The McGillycuddy of the Reeks

The ancient Irish designation of 'The McGillycuddy of the Reeks' was recognised by courtesy at the Genealogical Office, Dublin as that of the direct descendent of Mogh Nuaghad, King of Munster, c. 125 A.D.

The present Chief of the Name (Highest remaining Gaelic title) is his 50th direct descendent. Irish genealogists represent his son, the celebrated Prince Oilioll Olum (d. 234) as the 43rd direct descendent of the Spanish warrior Milesius, (1284 B.C.)

McGillycuddy is thus 93rd direct descendent of Milesius. No other dynasty can be traced back 3,297 years in fact or in Ireland. Bardic legend has it that Moses was attending to the wound of Gaodhal, son of the Pharaoh's daughter Scotia, who had been bitten by a snake.

Moses, referring to Crete and Ireland, foretold that Goadhal's descendent would inhabit islands where there were no snakes or other obnoxious reptiles. Goadhal's descendents went first to Crete, then Spain where they founded Braganza, (Portuguese since 1640).

Milesius, a descendent who became chief of the colony, returned to Egypt where he was later appointed C-i-C of the army that drove the Ethiopians out of the country. The Pharaoh awarded him his daughter, another Scotia who bore him 6 sons, named Donn, Colpa, Amergin, Ir, Heber and Heremon.

They returned to Spain and in due course during a drought heard of a land where it rained a lot. They set sail for the imaginary Inisfail and named that part of Ireland they landed at Iver Scene, a place named after Amergin's wife.

There was early cultural exchange between Ireland and Spain. After much travel and fighting, only Amergin, Heber and Heremon were left.

Donn and Ir were shipwrecked on the coast and Colpa was drowned at the mouth of the Boyne. Scotia was killed in battle and is buried at Glen Scoheen, near Tralee.

Amergin, Heber, Heremon and his wife could not agree upon how to divide the country that they had taken from the Tuatha de Dananns so they fought a battle at Geashill where Heremon killed Heber. Heremon could not agree with Amergin so killed him.

He gave Ulster to his nephew Heber, son of Ir and Munster to the four sons of his brother Heber. Connaught was given to Un and Eadan who were Milesian Chieftains. Leinster was given to a Firbolg, the name arising from the men who carried wood and water in leather containers [ Fir = man and bolg = leather bag] for the Nemedians of Macedonia when enslaved there.

The five sons of Deala rebelled against the Greeks, stole their ships and sailed West through the Mediterranean for 'that dear land across the Irish sea.'

Heremon set himself up nicely and ruled Ireland for 15 years from a hill in County Meath that he named after his Wife. Tara is the name of the elder daughter of the late McGillycuddy.

Scotia was also killed and is buried near Tralee. Milesius' descendent was Oilioll Olum who established Cashel, seat of the Kings of Munster and this is where recorded history takes over.

There remain 10 other active Irish chieftains. Each chieftain is a living memorial to his ancestors in a continual flow of history. The name McGillycuddy originates from O'Sullivan Mór sending his trusted son (Mac-Goilla) to be educated under the C.16th tutelage of St. Mochuda at Lismore, hence Mac-Giolla-Mochuda became McGillycuddy late C.17th. G in Spanish is pronounced as H. The middle 'y' is most probably the Spanish 'and', hence Mac - illycuddy with a softer G than in modern Gaelic. If the first words on the front of your Irish Passport are 'An tAontas Eorpach', you now know why!