Duthai Ui Riagain

by Seosamh Mac Cába

Description of Author & Book

Seosamh MacCába was born on November 26th 1881 in the village of Clonaslee, Co. Laois. His father, Hugh, was a teacher who hailed from Co. Monaghan where his father also taught. His mother’s maiden name was Dunne.

Seosamh was a monitor at Clonaslee National School and having been awarded the King’s Scholarship he trained as a teacher in De La Salle Training College, Waterford. He taught in Moneenroe, Castlecomer before being appointed Principal of Clonad National School, Portlaoise where he worked from 1907 to 1948.

Seosamh compiled “Historical Notes on Laois and Place Names of Ballyroan” which was published by the Old Laois Society. He then went on to write Duthai Ui Riagain, a history of Ui Riagain territory and a genealogy of its chieftains - the O’Dunnes. 

Riagain was the name of a chief or prince of ancient Ui Faile. As the clan multiplied and spread out the term Ui Riagain gradually became applied to the clan-lands which are now known as the Barony of Tinnahinch in the North-western part of Laois (but formally part of Ui Faile) which takes in a large part of the Slieve Bloom range. It also comprises the parishes of Clonaslee, Kilmanman, Rearymore, Rosenallis and Castlebrack. 

Donn (meaning a hill or fortress) was a great-grandson of Riagain and became progenitor of the O'Dunne clan, which became the principal family of the tribe name Ui Riagain.

These notes have been compiled from a scrutiny of old maps and documents, from the writer’s own personal knowledge of the district and from consultations with elderly residents of the area. The aim of writing this book has been principally to portray the genealogy of the O’Dunne Clan.

The book entitled “Duthai Ui Riagain” is a history of Ui Riagain territory which is part of the Slieve Bloom range. It is also a genealogy of its chieftains the ODunnes.