CLAN RONAN

The Fianna

Fenians were founded in 300 bc by Fiachadh the High King. Wile the tales of Arthurian Knights and their code of chivaley clearly belong to the midieval concept of an armed and mounted warrior of nobility or land holding class. With knight-hood only being bestowed by the King. the basis for the "Knights of the Round Table" does have a foundation in Celtic culture. It is argued that the tales of Arthur and his knights have more parralles with Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his Fianna. Irish myths not only have the Fianna but the Red Branch of Ulster, Simi-Larly, Gamhanrhide of Connacht and the Degad of of Munster. So the idea of elite bands of warriors was well established in Celtic Myth when the midieval Round Table Knights began to adorn the tales of Arthur. Art is a common Irish Kings name it has never been an English Kings name.

During the 2nd century ad the High King Conn Cead Crtchsthach established the Fianna. The Fianna being the elite body guard of the King. consisted of 25 battalions. These included: Bascna, Morna, Mican-Smoil, O'Navnan, Ronan and others from Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. The two dominate clans were the Bascna from Linster and Morna from Connacht.

In a short time the two dominate clans Bascna and Morna became rivals. Crumhaill, the Chieftain of clan Bascna and the Fiannauigeach (Fianna Captain) was challenged by Goll the Chieftain of clan Morna. During the clan war, fought at Chucha, Crumhaill was killed. Goll claimed the Fiannauigeach and led the Fianna until Finn Mac Cumaill son of Cumaill, reached the age of majority. High King Cormac Ulfhada Mac Airt, who was son of Art and grandson of Cetchathach, awarded the Finnuigeach to Finn. During the reign of Cormac Airt and the leadership of Finn Mac Cumaill, the power of the Fianna reached it's pinnacle.

The Fianna Maintained it's power from 176 to around 280 ad. It had survived through eight High Kings. Conn Crtchathach (176-211), Conaire (211-219), Art II Aionfheam (219-249), Lughaid (249-252), Fearghus (252-254), Cormac Ulfhada Mac Airt (254-277), Eochaidh (277-279) and Caribe II Linochair (279-296)

Caribe, Grandson of Cormac Mac Airt, the new High King became jealous of the power of the Fianna. He set two rival clans against one another. In the battle of Gabhra, Finn Mac Cumhaill and Clan Bascna was defeated. The Fianna was disbanded

Whether or not you are a believer in the myth some basic facts remain. These stories were passed down verbally from generation to generation. Granted the deeds were embelished, the names remain intact.

Caoilte Mac Ronan was a Fian Bard-Warrior and the Chieftain of Clan Ronan. Caoilte was the son of Ronan (Ronain) and the nephew of Finn Mac Cumhaill. He and Finn were the only two clan leaders to survive the battle of Gabhra. He was known for his skills in poetry and fleetness of foot.

There are several different spellng variations to Caoilte's name, Caolte, Kylta and Keelta. He was best known in the Acallam na Senora (Colloquy of the Ancients), Where the aged hero met Saint Patrick. The two traveled all of Ireland. St Patrick performed his ledgendary miracles as Caoilte recounted the various brave deeds of Finn and their Comrades.

It is strange that in all the extent mass of the Ossianic Literature there is no narritive of his death. Caoilte and his comrades seem to have vanished into the magic mist which encompasses their lives, Yet a popular folklore states, that Caoilte, Finn, Olson and Oscar never died. But, lie spell-bound  in an enchanted cave where they wait the time to reappear and redeem their land from tyranny and wrong.

Caoilte the nephew of Finn Mac Cumaill was Stewart to the Royal house of Crtchsthach. Cheiftain of Clan Ronan and Fian Bard-Warrior.

