This is what I always pictured Ireland to be like......misty, green, cold, lots of cliffs
and castles.
The Cliffs of Moher
Scary drop offs!
I told Terri to look for our ancestors, we don't seem to be able to find anything after Hugh Flaherty, but
she didn't have much time for looking, so this was as close as she got, from the car.
The Flaherty clan has a reputation for being ferocious.
Of course, so do most old Irish clans!
Of course, so do most old Irish clans!
The main body of the O'Flahertys were from further
north than our part of the family in County Kerry.
My favorite story is that hundreds of years ago when the
Viking raiders were still a problem the Flaherty's were in
competition with the clans around Galway. Supposedly,
My favorite story is that hundreds of years ago when the
Viking raiders were still a problem the Flaherty's were in
competition with the clans around Galway. Supposedly,
there was an invocation over the Galway city gates
that went something like, "From the Vikings and the
Ferocious O'Flahertys may God preserve us!"
that went something like, "From the Vikings and the
Ferocious O'Flahertys may God preserve us!"
A sad note. There was a long winter march some
hundreds of years ago that the Kerry O'Flahertys were
forced to make for some reason and most of some
hundreds of years ago that the Kerry O'Flahertys were
forced to make for some reason and most of some
300 or so died on the journey.
The O'Flaherty clan crest shows a red hand and Viking
longboat and lions. The red hand legend comes from
a mythic time when two brothers were vying to land first
on the island. The first to land would, naturally, win
longboat and lions. The red hand legend comes from
a mythic time when two brothers were vying to land first
on the island. The first to land would, naturally, win
some prize or have more rights to land or something
grand. Well, one brother saw he was losing the race and
so he drew his sword, chopped off one hand and threw
it on shore so he could be first! All the families that
use the symbol of the red hand claim descent from him.
grand. Well, one brother saw he was losing the race and
so he drew his sword, chopped off one hand and threw
it on shore so he could be first! All the families that
use the symbol of the red hand claim descent from him.
The O'Sullivan's, our other family name, have a harp
on their crest. Much nicer to think of a clan known for
their love of and skill with music! Especially since the
Dingle area is still known as a center of authentic
Irish music.
on their crest. Much nicer to think of a clan known for
their love of and skill with music! Especially since the
Dingle area is still known as a center of authentic
Irish music.
Thanks cousin Nancy for the legend!
Terri went inside and asked if she could take a picture in there because her moms last name is Flaherty, The guy behind the bar told her, "Sure. You better take some matches so you can prove you were here.
So he gave her some coasters and some matches with the O'Flaherty name on them. That was pretty fun.
Terri tried to stay here, but it was full.
Maybe someday I will be lucky and get to visit there!! Lucky Terri and Nicole are going to Ireland again in May! They are going to Belfast this time. So maybe next year for St. Patricks day I will put some of them on!
