Author Archives: Byrne

The title of Seneschal in medieval times was given to an officer having full charge of domestic arrangements, ceremonies and the administration of justice in a noble or royal household.

In 1566, my maternal Great x 12 Grandfather, the Rt. Hon. Francis Agard was appointed Seneschal of the OByrnes and the OTooles. Agard had a deep respect for the Irish Chiefs but unfortunately this was not shared by his son-in-law Sir Henry Harrington who inherited the title and position after Agard’s death in 1577.

Because of this unique history I have decided to replace the title of “President” of Finte OBroin with “Seneschal” of Finte OBroin and in doing so hope to preserve this element of my ancestry that provides a unique link to the history of Clan OBryne from both sides of my family.

In recent years, I have lobbied the Office of the Chief Herald to encourage people who are actively involved in maintaining their clan history to adopt the designation “Guardian” rather than “Chief” of the name which I think is more appropriate in a modern Ireland and does away with the nuisance of people claiming bogus titles. As a direct descendant of the last Chief of the OByrnes of Downes, I have used this designation myself to indicate that I am the person who my family have made responsible for the maintenance and promotion of our family history.

However, perhaps Seneschal would also be a suitable designation to use by those who are responsible, like me, for the administration and organisation of clan events?

As active clan societies, I believe we should maintain our history, traditions and customs. History is a living breathing thing, something we learn from and carry with us in the present and into the future.

Therefore, I am proud to announce that I will be using the designation, Seneschal of Clan OByrne from here on in relation to my work for Finte OBroin and it will be used by those who follow me as administrators and keepers of our great clan history.

Certavi et Vici,

Derek Byrne

Charles Artaud Byrne

(1923 – 2020)

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of our Patron Charles Artaud Byrne who passed away of natural causes on the 20th of March in Rhode Island, New York.

Charles was a direct descendant of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne and had been Patron of Finte O’Broin since it was established in 2011.

Charles had spent many happy times in Ireland, most recently in 2013 during the Great Gathering when he and his son Myles attended the Clan Byrne event at Ballinacor, a re-enactment of the capture of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne on the very site where it happened in 1585. Charles unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event and presented his son Myles with the Merit Medal of the Raven.

It was an honour to know Charles, he was a kind, intelligent, funny and gentle man and he will be sadly missed by me and my family.

For those of you who didn’t know him, we will leave his biography on our “Executive Committee” page for the time being.

In the mean time we remember Charles with these words by W. Shakespeare;

“But if the while I think on thee dear friend, all losses are restored and sorrows end”.

Rest in Peace cousin Charles,

Derek x

I would like to call on all members of Finte O’Broin to support me in my bid for Seanad Eireann (Irish Senate).

I am running on the Dublin University (Trinity College Dublin) panel and only TCD graduates can vote for me.

Please ask anyone you know who is a graduate to give me their number 1 vote.

My list of priority issues can be found on my website at www.derekbyrne.ie/manifesto/

Thank you for your support.

Certavi et Vici

Derek

The Clan Byrne of Cloncurry and Kilcock and their friends were welcomed to the Mansion House in Dublin by Lord Mayor, Paul McAuliffe on Saturday the 19th of October in recognition of raising over 40,000 euro for MS Ireland on the annual Royal Canal Charity Walk.

Congratulations to my brother Edward Byrne and Cousin David Byrne and everyone who has taken part in this even since it began in 2013.

A big thank you to the Lord Mayor who gave us a personal tour of the Mansion House in Dublin and made it a very special day indeed.

President of Finte O’Broin, Derek Byrne with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe

Group photo – Clan Byrne of Cloncurry and Kilcock and Friends

With my brother Edward sitting at the dinning table where the first Dail was formed

As President of Finte O’Broin, I am delighted to announce that on the 11th of September we registered our 350th member!

Seamus O’Byrne from Kells in County Meath with an interest in Medieval History was the 350th person to become a member of Finte O’Broin since we officially launched in July 2012.

With members covering all four corners of the globe, Finte O’Broin is one of the most thriving clan societies in Ireland.

Our Clan Gathering in 2013 at Ballinacor in Rathdrum was a huge success and was attended by the Clan O’Byrne best claim hereditary Chief, Lt. Col. Charles Artaud Byrne, the direct descendant of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne. A re-enactment of the capture of Feagh thrilled all who came and a commemorative plaque was erected on the site where Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne was captured by the English in 1598.

