to star in the thriller ''Domestic Disturbance' ...

, American actor *

Michael O'Leary (actor) Michael O'Leary (born March 27, 1958) is an American actor. He is perhaps known for playing Rick Bauer in the soap opera '' Guiding Light'', for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1985. Early life and education O'Leary was b ...

(born 1958), in American soap opera ''Guiding Light'' * Patrick O'Leary (writer) (born 1952), American science fiction writer *

Tim O'Leary Timothy "Tinhead" O'Leary is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Brookside'', played by Philip Olivier. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 22 May 1996. Tim remained on-screen until the fina ...

, fictional character in the British soap opera ''Brookside'' *

Ursula O'Leary Ursula O'Leary (Birmingham, 10 March 1926 – 17 May 1993) was an English stage, radio and television actressDeaths, The Times, 19 May 1993 She graduated in stage management from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in 1948 and her stage ...

, English actress *

William O'Leary (actor) William O'Leary (born October 19, 1957) is an American actor. He is best known for Marty Taylor on ''Home Improvement'' (1994–1999). Early life He was born in Chicago, Illinois and started acting at the age of 7. He graduated from Highland P ...

, American actor

Sport

* Amanda O'Leary, American lacrosse coach * Bob O'Leary, American soccer player *

Charley O'Leary Charles Timothy O'Leary (October 15, 1875 – January 6, 1941) was an American professional baseball shortstop who played eleven seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1904–1912), St. Louis Cardinals (1913), and St. Louis Browns (1934) of Major Le ...

(1882–1941), American baseball player *

Clare O'Leary Clare O'Leary (born 1972) is an Irish gastroenterologist, mountain climber and adventurer. She was the first Irish woman to climb Mount Everest and complete the Seven Summits. Career Medicine O'Leary developed an interest in medicine, and cancer ...

, first Irish woman to climb Mount Everest * Clare O'Leary (cricketer) * Dan O'Leary, American baseball player * Daren O'Leary, English rugby union player *

David O'Leary David Anthony O'Leary (born 2 May 1958) is a football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United, subsequently managing Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai. The majority of his 20-yea ...

, English-born Irish football (soccer) manager formerly of Aston Villa *

George O'Leary George Joseph O'Leary (born August 17, 1946) is a former American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 1994 to 2001 and the UCF Knights from 2004 to 2015 ...

(born 1946), American college football coach *

John O'Leary (Gaelic footballer) John O'Leary (born 1961) is a Dublin-born Gaelic footballer who played for the O'Dwyers club and at senior level for the Dublin county team. He is an area manager for Permanent TSB and in 2007 was a candidate for Fianna Fáil in the constitu ...

Kieran O'Leary Kieran O'Leary (born 28 July 1987) is an Irish Gaelic footballer. He plays at U21 and senior levels with the Dr Crokes club team and the Kerry county team. With Dr. Crokes he reached the 2007 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship fin ...

, Irish Gaelic footballer *

Kristian O'Leary Kristian Denis O'Leary (born 30 August 1977) is a Welsh football coach and former professional footballer. He is best known for his spells both as a player and coach at Swansea City. He formerly managed Welsh sides Carmarthen Town and Neath, and ...

, Welsh football (soccer) player *

Mike O'Leary Mike O'Leary is an American curler. He is a and a 1966 United States men's curling champion. Teams References External links * Full text of "Sports Illustrated 1966-04-04" (web archive)(page 43, "DOWNFALL OF A STONE-THROWER") Living ...

, American curler *

Noel O'Leary Noel O'Leary (born 5 May 1982) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a left wing-back for the Cork senior team. Born in Kilnamartyra, County Cork, O Leary arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up w ...

, Irish footballer *

Peter O'Leary (referee) Peter O'Leary (born 3 March 1972) is a New Zealand former Association football referee, previously of Wellington but now is residing and working in Hamilton. He operated in the Australian A-League and the New Zealand Football Championship, and hi ...

, New Zealand football (soccer) referee *

Pierce O'Leary Pierce O'Leary (born 5 November 1959) is an Irish former professional footballer. Pierce is the brother of former Arsenal star and fellow Irish international David O'Leary. Playing career Born in Dublin, O'Leary signed for Shamrock Rovers i ...

, Irish footballer * Ryan O'Leary, Scottish footballer *

Seánie O'Leary Seán O'Leary (25 February 1952 – 1 December 2021) was an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-forward at senior level for the Cork county team. Career Born in Youghal, County Cork, Munster, O'Leary first played competitive hurling wh ...

(born 1954), Irish hurler * Stephen O'Leary, English-born Irish footballer *

Tomás O'Leary Tomás O'Leary (born 22 October 1983) is an Irish former rugby union player who played as a scrum-half. O'Leary played most of his career in the United Rugby Championship with Munster, where he was part of the team that won the Heineken Cup in ...

(born 1983), Irish rugby union player *

Troy O'Leary Troy Franklin O'Leary (born August 4, 1969) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played with the Milwaukee Brewers (-), Boston Red Sox (-), Montreal Expos () and Chicago Cubs (). He batted and threw left-handed. In an 11- ...

(born 1969), American baseball player

Other

Brian O'Leary Brian Todd O'Leary (January 27, 1940 – July 28, 2011) was an American scientist, author, and NASA astronaut. He was part of NASA Astronaut Group 6, a group of scientist-astronauts chosen with the intention of training for the Apollo App ...

, American "scientist-astronaut" *

Catherine O'Leary Catherine "Cate" O'Leary (née Donegan; March 1827 – July 3, 1895) was an Irish immigrant living in Chicago, Illinois, who became famous when it was alleged that an accident involving her cow had started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Born Ca ...

(1827–1895), owner of the property in which it was alleged the Great Chicago Fire started * Ciarán O'Leary, Irish professional poker player practicing in the USA * Daniel O'Leary (mobster), Irish American mobster * James Patrick O'Leary (c. 1860–1926), American mobster *

Kevin O'Leary (entrepreneur) Terence Thomas Kevin O'Leary (born 9 July 1954), also known as Mr. Wonderful, is a Canadian businessman, entrepreneur, and television personality. From 2004 to 2014, he appeared on various Canadian television shows. These include the business n ...

, Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist *

Michael O'Leary (Ryanair) Michael Kevin O'Leary (born 20 March 1961) is an Irish businessman who is the Group CEO of Ryanair. With a net worth of around €848.6 million as of April 2018, he is one of Ireland's wealthiest businessmen. Early life Michael Kevin O'Leary wa ...

, CEO of the low-cost Irish airline Ryanair

Places

Dún Laoghaire Dún Laoghaire ( , ) is a suburban coastal town in Dublin in Ireland. It is the administrative centre of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The town was built following the 1816 legislation that allowed the building of a major port to serve Dubli ...

, Dublin, Ireland – Name means "Fort of Leary". *

O'Leary, Prince Edward Island O'Leary is a town located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. Its population in the 2016 Census was 815 people. Demographics In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada Statistics Canada (StatCan; french: St ...

*Plaza O’Leary – major square in

Caracas Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

. Named for

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oleary Surnames Irish families Clíodhna