Ó Duibhgeannáin
The Ó Duibhgeannáin () clan were a family of professional historians in medieval and early modern Ireland. They originated in the kingdom of Annaly (formerly called Tethbae) on the east bank of the Shannon (mostly situated in what is now County Longford) and later migrated into Connacht. Writing in 1921 the Irish historian, Fr. Paul Walsh stated that "The celebrated Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh ... informs us that the O Duigenans followed the profession of historiographers under the families of Clann Mhaiolruanaidh and Conmhaicne in Magh Rein, that is, with the Mac Dermotts and the MacDonoughs in the west, and with the  O Farrells in the territory of Annaly." The earliest known reference to a bearer of the surname dates to 1296, when, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters", "Maelpeter O'Duigennan, Archdeacon of Breifny, from Drumcliff to Kells, died." Less than thirty years later in the year 1323 (according to the same source) – "Gillapatrick O'Duigennan, Chief Historian of Conmaicne, and Lucas, his son, were slain by Conor, the son of Garvey Maguire." The family themselves can be traced back with confidence several centuries further, ultimately to Maine of Tethba, an alleged son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. While Maine 's relationship is probably fictitious, there seems to be no good reason for doubting that the O Duibhgeannain descend from the figure claimed as an ancestor by the rulers of Uí Maine. From Annaly to Moylurg: Kilronan and Castlefore. By the 14th century, while some lines of the family remained in Annaly, the senior branches and others moved west into Moylurg where they became historians for the MacDermots. The senior line, under Ferghall Muimhneach, built Kilronan's church in 1339 to which they became erenachs, or its lay proprietors. The "Four Masters" include the following early references to the family , and Kilronan church: By 1400 a secondary line had established themselves in Muintir Eolais, at Baile Caille Foghair, or Castlefore, now in County Leitrim. Their ancestor was Philip na hInishe who died in Conmaicne in 1340, said to be a brother of Fearghall Muimhneach. The first member of the family mentioned as of Castlefore was Maghnus mac Melaghlin Ruadh O Duibggeannain, who died in 1452. He is apparently the same Maghnus of Castlefore was the chief compiler of the Book of Ballymote, which was commissioned by Tomaltach MacDonagh, Lord of Coran, about or after 1391. Irish historical manuscripts compiled and  penned by various O Duibhgeannain which have survived their turbulent times include: Peregrine and Daibhidh. The two most significant Ó Duibhgeannáins during the final years of Gaelic Ireland were Cu Coigriche mac Tuathal O Duibhgeannain of Castlefore (fl. 1627–1636), and Daibhidh mac Matthew Glas O Duibhgeann of Kilronan (fl. 1651–1696). Cu Coigriche, thought to have been born about or after 1590, was ordained a Franciscan friar and changed his name to Peregrine O'Duignan. Nothing is known of his life until he became engaged in the massive project known to history as the "Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland" (better known  by its nickname, the "Annals of the Four Masters"). The annals are known by this name because, under the leadership of Bro. Michael O'Clery (Michael Ó Cleirigh), Peregrine, Cu Choigriche (Peregrine) Ó Cleirigh, and Fearfeasa Ó Maoilchonaire, these four men compiled and wrote in a few years (c. 1627–1636) one of the largest collections of mythical, historical and cultural lore – spanning the years 2242 AM to 1616 AD. Nothing certain is known of Peregrine after August 1636; possibly he returned to Louvain, as did Ó Cleirigh. However, there exists a slight possibility that he remained in Ireland, as a copy  of the annals was in the town of Galway, and used as a source by none other than Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, who explicitly references having used it in 1649, although typically he gives us no clues as to how he obtained it. It may not be coincidental that a kinsman of Ó Duibhgeannáin, Daibhidh Ó Duibhgeannáin living and working in the Galway region from as early as 1651. Daibhidh mac Matthew Glas Ó Duibhgeannáin, or Daibhidh Bacach (""lame David"") as he sometimes called himself, was an active scribe, compiler, poet between the years 1651 and 1696. In the earliest of his  known works, Royal Irish Academy Ms. 24.P.9., he writes on page 238: "I stop now, and I on Loch Mask in the house of Tadhg Og Ó Flaherty, 1 April 1651, David Duigenan who wrote this." A later entry specifies the place as Oilean Ruadh, or Red Island. Over the course of his life he penned such works as "The Frenzy of Sweeney", "The Adventures of the Two Idiot Saints", "The Battle of Magh Rath", and "The Banquet of Dun na Gedh". He is believed to have lived his final years in Shancough, Tirerrill, County Sligo, where he died in  1696. Genealogy of Ó Duibhgeannáin of Kilronan, Moylurg. Taken from MacFhirbhisigh's "Book of Genealogies"; faulty in places. Kevin P Duignan (former Director and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY - 1997 to 2017)