Since then, Finte O’Broin has contributed to a number of history related events such as the Dublin History Festival, the annual Robert Emmet Memorial on the 20th of September and the 14th International Napoleon Society Conference in 2016 to name but a few.

Our charitable work has raised over 40,000 euro for MS Ireland since 2012 and will be celebrated with an invitation to the Mansion House by the current Lord Mayor of Dublin in October.

We continue to work on our mission is to celebrate and and honour the rich history of Clan O’Byrne and to make our clan society relevant in a modern Ireland.

Thank you to all 350 of our members for being part of this project and for ensuring that the legacy of our great name survives.

Certavi et Vici,

Derek Byrne, O’Byrne of Downes, Guardian of the Name.

The Byrne Clan annual charity walk for MS Ireland surpassed the 40K mark yesterday as Edward Byrne and a team of walkers completed the 25K stretch from Maynooth to Croke Park in just over four hours.

There to meet them as they reached the finish line was new Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe who has invited the intrepid group to celebrate at the Mansion House within the next few days.

The annual walk, which is the brain child of Edward Byrne, started in 2012 as a genealogical project walking from the O’Byrne of Clonmore and Kilcock ancestral home in Mullingar to the current family home on the Navan Road in Dublin along the Royal Canal.  The family have a long standing connection to the construction of the Royal Canal which has featured in every walk since.

Congratulations to all who completed the walk which this year was in aid of an MS local cause and highlights what can be achieved when people come together to support a noble cause.

PRIVACY  POLICY

Finte O’Broin does not collect personal information except for a contact email address which is provided with full consent on our “Become a Member” page.

Email addresses are not shared or provided to a third party and are accessible by the President of Finte O’Broin solely for the purposes of informing members of News or Events pertaining to Finte O’Broin.

Should you have any questions regarding our Privacy Policy, please contact Derek Byrne at derek@clanbyrne.com

Earlier this month, I invited our Patron Lt. Col. Charles Artuad Byrne, who is now a young man in his 90s, to send me a greeting for all our members at Christmas. Below is the message which Charles has sent.

At this time of year, we receive an upsurge of interest in Finte O’Broin as many people at home in Ireland and overseas become more cognisant of the importance of family ties, family history and traditions.

On behalf of all at Finte O’Broin, I would like to wish all Byrnes, wherever you may be a very happy and loving Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  Derek Byrne

Christmas Message from Lt. Col. Charles Artaud Byrne – 2018.

Dear Derek,

Greetings to each Clan Byrne member with every wish that the member and Clan procreate and prosper. 1949 was the year I first set foot on my Great Great Grandfather’s soil at Ballinderry Hall near Rathdrum and Crony Byrne.  In 1818 he brought his wife, Mary Russel Byrne, five daughters and three sons to America aboard a packet that landed miles from the Atlantic at Alexandria, Virginia, on the Potomac River a few miles below Washington. Despite the madness of today’s world I believe Ireland and the United States are positioned to share a strong and bountiful future. A growing Finte Broin will find its place and earn its share.

Certavi et vici,

Charles

On behalf of our Hon. Clan Chief Lt. Col. Charles Artuad Bynre and all at Finte O’Broin I would like to wish the members of Clan O’Byrne in Ireland and around the world a very happy Saint Patrick’s Day.

It is particularly difficult for those of you who are away from home, family and friends today. Take comfort in the knowledge that when you are Irish you are welcome everywhere and you are remembered fondly by everyone who knows you here in Ireland.

Today the whole world celebrates the Irish so we hope that all of you who are Byrnes and of Byrne decent will celebrate your identity with your family and friends on this special day of our Patron Saint.

With all good wishes.

Derek Byrne

O’Byrne of Downes

President, Finte O’Broin.

Come one come all – calling all Wicklow Byrnes and fellow county men who will be in New York on St. Patrick’s Day!

An open invitation from Kenneth Deegan, President of the County Wicklow Association

Thomas J Byrnes of Oakland New Jersey sends us details about the County Wicklow Association which will march in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City on Saturday March 17th.

If you are interested in marching with the CWA please meet at 11.45am at East 47th St. between 5th and Madison Avenue (after Boy Scouts of America and before Brehan Law Society)

Don’t forget to dress smartly as the various groups are judged.

All the very best of the luck of the Irish to Thomas and his family on St. Patrick’s Day!

Derek Byrne