Ciarraige Locha na nÁirne


The Ciarraighe Locha na nÁirne were a branch of the Ciarraighe people, located in what is now central-east County Mayo in Connacht.

Origins

The three Ciarraige of Connacht – Ciarraige Áei, Ciarraige Airtig and Ciarraighe Locha na nÁirne – were thought to have once formed a single over-kingdom which was broken up by the rise of the Ui Briuin in the 8th and 9th centuries.
Ciarraighe Locha na nÁirne was located in the barony of Costello in east County Mayo.

Descendants

The leading dynasty of the Ciarraige Locha na nAirne had by the 12th century adopted the surname Ó Céirín. It is now anglicised as Kerin, Kerins, Kearn, Kerrane and Carey among other spellings. A branch settled in Clare in the early 15th century, there is also a branch in Kerry.

Annalistic references