Here are some interesting links for information on the Fianna and Caoilte.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~fianna/

http://www.mythicalireland.com/

http://www.irishstoryteller.com/ Intended for Children but entertaining

http://www.timelessmyths.com/celtic/index.html

Clan Ronan had survived two milena, as the members scattered so did the deeds of the name.  History is not clear when Clan Ronan disbanded. The only account I can find is a midland sept in the Barony of Granard. This sept was dispossed by the O'Farrells in the 13th century. It was so completely scattered that, as of a century ago the name Ronan was unknown in the region.

This Section is under Revolution

The family of O'Ronain of Clondalkin (Cluana Dolcain) is noted by Edward Mac Lysaght, Fiachna Ua Ronain, Airchinneach of Cluain-Dolcain, died in 1086, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. The place-name Rith Ronain is given in the territory Ui Cellaig Cualand, between Tallaght and Britas in the Dublin Hills.

There is a Ua Ronain (O'Ronan) of Caprice Gabra (Grand Varony, County Longford). This is the midland sept that Mac Lysaght mentions in his surname description. An 1161 entry in the annals of Tigermach cites "Madadhan Ua Ronain, ri Cairpri Gabra, quiequit.

In O'Donovans Tribes of Ui Fichrach, it mentions an Ui Ronain; desc. of Ronan son of Amalgaid, of Magh Bron.  Perhaps this is the Galway family mentioned by Mac Lysaght. There is a Parrish named Killararan, also called Kilronan, in the Barony of Killian, County Gallway.

There were a couple of Bishops of the name Ua Ronan, noted in the Irish Annals, AT 1173 - Cinaeth Ua Ronan, espoc Glinni Da Lacha, quiequit, AM 1161 - Maelbhrenanainn Ua Ronan, Bishop of Ciarraighe, died Am 1173 - Kenny O'Ronan, Bishop of Gendalough, died (County Kerry).

There was a Sil Ronain in Teffia (Teehba, Teathbha), noted sd Chiefs of Fir Ccul, east of Lough Ree in the modern county Westmeath. An entry in the Annals of the Four Masters mention, "Ceallach, son of Ruarc, Lord of Feara-Cu: Teathbhia, i.e. Lors of the Sil Ronain, however, appear to be a family named Ua Laeghachain. The Sil RonainBregmaine were possibly the same group, they are mentioned in an old Irish text designated H.2,7,T.C.D. Ronan Mac Cinthaind, from whom are Sil Rinain Bregmaine.

The Book of Ballymote mantiones Ui Ronain if Tech Motacrai of the Ui Bairrichi, in Linster. The Book of Lecan refers to them as Ui Ronain of Tech Mosocrai, Tech Mothagrai is noted in Mac Firbos" Book of Geneaologies.

John Ronan served as an officer in Tyrone's regiment in Hing James II army. He belonged to the midland Sept I mentioned in an earlier paragraph. His Chieftain was in the Barony of Grenard. They were dispossed by the O'farrells in the 13th century.

Ther eis mention of a Ricoard Mac Ronain (year 1350) in O'Corrain & McGuire P-155 and P-157.

Also in the 13th century Ronans were Erenaghs of Clondalkin (holders of church property) in County Dublin. Ecclesiastical records frequently mention the surname Ronan.

Thomas O'Ronan was the Abbott of Ballintubber in the year 1416. Twice O'Ronans were Bishops of Ardfert.

The family of O'Ronayne is found in Keartings History of Ireland as an old respectable family of County Cork. He also writes of them as one of the "Ancient Irish Families" in Waterford.

The name seems to have generally lost it's prefix of O' by the 17th century.

19th century Griffiths Valuation places the spelling Ronan most significantly in the counties: Clare, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Mayo, Westmeath and Wexford. According to the record the name was rare in Dublin.

Here are scans of the Governing Doccuments:

These are only two of over 1500 documents sent to the Prince.

These are the offical documents sent to Prince Edward V of Desmond

Here are some links to some of my sites:

http://www.myspace.com/hrhedwardv

http://www.freewebs.com/clnronan/

http://www.freewebs.com/princeedwardv/