MUINTIR CHEOCHÁIN
The Keohanes of West Cork

Greetings from your Chieftain

A KEOHANE COAT-OF-ARMS? - (picture to follow in near future)

As far as we know, no Keohane was granted a coat of arms. None is registered with the Chief Herald at the Genealogical Office, Kildare St., Dublin. That means all versions are correct, or not wrong. The coat-of-arms depicted above seems to be the most favoured; another version shows three fishes. The Red Hand of Ulster certainly reflects the northern origin of the Crowleys, and by definition, the Crowley Keohanes. If enough Keohanes were interested it may be possible to register a Coat-Of-Arms for Muintir Ceocháin in the future.

Most of us have ‘suffered’ over the years because of the very unusual surname we share. “How do you spell it?” and “How do you say it?” are the most common questions. In my mind the most interesting questions are “Where do we come from?” and “Why are we found only in south Co. Kerry and West Cork?” Any Keohane (or surname variants such as Keohen) tracing back will find their origins in this delightful part of Co. Cork – wherever they are in the world!

We have much discussion over the origin of the name, but the view now held is that we are a branch of the Crowleys, who somehow got lost in a fog – the Irish word ceocháin certainly means fog or mist. Some assert that due to the fog we missed the Battle of Kinsale, January 1602. The Barryroe Keohanes – on the eastern side of the Keohane area – do not have any folklore memory of this link, but the connection is still retained in the Beara area, where the two surnames are commonly used – Crowley Keohane. In the Bantry area, the surnames were quite interchangeable up to recent years.

I have met so many Keohanes in the USA who changed to Crowley because “that is how it is said in the USA!” These Keohanes are usually from the Bantry area. Others changed the spelling to the phonetic Keohen. I believe that the vast majority using the latter version are descended from either Jeremiah or Timothy Keohane, brothers born in Courtmacsherry, or John Keohane, born in Ballinvrokig. They emigrated from Barryroe to Minnesota.

CLAN GATHERINGS

From the first meeting in of the Barryroe Keohanes in 1992, The Keohanes of West Cork have met several times. The First International Gathering was in 1994, organised by myself with great help from Cousin Jim in Florida, USA, and my sister Eileen in Edinburgh, Scotland. Many responded to the invitation, and continue to attend the meetings – wherever they may be held. Jerome Keohane, Barryroe & Sale, Cheshire, was declared Honorary Chieftain. The consensus was that we should get-together every two years, changing the venue.

Jim & Joanne of Treasure Island FL organised the 1996 Gathering in Orlando, FL, and Jim was then acclaimed Honorary Chieftain. Bill & Anne Keohane, South Windsor, CT. did all the hard work for Boston in 1999, and we had a memorable 4th July weekend. The decision was made to return to Ireland for the next gathering, which was centred on the Rosscarbery area 13 – 17th July 2001. The 2003 Keohane Gathering was in Seattle Washington, USA, and this wonderful weekend was organised by cousins Terri and Marianne, daughters of Emmett Keohen, and their wonderful families. The Keohane Gatherings are days [and nights] of activities and meetings and great conversations with fellow Keohanes. I hope that you will join us for our next clan gathering. The list below shows the venues and the elected Chieftains at past Gatherings.

CHIEFTAINS & VENUES

Jerome Keohane, Sale, Cheshire, England.
June 1994Seacourt House, Co. Cork

James F. Keohane, Treasure Island, Florida, USA
July 1996Orlando, Florida, USA
July 1999Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Nora Keohane Hickey, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
July 2001Rosscarbery, Co. Cork
July 2003Seattle, Washington, USA

Next KEOHANE INTERNATIONAL GATHERING
12 – 16 JULY 2006
Rosscarbery, Co. Cork

Very Important!

Book your accommodation early and directly with the Celtic Ross Hotel.
Rooms are reserved in the name of The Keohane Gathering.
Self-catering / local Bed & Breakfast lists are also available.
Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Tel: + 353 23 48722 Fax: +353 23 48723
www.celticrosshotel.com Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nora Keohane Hickey, Clan Chieftain
2 Hillcrest, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Tel: +353 21 4773440 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it