The Ciarraige were a population-group recorded in the early historic era in

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

Origins

The word Ciarraige means ''the people of Ciar''. Ciar was the illegitimate son of Fergus, the King of

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

. After being banished from the Court of Cruachan, Ciar sought refuge in

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

. There he gained the territory for the first branch of Ciarraige, which he called Ciarraige Luachra.

Branches

The Cíarraige were a people found scattered over much of Ireland. Known branches were: * ''Ciarraige Luachra'', who gave their name to

County Kerry County Kerry () is a Counties of Ireland, county on the southwest coast of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is bordered by two other countie ...

* ''Ciarraige Altraige'', Mocu Alti, or Altai; living around Tralee, northwest of county Kerry. * ''Ciarraige Cuirche'', located in the

barony Barony may refer to: * Barony, the peerage, office of, or territory held by a baron * Barony, the title and land held in fealty by a feudal baron * Barony (county division), a type of administrative or geographical division in parts of the British ...

of Kerrycurrihy, south of Cork city * ''Ciarraige Diurgi'', located somewhere in

* ''Ciarraige Irluachra'', located close to the Ciarraige Luchra in western Sliabh Luachra * ''Ciarraige Sleibe Cua'', in what is now

County Waterford County Waterford () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is named after the city of Waterford. ...

* ''Ciarraige Muman'', situated in Munster * ''Ciarraige Choinchenn'', location uncertain * ''Ciarraige Conmed'', location uncertain * ''Ciarraige Maige Glas'', northeast part of Maigh Ai in Moylurg, north

County Roscommon County Roscommon () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is part of the province of Connacht and the Northern and Western Region. It is the List of Irish counties by area, 11th largest Irish county by area and Li ...

. * ''Ciarraige Des Cechair'', location uncertain (possibly in Tethba, now in

County Longford County Longford () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford. Longford County Council is the Local government in the Republic ...

) * ''Ciarraige Oic Bethra'', of Aidhne, now south

County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...

* '' Ciarraige Aí'', based on the plain of Magh nAi in

* '' Ciarraige Airtech'', an obscure branch of the above, around Tibohine,

* '' Ciarraige Loch Airned'', based around Loch Airned, now Mannin Lake,

County Mayo County Mayo (; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. In the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, it is named after the village of Mayo, County Mayo, Mayo, now ge ...

, close to the Roscommon border.

Notable people

* St Brendan the Navigator

References

Notes

Sources