Clan: MacCarthy of Lismire and Kanturk
Other branches of the clan: Carthy
Irish Clan Name: Mac Cárthaigh
The MacCarthy name is sometimes shortened to Carthy, but in general the “Mac” prefix, meaning “son of” has been kept throughout the ages. It is the commonest “Mac” name and one of the twelve commonest names of Ireland. Almost two-thirds of the MacCarthy’s in Ireland at the present time live in County Cork. The Clan have been rulers of the Southern Irish Province of Munster since ancient times and are descended directly from Oilioll Olum, who was King of Munster in the Third Century. He had two sons, Eoghan and Cormac Cas. When King Oilioll died, the Barony of Desmond in South Munster was inherited by Eoghan, whose family became known as The Eoghanacht. This is echoed in place-names such as Cullen OgEoghanacht (County Tipperary) and Rinn OgEoghanacht (County Waterford). The Mac Cártaigh name comes from Cártach, (son of Saorbreathach) Lord of the Eoghanacht, who died by arson in 1045.
