Clan McGrath

Clan McGrath (Irish: Mac Craith, also recorded as Mag Craith or Mag Raith) is an old Irish clan. They come from the area of Thomond which is now County Clare and belong to the tribe of the Dál gCais, a group made famous by High King Brian Boru.The Possibility of A Common McGrath Origin by Michael F McGraw, 2005, Para.2Chatterton Newman, Roger, Brian Boru, King of Ireland, Anvil Books, Dublin, 1996, p. 50.

 Early origins 
The name means "son of grace" or "prosperity." The clan began as hereditary poets and advisors for the rulers of Thomond. Early records describe a Mac Craith as the Chief Poet of Munster. Their lineage is traced back to Craith, who lived around the 11th century.Cairney, C. Thomas (1989). Clans and Families of Ireland and Scotland. Jefferson, North Carolina, United States, and London: McFarland & Company. pp. 61–69. ISBN 0899503624.

 Two main septs 
Clan McGrath split into two main branches over time:Pettigo and its People, Including a History of the Clan McGrath by John Cunningham

 Thomond (Munster) McGraths served in Clare as poets and bards to the O’Briens.
 Ulster McGraths settled in Donegal around Termonmagrath, where they served as the religious custodians (Coarbs) of the important pilgrimage site at Lough Derg.

 Medieval leaders 
One of their most notable figures was Archbishop Miler McGrath (1523–1622). Originally from Termonmagrath, he rose to become Archbishop of Cashel and held both Catholic and Protestant offices during the Reformation.Extracts From The Annals of Innisfallen, Kerry Archaeological Magazine, Vol 3, No 14, Page 140-151

The clan also built castles like McGrath Castle and Sleady Castle—stronghold homes that spoke to their power and local influence.

 Later history 
After conflicts and political changes, the clan lost much of its territory. However, McGraths continued to live across Munster and Ulster, especially in Counties Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, and Donegal.

 Today 
The Clan McGrath Society (Cumann Chlann Mhic Craith) reformed recently to bring together all the branches. The current leader (Taoiseach) and regional chiefs (Ceann Fine) are active in organising heritage gatherings and preserving their history.

Their legacy still lives in castles, cultural stories, and reunions held in their ancestral lands—keeping alive the memory of the Mac Craiths in Ireland.

 References 

Category:Clans