| Mac Giolla Phádraig / Fitzpatrick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent house | Dál Birn |
| Country | Ireland |
| Founded | late 10th century |
| Founder | Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada, heir ofÓengus Osrithe throughCerball mac Dúnlainge's sonCellach |
| Current head | Vacant |
| Final ruler | Bernard FitzPatrick, 2nd Baron Castletown |
| Titles |
Kingdom of Ireland titles: |
| Dissolution | 29 May 1937 |
Mac Giolla Phádraig (Irish:[mˠəkɟɪl̪ˠəfˠaːd̪ˠɾˠəɟ];Old Irish:Mac Gilla Pátraic) is a native Irish dynastic surname which translates into English as"Son of the Devotee of(St.) Patrick".[2] In the medieval period, the Mac Giolla Phádraigs were hereditary kings ofOsraige; today, the anglicised version of the name is commonly "Fitzpatrick".
The name "Giolla Phádraig" first appears in the annals at the end of the tenth century in connection with the ChristianizedUí Ímair dynasty ofWaterford, and is later found elsewhere.[3] Likely as a consequence of the intermarriage, this surname came to be borne by the leading medieval branch of theDál Birn lineage, the illustrious ruling dynasty of the neighbouringOsraige. This surname was adopted by the descendants of kingGilla Patráic mac Donnchada who reigned asking of Osraige from 976 to 996.[citation needed] Some scholars speculate a Norse influence on the name.[4] In 1537, As part of the surrender /submission of Brian Mac Giolla Phádraig, then the ruling chief ofUpper Ossory and lineal descendant of Gilla Pátraic mac Donnchada, to King Henry VIII Brian took the anglicised name ofFitz-Patrick, Fitz is a Norman French name meaning son. and the majority of the Mac Giolla Phádraig clan followed suit. Many members of the lineage feature prominently in Irish and English politics throughout history.[5][6]
Numerous places throughout the historicOsraige andUpper Ossory regions and elsewhere have strong associations with the activity of Clann Giolla Phádraig. These includeJerpoint Abbey in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny; Aghamacart,[9][10]Aghaboe Abbey, the vicinity ofSt Canice's Cathedral,Gowran,Grangefertagh nearJohnstown, County Kilkenny, Ballagharahin, Co. Laois,[11]Ballaghmore Castle,[12]Cullahill Castle, amongst other places.
An important Ossorian genealogy for Domnall mac Donnchada mac Gilla Patric is preserved in theBodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 502, tracing the medieval Mac Giolla Phádraig dynasty back toÓengus Osrithe, who supposedly flourished in the first or second century.[13][14] The genealogy goes on further, tracing the pedigree back toNoah (and thus presumably toAdam), but scholars regard this as an attachment of the accounts inGenesis on the back of native tradition. Another early Ossorian genealogy is found in theBook of Leinster.[15]
The white saltire on a black field is widely recognized as a standard feature in all Fitzpatrick arms, along with the lion and dragon crest. Different chiefs in the arms generally follow either three or black torteaux on a white chief, or the "French augmentation" of three fleur-de-lis or, on a chief azure - a gift fromHenri II upon the2nd Baron Upper Ossory while he served as ambassador forEdward VI. The Fitzpatrick (Mac Giolla Phádraig) Latin motto –Fortis sub Forte Fatiscet – can be interpreted as "The strong will yield to the strong." A second motto in Irish, "Ceart Láidir Abú" translates loosely to "Right and Mighty Forever",[16] or more narrowly as "Correct, Strong, to Victory!"
Since 2000, the Fitzpatrick-Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society, not registered with the Clans of Ireland, has been researching and promoting the history of the name.[17] Members from across the world have shared information and history, and international and regional clan gatherings have been held in Ireland and the United States for participants to present their research and visit historical sites of interest to the clan. International Clan Gatherings have been held inPortlaoise andKilkenny city in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2018,[18] and regional gatherings have been held inAltamont, New York,Savannah, Georgia, andAlbany, New York in 2018 and 2019.
Also prominent isThe Fitzpatrick Clan Society, which since 2019 has facilitated the registration of five Fitzpatrick clans withClans of IrelandArchived 8 February 2015 at theWayback Machine: the Fitzpatrick / Mac Gilpatrick of Ulster – Mac Giolla Phádraig Ulaidh; the Fitzpatrick / O'Mulpatrick of Breifne – Ó Maol Phádraig Breifne; the Fitzpatrick / Mac Gilpatrick of the tribe of Cas – Mac Giolla Phádraig Dál gCais; the Fitzpatrick / Mac Gilpatrick of Leinster – Mac Giolla Phádraig Laighean; and, the Fitzpatrick of Upper Ossory. The Society publishes its research inThe Journal of the Fitzpatrick Clan Society.
In April 2004, a geophysical survey usingground-penetrating radar discovered what were likely the original foundations of the twelfth century cathedral of the diocese of Ossory and another very large structure which was possibly a royal Mac Giolla Phádraig palace; noting that the site bears a strong resemblance to contemporaneous structures at theRock of Cashel.[19]
TheMac Giolla Phádraig Way is a hiking trail named after the family connecting communities in southwestCounty Laois and north County Kilkenny, as part of theSlieve Bloom Way.[citation needed]
