A wee history of the Boylans...There are references in Irish annals in the 11th and 12th centuries to the Ui Bhaoigheallán (O'Boylans) as lords (tigherna) of Dartraige (see below). In 1297 the sub-chiefs of the Airgíalla included the lord of Dartraighe, named as the king's brother Roalbh Mac Mathghamhna. The Ui Bhaoigheallán never recovered control of Dartraighe hereafter.[4] It was held by the Mac Mathghamhna (MacMahons) of Airgíalla. The O'Boylan (O'Baoigheallain, in Irish) or O'Boyland sept came from Airgíalla, having their principal stronghold in the barony of Dartrey in County Monaghan. They soon spread to reach eastern County Fermanagh across County Monaghan and southern County Armagh into the northern part of County Louth. They also established themselves to the south of their original territory, in County Cavan and County Meath. The name is still found most frequently in those areas, but invariably with the prefix O.
From the 8th century, The O'Boylan (O'Baoigheallain) sept are cited as early kings of Dartraige in present-day Monaghan. The territory of the O'Baoigheallain during early medieval times stretched from Fermanagh to Louth before being reduced to the region of Dartry by the MacMahons after the Norman invasion. They did, however, remain powerful, and in O'Dugan's fourteenth-century "Topographical Poem" they are called "the bold kings of Dartry," and are praised for their horsemanship ..."
Our own maternal line descends from County Antrim, most probably around Red Bay, Cushendall. the family moved to Mullabrack, Armagh to work in the limestone quarry, before emigrating to Greenock, Scotland and marrying into the Lambie family.
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