| |
Irish America magazine - Aug/Sept '08 issue: The Global Irishman, In the Name of the Fada, Chicago and the Irish, Hannah’s Descendants, Roots: The Marvelous McDonaghs, Slainte: Dancing at Lughnasa, Review of Books, Ashley Davis - Finding Herself Through Her Past
|
|
|
 The
Marvelous McDonaghs
Roots
By Maeve Molloy
McDonagh is one of the rarer surnames of Ireland, but exists also as
MacDonagh, MacDonough, Donogh, and Donagh. The modern forms of the name are
derived from Mac Donnchadha, which originates from the first name Donnchadh,
a compound of "donn" meaning brown, plus "cath," a battle. Often translated
as "brown one," Donnchadh was a popular first name in ancient times. Given
its popularity, the surname derived from it rose quickly through many
regions of Ireland. These many sects of McDonaghs grew separately throughout
the country, and thus there is not always a common thread between McDonagh
clans.
The ancient McDonaghs featured mainly in Counties Cork, Galway, and other
parts of Connacht. In Cork, the McDonaghs were a branch of the MacCarthy
clan. They were known as the "Lords of Duhallow" and built Kanturk Castle.
Construction began on this semi-fortified castle in about 1610, but was
halted when the English government became jealous of the size and apparent
strength of the structure and its owner. Never finished, the shell of the
castle is known as "McDonagh's Folly."
A McDonagh family also rose in Connacht. These McDonaghs, a branch of the
MacDermotts, claim Donagh MacDermott as an ancestor and ruled in the barony
of Tirreril in ancient times. Their power was spread throughout Counties
Sligo and Roscommon.
McDonagh or MacDonagh is, in most cases, a Connacht name and is today
concentrated in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
A martyr for Irish independence, Thomas MacDonagh (1878-1916) was a gifted
poet and a lecturer in University College Dublin. He is most remembered for
his part in the 1916 uprising, during which he became a signatory of the
Proclamation of Independence, and for which he was executed. His mark will
forever be left on Irish independence and Irish literature and drama, as he
was not only a distinguished poet, but also a co-founder of the Irish
theatre. His son, Donagh MacDonagh (1912-68), was also a poet and dramatist,
with three volumes of poetry and the classic play Happy as Larry.
Continuing the McDonagh tradition in the arts is Maitland McDonagh, a noted
film critic and author of several books on cinema. Born into an
Irish-American family, McDonagh was raised in New York City. Her emigrant
grandparents were the proprietors of the Moylan Tavern, which was
reincarnated as the Moylan Tavern of Fox's The George Carlin Show. McDonagh
teaches film at Brooklyn College and is author of Filmmaking on the Fringe
and Movie Lust, the third in the Sasquatch book series, which includes Book
Lust by Nancy Pearl.
 Rounding
off the clan’s theatrical contribution is playwright and director Martin
McDonagh. London-born to Irish parents, his most famous plays are The Beauty
Queen of Leenane and The Lieutenant of Inishmore. He won an Oscar in 2006
for best live-action short film for Six Shooter, and directed his first
full-length movie, In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson,
this year.
Upholding the McDonaghs’ sports tradition is Jenny McDonagh, who is a field
hockey forward on the Belfast Harlequins team. She played for the Women's
National team in 2001 against England, as well as the Olympic and World Cup
qualifiers in 2004 and 2006 respectively. The McDonaghs also have fine
pugilists in the family. Peter McDonagh is currently fighting at
lightweight. During the 1980s Seamus McDonagh was a popular cruiserweight
who fought Evander Holyfield in 1990. Since putting the gloves away, Seamus
has gone on to become an actor, and recently played the lead role in
Shamrock Kid during its run in New York.
In the corporate world, CEO of HSBC NA and subject of this issue’s cover
story, Brendan McDonagh, is blazing a trail in banking. The Dublin-born
businessman heads the bank from its headquarters in Chicago. HSBC employs
over 40,000 people in the United States.
The McDonagh name is popular in Galway, home of “McDonagh’s of Ireland.”
Established in 1902, the restaurant is still owned by the original McDonagh
family, and has become known around the world as the restaurant to visit in
Galway. Presented with the "Best Bag of Chips [Fries] Award" in 2007, this
famous spot even made it into the most recent version of the video game
"Grand Theft Auto."
|
|
|
|
|
