The Ancient Origins of the Gallagher Clan

John O'Donovan, one of the great Irish historians of the nineteenth century, based this belief on his extensive study of the old Irish genealogies. These genealogies had been passed down orally, from generation to generation over centuries, and were written down for posterity in the seventeenth century by scholars who feared the possible end of the Gaelic tradition.

For further background, see John O'Donovan's Gallagher Lineage Research.

"&Clann means family grouping in the Gaelic language. The Gallaghers can trace their family roots back to the early centuries A.D.. The OGallaghers are the senior and most royal family of all the Kinel-Connell (the ancient rulers of what is today the greater part of Co. Donegal, Ireland)i.

 John ODonovan, nineteenth-century Irish historian

Early Manuscript Evidence

In a fragment of an earlier manuscript now held in the Royal Library of Brussels (MS 3410), we are introduced to the muintir Ghallchubair  the Gallaghers, as we call ourselves today.

This text belongs to the Middle Irish period, dating from circa 10501150.

Lineage and Meaning of the Name

Our line can be traced back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, reputed to have brought St Patrick to Ireland as a slave. The family tree ascends through successive High Kings of Ireland to the man known as Gallchobhair, living around the 8th9th centuries.

One possible interpretation of the name Gallchobhair is Helper of the Foreigner  whether this referred to strangers from other parts of Ireland, or to Norsemen attacking the coast, cannot be stated with certainty.

Status in Medieval Donegal

The OGallchobhair were accepted as one of the high-born families of the Donegal region, with blood ties to most of the ruling families of the area. They were entitled to take part in the inauguration of the Chief of Tír Chonaill, later the ODonnell, and their horsemen formed the backbone of the ODonnell cavalry.

Ecclesiastical Influence

Gallaghers were strongly represented in ecclesiastical life, supplying numerous bishops and abbots to the Church. Gallagher families also held hereditary stewardships of church lands until English control was imposed in Donegal at the start of the seventeenth century.

Geographic Origins

The Clan was originally based in what is today County Donegal, formerly known as Tír Chonaill, in the northwest of Ireland. Their principal strongholds lay in the baronies of:

• Banagh  south-west Donegal
• Raphoe  east Donegal
• Tír Hugh  south Donegal

War, Displacement, and Migration

Following the defeat of Irish forces at the start of the seventeenth century, native inhabitants were forced from their lands. Many Gallaghers were driven west into poorer lands in Donegal and Mayo. As the military arm of the ODonnells, many fought in the Nine Years War, culminating in the Battle of Kinsale (1603).

Over time, large Gallagher populations emerged in the counties of Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo.

Worldwide Diaspora

Through the centuries, the Irish have emigrated  and the Gallaghers were no exception. Today, large numbers of the Clan are found in:

• England, Scotland, and Wales
• The United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand

Indeed, there are few countries on Earth that have not had members of the Clan leave their mark in one way or another.